Karna Parva — The general encounter

Dhritarashtra said O Sanjaya, I have heard from you of great and intolerable grief's of fierce character as well as of the destruction of my sons.

O Suta (charioteer), from what you describe to me and also from how the battle was fought, my certain conclusion is that the Kauravas are not alive.

In that fair battle, Duryodhana was deprived of his car. How did the son of Dharma fight; and how also did that prince (Duryodhana)?

How did take place the battle, that made the hairs to stand on points, in the afternoon? O Sanjaya, relate to me all these in detail; for you are an expert in this

Sanjaya said While the soldiers on both sides were thus engaged in fighting in their respective divisions your son, king Duryodhana, O lord of earth, ascending upon another car and being filled with great wrath, like a snake possessing virulent poison, addressed his charioteer, saying-

Do you proceed, do you proceed, quickly. After he, O descendant of the Bharata race, had beheld Yudhishthira, the king of righteousness, he said-"O charioteer, most speedily do you lead me to that place, where the royal son of Pandu, having been clad in armour, looks most resplendent with the umbrella held over his head."

Then the charioteer, being thus urged by the king, led the foremost of cars belonging to the king to the presence of king Yudhishthira in the battle. were an

Thereupon Yudhishthira, being filled with wrath and resembling an infuriate elephant, urged his charioteer, asking him to proceed to the place, where Suyodhana took his stand.

Those two heroic warriors, who were brothers to each other and who were the best of car-warriors and who were possessed of immense prowess and who also invincible in battle, coming in contact with each other, engaged themselves in encounter. Moreover these two mighty bowmen began to strike each other with numerous shafts in that battle.

Thereupon, O sire, the king Duryodhana severed the bow of that righteous one (Yudhishthira) by means of a broad-headed arrows, sharpened on a stone, in the battle.

Yudhishthira, who became highly enraged, did not indeed, car that insult. Then the son of Dharma, whose eyes became red with wrath, throwing aside his severed bow and grasping another bow, stood at the head of his army and cut-off the standard and bow of Duryodhana.

Then, having taken up another bow, he (Duryodhana) pierced the son of Pandu in return. Those two heroic warriors, poured forth showers of arrows upon each other.

Who like two lions filled with great rage, were highly enraged and who also were most desirous of defeating each other in the battle, those two most powerful car-warriors smote down each other like two roaring bulls.

In the battle, and also they wandered over the field, expecting to catch each other on their weak points. Thereupon the two heroes, who were wounded by the arrows shot from bows stretched to their fullest length, looked most handsome, O great monarch, resembling two flowering Kinshukas.

Then, O monarch, those two rulers of men uttered roars of a lion in order to terrify each other; as also they made sounds with their palms and with their bows; and again, sent forth the loudest sound with their conches in that dreadful battle.

O great king, those two oppressed each other very greatly. Thereupon king Yudhishthira, who became very angry, struck your son on the chest with arrows, that were very irresistible, having had the impetuosity of thunder.

Your son, that ruler of earth, most quickly pierced him (Yudhishthira) in return with five keen arrows, that were equipt with the wings of gold and sharpened on a stone.

Thereupon, O descendant of the Bharata race, the king Duryodhana shot an arrows, called Sakti, that was capable of slaughtering all creatures and was sharp-edged and also that looked like a large, resplendent brand.

Then the king of righteousness (Yudhishthira) severed into three fragments that arrows, which coursed towards him suddenly by means of numerous sharp shafts; and again, he, all on a sudden, pierced the prince himself (Duryodhana) with five others.

Thereupon that arrow, which was furnished with a golden staff and that was capable of producing a lould whizz, dropped down (upon the ground); and its falling, like a great brand attended with the blazing flames, looked most resplendent.

O ruler of earth, your son, beholding that Shakti-arrow thus severed into pieces, struck Yudhishthira with nine whetted and sharppointed arrows.

That scorcher of antagonists, being thus deeply penetrated by the most powerful enemy, quickly equipped himself and took up an arrow, aiming at Duryodhana.

O mighty monarch, thereupon that hero, possessed of immense strength and great powers, being greatly wrathful, put that arrow upon his bow-string and directed it (at his antagonist). Indeed, that arrow, approaching towards your son, that powerful car-warrior stupefied that prince and then went down the earth.

Thereupon Duryodhana, who was filled with wrath, most quickly raising his mace, afflicted the king of righteousness (Yudhishthira) with the desire of piercing him through, in order to put an end to all hostilities (between the Kurus Pandavas).

Beholding him thus raising his mace like Death himself armed with his rod, the king of righteousness (Yudhishthira) shot that mighty Shakti-arrow at your son, that blazed forth most brilliantly and was endued with great impetuosity and also that resembled a large and resplendent brand

Then he (the Kuru prince), who stayed on his car, having been pierced on the chest by that arrow, first piercing his vitals and also having been greatly pained a heart, fell down and became senseless.

Thereupon Bhima, recollecting his own vow, uttered these words 'O prince, (Yudhishthira), this one is not to be slaughtered by you.' Being thus addressed Yudhishthira abstained (from slaying him).

Thereupon Kritavarman, most quickly approaching towards your son, got near that prince, who was then drowned in the great ocean of calamity.

Then Bhima, too, grasping his mace, that was equipt with gold and flaxen chords, proceeded with great violence against Kritavarman in that dreadful battle.

O great king, thus took place the battle between the forces on your side and their antagonists, in that afternoon while the parties were most desirous of victory in the battle.