Sampoorna Mahabharata • సంపూర్ణ శ్రీమహాభారతము • Episode 821

Episode 821: The war

Sanjaya said: “O king! At dawn, Bhishma, Drona, Duryodhana, Bahlika, Jayadratha, and other kings marched forth with their armies. The Kaurava army filled with mighty chariots, elephants, and horses, and glowed like a thunderous cloud lit by flashes of lightning in the rainy season.

From afar, Arjuna saw that vast army arranged in the Nāga-vyūha (serpent formation), compact and powerful & resolved to destroy it.

He mounted a chariot with white horses, a shining flag, and swiftly advanced. His chariot was well-equipped, beautifully adorned, and bore Hanuman emblem. It was driven by Krishna.

Seeing his chariot, all the Kaurava warriors were deeply distressed. Arjuna skillfully arranged a brilliant battle formation. Never had anyone seen or even heard of such a formation.

Soon, thousands of trumpets blared; warriors roared; conches were blown. The twang of bowstrings filled the air. It was an awe-inspiring and terrifying scene. At sunrise, the great warriors charged toward their enemies.

Chariot-warriors were killed along with their horses. Elephants collapsed. Warriors on horseback were killed by spears and swords. Some great chariot-warriors shot the enraged elephants. Because of the elephants’ strength and the chaos they caused, many horsemen and foot soldiers slipped and died. As the cavalry and infantry perished in great numbers, elephants and horses grew panic-stricken.

Then Bhishma released divine weapons upon Arjuna. Likewise, Drona, Kripa, Shalya, Vivimsati, Duryodhana, Somadatta, and other heroes attacked Arjuna. The brave Abhimanyu who was skilled in every weapon, mounted a great chariot and confronted those warriors.

The invincible Arjuna destroyed every celestial weapon shot by them. He shone on the battlefield like a blazing fire. Bhishma advanced further. Encountering Abhimanyu on the way, he passed him and attacked Arjuna directly.

Arjuna smiled and released sharp, swift-flying arrows that destroyed Bhishma’s weapons. He showered a torrent of arrows and shining spears upon him.

Bhishma countered Arjuna, cutting his weapons midair with his arrows. Bhishma and Arjuna, both supreme among men, fought a fierce and terrible duel. Without mercy, they fought face to face in a dreadful combat. The Kauravas, the Srinjayas, and all other warriors stood amazed, watching that wondrous battle.

Aśvatthāma, Bhūriśravā, Śalya, Citraseṇa, and Sala’s son surrounded Abhimanyu who fiercely fought with them all. He looked like a lion standing in the middle while 5 elephants were encircling it. None equalled him in hitting the target, in bravery, in valour, in the use of weapons, and in skill.

Seeing his son Abhimanyu fighting with great courage, Arjuna roared like a lion. With 1 arrow, Abhimanyu wounded Aśvatthāma. With 5 arrows, he wounded Śalya & with 8 arrows, broke his banner into pieces. Then Bhūriśravā hurled a mighty weapon which Abhimanyu struck down with a sharp arrow.

From another side, Śalya shot arrows at him. Abhimanyu threw a spear, breaking Śalya’s bow & killing his 4 horses. Even Bhūriśravā, Śalya, Aśvatthāma, Sāṃyamani, and Śala could not check his onslaught.

Meanwhile, the Trigartas, the Madra warriors and 25000 Kekayas confronted Arjuna, intending to kill him together with Abhimanyu. Atirathas Arjuna and Abhimanyu fought back.

Meanwhile, Dhṛṣṭadyumna led the army of thousands of elephants, chariots, a lakh of horses, and infantry. He angrily attacked the Madra and Kekaya forces. He shot 3 arrows at Kr̥pācārya’s neck-bone. He killed 10 warriors of the Madra army with arrows, hurled a spear and killed Krtavarma’s bodyguard & with a sharp and pure-edged arrow killed Paurava’s son Daman.

Meanwhile, Śala fiercely wounded Dhṛṣṭadyumna with 30 arrows. With 10 arrows, he wounded Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s charioteer. Dhṛṣṭadyumna angrily broke śala son’s bow with a sharp spear. With 25 arrows, he severely wounded Śala’s son, killed his horses, bodyguard, and charioteer.

Śala’s son, who was a Maharatha, held a terrible sword, jumped to the ground and rushed toward Dhṛṣṭadyumna, who was on his chariot. Dhṛṣṭadyumna killed him with his mace.

Śala burned with anger when his son died. He struck Dhṛṣṭadyumna with 3 arrows. Just then Śalya arrived & shot an arrow at Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s chest”.

Dhṛtarāṣṭra asked, “Sanjaya! My son’s army is being crushed by the Pāṇḍava army. It seems to me that divine power is greater than human strength.

My people are trying with all their might to win. Still, only the Pāṇḍavas are winning. Because of Duryodhana, I am constantly hearing unbearable and painful news. I am unable to find any way for the Pāṇḍavas to be defeated and for my sons to gain victory.”

Sanjaya said: “O King! Steady your mind. This is the fruit of the injustice you committed.

The splendid battle between Shalya and Drṣṭadyumna enhanced the glory of the battlefield. For long, they fought on equal terms.