Arjuna, beholding the descent of the sanctified weapon hurled by Bhagadatta, was at once shielded by Krishna, who stood before him in serene majesty. From the standpoint of war-code and royal etiquette, such an act appeared extraordinary; yet the deeper truth lay beyond such conventions. Krishna, with gentle firmness, enlightened Arjuna, revealing that in ancient times, at the twilight dissolution of the universe, the Earth herself had approached Him during His meditative repose and, through divine grace, obtained a पुत्र—Narakasura. Pleased by her devotion, the Lord had bestowed upon her the irresistible Vaishnavastra, which later came into the hands of Narakasura and thereafter to Bhagadatta. “This weapon,” said Krishna, “cannot be endured by any being; it brings inevitable destruction. Therefore, I have intervened. Be not troubled by the course of action, but stand firm in thy duty.”
Thus instructed, Arjuna cast aside his doubt and turned his gaze upon Bhagadatta, whom Krishna declared to be a formidable adversary, adept in celestial weapons. Remembering the fall of Narakasura at the Lord’s hands, Arjuna resolved to end the wicked lineage. Drawing the Gandiva with unerring precision, he released a mighty shaft against the elephant Supratika. The colossal beast reeled as though a mountain had been struck, its strength waning as it slowly sank to the earth. Then, with a crescent-shaped arrow of sanctified power, Arjuna severed Bhagadatta’s neck, and both the fierce tusker and its lord felt lifeless upon the field, subdued by Arjuna’s prowess and Krishna’s divine grace.
Soon thereafter, the brothers of Śakuni, Vrishaka and Achala, witnessing the upheaval, advanced with fury against Arjuna. With swift mastery, he destroyed their steeds, charioteers, banners, and royal insignia, casting them into disarray. Even as they fought with lingering courage, Arjuna struck them down with a single, decisive shaft. Enraged by their fall, Duryodhana and the Kaurava chiefs surged forward, and Śakuni, resorting to deceitful arts, conjured illusions upon the battlefield. False clouds gathered; stones and trees rained from the sky; darkness engulfed the field; torrents of water poured forth; and dreadful serpents, beasts, and predatory birds appeared, spreading terror and confusion among the warriors.
Yet Arjuna, the master of divine weapons, dispelled the illusion with calm composure. Smiling with quiet disdain, he addressed Śakuni: “O uncle, thy sorcery fades as did thy deceit in the game of dice. Such cunning finds no place in the field of valor. My arrows are no dice to be manipulated. Seek not victory here through trickery.” With that, he lost a torrent of arrows that pierced Śakuni’s form. Overcome with fear and shame, the Gandhara prince abandoned the field, fleeing for his life, leaving his forces disheartened and leaderless.
Encouraged by this turn, Bhimasena and Satyaki drove back the scattered troops. Śakuni’s army split asunder, one part joining Duryodhana, the other rallying around Dronacharya. The Pandava forces, emboldened, roared with renewed vigor and pressed upon Drona. Duryodhana, raising his voice in urgency, commanded his warriors to gather in defense of their preceptor. The Kaurava host advanced resolutely, meeting the Pandavas in fierce confrontation.
Drishtadyumna, ever intent upon Drona, followed him like an unrelenting shadow, provoking him with bold defiance. Meanwhile, Duryodhana and Dharmaraja stood firm in battle, each astonished by the unwavering strength of the other’s army. Sanjaya, recounting these events to Dhritarashtra, declared that never had such undiminishing valor been witnessed on either side.
Amidst this turmoil, King Neela confronted Ashwatthama, who struck him down with a powerful arrow, hurling him lifeless to the ground. His forces, shaken, rallied under Drishtadyumna’s command and resumed the fight with fierce determination. Soon, an elite division led by Susarma, along with the Narayani forces, encircled Arjuna, shouting defiantly and seeking to challenge him. They derided him, questioning his valor and daring him to stand forth. Spotting Krishna and Arjuna at the southern flank, they advanced toward them with renewed aggression.
Seizing the moment, the Kauravas intensified their assault, placing the Pandava forces under severe strain. Bhimasena, rising like a tempest, encouraged his army and confronted Bahlika. Soon, Duryodhana, Drona, Karna, and Ashwatthama together attacked Bhima, raining relentless shafts upon him. Yet Bhima countered each with astonishing swiftness, as though contending with each adversary individually. At Dharmaraja’s command, Nakula, Sahadeva, Satyaki, and Abhimanyu joined the fray, engaging Duryodhana and his allies with fierce determination.
The battle grew violent and tumultuous beyond measure. Chariots collided with elephants; trunks were severed by flashing swords; horses fell beneath crushing feet; and warriors were trampled amidst chaos. The field became a dreadful expanse of shattered chariots, broken weapons, fallen beasts, and lifeless men. Ornaments lay scattered, and the cries of the dying filled the air. Even the celestial beings, witnessing such carnage, deemed it a war devoid of rule, order, and righteousness.
Perceiving the moment, Drishtadyumna declared it the proper time to surround and eliminate Drona. The Pandava forces surged toward him, but the preceptor, enraged, unleashed divine weapons that held them momentarily in stunned immobility. The Kaurava warriors, like ravenous wolves, fell upon them, driving them back for a time.
Then Arjuna, radiant with confidence and guided by faith, returned like a tempest, joined by Bhima, who raged like a hurricane. Together they halted the retreat and restored the Pandava lines. Advancing against Drona, they turned the tide, flooding the battlefield with destruction. The Kaurava army trembled, crying out in fear, calling upon Karna for protection. Assuring them, Karna stepped forth to confront Arjuna. At this, both armies regained their courage and pressed onward with renewed intensity, as Sanjaya continued his solemn narration to Dhritarashtra.
