Sanjaya said, “O King, while the roar of battle shook the earth and the heavens echoed with the clash of celestial weapons, Arjuna had already driven back the mighty divisions that stood against him. Breaking through the hostile ranks with irresistible force, he advanced steadily to rejoin his own army. Witnessing his progress, Duryodhana rushed forward to confront Bhima and cried with fierce confidence, ‘Where do you think you shall escape? Stand and fight! Your strength and arrogance shall avail you nothing before me. This very day I shall dispatch you as a worthy guest to the abode of Yama, the Lord of Death.’ With eyes blazing like burning embers, the Kuru prince released a relentless shower of arrows upon Bhima.
At that very moment Karna, drawing his mighty bow with terrible energy, advanced like a blazing sun rising amid storm clouds. Inspiring the dispirited Kaurava warriors, he rekindled their fading courage and led them boldly against the advancing Pandava hosts. Duryodhana and Karna together revived the martial spirit of the army, urging every warrior to stand firm. Yet the Pandava forces, disciplined and unwavering, met the renewed assault with calm determination. On every side the battlefield became a theatre of astonishing courage, where heroes displayed unmatched skill, endurance, and valour.
Karna’s mastery soon became evident. With faultless precision he shattered the banner of Sikhandi, slew his charioteer and horses, and pierced the warrior with countless arrows. Unable to withstand the terrible assault, Sikhandi withdrew from the battlefield. Nearby, Dussasana and Dhrishtadyumna encountered one another in a fierce contest. Their shafts crossed like flashes of lightning, each seeking to overpower the other in a struggle that tested both strength and endurance.
Elsewhere Nakula displayed remarkable prowess. He slew the charioteer of Vrishasena, killed his horses, and cut down his lofty banner. Witnessing the fall of the prince’s chariot, many Kaurava soldiers were seized with fear and began to scatter in confusion. Karna, perceiving their panic, restrained their flight with encouraging words, restoring their confidence. Another charioteer quickly mounted Vrishasena’s car, enabling the young warrior to remain beside his father. Having accomplished his purpose, Nakula turned to engage enemies elsewhere upon the field.
Sahadeva next encountered Uluka with irresistible force. Shattering his opponent’s chariot, he drove him helplessly from the battlefield. Meanwhile Satyaki and Sakuni met in combat worthy of renowned archers. Each cut down the other’s banner, shattered the other’s shield, and matched every feat with equal dexterity. At length Satyaki slew Sakuni’s horses, leaving the Gandhara king helpless upon the field. His son Uluka swiftly rescued him and bore him away from the raging conflict.
Bhima continued his dreadful advance like a tempest sweeping through a forest. Scattering the Kaurava divisions, he slew the charioteer of Duryodhana. Bereft of guidance, the terrified horses carried the Kuru king’s chariot away from immediate danger. Yet the Kaurava warriors, refusing to abandon their sovereign, gathered courage once more and boldly surrounded Bhima, seeking to halt his devastating progress.
Yudhamanyu then confronted Kripacharya and shattered the venerable preceptor’s mighty bow. Kripa, however, answered with his customary composure and deadly precision. He cut down Yudhamanyu’s banner and royal umbrella, slew his charioteer by severing his head, and compelled the Pandava warrior to retreat from the battlefield. At another quarter Uttamauja pierced Kritavarma with many keen arrows. The Bhoja hero retaliated with overwhelming force, striking Uttamauja unconscious. His faithful charioteer quickly removed him from danger before the enemy could claim victory.
Then Ashwatthama, supported by numerous distinguished warriors, displayed the immeasurable strength inherited from his illustrious lineage. He released an immense torrent of arrows against Krishna and Arjuna, astonishing both men and celestial beings alike. The gods, Gandharvas, and Siddhas watched with admiration as the son of Drona revealed his terrible mastery of warfare. Encouraged by his heroism, the hearts of the Kaurava soldiers once again overflowed with hope.
O King, Arjuna answered the assault by invoking divine astras of extraordinary brilliance. Karna, equal to the greatest masters of celestial warfare, neutralized those weapons with corresponding astras, producing a spectacle that filled heaven and earth with wonder. Ashwatthama then pierced Arjuna’s right arm with a sharp arrow, momentarily wounding the wielder of Gandiva. Arjuna instantly repaid the blow in equal measure. Inflamed with wrath, Ashwatthama next struck Krishna, the banner bearing Hanuman, and the celestial horses with radiant shafts. Undisturbed by these attacks, Arjuna continued his relentless battle with unwavering concentration.
Meanwhile, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira overwhelmed Chitrasena with a dense shower of arrows, routing him and scattering his supporting forces. Observing this, Duryodhana, accompanied by many heroic warriors, advanced against the righteous king and shattered his armour with a fierce volley of arrows. Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva, and Dhrishtadyumna hastened to shield their elder brother, confronting Duryodhana with determined courage.
Karna swiftly entered the fray to support the Kuru king. His arrows descended like a relentless storm, grievously troubling the Pandava heroes. Sahadeva struck Duryodhana with twenty well-aimed shafts, shaking both the king and his surrounding troops. Thereupon Karna invoked divine weapons whose irresistible force spread terror throughout the Pandava ranks. Confidence deserted many warriors as they struggled beneath the relentless fury of the son of Radha.
Seizing that critical moment, Karna pressed toward Yudhishthira. The righteous king struck him first with seven sharp arrows. Karna answered only with a calm smile before releasing a devastating volley that pierced deeply into Yudhishthira’s chest. Overcome by the terrible wounds, the king collapsed upon his chariot. His vigilant charioteer immediately carried him from the battlefield toward the safety of the camp. Seeing the retreat of the Pandava monarch, the Kaurava warriors eagerly pursued him, hoping to capture him alive. Their advance, however, was checked by the valiant Kekaya and Panchala warriors, who stood firmly across their path.
Bhima simultaneously blocked Duryodhana’s advance, covering him with countless arrows. Karna then wheeled his chariot with astonishing speed and launched another destructive assault upon the Kekaya and Panchala divisions. Unable to withstand his terrible onslaught, many warriors withdrew behind the mighty Bhima for protection.
Radiant upon his splendid chariot, Karna continued his pursuit of the wounded Yudhishthira. Though suffering greatly from his injuries, the son of Dharma slowly reached the camp. Even there Karna struck him with three more arrows. Regaining his composure, Yudhishthira responded bravely, showering Karna with arrows that slew his charioteer and wounded his steeds. At that critical moment Nakula and Sahadeva arrived to defend their elder brother, assailing Karna with keen shafts from every direction.
Karna smiled fearlessly amid the storm of arrows. Displaying incomparable mastery, he slew the horses of Yudhishthira, shattered his helmet, killed Nakula’s horses, and broke Nakula’s bow. Deprived of his chariot, Nakula mounted Sahadeva’s vehicle, and together the brothers continued the struggle. Karna, however, overwhelmed all three with such rapid and unceasing volleys that their bodies became entirely covered with arrows, leaving them exhausted and unable to regain the advantage.
At that decisive moment King Salya, serving as Karna’s charioteer, spoke with calm wisdom. “O Karna,” he said, “is it worthy of your greatness to exhaust your wrath upon Yudhishthira? Even should you slay him, what glory would be yours? If Arjuna yet lives, will he spare a single Kaurava after hearing of his brother’s death? True fame and everlasting renown await only the warrior who conquers Arjuna. Achieve that victory, and Duryodhana shall possess the entire kingdom without rival. Look instead upon your friend. Duryodhana is even now endangered by the irresistible Bhima. Only you possess the power to rescue him. If Duryodhana falls today, the destruction of Yudhishthira, Nakula, and Sahadeva will serve no purpose whatsoever.”
Recognizing the wisdom hidden within Salya’s counsel, Karna restrained his anger and abandoned the pursuit of the wounded sons of Pandu. Choosing loyalty above personal triumph, he turned his chariot toward the place where Duryodhana struggled desperately against Bhima. Thus, O King Dhritarashtra, after Karna departed, Yudhishthira, Nakula, and Sahadeva safely reached their camp, while the terrible tide of Kurukshetra flowed onward toward its destined and inescapable conclusion, as narrated faithfully by Sanjaya.
