Chapter 61

Sanjaya said, “And Drona’s son, and Bhurisravas, and Chitrasena, O sire,and the son of Samyamani also, all fought with Subhadra’s son. And whilefighting alone with five tigers among men, people beheld him possessed ofexceeding energy, like a young lion fighting with five elephants. And noone among them equalled Krishna’s son in sureness of aim, in bravery, inprowess, in lightness of hand or in knowledge of weapons. And beholdinghis son, that chastiser of foes thus struggling and displaying hisprowess in battle, Partha set up a leonine roar. And seeing thy grandson,O king, thus afflicting thy host, thy warriors, O monarch, surrounded himon all sides. Then that smiter of foes, the son of Subhadra, dependingupon his prowess and might, advanced with undepressed heart against theDhartarashtra host. And while battling with the foe in that conflict, hismighty bow endued with the effulgence of the sun, was seen by all to beincessantly stretched for striking. And piercing the son of Drona withone shaft, and Salya with five, he overthrew the standard of Samyamani’sson with eight shafts. And with another sharp-edged arrow he cut off themighty dart of golden staff, resembling a snake, that was hurled at himby Somadatta’s son. And the heir of Arjuna, baffling in the very sight ofSalya, his hundreds of terrible shafts, slew his four steeds. ThereuponBhurisravas, and Salya, and Drona’s son and Samyamani, and Sala struckwith the fear at the strength of arms displayed by Krishna’s son couldnot stay before him. Then, O great king, the Trigartas and the Madras,with the Kekayas, numbering five and twenty thousand urged by thy son,all of whom were foremost of men accomplished in the science of arms andwho were incapable of defeat by foes in battle, surrounded Kiritin withhis son for slaying them both. Then, O king, that vanquisher of foes, thecommander of the Pandava army, the prince of the Panchalas, beheld thecars of the father and the son (thus) surrounded (by the foe). Supportedby many thousands of elephants and cars, and by hundred thousands ofcavalry and infantry, and stretching his bow in great wrath he advancedagainst that division of the Madras and the Kekayas, O chastiser of foes,leading his troops with him. And that division (of the Pandava army),protected by that renowned and firm bowman, and consisting of cars,elephants, and cavalry, looked resplendent as it advanced for theencounter. And while proceeding towards Arjuna, that perpetuator ofPanchala’s race struck Saradwat’s son on his shoulder-joint with threearrows. And piercing the Madrakas then with ten sharp shafts, he speedilyslew the protector of Kritavarman’s rear. And that chastiser of foesthen, with a shaft of broad head, slew Damana, the heir of thehigh-souled Paurava. Then the son of Samyamani pierced the Panchalaprince incapable of defeat in the battle with ten shafts, and hischarioteer also with ten shafts. Then that mighty bowman, (thus) severelypierced, licked with his tongue the corners of his mouth, and cut off hisenemy’s bow with a broad-headed shaft of excessive sharpness. And soonthe prince of Panchala afflicted his foe with five and twenty arrows, andthen slew his steeds, O king, and then both the protectors of his wings.Then, O bull of Bharata’s race, Samyamani’s son, standing on that carwhose steeds were slain, looked at the son of the renowned king of thePanchalas. Then taking up a terrible scimitar of the best kind, made ofsteel, Samyamani’s son walking on foot, approached Drupada’s son stayingon his car. And the Pandavas, soldiers and Dhrishtadyumna also ofPrishata’s race beheld him coming like a wave and resembling a snakefallen from the skies. And he whirled his sword and looked like the sunand advanced with the tread of an infuriate elephant. The prince ofPanchala then, excited with rage, quickly taking up a mace, smashed thehead of Samyamani’s son thus advancing towards him, sharp-edged scimitarin grasp and shield in hand, as soon as the latter, having crossed theshooting distance, was near enough to his adversary’s car. And then, Oking, while falling down deprived of life, his blazing scimitar andshield, loosened from his grasp, fell down with his body on the ground.And the high-souled son of the Panchala king, of terrible prowess, havingslain his foe with his mace, won great renown. And when that prince, thatmighty car-warrior and great bowman, was (thus) slain, loud cries of ohand alas arose among thy troops, O sire. Then Samyamani, excited withrage upon beholding his own son slain, impetuously rushed towards theprince of Panchala who was incapable of defeat in battle. And all thekings of both the Kuru and the Pandava armies beheld those two princesand foremost of car-warriors engaged in battle. Then that slayer ofhostile heroes Samyamani, excited with wrath, struck Prishata’s son withthree shafts like (the conductor of an elephant striking) a mightyelephant with hooks. And so Salya also, that ornament of assemblies,excited with wrath, struck the heroic son of Prishata on his breast. Andthen commenced (another) battle (there).”