head, decked with ear-rings.  Abhimanyu then pierced king Vrihadvala, the ruler of the Kosalas, in the chest, with a strong arrow.  The latter then, with riven heart, fell down.  Beholding this, ten thousand illustrious kings broke and fled.  Those kings, armed with swords and bows, fled away, uttering words inimical (to king Duryodhana’s Interest).  Having slain[77] Vrihadvala thus, the son of Subhadra careered it battle, paralysing thy warriors,—–­those great bowmen,—­by means of arrowy downpours, thick as rain.’"[78]

SECTION XLVI

“Sanjaya said, ’Phalguni’s son once more pierced Karna in the car with a barbed arrow, and for angering him still further, he pierced him with fifty other shafts.  The son of Radha pierced Abhimanyu in return with as many shafts.  Covered all over with arrows, Abhimanyu, then, O sire, looked exceedingly beautiful.  Filled with rage, he caused Karna also to be bathed in blood.  Mangled with arrows and covered with blood, the brave Karna also shone greatly.[79] Both of them pierced with arrows, both bathed in blood, those illustrious warriors then resembled a couple of flowering Kinsukas.  The son of Subhadra then slew six of Karna’s brave counsellors, conversant with all modes of warfare, with their steeds and charioteers and cars.  As regards other great bowmen Abhimanyu fearlessly pierced each of them in return, with ten arrows.  That feat of his seemed highly wonderful.  Slaying next the son of the ruler of the Magadhas, Abhimanyu, with six straight shafts, slew the youthful Aswaketu with his four steeds and charioteer.  Then slaying, with a sharp razor-headed arrow, the Bhoja prince of Martikavata, bearing the device of an elephant (on his banner), the son of Arjuna uttered a loud shout and began to scatter his shafts on all sides.  Then the son of Duhsasana pierced the four steeds of Abhimanyu with four shafts, his charioteer with one and Abhimanyu himself with ten.  The son of Arjuna, then, piercing Duhsasana’s son with ten fleet shafts, addressed him in a loud tone and with eyes red in wrath, said, ’Abandoning the battle, thy sire hath fled like a coward.  It is well thou knowest how to fight.  Thou shalt not, however, escape today with life.’  Saying these words unto him, Abhimanyu sped a long arrow, well polished by smith’s hand, at his foe.  The son of Drona cut that arrow with three shafts of his own.  Leaving Aswatthaman alone, Arjuna’s son struck Salya, in return, fearlessly pierced him in the chest with highly nine shafts, equipped with vulture’s feathers.  That feat seemed highly wonderful.  The son of Arjuna then cut off Salya’s bow and slew both his Parshni charioteers.  Abhimanyu then pierced Salya himself with six shafts made wholly of iron.  Thereupon, the latter, leaving that steedless car, mounted another.  Abhimanyu then slew five warriors., named Satrunjaya, and Chandraketu, and Mahamegba, and Suvarchas, and Suryabhasa.  He then pierced Suvala’s son.