As Karna’s mighty conches and martial fanfare resounded across the vast plain of Kurukshetra, the Kaurava host surged forward with renewed confidence, believing that the hour of their triumph had finally arrived. Opposite them, the Pandava warriors stood unshaken, their hearts aflame with steadfast resolve and unwavering devotion to righteousness. The clash of those immeasurable armies shook the earth itself as countless bows twanged, conches echoed, drums thundered, and war cries pierced the heavens. Every warrior proclaimed his illustrious lineage and heroic ancestry before charging into battle, considering it the highest honour to win either immortal fame through victory or eternal glory through a noble death.
The battlefield soon transformed into a dreadful ocean of blood. Severed limbs of mighty warriors lay scattered in every direction. Headless trunks of elephants collapsed like shattered mountains, while dismembered horses covered the earth with their lifeless forms. Broken chariots, shattered weapons, and fallen banners were strewn across the crimson-soaked ground. Jewelled ornaments torn from kings and princes glittered amidst pools of blood, while the golden decorations of elephants and the silver embellishments of horses reflected the radiant sunlight with an eerie brilliance. The sparkling gems mingled with the crimson earth, producing a terrifying beauty that could neither be admired nor forgotten. Above this dreadful spectacle, celestial beings watched in amazement, applauding the incomparable courage displayed by the warriors, while ghosts, spirits, and dreadful beings wandered joyfully through the rivers of blood, feasting upon the slain according to their fearful nature.
The warriors on both sides fought with unrestrained fury, fulfilling the longing they had cherished throughout their lives—to engage in the greatest battle ever witnessed upon the earth. None desired retreat, for every hero considered death beneath the weapons of a worthy adversary to be the highest reward. Thus they fought with smiling faces even while grievously wounded, offering their lives upon the altar of honour.
Meanwhile, the Trigarta warriors, determined to fulfil their vow, surrounded Arjuna from every direction and harassed him relentlessly. Their ceaseless assault stirred the wrath of Dhananjaya beyond measure. The thunderous twang of the Gandiva reverberated across the battlefield like the proclamation of approaching death, striking terror into the hearts of all who heard it. Arjuna first directed his fury toward King Susharma. In swift retaliation, Susharma pierced Arjuna with ten sharp arrows and wounded Lord Krishna with three keen shafts. Another three arrows struck the banner bearing Hanuman, causing the mighty Kapidhvaja to tremble. Instantly, Hanuman, residing upon the celestial banner, emitted a roar that resembled the crashing of thunderclouds, causing both armies to shudder in astonishment.
The united Trigarta forces quickly recovered from their momentary fear and surrounded Arjuna’s chariot in overwhelming numbers. They seized its yoke, grasped the axle, and clung to its wheels, hoping to halt its movement through sheer force. Yet the Supreme Lord Krishna, whose strength transcended all mortal comprehension, effortlessly removed those warriors as though they possessed no weight, pushing them aside with the effortless motion of His little finger. Freed once more, Arjuna released a shower of short, razor-edged arrows that cut down multitudes of those reckless attackers.
With serene composure and a gentle smile, Arjuna turned toward Krishna and declared, “O Madhava, what Kshatriya possessing even a fragment of courage could endure the humiliation of enemies laying hands upon his chariot? Only one utterly exhausted would tolerate such an insult. Witness now the measure of my valour.” Having spoken these words, Arjuna invoked the mighty Sarpastra. Serpentine bonds descended upon the enemy warriors, binding their feet and rendering them incapable of movement, as though countless venomous snakes had coiled themselves around their limbs. Simultaneously, he unleashed an unending torrent of arrows upon them, punishing them for their audacious attempt to restrain his chariot. Bound helplessly by the celestial weapon and pierced from every side, the Trigarta warriors were compelled to abandon their assault.
King Susharma, unwilling to witness the destruction of his army, invoked the sacred Garudastra. The celestial power of Garuda dispelled the serpentine bonds, releasing the imprisoned warriors, who immediately returned to the battle with renewed determination under their king’s command. Thus, as Sanjaya faithfully narrated these events to King Dhritarashtra, the battlefield once again erupted into relentless violence.
Encouraged by Susharma, the Trigarta warriors attacked Arjuna with irresistible force. Their arrows descended so densely that both Arjuna and Krishna were almost concealed beneath the unbroken shower of missiles. For a brief moment Arjuna staggered upon his chariot, appearing overwhelmed by the relentless assault. Observing this, the Kaurava army erupted into joyous cries, believing the unconquerable son of Pandu had finally fallen. Victory shouts echoed across the field, while conches, kettledrums, and countless war instruments proclaimed what they imagined to be their long-awaited triumph.
Their celebration, however, endured only for a fleeting instant. Recovering with astonishing speed, Arjuna arose like the blazing sun emerging after dark clouds had vanished. His Gandiva sang once more, releasing an immeasurable rain of arrows that annihilated everything before him. Susharma himself stood astonished at the swift reversal of fortune. Then Arjuna invoked the terrible Indrastra. Empowered by the celestial energy of the lord of heaven, the divine weapon swept across the battlefield like irresistible lightning, destroying ten thousand warriors of the Trigartas and their supporting divisions. Those who survived stood motionless in utter disbelief, deprived of both courage and reason, as though time itself had ceased around them. Freed from the obscuring cloud of enemy resistance, Arjuna shone upon the battlefield like blazing fire after the smoke had completely dispersed.
After the destruction of nearly fourteen thousand Trigarta warriors, the shattered remnants of their army merged into the main Kaurava host, utterly unable to withstand Arjuna’s irresistible fury. Elsewhere upon the field, the Kaurava divisions battling the Pandavas likewise failed to check the advancing tide of righteousness and fled in confusion. Perceiving their troops wavering, Duryodhana, Dushasana, Kritavarma, and many other foremost warriors rode among them, restoring confidence and urging them once more into fierce combat.
