in consequence of the contraction of their brows, are surveying the field all around.”  While saying these words unto Arjuna, Vasudeva proceeded towards Yudhishthira.  Arjuna also, beholding the king in that great battle, repeatedly urged Govinda, saying, “Proceed, Proceed.”  Having shown the field of battle to Partha, Madhava, while proceeding quickly, slowly said unto Partha once more, “Behold those kings rushing towards king Yudhishthira.  Behold Karna, who resembles a blazing fire, on the arena of the battle.  Yonder the mighty-bowman Bhima is proceeding to battle.  They that are the foremost among the Pancalas, the Srinjayas, and the Pandavas—­they, that is, that have Dhrishtadyumna for their head, are following Bhima.  The vast army of the enemy is again broken by the rushing Parthas.  Behold, O Arjuna, Karna is trying to rally the flying Kauravas.  Resembling the Destroyer himself in impetuosity and Indra himself in prowess, yonder proceedeth Drona’s son, O thou of Kuru’s race, that hero who is the foremost of all wielders of weapons.  The mighty carwarrior Dhrishtadyumna is rushing against that hero.  The Srinjayas are following the lead of Dhristadyumna.  Behold, the Srinjayas are falling.”  Thus did the invincible Vasudeva describe everything unto the diadem-decked Arjuna.  Then, O king, commenced a terrible and awful battle.  Loud leonine shouts arose as the two hosts encountered each other, O monarch, making death their goal.  Even thus, O king, in consequence of thy evil counsels, did that destruction set in on Earth, O lord of Earth, of both thy warriors and those of the enemy.’”

59

“Sanjaya said, ’Then the Kurus and the Srinjayas once more fearlessly encountered each other in battle, the Parthas being headed by Yudhishthira, and ourselves headed by the Suta’s son.  Then commenced a terrible battle, making the hair to stand on end, between Karna and the Pandavas, that increased the population of Yama’s kingdom.  After that furious battle, producing rivers of blood, had commenced, and when a remnant only of the brave samsaptakas, O Bharata, were left unslaughtered, Dhrishtadyumna, O monarch, with all the kings (on the Pandava side) and those mighty car-warriors—­the Pandavas themselves, all rushed against Karna only.  Like the mountain receiving a vast body of water, Karna, unaided by anyone, received in that battle all those advancing warriors filled with joy and longing for victory.  Those mighty car-warriors encountering Karna, were beat off and broken like a mass of water, and beat back on all sides when it encounters a mountain.  The battle, however, that took place between them and Karna made the hair stand on end.  Then Dhrishtadyumna assailed the son of Radha with a straight shaft in that battle, and addressing him said, “Wait, Wait.”  The mighty car-warrior Karna, filled with rage, shook his foremost of bows called Vijaya, and cutting off the bow of Dhrishtadyumna, as also his arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison assailed