seemed exceedingly wonderful.  Indeed, exceedingly wonderful was the sight that we then beheld, even like the flying of rocks, for Shikhandi, O king, (thus assailed) remained perfectly inactive in that battle.  Beholding Shikhandi covered (with arrows) by Kripa, O best of the kings, the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna speedily proceeded against Kripa.  The great car-warrior Kritavarma, however, rushing impetuously received Dhrishtadyumna as the latter proceeded against the son of Sharadvata (Kripa).  Then Drona’s son checked Yudhishthira as the latter, with his son and troops, was rushing towards the car of Sharadvata’s son.  Thy son Duryodhana, shooting a shower of arrows, received and checked Nakula and Sahadeva, those two great car-warriors endued with celerity.  Karna too, otherwise called Vaikartana, O Bharata, in that battle, resisted Bhimasena, and the Karushas, the Kaikayas, and the Srinjayas.  Meanwhile Sharadvata’s son, in that battle, O sire, with great activity, sped many arrows at Shikhandi, as if for the purpose of burning him outright.  The Pancala prince, however, whirling his sword repeatedly, cut off all those arrows, decked with gold, that had been sped at him by Kripa from all sides.  The grandson of Gautama (Kripa) then quickly cut off with his arrows the shield of Prishata’s son, that was decked with hundred moons.  At this feat of his, the troops made a loud uproar.  Deprived of his shield, O monarch, and placed under Kripa’s power Shikhandi still rushed, sword in hand, (towards Kripa), like a sick man towards the jaws of Death.  Then Suketu, the son of Citraketu, O king, quickly proceeded towards the mighty Shikhandi plunged into such distress and assailed in that manner by Kripa with his arrows.  Indeed, the young prince of immeasurable soul rushed towards the car of Sharadvata’s son and poured upon that Brahmana, in that battle, innumerable shafts of great keenness.  Beholding that Brahmana observant of vows thus engaged in battle (with another), Shikhandi, O best of kings, retreated hastily from that spot.  Meanwhile Suketu, O king, piercing the son of Gautama with nine arrows, once more pierced him with seventy and again with three.  Then the prince, O sire, cut off Kripa’s bow with arrow fixed thereon, and with another shaft struck hard the latter’s driver in a vital limb.  The grandson of Gautama then, filled with rage, took up a new and very strong bow and struck Suketu with thirty arrows in all his vital limbs.  All his limbs exceedingly weakened, the prince trembled on his excellent car like a tree trembling exceedingly during an earthquake.  With a razor-headed arrow then, Kripa struck off from the prince’s trunk, while the latter was still trembling, his head decked with a pair of blazing earrings and head-protector.  That head thereupon fell down on the Earth like a piece of meat from the claws of a hawk, and then his trunk also fell down, O thou of great glory.  Upon the fall of Suketu, O monarch, his troops became frightened, and avoiding Kripa, fled away on all sides.