द्रोणपुत्र का युद्ध

Dhritarashtra said When the wrathful preceptor endued with prowess, having addressed my Duryodhana, who (even) acts in opposition to my commands, thus entered into the Pandava army.

How did the Pandavas oppose that mighty bowman, the heroic Drona, who having entered it (i.e., the hostile army) was moving about (the field of battle) stationed on his car.

(And) when the preceptor was engaged in the terrible slaughter of the enemy in that great battle, who did protect the right wheel (of his car) and who the left?

Who were the heroes that guarded the rear of that warrior engaged in fight? Who were the enemies that were stationed in front of that carwarrior?

It seems to me that the experienced an excessive cold chill ill-suited to the proper season or I think they shivered like cows exposed to frosts.

When that unvanquished and mighty wielder of bow and that foremost of the wielders of weapons, dancing on the track of his car, entered among the Panchalas.

Consuming all the forces of the Panchalas like an angry comet, how did that foremost of the car-warriors, meet with death?

Sanjaya said Having killed the king of Sindhu in the evening Partha saw the king (i.e. Yudhishthira) and then united with the great bowman Satyaki he advanced against Drona himself.

Then Yudhishthira together with the Pandava Bhimasena joined by their separate squadrons soon rushed against Drona himself.

Similarly, Nakula endued with intelligence and Sahadeva difficult of being conquered and Dhrishtadyumna with his army and Virata together with the Kekayas.

And the Matsyas and the Shalvas with their own divisions advanced against Drona for battle. protected by the Panchalas, Drupada.

The father of Dhrishtadyumna, O king, marched against Drona. Those mighty wielders of bow viz., the (five) sons of Draupadi and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha.

Followed by their own troops proceeded against the highly resplendent Drona. The Prabhadrakas and the Panchałas, numbering sixty thousand (efficient) smiters.

With Shikhandi at their head, marched against Drona. Similarly (numerous) other foremost of men and mighty car-warriors on the side of the Pandavas.

O best of men, jointly proceeded against Drona. O best of the Bharatas, those warriors having proceeded for the fight.

The night became dark increasing the terror of the cowards. (And) that dismal (night) O king, proved destructive of (numerous) warriors.

And it then prove fatal to elephants horses and men. On that bitchy dark night jackals setting up (terrible) yells everywhere.

And with their gaping mouths all ablaze indicated dreadful terror. Specially greatly terrible owls, screaming from the standards of the Kauravas, foreboded dreadful terror. Then, O king of kings, there arose a tumultuous uproar from among the troops.

(Mingling) with the loud beat of drums and sound of cymbals, the grunt of elephants and the neigh of horses.

And the noise of hoofs (that uproar) spread everywhere. Then there took place an awfully dreadful nocturnal battle.

Of great king, between Drona (on one hand) and all the Srinjayas (on the other). In consequence of the night being enveloped in darkness and of the dust raised by the soldiers nothing could be discerned. The blood of men, horses and elephant mingled together.

Stupefied with unconsciousness as we were we did not see any dust on the earth. Like the (creaking sounds) of a burning bamboo forest on a mountain during a night.

There arose a dreadful clanging noise of the clashing weapons. In consequence of the sounds of Mridangas, Anakas, Vallakis and Patahas.

And of the thundering shouts, of the combatants and the neigh (of steeds), O lord, everything was in utter confusion. O king, on account of darkness gathering fast, friends could not be distinguished from foes.

And at that night every one became as if seized with madness. O king of kings, then the dust on earth (soon) disappeared on account of (the profuse) flow of blood.

(Then), on account of the golden armours and the ornaments (worn by the warriors) the gloom was dispersed. Adorned with gems and gold the Bharata army then.

Looked like the firmament studded with stars during the night, О foremost of the Bharatas. (That field of battie) with maces and standards lying scattered all over, resounding with the howls of the Jackals.

Grunts of elephants and ringing with the striking of arms and shouts (of the combatants) appeared dreadful. Then there arose a great and tumultuous uproar, causing the hair to stand on end.

And filling all the points like the roar of Mahendra's thunder. (A.d) great king, at that night the Bharata army illuminated with the Angadas, ear-rings, cuirasses and with the weapons could be (clearly) seen. There (on the field of battle) elephants and cars decked with gold.

Looked like clouds with lightning playing upon them during the night. Swords, darts, maces, scimitars, clubs, lances and axes.

Looked like blazing sparks of fire when they fell. Duryodhana was the precursory wind, cars and elephants were the clouds,

Sounds of musical instruments were the thundering noise, bow and standards were the lightning flashes; Drona and the Pandavas were the clouds, swords, darts and maces were the thunder.

And shower, both very hot and cold, of arrows and of (other) weapons were the gusts of wind-of that dreadful, marvellous and fierce (army) which was fata) to life and from which escape and not at all possible.

desirous of battle, warriors entered fearlessly into that host at that dreadful night resounding with numerous sounds.

And when that awfully terrible and fierce nocturnal battle was raging which struck terror into (the minds of) the cowards and increased the joy of the valiant.

The Pandavas and the Srinjayas united together rushed furiously against Drona. (But) O king, all those who confronted that highsouied one.

Were driven back and some were sent to the abode of Yama. Thousands of elephants, ten thousands of car-warriors.

Millions of foot-soldiers and hundreds of millions of horses were pierced with shafts by Drona alone at that night.