DURYODHANA,
wounded all over and suffering greatly, went to Bhishma and said: "The
battle had been going against us every day. Our formations are broken and our
warriors are being slain in large numbers. You are looking on doing
nothing." The grandsire soothed Duryodhana with comforting words:
"Why do you let yourself be disheartened? Here are all of us, Drona,
Salya, Kritavarma, Aswatthama, Vikarna, Bhagadatta, Sakuni, the two brothers of
Avanti, the Trigarta chief, the king of Magadha, and Kripacharya. When
these great warriors are here, ready to give up their lives for you, why should
you feel downhearted? Get rid of this mood of dejection." Saying this, he
issued orders for the day. "See there," the grandsire said to
Duryodhana. "These thousands of cars, horses and horsemen, great war
elephants, and those armed foot soldiers from various kingdoms are all ready to
fight for you. With this fine army, you can vanquish even the gods. Fear
not." Thus cheering up the dejected Duryodhana, he gave him a healing balm
for his wounds. Duryodhana rubbed it over his numerous wounds and felt
relieved.
At that moment, the other Pandavas also joined
Arjuna. But the grandsire was able to hold his own against all five until the
sunset, and the battle was suspended for the day. And the warriors of both
sides, weary and wounded, retired to their tents for rest and for having their
injuries attended to. After this, for an hour, soft music was played, soothing
the warriors to their rest. That hour was spent, says the poet, without a word
about war or hatred. It was an hour of heavenly bliss, and it was a glad sight
to see. One can see herein what the great lesson of the Mahabharata is.
He
went to the field, heartened by the grandsire's words of confidence. The army
was that day arrayed in circular formation. With each war elephant were seven
chariots fully equipped. Each chariot was supported by seven horsemen. To each
horseman were attached ten shield bearers. Everyone wore armor. Duryodhana
stood resplendent like Indra at the center of this great and wellequipped army.
Yudhishthira arrayed the Pandava army in vajravyuha. This day's battle was fiercely
fought simultaneously at many sectors. Bhishma personally opposed Arjuna's
attacks. Drona and Virata were engaged with each other at another point.
Sikhandin and Aswatthama fought a big battle at another sector. Duryodhana and
Dhrishtadyumna fought with each other at yet another point. Nakula and Sahadeva
attacked their uncle Salya. The Avanti kings opposed Yudhamanyu, while
Bhimasena opposed Kritavarma, Chitrasena, Vikarna and Durmarsha. There were
great battles between Ghatotkacha and Bhagadatta, between Alambasa and Satyaki,
between Bhurisravas and Dhrishtaketu, between Yudhishthira and Srutayu and
between Chekitana and Kripa. In the battle between Drona and Virata, the latter
was worsted and he had to climb into the chariot of his son Sanga, having lost
his own chariot, horses and charioteer. Virata's sons Uttara and Sveta had
fallen in the first day's battle. On this seventh day, Sanga also was slain
just as his father came up to his side. Sikhandin, Drupada's son, was defeated
by Aswatthama. His chariot was smashed and he jumped down and stood sword and
shield in hand.
Aswatthama
aimed his shaft at his sword and broke it. Sikhandin then whirled the broken
sword and hurled it at Aswatthama with tremendous force, but it was met by
Aswatthama's arrow. Sikhandin, badly beaten, got into Satyaki's chariot and
retired. In the fight between Satyaki and Alambasa, the former had the worst of
it at first but later recovered ground and Alambasa had to flee. In the battle
between Dhrishtadyumna and Duryodhana, the horses of the latter were killed and
he had to alight from his chariot. He, however, continued the fight, sword in
hand. Sakuni came then and took the prince away in his chariot. Kritavarma made
a strong attack on Bhima but was worsted. He lost his chariot and horses and
acknowledging defeat, fled towards Sakuni's car, with Bhima's arrows sticking
all over him, making him look like a porcupine speeding away in the forest.
Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti were defeated by Yudhamanyu, and their armies were
completely destroyed. Bhagadatta attacked Ghatotkacha and put to flight all his
supporters. But, alone, Ghatotkacha stood and fought bravely. But in the end,
he too had to save himself by flight, which gladdened the whole Kaurava army.
Salya
attacked his nephews. Nakula's horses were killed and he had to join his
brother in the latter's chariot. Both continued the fight from the same car.
Salya was hit by Sahadeva's arrow and swooned. The charioteer skilfully drove
the car away and saved Salya. When the Madra king (Salya) was seen retreating
from the field Duryodhana's army lost heart and the twin sons of Madri blew
their conchs in triumph. Taking advantage of the situation, they inflicted
heavy damage on Salya's forces. At noon, Yudhishthira led an attack on Srutayu.
The latter's well-aimed arrows intercepted Dharmaputra's missiles, and his
armor was pierced and he was severely wounded.
Yudhishthira
then lost his temper and sent a powerful arrow that pierced Srutayu's
breast-plate. That day, Yudhishthira was
not his normal self and burnt with anger. Srutayu's charioteer and horses were
killed and the chariot was smashed and he had to flee on foot from the field.
This completed the demorahsation of Duryodhana's army. In the attack on Kripa,
Chekitana, losing his chariot and charioteer, alighted and attacked Kripa's
charioteer and horses with mace in hand and killed them. Kripa also alighted,
and standing on the ground, discharged his arrows. Chekitana was badly hit. He
then whirled his mace and hurled it at Kripacharya, but the latter was able to
intercept it with his own arrow.
Thereupon
they closed with each other, sword in hand. Both were wounded and fell on the
ground, when Bhima came and took Chekitana away in his chariot. Sakuni
similarly took wounded Kripa away in his car. Ninety-six arrows of Dhrishtaketu
struck Bhurisravas. And the great warrior was like a sun radiating glory, as
the arrows, all sticking in his breast-plate, shone bright around his radiant
face. Even in that condition, he compelled Dhrishtaketu to admit defeat and
retire. Three of Duryodhana's brothers attacked Abhimanyu who inflicted a heavy
defeat on them but spared their lives, because Bhima had sworn to kill them.
Thereupon, Bhishma attacked Abhimanyu. Arjuna saw this and said to his
illustrious charioteer: "Krishna, drive
the car towards Bhishma."
No comments:
Post a Comment