Sanjaya said to King Dhritarashtra, “O Lord of the Kurus, while the celestial hosts looked on from the heavens with wonder, Sushena, the valiant son of Karna, shattered Bhima’s bow and pierced his broad chest with a keen spear. He then lost seven swift arrows upon the mighty son of Vayu, and the gods themselves applauded the young warrior’s prowess.”
Bhimasena, stung by pain yet inflamed with wrath, seized another mighty bow. With irresistible force he broke Sushena’s bow and struck him with fourteen sharp arrows. Karna, seeing his son endangered, hastened to support him, but Bhima checked his advance with seventy-five arrows that flashed like tongues of fire. At that moment Satyasena rushed against Bhima; yet Bhima slew his horses, struck down his banner and charioteer with seven arrows, and with three crescent-headed shafts severed the warrior’s head, which fell from the body like a lotus parted from its stem.
Exulting in the strength of his mighty arms, Bhima then assailed Kritavarma, Kripacharya, and many others, breaking their bows in rapid succession. He wounded Duhshasana with seven arrows, Shakuni with six, and overthrew the charioteers and horses of Uluka and his companions, destroying their chariots. Thereafter he poured a storm of arrows upon Sushena, but Karna, vigilant and swift, shattered the shafts in midair. Bhima again struck Sushena with ten arrows, only to see them broken by Karna, who in return pierced Bhima with seventy-three keen shafts.
Nakula then entered the fray. Sushena wounded him with five arrows, but Nakula answered with twenty, causing such distress that Karna cried aloud at his son’s suffering. Enraged, Sushena struck Nakula with sixty arrows and sorely troubled him. Sahadeva came to his brother’s aid, yet Sushena pierced him also with seven shafts. Thus the combat between Sushena and the twin sons of Madri raged fiercely, recalling the terrible wars once fought between gods and demons.
Meanwhile Vrishasena, Karna’s youthful and lion-hearted son, charged against Satyaki. Satyaki met him with seventy arrows and wounded his charioteer with three. Vrishasena then struck Satyaki upon the forehead with a blazing shaft and grievously afflicted him. Maddened by the blow, Satyaki pierced the charioteer with three arrows, broke Vrishasena’s bow with a spear-headed shaft, wounded the horses with seven arrows, cut down the banner and its staff with a single missile, and struck Vrishasena’s chest with three powerful shafts, leaving him senseless upon the field.
Recovering quickly, Vrishasena advanced on foot with sword and shield, but Satyaki shattered both with unerring arrows. Helpless and wounded, the young prince was lifted onto Duhshasana’s chariot and later remounted another, returning to Karna’s side. Karna then turned upon Satyaki, striking him, wounding his charioteer, shredding his banner, and scattering his steeds. Satyaki mounted a fresh chariot and once more harried the forces that guarded Karna.
Then the sons of Draupadi, Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva, Yuyudhana, and King Yudhishthira himself surrounded Karna and rained torrents of arrows upon him. Karna, radiant amid the warriors, struck each assailant with ten shafts and, by marvelous swiftness of chariot movement, shook the hostile ranks. Though the Pandavas redoubled their assault, Karna astonished them by smashing chariots, slaying horses, and striking down charioteers with relentless precision. The celestial spectators marveled at his mastery of weapons and divine missiles, for he drenched the battlefield with shafts and cast his foes into despair.
Desiring above all to humble Yudhishthira, Karna pierced through the opposing ranks, spreading terror among the enemy. Satyaki and Shikhandi, supported by their followers, sought to restrain him and revive the drooping spirit of the righteous king. More warriors joined them, showering Karna with arrows, while the Kaurava host surged forward like a swelling sea to protect its foremost champion
