Bhima said Riding on the chariot formerly ridden by Bharata, Ishana, Indra and Varuna, Arjuna and Krishna have proceeded to battle! They can have no fear.

However, placing your command on my head, behold, I proceed. do not give way to grief. Returning, I shall bring you intelligence of those foremost of men.

Sanjaya said Having thus spoken, the highly powerful Bhimasena prepared to go having over the charge of protecting Yudhishthira to Dhrishtadyumna and other friends of the Pandavas.

The puissant Bhima then addressing Dhrishtadyumna said these words. "O mightyarmed one, it is all known to you, that Drona the mighty car-warrior.

Is ever watchful for capturing the very virtuous king Yudhishthira. O son of Prisata, when I am gone, there should be no other duty of yours.

Graver than that which enjoins you to look after the king-a duty which is vitally important to ourselves. King Yudhishthira, the son of Pritha, has commanded me to go. I venture not to contradict him.

Now I am proceeding to the spot where the doomed ruler of the Sindhus is. It is my duty to carry out the commands of the very virtuous king Yudhishthira to the very letters.

I am proceeding in the track of my brother and that intelligent scion of the Satvata race, namely Satyaki. So today, do you protect king Yudhisthira the son of Pritha in battle, exerting to the best of your prowess.

This indeed should be your foremost duty in the course of this fight." O mighty monarch, Dhrishtadyumna then replied to Vrikodara

“I will do, O Pritha's son, what you desire me to do. Go you with your heart at rest. Without slaying Dhrishtadyumna in battle, Drona.

Will never succeed in humiliating king Yudhishthira the virtuous," Thereafter making the charge of protecting the royal son of Pandu over to Dhrishtadyumna.

And saluting his superiors and elder brother, Bhima proceeded in the track of Phalguna. That son of Kunti was then, O Bharata, embraced by the virtuous king Yudhishthira.

The latter then smelt the crown of his head and pronounced blessings on him. Then circumambulating hosts of Brahmanas gratified and worshipped with presents.

And touching the eight kinds of auspicious articles and drinking Kailataka honey, that hero with his eyes rolling and red in intoxication, felt his strength to be doubled.

The Vipras performed propitiatory rites for his benefit. Omens indicative of victory greeted his sight. Beholding these indications he experienced the pleasures of victory in anticipation.

Auspicious winds began to blow indicating his success in the coming encounter. Then the mighty-armed Bhimasena covered with armour, graced with beautiful ear-rings.

Adorned with Angadas and his hands protected with leathern gloves mounted on his car. His precious armour made of steel and adorned with gold.

Looked beautiful like a mighty cloud fringed with streaks of lightning. Attired beautifully in yellow, red, white and sable garments.

And with his neck protected with a neckprotector, he looked beautiful like a mass of cloud bearing the bow of Indra (rainbow). When Bhima was on the point of proceeding to battle against your troops.

The fierce blare of the conch Panchajannya, O ruler of men, was once more heard. Hearing that dreadful blast capable of inspiring terroi into the three worlds.

The very virtuous king Yudhishthira onca more addressing Bhima of mighty arms said "Hark the sound of the conch (water-born blown by the foremost of the Vrishni race.

Reverberating through the terrestrial an the aerial regions! Surely Savyasachin havin been involved in great danger.

The wilder of the mace and the discus battling with the Kurus! Surely numero auspicious omnens are today being seen by mic nerable Kunti and Drupadi and Subhadra and 1 their friends. Therefore, O Bhima, at the top your speed, proceed to the spot where hananjaya is.

O son of Pritha, the cardinal and subsidiary uarter appear to me to be void in consequence f my unsatisfied desire to see Dhananjaya and lat hero of the Satvata race."

Then Vrikodara was repeatedly urged on by lis elder brother, with the words “Proceed 'roceed.” Therefore o king, that highly juissant son of Pandu namely Bhimasena.

Covering his fingers with protectors made of leather, took up his bow. Urged on by his elder brother, that brother Bhimasena devoted as he was to the interests of his brothers.

Caused drums to be struck up. Then he blew his conch with great force and uttering his war-cries, began to twang his bow.

With that sound, causing the hearts of his enemies to be depressed, he rushed upon the foe, assuming a dreadful aspect.

Fleet steeds, obedient to the reins and of the foremost breed, neighing furiously, bore him. Those steeds of the fleetness of wind or the mind, were driven by Visoka himself.

Drawing and rubbing and stretching with his hands the string of his bow, that son of Pritha began to crush and kill the vanguard of the enemy.

Then as that mighty-armed one proceeded onwards, the Panchalas together with the Somakas, all endued with heroism, followed him from behind, like the celestials following Maghavat.

Then, O mighty monarch, the brothers, Dussala, Chitrasena, Kundavedhi, Vivinsati, Drumukha, Dussaha, Vikarna, Sala, Vindu and Anuvindu, Sumukha, Dirghavahu, Sudarsana, Mandurakas, Suhasta, Susena, Dirghavahu, Abhaya, Raudrakaman, Suvarman and Durvimochana, approaching Bhimasena, surrounded him from all sides.

Those foremost of car-warriors, those heroes and their following troops fighting heedfully and falling upon Bhimasena appeared highly beautiful.

Then that mighty car-warrior endued with heroism was surrounded by those warriors. Beholding them, the son of Kunti the highly powerful Bhimasena.

Furiously fell upon them like a lion attacking other inferior animals. Then those heroes displaying mighty weapons of celestial make.

Covered Bhima with their arrows like the clouds covering the sun. Passing through all those divisions, Bhima then rushed against that of Drona.

Then he poured his arrowy shower on the elephant division that was stationed in the front.

The son of the wind-god, mangling in no time that division of elephants, with his shafts, caused it to give way in all directions. Like beasts terrified at the roar of a Sarabha in the forest.

Those elephants began to fly away uttering distressful cries. Transgressing that division, he quickly assailed that of Drona.

Him then the preceptor checked like the continent checking the surging waves of the ocean; and then the latter smilingly pierced the former on the forehead with a Naracha.

Thereupon that son of Pandu appeared beautiful like the sun shooting his rays only in an upward direction. Then the Preceptor considering that, like Phalguna.

Bhima would also worship him, addressed the latter saying-'O Bhimasena, you shall never succeed in penetrating into the host of your enemies.

Without, in the first instance defeating myself, O mighty one, who is now your foe. It was with my permission that your younger brother, with Krishna, has penetrated into this array.

But you shall never be able (of allowed) to enter into this division of mine." Thereupon the dauntless Bhima, hearing those words of the preceptor.

And waxing worth, quickly replied to Drona with his eyes looking like burnished copper-"O vilest of Brahmanas, it cannot be that Arjuna has entered this array with your permission. He is invincible and is competent even to penetrate through the army of Shakra himself. It was only for honoring you that he offered you worship.

But, O Drona, I am no lament Arjuna. I am Bhimasena your enemy. We used to regard you as our father, preceptor and friend and we were like your sons.

Thinking thus we used to humble ourselves to you. But as you speak such words today, it seems that all that has been changed.

If you take yourself to be our enemy, let it be as you think. Myself am Bhima and shall do towards you what should be done towards you what should be done towards a foe."

Then Bhima whirling his mace that resembled the mace of the Destroyer, let it go, O king, at Drona; but Drona had quickly jumped down from his car.

The mace then crushed Drona's chariot with his horses, charioteer and standard; then Bhima grinded numerous warriors, like the tempest crushing mighty trees.

But once more your sons surrounded that foremost of car warriors. Meanwhile that foremost of smiters, Drona mounting on another car.

Stationed himself at the gate of the array ready to fight with Bhima. O mighty monarch, thereupon the puissant Bhimasena waxing worth.

Covered the car division that was then placed before him, with a downpour of arrows. Then those mighty car-warriors, your sons, thus wounded in battle.

Endued as they were with great strength, fought on with Bhima, inspired with the hope of victory. Then Dushasana excited with wrath, hurled a lance at Bhima. Desirous of slaying the son of Pandu, he then threw that lance at the former-lance that was made entirely of steed and that was exceedingly sharp. Then the mighty lance hurled by your son when it was coursing towards Bhima.

Was cut in twain by the latter and that appeared indeed very wonderful. Then the son of Pandu endued with great prowess, with three sharp arrows, slew the three warriors, Kundavedhin, Susena and Dirghanetra. Then again he slew the heroic Manduraka the bravest of your sons and the enhancer of the glory of the Kurus, then Bhima with another three arrows slew three other of your sons viz., Abhaya, Rudrakarman and Durvimochana.

Thus slaughtered by the puissant Bhima, your sons, O mighty monarch. Once more surrounded Bhima that foremost of smiters,

Then they poured their arrows of Pandu's son of fearful deeds like clouds drenching the mountain breast with their contents at the end of summer. Like a mountain receiving a shower of stones, the son of Pandu then received that arrowy shower and that slayer of foes was none the less worse for it. Then the son of Kunti, as if smiling, dispatched with his arrows, Vinda and Anuvinda together with Suvarman to the abode of death. Then, O foremost of the Bharatas, he pierced in battle, your heroic son Sudarsana, who fell down and died on the spot. Then in no time, the son of Pandu, casting his eyes on all directions, began to agitate that car-host with his (fierce) arrows. Then like a herd of deer, terrified at the loud clatter of ear-wheels.

Your sons, O ruler of men, began to desert their ranks; and afflicted with the fear of Bhima, they fled with all the speed at their command.

The son of Kunti pursued that mighty army of your sons from behind and, O king, he began to pierce the Kaurava hosts right and left.

O mighty monarch, your soldiers then thus slaughtered by Bhima, shunning him began to fly away, urging their excellent steeds to the top of their speed.

Vanquishing them in battle, the highly puissant Bhimasena that son of Pandu, sent up a loud war-cry and began to strike his palms against his arms.

The mighty Bhima then having caused that great slapping sound and there by striking terror into the host of the enemy and slaying many best warriors and passing through that division, hied towards of division of Drona.