if within the jaws of Death himself.”  Having said these words, the valiant Vasudeva urged the steeds towards that spot where Drona’s son was.  Those steeds, of the splendour of the moon, urged by Keshava, proceeded towards the car of Drona’s son, devouring the very skies.  Beholding those two of great energy, viz., Krishna and Dhananjaya, coming towards him, the mighty Ashvatthama made great efforts for slaying Dhrishtadyumna soon.  Seeing Dhrishtadyumna dragged, O ruler of men by his enemy, the mighty Partha sped many arrows at the son of Drona.  Those arrows, decked with gold and sped from Gandiva, approached the son of Drona and pierced him deeply like snakes penetrating into an ant-hill.  Thus pierced with those terrible arrows, the valiant son of Drona, O king, abandoned the Pancala prince of immeasurable energy.  Indeed, the hero, thus afflicted with Dhananjaya’s shafts, mounted on his car, and taking up his own excellent bow, began to pierce Partha with many shafts.  Meanwhile, the heroic Sahadeva, O ruler of men, bore away on his car the son of Prishata, that scorcher of foes.  Arjuna then, O king, pierced Drona’s son with many arrows.  Filled with rage, Drona’s son struck Arjuna in the arms and the chest.  Thus provoked, Partha, in that battle, sped at Drona’s son, a long shaft that resembled a second rod of Death, or rather, Death himself.  That arrow of great splendour fell upon the shoulder of the Brahmana hero.  Exceedingly agitated, O monarch, in that battle, by the violence of the stroke, he sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned away.  Then Karna, O monarch, shook his bow Vijaya and, filled with rage, repeatedly eyed Arjuna in that battle, desiring a single combat with him.  Meanwhile the driver of Drona’s son, beholding the latter senseless, quickly bore him away on his car from the field of battle.  Beholding Prishata’s son rescued and Drona’s son afflicted, the Pancalas, O king, expectant of victory, began to utter loud shouts.  Thousands of sweet instruments began to be sounded.  Seeing such wonderful feats in battle, the combatants uttered leonine roars.  Having achieved that feat, Partha addressed Vasudeva, saying “Proceed, O Krishna, towards the samsaptakas, for this is greatly desired by me.”  Hearing those words of Pandu’s son, he of Dasharha’s race proceeded on that car graced with many banners and whose speed resembled that of the wind or the mind.’”

60

“Sanjaya said, ’Meanwhile Krishna, pointing out king Yudhishthira the just, unto Kunti’s son Partha, addressed him in these words:  “Yonder, O son of Pandu, your brother (Yudhishthira) is being pursued by many mighty and great bowmen amongst the Dhartarashtras, all inspired with the desire of slaughtering him.  The mighty Pancalas, difficult of defeat in battle, are proceeding after the high-souled Yudhishthira from desire of rescuing him.  Yonder, Duryodhana, O Partha, the king of the whole world, clad in mail and accompanied by a large car force, is pursuing the