Chapter 22

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘When the Pandavas were broken by Bharadwaja’s sonin hat dreadful battle, and the Panchalas also, was there anybody thatapproached Drona for battle? Alas, beholding Drona stationed in battle,like a, awning tiger, or an elephant with rent temples, ready to lay downhis life in battle, well-armed, conversant with all modes of fight, thatgreat bowman, that tiger among men, that enhancer of the fear of foes,grateful, devoted to truth, ever desirous of benefitingDuryodhana,–alas, beholding him at the head of his troops, was there noman that could approach him, with a laudable determination for battle adetermination that enhances the renown of Kshatriyas, that mean-spiritedpersons can never form, and that is distinctive only of the foremost ofpersons? Tell me, O Sanjaya, who were those heroes that approached theson of Bharadwaja, beholding him at the head of his forces?’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding the Panchalas, the Pandavas, the Matsyas, theSrinjayas, the Chedis, the Kalikeyas, thus routed after being broken inbattle by Drona with his shafts, beholding them thus driven from thefield by those showers of fleet arrows shot from Drona’s, bow, likevessels sent adrift by the awful waves of the tempest-tossed ocean, theKauravas with many leonine shouts and with the noise of diverseinstruments, began to assail the cars and elephants and foot-soldiers (ofthat hostile host) from all sides. And beholding those (fleeting soldiersof the Pandavas) king Duryodhana, stationed in the midst of his ownforces and encompassed by his own relatives and kinsmen, filled with joy,and laughing as he spoke, said these words unto Karna.’

“Duryodhana said, ‘Behold, O Radha’s son, the Panchalas broken by thatfirm bowman (Drona) with his shafts, like a herd of the wild deerfrightened by a lion. These, I think, will not again come to battle. Theyhave been broken by Drona like mighty trees by the tempest. Afflicted bythat high-souled warrior with those shafts winged with gold, they arefleeing away, no two persons are together. Indeed, they seem to bedragged in eddies all over the field. Checked by the Kauravas as also bythe high-souled Drona, they are huddling close to one another like (aherd of) elephants in the midst of a conflagration. Like a blossomingtrees penetrated by flights of bees, these warriors, pierced with thesharp shafts of Drona, are huddling close to one another, as they areflying away from the field. There, the wrathful Bhima, abandoned by thePandavas and the Srinjayas, and surrounded by my warriors, delighteth megreatly, O Karna! It is evident, that wicked wight beholdeth the worldtoday to be full of Drona! Without doubt, that son of Pandu hath todaybecome hopeless of life and kingdom.’

“Karna said, ‘That mighty-armed warrior will not certainly abandon thebattle as long as he is alive. Nor will he, O tiger among men, brookthese leonine shouts (of ours). Nor will the Pandavas, I think, bedefeated in battle. They are brave, endued with great might, accomplishedin weapons, and difficult of being resisted in battle. Recollecting thewoes caused them by our attempts at poisoning and burning them, and thewoes that arose from the match at dice, bearing in mind also their exilein, the woods, the Pandavas, I think, will not abandon the fight. Themighty-armed Vrikodara of immeasurable energy hath already turned back(for the fight). The son of Kunti will certainly slay many of ourforemost car-warriors. With sword and bow and dart, with steeds andelephants and men and cars,[41] with his mace made of iron, he will slaycrowds (of our soldiers). Other car-warriors headed by Satyajit, togetherwith the Panchalas, the Kekayas, the Matsyas, and especially thePandavas, are following him. They are all brave, and possessed of greatmight and prowess. Mighty car-warriors, they are again led by Bhima inwrath. Those bulls of the race, surrounding Vrikodara on all sides, likethe clouds surrounding the Sun, begin to approach Drona from all sides.Closely intent upon one object, these will certainly afflict unprotectedDrona, like flights of insects, on the point of death, striking a blazinglamp. Accomplished in weapons, they are certainly competent to resistDrona. Heavy is the burthen, I think, that now rests on Bharadwaja’s son.Let us then quickly go to the spot where Drona is. Let not those slay himof regulated vows like wolves slaying a mighty elephant!’

“Sanjaya continued, ‘Hearing these words of Radheya, king Duryodhanathen, accompanied by his brothers, O monarch, proceeded towards Drona’scar. The noise there was deafening, of Pandava warriors returned to thefight on their cars drawn by excellent steeds of diverse hue,[42] allactuated by the desire of slaying Drona alone.'”