King Dhritarashtra addressed Sanjaya with anxious curiosity, saying, “Tell me how Karna and Dharmaraja arranged their armies for battle. While Karna advanced with irresistible force, where was Arjuna? If Arjuna stood upon the field, how could Karna hope to devastate the enemy? Was not Arjuna the unconquerable warrior who even humbled Indra during the burning of the Khandava forest? By what courage did Karna dare to confront such a hero?” Thus the blind monarch, torn between hope and fear, sought a faithful account of the events unfolding upon the sacred field of Kurukshetra.
Sanjaya replied with composed reverence, “O King, I shall describe in full the strategic genius of Karna, the steadfast resistance of Dharmaraja, and the movements of Arjuna. Karna arranged his mighty army in the formidable Makara Vyuha. On his right stood Kripacharya, supported by Krithavarma and the valiant warriors of Magadha. Beside them were Shakuni and Uluka, ever eager for deception and conflict. On the left wing stood the fierce Trigarta warriors, reinforced by the armies of the Kambojas, the Sakas, and the Yavanas, together with numerous divisions of the Kaurava host. Behind this formidable formation stood Duryodhana, Dussasana, and their brothers, fully armed and guarded by Ashwatthama and many renowned princes. Encircled by illustrious warriors, Karna shone in the midst of the army like the sacred mark adorning the forehead of a noble king. Before him marched an immense force of elephants, advancing like dark storm clouds that shook the earth beneath their weight.”
Observing this formidable arrangement, Dharmaraja turned to Arjuna and said, “Behold the strength of Karna’s formation. Prepare such a counter-strategy that our army may not lose heart or confidence.” Arjuna answered without hesitation, “However mighty Karna’s host may appear, the surest strategy is to slay Karna himself. That task is neither difficult nor impossible for me.” Dharmaraja then assigned every warrior to confront his destined opponent within the Kaurava ranks. Arjuna carefully instructed the commanders concerning their movements, inspired the soldiers with fearless resolve, and advanced toward the enemy.
Sanjaya continued, “Thus, O King, Karna’s Makara Vyuha was met by Arjuna’s brilliant Ardha Chandra Vyuha, the Crescent Formation. Arjuna stood at its foremost point like the rising sun. Bhima and Dhrishtadyumna guarded its two mighty wings, while the remaining Pandavas and their allied kings strengthened the rear, creating a formation balanced in strength and purpose.”
Dhritarashtra interrupted, saying, “You have told me that Arjuna was fiercely engaged with the Trigarta warriors while Karna defeated Dharmaraja. Explain to me this astonishing course of battle.” Sanjaya answered, “O King, events unfolded differently from the original plan of Dharmaraja. As the armies collided with deafening fury, Arjuna advanced directly toward Karna. Recognizing the banner bearing the glorious emblem of Hanuman, the united Kaurava forces rushed upon Arjuna with overwhelming pride and confidence. Their advancing ranks swelled like the restless tides of the ocean, yet Arjuna stood unmoved, like the eternal shore that restrains the sea.”
With celestial skill, Arjuna began to shatter the elephant divisions, covering the battlefield with showers of blazing arrows. Though surrounded on every side, his chariot moved with divine grace, while his shafts consumed the enemy like flames driven by a mighty wind. Witnessing this magnificent spectacle, Shalya said to Karna, “Behold Arjuna, whose banner bears the immortal Hanuman. Observe the majesty with which he moves through the battlefield. Even though the Trigarta warriors have surrounded him, he overwhelms them with unending torrents of arrows.” Thus Shalya pointed out Arjuna’s irresistible advance before Karna.
Inspired by the stirring words of Ashwatthama, the Kaurava warriors renewed their assault with greater determination. The battle rose to dreadful intensity. Kripacharya, Krithavarma, and many celebrated princes fought with unmatched valor, pressing forward through fields strewn with fallen elephants, slain horses, shattered chariots, broken weapons, and lifeless warriors. The collision of swords, maces, and arrows produced blazing sparks like fire born from thunder, while rivers of blood flowed across the battlefield, bearing grim witness to the fury of war.
Seeing the conflict intensify, Duryodhana advanced to support Karna with his vast fourfold army. His powerful divisions surged forward like a volcanic eruption, raising immense clouds of dust that darkened the heavens. In response, the Panchala forces and the Pandava warriors rushed to strengthen their embattled companions. Karna met their charge with dreadful precision, sending countless heroes to the gates of heaven. Even Krithavarma and many Kaurava warriors marveled at the relentless fury with which Karna pierced the enemy ranks, drawing streams of blood through the unerring flight of his arrows.
Dhritarashtra again questioned Sanjaya, “When Karna attacked Dharmaraja, who came to defend him?” Sanjaya replied, “Having subdued the opposing lines, Karna drove relentlessly toward Dharmaraja. At once Dhrishtadyumna, accompanied by his powerful divisions, intercepted him. The valiant Prabhadraka princes charged fearlessly against Karna, but he slew those youthful warriors without mercy. Enraged by their fall, the Panchalas rushed upon him with fierce determination, yet Karna cut down twenty-five mighty warriors with twenty-five unfailing arrows. Again and again the Panchalas renewed their assault, but many more surrendered their lives before the terrible power of Karna’s bow.”
Accompanied by his three heroic sons, Karna continued to torment the Pandava armies beyond all measure. Unable to endure his devastation, Bhima, Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Satyaki, Janamejaya, Nakula, Sahadeva, the Upapandavas, and many other distinguished warriors simultaneously unleashed torrents of arrows upon him. Perceiving the danger surrounding Karna, Duryodhana, together with Dussasana and a mighty elephant corps, advanced swiftly and attacked Bhimasena. With irresistible force Bhima shattered the advancing host, scattering the enemy ranks as the rising sun disperses masses of dark clouds. Numerous elephants collapsed upon the earth, shaking the battlefield with their fall.
Thereafter Kripacharya and many renowned warriors crossed before Karna to engage Bhima directly. Dussasana joined them with renewed fury, while Karna’s sons also charged against the mighty son of Vayu. The struggle became unimaginably dreadful. Neither side could claim relief, and terror spread alike among the soldiers of both armies as the earth trembled beneath the relentless violence of the war.
Thus Sanjaya continued his solemn narration before the anxious king. At one moment his words revived Dhritarashtra’s fading hopes, and at the next they plunged his heart into despair, for every report from Kurukshetra carried both the promise of triumph and the shadow of inevitable loss.
