of Death or the very thunder in effulgence, before they could reach him.[401] They then, surrounding that mighty-armed warrior, endeavoured to slay him.  But the son of Somadatta, excited with rage, cut off their bows, O Bharata, and then their heads, with sharp shafts.  Thus slain, they fell down, O monarch, like mighty trees felled by the thunder.[402] Beholding then his mighty sons thus slain in battle, the Vrishni hero (Satyaki), O king, uttering a loud roar, rushed against Bhurisravas.  And those mighty warriors then each pressed his car against the other.  And each of them in that combat slew the other’s car-steeds.  And both deprived of their cars, those mighty warriors jumped down on the ground.  And both taking up large scimitars and excellent shields encountered each other.  And those tigers among men, stationed for the encounter, shone brightly.  Then Bhimasena, O king, quickly coming up to Satyaki thus armed with an excellent scimitar, took him up on his own car.  And thy son also, O monarch, speedily took up Bhurisravas on his car, in that battle, at the very sight of all the bowmen.

“Meanwhile, during the continuance of that battle, the Pandavas, O bull of Bharata’s race, excited with wrath, fought with that mighty car-warrior Bhishma.  And when the sun assumed a red hue, Dhananjaya exerting himself actively, slew five and twenty thousand great car-warriors.  These, urged on by Duryodhana for slaying Partha, were thus completely destroyed before they could even come up to him, like insects on a blazing fire.  Then the Matsyas and the Kekayas, all accomplished in the science of arms, surrounded that mighty car-warrior Partha as also his son (for supporting them).  Just at that time the sun disappeared, and all the combatants seemed to be deprived of their senses.  Then at twilight, O king, thy sire Devavrata, his animals having been tired, caused the troops to be withdrawn.  And the troops of both the Pandavas and the Kurus, filled with fear and anxiety in course of that dreadful encounter, proceeded to their respective camps, the Pandavas with the Srinjayas and the Kauravas also rested for the night agreeably to the rules (of military science).”

SECTION LXXV

Sanjaya said, “Having rested for a while, O king, both the Kurus and the Pandavas, after the night had passed away, once more went out for battle.  And then loud was the uproar, O king, that arose of mighty car-warriors as they prepared for battle, and of tuskers as these were being equipped for the conflict, and of infantry as they put on their armour, and of steeds also, O Bharata.  And the blare of conches and the beat of drums became deafening in all parts of the field.  Then king Yudhishthira addressed Dhrishtadyumna and said, ’O mighty-armed one, dispose the troops in the array called Makara that scorcheth the foe.’  Thus addressed by Pritha’s son, that mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, that foremost