found ready accord among the Kaurava ranks; they gathered steadily, even as the wind, rising by degrees, draws together scattered wood into a single blaze. Meanwhile, the Pandava forces, gathering strength and spirit, advanced with increasing momentum toward their destined field.
Dharmaraja rode upon a chariot drawn by white steeds, fair as swans, its banner bearing the emblem of the moon, gently fluttering in the wind. Bhimasena followed in a chariot drawn by black steeds, his lion-crested flag streaming with fierce majesty. Nakula’s chariot, yoked to red steeds bright as parrot beaks, bore the mysterious insignia of the Sarabha upon its flag, while Sahadeva, upon a chariot drawn by cloud-hued brown steeds, carried the noble emblem of an elephant. Accompanied by Drupada, Virata, and Satyaki, they moved as one toward Dronacharya, their gait resplendent, their spirits surging, their valor, pride, and enthusiasm rising like waves, filling the air with a sovereign grace.
The Pandava forces surrounded Drona as clouds envelop a mountain peak, rendering him unseen from without, so that a rumor arose among the warriors that he had fallen. Perceiving a momentary slackening, Duryodhana, with a fierce gesture of command, urged his warriors forward and himself advanced to confront Bhimasena.
Then arose many encounters, each warrior matched with his equal in might and spirit. Satyaki engaged Kritavarma; Kshatradharma met the Saindhava; Yuyutsu faced Subhahu; Nakula contended with Dussasana; Sahadeva with Chitravarma; Dharmaraja with Salya; Drupada with Bahlika; Virata with Vinda and Anuvinda; Srutakeerthi with Vivimsati; Sruthasena with Salva; Srutasoma with Chitrasena; Satanika with Sruthavarma; Prativindhya with Aswaddhama; Soubhadra with Lakshmana; Sikhandi with Vikarna; Kuntibhoja with Durmukha; Karna with the five Kekaya princes; the Kasi king with Jaya; Pandya with Jayatsena; the sons of Drishtadyumna with Bruhadbala; Dhanurjaya with his adversaries; Vardhakshemi with Kripacharya; Manimatha with Bhurisrava; and Ghatotkacha with Alambusa. Thus were the forces drawn together in harmonious opposition, as though equal qualities sought their counterparts by a law unseen.
Soon the battle swelled into dreadful magnitude. Standards were torn, flagstaffs shattered, steeds slain, charioteers struck down, chariots broken, royal umbrellas rent, and hand-fans cast aside. It became a spectacle of unspeakable fury, even as Sanjaya described. Drona, with effortless mastery, vexed his foes, causing great distress to Drishtadyumna and the impetuous princes who strove against him.
Dhritarashtra then inquired anxiously concerning the united host, sworn under Susarma, that had gone forth against Arjuna. Sanjaya replied that he would recount that encounter in due course, and returned to the scene where the Pandavas and Kauravas clashed in unrelenting strife.
Duryodhana, seeking to display valor, urged forward a vast herd of elephants against Bhimasena. Bhima, his eyes blazing like fire and his face radiant with fierce sparks, released volleys of arrows that fell like storm-driven winds, shattering the elephant ranks as tempest rends gathering clouds. With keen shafts he harassed Duryodhana, pressing forward with terrible intent.
At that moment, a prince of the Vanga kingdom advanced, proud in the knowledge of celestial weapons, and for a while checked Bhima’s fury. Yet Bhima, inflamed with wrath, slew the prince’s elephant and severed his head, striking terror into the Vanga forces, who fled from his dreadful presence.
Then Bhagadatta entered the field, mounted upon his mighty elephant Suprateeka. The beast trampled warriors and steeds beneath its feet, and the earth ran red with blood and flesh. A murmur spread among the soldiers that Bhimasena had been slain, and confusion shook the ranks. Dharmaraja, overcome with concern, rallied his forces and hastened to Bhima’s aid.
He covered Bhagadatta with a dense shower of arrows, yet the elephant, like a rolling mountain, advanced irresistibly, crushing all before it. The valor of Bhagadatta and the steadfastness of Dharmaraja drew admiration from both armies. The king of Dasarna then confronted Bhagadatta, and their combat upon elephants resembled the clash of winged mountains of old. Yet Suprateeka overpowered the opposing beast, and Bhagadatta slew its rider with a storm of spears, tearing him as a plantain leaf is rent upon a thorn.
Advancing further, Bhagadatta, his spirit soaring like his banner, was met by Satyaki, who struck the elephant with a sharp arrow. The beast reeled for a moment, then recovering, seized Satyaki’s chariot with its trunk and dashed it to pieces, to the astonishment of all who beheld it. Swiftly the charioteer restored another car, and Satyaki, mounting it, returned undaunted to the fray.
Again the elephant assailed Bhimasena, striking his steeds with its trunk and driving his chariot into disorder. The warrior Suparva resisted with courage, but in a moment of weakness was crushed beneath the beast along with his horses.
Then Abhimanyu, the sons of Draupadi, Chekitana, Drishtaketu, and Yuyutsu surrounded the elephant and rained arrows upon it. In fury, the beast destroyed chariots and slew the charioteer of Yuyutsu, who mounted Abhimanyu’s chariot and continued the fight. The arrows pierced Suprateeka deeply, and its hide, stained with blood, glowed crimson. Urged on by Bhagadatta, it raged across the battlefield, overturning chariots and scattering forces, while Bhagadatta himself appeared like a herdsman driving cattle before him.
The tumult threw the armies into confusion, and the cries of the warriors filled the air with dread and wonder. Then Sanjaya spoke again to Dhritarashtra, saying that he would now recount the chivalry and valor of Arjuna and the noble kings who stood bound by their solemn vow.
