The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,886 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,886 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3.

16

“Sanjaya said, ’Then, O lord, thy troops, with Shalya at their head, once more rushed against the Parthas in that battle with great impetuosity.  Although afflicted, still these troops of thine, who were fierce in battle, rushing against the Parthas, very soon agitated them in consequence of their superior numbers.  Struck by the Kurus, the Pandava troops, in the very sight of the two Krishnas, stayed not on the field, though sought to be checked by Bhimasena.  Filled with rage at this, Dhananjaya covered Kripa and his followers, as also Kritavarma, with showers of shafts.  Sahadeva checked Shakuni with all his forces.  Nakula cast his glances on the ruler of the Madras from one of his flanks.  The (five) sons of Draupadi checked numerous kings (of the Kuru army).  The Pancala prince Shikhandi resisted the son of Drona.  Armed with his mace, Bhimasena held the king in check, and Kunti’s son Yudhishthira resisted Shalya at the head of his forces.  The battle then commenced once more between those pairs as they stood, among thy warriors and those of the enemy, none of whom had ever retreated from fight.  We then beheld the highly wonderful feat that Shalya achieved, since, alone, he fought with the whole Pandava army.  Shalya then, as he stayed in the vicinity of Yudhishthira in that battle, looked like the planet Saturn in the vicinity of the Moon.  Afflicting the king with shafts that resembled snakes of virulent poison, Shalya rushed against Bhima, covering him with showers of arrows.  Beholding that lightness of hand and that mastery over weapons displayed by Shalya the troops of both the armies applauded him highly.  Afflicted by Shalya the Pandavas, exceedingly mangled, fled away, leaving the battle, and disregarding the cries of Yudhishthira commanding them to stop.  While his troops were thus being slaughtered by the ruler of the Madras, Pandu’s son, king Yudhishthira the just, became filled with rage.  Relying upon his prowess, that mighty car-warrior began to afflict the ruler of the Madras, resolved to either win the battle or meet with death.  Summoning all his brothers and also Krishna of Madhu’s race, he said unto them, “Bhishma, and Drona, and Karna, and the other kings, that put forth their prowess for the sake of the Kauravas, have all perished in battle.  You all have exerted your valour according to your courage and in respect of the shares allotted to you.  Only one share—­mine—­that is constituted by the mighty car-warrior Shalya, remains.  I desire to vanquish that ruler of the Madras today in battle.  Whatever wishes I have regarding the accomplishment of that task I will now tell you.  These two heroes, the two sons of Madravati, will become the protectors of my wheels.  They are counted as heroes incapable of being vanquished by Vasava himself.  Keeping the duties of a Kshatriya before them, these two that are deserving of every honour and are firm in their vows, will fight with their maternal uncle.  Either Shalya will slay me in

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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.