Sanjaya said, “O King, a dreadful and wondrous encounter unfolded before the eyes of all warriors. Aswatthama and Bhimasena met in battle with unrestrained fury, resembling two mighty beasts of the wilderness contending for dominion. Equal in prowess, equal in skill, and equal in unyielding resolve, they displayed every refinement of martial science. Their chariots moved in strange and marvelous patterns, wheeling, circling, advancing, and retreating with astonishing precision. The brilliance of their combat appeared as though two radiant suns had collided at the dissolution of the universe, filling the field with blazing splendor and terror.”
The celestial hosts, gazing upon that extraordinary duel, spoke among themselves in wonder. “Countless battles have we witnessed across the worlds,” they said, “yet never have we beheld a contest such as this. Let us observe how long their strength, pride, and inexhaustible energies can sustain so fierce a struggle.” Thus the immortals watched with admiration as the two heroes continued their astonishing conflict.
Bhima and Aswatthama shattered each other’s banners and struck down one another’s charioteers. Their steeds and chariots were destroyed beneath the relentless storm of weapons. Sharp arrows flew in ceaseless torrents, and each warrior wounded the other grievously. At last, overwhelmed by their injuries, both heroes sank into unconsciousness upon their chariots. Their wounded charioteers, displaying remarkable devotion, swiftly bore them away from the battlefield to places of safety.
Elsewhere, Srutakirti, the valiant son of Arjuna, engaged the mighty Salya, king of Madra, in a contest of rare excellence. With great skill, Srutakirti pierced Salya with nine arrows, causing him intense pain. Salya retaliated immediately, striking vital parts of his opponent’s body with three keen shafts and wounding his charioteer, who bled profusely. Undeterred, Srutakirti answered with nine arrows aimed at Salya and three more directed against the king’s charioteer.
Enraged by these assaults, the ruler of Madra shattered Srutakirti’s bow and pierced him with nine arrows. The son of Arjuna quickly seized another bow and, with unwavering courage, struck Salya with sixty-four arrows, each finding its mark and causing severe anguish. Salya responded with ninety arrows, once again breaking his adversary’s bow and demonstrating his mastery of warfare.
Still unshaken, Srutakirti remained energetic and hurled a mighty mace toward the king of Madra. Salya, displaying astonishing dexterity, shattered the weapon in midair and severed the head of Srutakirti’s charioteer. Terrified by the destruction around them, the swift horses carried the damaged chariot away from the battlefield. Seizing the opportunity, Salya plunged deep into the army of Dharmaraja, spreading fear and confusion among the ranks.
The Madra king moved through the enemy host as though warfare were his natural sport. His fierce advance resembled a rogue elephant trampling a lake filled with blooming lotuses. At times he appeared like a lion leaping upon a herd of frightened deer, displaying the fullness of his power. At other moments he seemed like a towering blaze consuming a dry forest beneath the heat of summer. His inexhaustible wrath and irresistible vigor brought to mind a mighty celestial destroyer laying waste to hostile realms with divine fury.
Meanwhile, the courageous Sahadeva encountered the valiant Dussasana in a fierce and celebrated duel. Their combat earned the admiration of seasoned warriors, while the tumult of their weapons resounded so loudly that it seemed the very sky was splitting apart. Dussasana struck Sahadeva in the chest with sharp arrows, but the Pandava prince immediately retaliated, piercing his foe repeatedly and displaying equal determination.
Dussasana covered Sahadeva with seventy arrows and then shattered his bow. Sahadeva swiftly drew a sword and cut his opponent’s bow into fragments. Taking advantage of the moment, he launched a blazing arrow that seemed to carry the fire of destruction itself. Yet Dussasana severed it in flight and immediately struck Sahadeva with sixty-four arrows, believing his superiority firmly established.
The two warriors then unleashed such dense showers of arrows that countless shafts collided in midair. Broken arrowheads and fragments of steel accumulated upon the ground like small hills. Roaring with pride, Dussasana continued his assault, confident of victory. Sahadeva, however, knit his brows in wrath and resembled Rudra at the end of the age. Drawing a formidable arrow that shone like a falling star, he released it with tremendous force. The shaft pierced Dussasana’s armored chest, passed completely through his body, and sped onward unstained by blood.
Struck by that dreadful weapon, Dussasana trembled violently and fell unconscious upon his chariot. His charioteer quickly removed him from the battlefield before further harm could befall him. Victorious and unrelenting, Sahadeva charged into the Kaurava ranks, wounding every warrior who dared oppose him. His courage drew the applause of the celestial hosts, while the armies of the Pandavas raised triumphant cries that echoed across the field.
At another part of the battlefield, Nakula and Karna confronted each other in a contest worthy of their illustrious reputations. Addressing Karna, Nakula declared, “Fortune has favored me by granting a warrior of your stature as my opponent. You have long been among the chief causes of hostility between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. It is my desire that you fall beneath my arrows, and only after witnessing your defeat shall I consider my purpose fulfilled.”
Karna, stirred by pride and anger, answered not with words but with a fierce shower of arrows. Nakula met those shafts in flight, cutting them apart with remarkable skill. Karna then shattered Nakula’s bow and pierced his body repeatedly. Undismayed, Nakula retaliated by striking Karna’s charioteer with three arrows and wounding Karna himself with equal precision. He even broke Karna’s bow and astonished all who watched by enveloping the son of Radha beneath a vast canopy of arrows.
His face radiant with a smile tempered by righteous anger, Nakula shone brilliantly amid the struggle. Karna seized another mighty bow and pierced Nakula’s chest with five arrows. Nakula responded instantly with seven well-aimed shafts and once more broke his adversary’s weapon. Thus the battle swayed from one side to the other. At one moment Karna appeared superior; in the next, Nakula seemed to gain the advantage. Neither warrior yielded, and the outcome remained uncertain.
Sanjaya narrated these astonishing events to King Dhritarashtra, describing the immeasurable valor displayed by the heroes of both armies. Across the vast field of Kurukshetra, courage met courage, skill confronted skill, and destiny advanced through the clash of unconquerable wills, while gods and men alike stood in awe of the greatness and tragedy unfolding before their eyes.
