mighty car-warriors (of the Pandava army) united together,
listen to me as I speak (of them) unto thee.
Like a young tiger attacking a bull, Chitrasena, O
king, rushed against Chekitana who in that battle
was proceeding for getting at Bhishma. Kritavarman,
O king, resisted Dhrishtadyumna who had reached the
presence of Bhishma and who was exerting himself with
great activity and vigour in that battle. Somadatta’s
son, O monarch, with great activity, resisted Bhimasena
excited with fury and desirous of slaying Bhishma.
Similarly Vikarna, desirous of (protecting) Bhishma’s
life, resisted the brave Nakula who was scattering
innumerable arrows around. And so, O king, Kripa
the son of Saradwat, excited with rage, resisted Sahadeva
proceeding towards Bhishma’s car. And the
mighty Durmukha rushed at that Rakshasa of cruel deeds,
viz., the mighty son of Bhishmasena, desirous
of Bhishma’s slaughter. Thy son Duryodhana
himself resisted Satyaki proceeding to battle.
Sudakshina the ruler of the Kamavojas, O king, resisted
Abhimanyu, O monarch, who was proceeding towards Bhishma’s
car. And Aswatthaman, O king, excited with rage,
resisted old Virata and Drupada, those two chastisers
of foes united together. And Bharadwaja’s
son, exerting himself with vigour in battle, resisted
the eldest Pandava, that is to say, king Yudhishthira
the just, who was desirous of Bhishma’s death.
And that great bowman, viz., Dussasana, in that
battle, resisted Arjuna who was rushing with great
speed, with Sikhandin before him, desirous of coming
upon Bhishma, O monarch, and illuminating the ten
quarters (with his bright weapons). And other
warriors of thy army resisted in that great battle
other mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas proceeding
against Bhishma. Dhrishtadyumna, that mighty car-warrior,
excited with rage, rushed against Bhishma alone and
addressing the troops, repeatedly said in a loud voice,
’There, Arjuna, that delighter of Kuru’s
race, is proceeding against Bhishma in battle.
Rush ye against Ganga’s son. Be not afraid.
Bhishma will not be able to attack you in battle.[476]
Vasava himself cannot venture to fight with Arjuna
in battle. What therefore, need be said of Bhishma
who, though possessed of bravery in battle, is feeble
and old.” Hearing these words of their
commander, the mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army,
filled with joy, rushed towards the car of Ganga’s
son. Many foremost of men, however, of thy army
cheerfully received and resisted those heroes coming
towards Bhishma like impetuous mass of living energy.
That mighty car-warrior, Dussasana, abandoning all
fears, rushed against Dhananjaya, desirous of protecting
the life of Bhishma. And so the heroic Pandavas
also, O king, rushed in. battle against thy sons,
those mighty car-warriors, stationed about Bhishma’s
car. And then, O king we beheld a highly wonderful
incident, viz., that Partha, having proceeded
as far as Dussasana’s car, could not advance
further. As the continent resists the surging