Sanjaya said, “O King Dhritarashtra, Arjuna advanced through the battlefield like the irresistible force of destiny. His bow never rested. With a ceaseless shower of arrows, he felled warriors, shattered mighty chariots, and struck down countless foot soldiers. Such was the fury of his celestial weapons that the battlefield seemed transformed into a vast ocean, where your soldiers appeared to be drowning in the boundless tide of Arjuna’s astras and shastras. Fear spread through their ranks as confusion clouded every mind.”
Witnessing the panic, Duryodhana rode among his wavering troops, urging them to abandon fear and fight with renewed courage. His words rekindled their spirit, and the Kaurava army surged forward once again. The battlefield roared with the deafening thunder of crushing chariot wheels, the whistling flight of arrows, the rhythmic pounding of galloping horses, the twanging of mighty bowstrings, the gleam of flashing spears, and the blazing brilliance of fire-tipped shafts. The heavens themselves seemed adorned with a terrifying yet majestic beauty as countless missiles streaked across the sky.
The Pandava heroes answered with equal determination. Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Sathanika, and the other great warriors rained torrents of arrows upon the Kaurava ranks. Duryodhana, burning with wrath, struck Dhrishtadyumna with razor-edged shafts. Undeterred, the son of Drupada retaliated with deadly precision, killing Duryodhana’s horses and his charioteer. Bereft of his chariot yet refusing to yield, Duryodhana mounted a horse and boldly rode toward the elephant divisions, driving the massive beasts to surround Arjuna’s chariot.
Arjuna remained unmoved. His arrows pierced every charging elephant with astonishing speed and accuracy. At that very moment, Bhimasena, wielding his colossal mace, leapt into the midst of the elephant corps. Like the god of destruction himself, he crushed the mighty beasts without mercy. Many fell lifeless upon the earth, while others, bleeding profusely and maddened with agony, fled wildly across the battlefield. Several herds, driven by terror, rushed toward Dharmaraja. Nakula, Sahadeva, and Dhrishtadyumna hastened to his defence, standing firm against the stampeding beasts.
Meanwhile, Kripa and Ashwatthama searched anxiously for Duryodhana amidst the shattered chariot divisions. Fearing that the Kuru prince might have fallen in battle, they questioned every warrior they encountered. Some replied that he had ridden toward Shakuni, while others dismissed the search, saying, “If he lives, he will surely appear. Let us continue fighting the Pandavas.” Accepting their counsel, the three mighty warriors turned their chariots toward Shakuni’s position.
Sanjaya continued, “O King, deprived of direction and leadership, your son’s army found itself surrounded by Dhrishtadyumna, who drenched the Kaurava warriors with an unending rain of arrows. Amid that terrible slaughter, I barely escaped from Dhrishtadyumna’s grasp, only to be seized and humiliated by Satyaki, who commanded four hundred splendid chariots.”
Bhimasena wandered fearlessly through the elephant ranks like a lion among frightened beasts. Enraged by the relentless attack of your sons, who showered him with arrows from every side, he mounted his chariot once more. Filled with unshakable confidence and immense strength, he fought with bow, mace, and every weapon at his command. He slew innumerable warriors and, in the fury of his assault, destroyed seven hundred elephants, eight hundred horses, and five hundred chariots with devastating showers of arrows. The survivors looked about in helpless bewilderment as Bhima stood proudly upon the field, his broad chest expanded in triumph. Slapping his mighty arms and chest, he proclaimed that only Duryodhana and a single surviving brother remained. His fearsome gestures froze the hearts of the Kaurava soldiers, who watched in stunned silence.
Sri Krishna then beheld Duryodhana amidst the cavalry and addressed Arjuna with calm assurance. “The enemy’s strength has greatly diminished. Dharmaraja and his brothers remain secure under your protection. Sanjaya’s capture by Satyaki has brought honour to your cause, and Dhrishtadyumna shines with the joy of victory. Now unite your strength and strike decisively. Behold Duryodhana. His royal umbrella has vanished, his splendour has faded, and though he appears pale, he is like a glowing ember hidden beneath a covering of ash. Pierce him with your unfailing arrows, and the world shall witness the fulfilment of your glorious destiny.”
Krishna continued, “Listen well, Arjuna. All the sons of Dhritarashtra have perished beneath Bhimasena’s might. Only Duryodhana and one brother remain, and their end now approaches.”
With folded hands and deep humility, Arjuna replied, “By your grace alone, O Madhava, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Shalya, and countless mighty warriors have met their end. Compared with those invincible heroes, the remaining enemy is but a fragment. Two hundred chariots, one hundred elephants, two thousand foot soldiers, five hundred horses, and Shakuni’s contingent now constitute the Kaurava strength. Their hope rests only upon Kripa, Kritavarma, and Ashwatthama. If I reach them, none shall survive. Duryodhana, stripped of his army, can no longer inspire fear. Should he stand before me, I shall consume him with the fire of my arrows. The wealth deceitfully won through the wicked game of dice, which brought endless sorrow to Dharmaraja, shall today be redeemed. Victory smiles upon righteousness. The women of Hastinapura shall soon learn of the fall of their husbands and sons and understand the irresistible might of the Pandavas.”
Sri Krishna smiled with profound satisfaction, praising Arjuna’s unwavering resolve. Sanjaya resumed his narration. “O King Dhritarashtra, Krishna drove the celestial chariot directly toward Duryodhana. Bhimasena and Sahadeva followed close behind, determined to bring the Kuru prince’s life to its destined end.”
Shakuni advanced with his remaining forces, and the surviving Kaurava warriors rallied around him. Susharma challenged Arjuna, while Sudarshana, Duryodhana’s brother, attacked Bhima. Duryodhana himself confronted Sahadeva, but Bhima swiftly came to his brother’s aid. Sahadeva, blazing with terrible splendour, pierced Duryodhana with long and piercing arrows. At the same time, the Gandhara cavalry surrounded Arjuna, who cut them down with flashing spears and severed countless heads in swift succession.
The Trigarta warriors then rushed upon Krishna and Arjuna with furious showers of arrows. Arjuna answered with unmatched precision, severing the head of Satyakarma, whose jeweled earrings glittered brilliantly as it fell upon the earth. Like a lion springing upon helpless deer, he rushed toward Satyesha and slew him without hesitation. The wrath he had long restrained now burst forth in all directions. With three deadly arrows he struck King Susharma, shattered his charioteers, pierced his chest, and finally slew the proud ruler of Trigarta.
Thus, O aged King, the sun of the Kaurava fortune descended toward its inevitable setting, while the victorious banner of the Pandavas rose ever higher over the blood-soaked field of Kurukshetra.
