a snake, displaying his valour for the sake of the Pandavas and desiring to achieve thy evil.  Then loud cries of oh and alas arose among thy sons, O king, upon beholding that terrible dart resembling the rod of Death in splendour.  And hurled from Sweta’s arms, (that dart), resembling a snake that had just cast off its slough, fell with great force, O king, like a large meteor from the firmament.  Thy sire Devavrata then, O king, without the slightest fear, with eight sharp and winged arrows, cut off into nine fragments, that dart decked with pure gold and which seemed to be covered with flames of fire, as it coursed ablaze through the air.  All thy troops then, O bull of Bharata’s race, set up loud shouts of joy.  The son of Virata, however, beholding his dart cut off into fragments, became senseless with anger, and like one whose heart was overcome by (the arrival of) his hour, could not settle what to do.  Deprived of his senses by anger, O king, the son of Virata, then, smiling, joyfully took up a mace for Bhishma’s slaughter, with eyes red in wrath, and resembling a second Yama armed with mace, he rushed against Bhishma like a swollen torrent against the rocks.  Regarding his impetuosity as incapable of cheek, Bhishma endued with great prowess and conversant with the might (of others), suddenly alighted on the ground for warding off that blow.  Sweta then, O king, whirling in wrath that heavy mace, hurled it on Bhishma’s car like the god Maheswara.[347] And in consequence of that mace intended for Bhishma’s destruction, that car was reduced to ashes, with standard, and charioteer, and steeds and shaft.  Beholding Bhishma, that foremost of car-warriors, become a combatant on foot, many car-warriors, viz., Salya and others, speedily rushed (to his rescue).  Mounting then upon another car, and cheerlessly stretching his bow, Bhishma slowly advanced towards Sweta, seeing that foremost of car-warriors.  Meanwhile, Bhishma heard a loud voice uttered in the skies, that was celestial and fraught with his own good. (And the voice said).—­’O, Bhishma, O thou of mighty arms, strive without losing a moment.  Even this is the hour fixed by the Creator of the Universe for success over this one’.  Hearing those words uttered by the celestial messenger, Bhishma, filled with joy, set his heart upon Sweta’s destruction.  And beholding that foremost of car-warriors, Sweta become a combatant on foot, many mighty car-warriors (of the Pandava side) rushed unitedly (to his rescue). (They were) Satyaki, and Bhimasena, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata’s race; and the (five) Kekaya brothers, and Dhrishtaketu and Abhimanyu of great energy.  And beholding them rushing (to the rescue), with Drona and Salya and Kripa that hero of immeasurable soul (Bhishma) checked them all like the mountain resisting the force of the wind.  And when all the high-souled warriors of the Pandava side were (thus) held in check, Sweta, taking up a sword cut off Bhishma’s bow.  Casting aside that bow, the grandsire, quickly made