सौप्तिक पर्व — श्रीकृष्ण सहित पाण्डव भीम के पीछे जाते हैं और उन्हें रोकना चाहते हैं; अश्वत्थामा ब्रह्मशिर अस्त्र छोड़ते हैं, किन्तु अर्जुन उसका प्रतिकार करते हैं

Vaishampayana said “Having said to that foremost of all wielders of weapons, viz., that delighter of all the Yadavas, got on his excellent car, well furnished with all sorts of powerful weapons.

Two pairs of best horses of the Kamvoja breed were yoked to that car and they were adorned with garlands of gold. The Dhur of that best of cars was of the colour of the morning sun.

On the right was yoked and horse known as Shaivya; on the left was placed Sugriva; the who Parshni was drawn by two others called Meghapushpa and Valahaka.

There was on that car celestial standard adorned with gems and gold and made by the celestial Architect, and standing high like the Maya of Vishnu.

Upon that standard was Vinata's son, Garuda, that enemy of snakes perched on the standard-top of of Keshava is the embodiment of truth.

The Hrishikesha, that foremost of all bowmen, got upon that car. After him Arjuna of irresistible deeds and Yudhishthira the king of the Kurus, got upon the same car,

Seated on that car. by the side of that Dasharha's hero, who held the bow called Sharnga, the two sons of Pandu shone highly beautiful, like the two Ashvins seated by the side of Vasava.

Making them got on that car of his which was adored by all the world, the Dasharha hero urged those best of fleet horses.

Those horses then suddenly ran taking after them that excellent vehicle ridden by the two sons of Pandu and by that foremost of Yadu's race.

Greatly quick-coursing, as those animals, were, bore away the wilder of Sharnga, a loud noise was caused by their motion, like that of birds passing through the air.

Running very quickly, they soon met, O foremost of Bharata's race, the mighty bowman Bhimasena in whose wake they had followed.

Although those great car-warriors met Bhima, they could not stop that son of Kunti, for filled with anger, he proceeded fiercely towards the enemy.

Before the very presence of those illustrious and firm bowmen, Bhima, by means of his very quick-coursing horses, proceeded towards the bank of the river Bhagirathi.

he saw the great and illustrious and darkcomplexioned and island-born Vyasa sitting near the edge of the water encircled by many Rishis.

And he also saw Drona's wicked son sitting by them, covered with dust, clad in a piece of cloth made of Kusha grass, and smeared all over with clarified butter.

Taking up his bow with arrows on it, the mighty-armed Bhimasena, the son of Kunti, rushed towards Ashvatthaman, and said, 'Wait, wait!'

Seeing that terrible bowman coming towards him bow in hand, and his tow brothers on Janarddana's car, Drona's son became exceedingly anxious and thought his end was night. Never to be depressed, he thought of that high weapon which he had obtained form his father.

He then took up a blade of grass with his left hand. Overcome with misfortune, he inspired that blade of grass with proper mantras and converted it into that powerful celestial weapon.

Unable to bear the arrows of the Pandavas and the presence of those wielders of celestial weapons, he cried in anger saying,-For the destruction of the Pandavas.'

Having said these words, O foremost of kings, the brave son of Drona discharged that weapon for stupefying all the worlds.

A fire then was begotten of that blade of grass, which appeared capable of destroying the three worlds like the all-destroying Yama at the end of the cycle."