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]
“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.
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