mighty car-warrior Karna will vanquish Arjuna in battle.  As regards Bhimasena and others clad in mail, I will subjugate them all in fight.  The rest of the Pandavas deprived of energy, will be easily defeated by the warriors.  It is evident, my success then will last for ever.  For these reasons, protect the mighty car-warrior Drona in battle.’  Having said these words, O chief of the Bharatas, thy son Duryodhana, urged his troops on that night of terrible darkness.  Then commenced a battle, O chief of the Bharatas, between the two hosts.  O Monarch, both actuated by the desire of victory.  Arjuna began to afflict the Kauravas, and the Kauravas began to afflict Arjuna, with diverse kinds of weapons.  Drona’s son covered the, ruler of the Panchalas, and Drona himself covered the Srinjaya, with showers of straight shafts in that battle.  And as the Pandava and the Panchala troops (on the one side) and the Kaurava troops (on the other), O Bharata, were engaged in slaughtering each other, there arose a furious uproar on the field.  The battle that took place on that night was so terrible and fierce that its like had never been previously witnessed by ourselves or those gone before us.’”

SECTION CLXIV

“Sanjaya said, ’During the progress of that terrible nocturnal engagement, O king, which was fraught with an indiscriminate carnage, Dharma’s son Yudhishthira, addressed the Pandavas, the Panchalas, and the Somakas.  Indeed, O king, for the destruction of men, cars, and elephants, king Yudhisthira commanded his own troops, saying, ’Proceed ye against Drona only, for slaying him!’[220] At the command of the king, O monarch, the Panchalas and the Somakas rushed against Drona alone, uttering terrible shouts.  Ourselves excited with rage, and loudly roaring in return, rushed against them, to the best of our prowess, courage, and might, in battle.  Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, rushed against Yudhishthira, as the latter was advancing against Drona, like an infuriated elephant against an infuriated compeer.  Against Sini’s grandson who advanced scattering arrowy showers all around, rushed, O king, the Kuru warrior Bhuri, that grinder (of foes) in battle.  Karna, the son of Vikartana, O king, resisted that mighty car-warrior, viz., Pandu’s son, Sahadeva, as the letter advanced for getting at Drona.  King Duryodhana, in that battle, himself rushed against that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Bhimasena, advancing on his car like the Destroyer.  Sakuni, the son of Suvala, O king, proceeding quickly, resisted that foremost of warriors, viz., Nakula, who was conversant with every kind of battle.  Kripa, the son of Saradwat, O king, resisted Sikhandin in that battle, that foremost of car-warrior, as the latter advanced on his car.  Duhsasana, O king, contending vigorously, resisted Prativindhya as the letter advanced with resolution (on his car), drawn by steeds looking like peacocks.  Aswatthaman,