Maha-bharata Part 34

Came on him the Kuru warriors, darksome wave succeeding wave, Standards decked with strange devices, streaming banners rich and brave,

Foremost was the glorious standard of preceptor Drona's son, Lion's tail in golden brilliance on his battle-chariot shone,

Elephant's rope was Karna's ensign made of rich and burnished gold, And a bull bedecked the standard of the bowman Kripa bold,

Peac.o.c.k made of precious metal, decked with jewels rich and rare, Vrishasena's n.o.ble standard shone aloft serene and fair,

Ploughshare of a golden l.u.s.tre shining like the radiant flame, Spoke the car of mighty Salya, Madra's king of warlike fame,

Far, and guarded well by chieftains, shone the dazzling silver-boar, Ensign proud of Jayadratha, brought from Sindhu's sounding sh.o.r.e,

On the car of Somadatta shone a stake of sacrifice, Silver-boar and golden parrots, these were Salwa's proud device,

Last and brightest of the standards, on the prince Duryodhan's car, Lordly elephant in jewels proudly shone above the war!

Nine heroic Kuru chieftains, bravest warriors and the best, Leagued they came to grapple Arjun and on faithful Krishna pressed!

Arjun swept like sweeping whirlwind, all resistless in his force, Sought no foe and waged no combat, held his ever onward course!

For he sighted Jayadratha midst the circling chiefs of war, 'Gainst that warrior, grim and silent, Arjun drove his furious car!

Now the day-G.o.d rolled his chariot on the western clouds aflame, Karna's self and five great chieftains round brave Jayadratha came,

Vainly strove the valiant Arjun struggling 'gainst the Kuru line, Charged upon the peerless Karna as he marked the day's decline,

Krishna then a prayer whispered; came a friendly sable cloud, Veiled the red sun's dazzling brilliance in a dark and inky shroud!

Karna deemed the evening darkness now proclaimed the close of strife, Failing in his plighted promise Arjun must surrender life,

And his comrade chiefs rejoicing slackened in their furious fight, Jayadratha hailed with gladness thickening shades of welcome night!

In that sad and fatal error did the Kuru chiefs combine, Arjun quick as bolt of lightning broke their all unguarded line,

Like an onward sweeping wildfire shooting forth its lolling tongue, On the startled Jayadratha Arjun in his fury flung!

Short the strife; as angry falcon swoops upon its helpless prey, Arjun sped his vengeful arrow and his foeman lifeless lay!

Friendly winds removed the dark cloud from the reddening western hill, And the sun in crimson l.u.s.tre cast its fiery radiance still!

Ere the evening's mantling darkness fell o'er distant hill and plain, Proud Duryodhan's many brothers were by vengeful Bhima slain,

And Duryodhan, stung by sorrow, waged the still unceasing fight, In the thick and gathering darkness torches lit the gloom of night!

Karna, furious in his anger for his Jayadratha slain, And for brothers of Duryodhan sleeping lifeless on the plain,

'Gainst the gallant son of Bhima drove his deep resounding car, And in gloom and midnight darkness waked the echoes of the war!

Bhima's son brave Ghatotkacha twice proud Karna's horses slew, Twice the humbled steedless Karna from the dubious battle flew,

Came again the fiery Karna, vengeance flamed within his heart, Like the midnight's lurid lightning sped his fell and fatal dart,

Woeful was the hour of darkness, luckless was the starry sway, Bhima's son in youth and valour lifeless on the red field lay!

Then was closed the midnight battle, silent shone the starry light, Bhima knew nor rest nor slumber through the long and woeful night!

V

Fall of Drona

Ere the crimson morning glittered proud Duryodhan sad at heart, To the leader of the Kurus did his sorrows thus impart:

"Sadly speeds the contest, Drona, on the battle's gory plain, Kuru chiefs are thinned and fallen and my brothers mostly slain!

Can it be, O beat of Brahmans! peerless in the art of war, Can it be that we shall falter while thou speed'st the battle-car?

Pandu's sons are but thy pupils, Arjun meets thee not in fight, None can face the great _acharya_ in his wrath and warlike might!

Wherefore then in every battle are the Kuru chieftains slain, Wherefore lie my warlike brothers lifeless on the ghastly plain?

Is it that the fates of battle 'gainst the Kuru house combine, Is it that thy heart's affection unto Panda's sons incline?

If thy secret love and mercy still the sons of Pandu claim, Yield thy place to gallant Karna, Anga's prince of warlike fame!"

Answered Drona brief and wrathful: "Fair Gandhari's royal son, Reapest thou the gory harvest of thy sinful actions done!

Cast no blame in youth's presumption on a warrior's fleecy hair, Faithful unto death is Drona, to his promise plighted fair!

Ask thyself, O prince Duryodhan! bound by battle's sacred laws, Wherefore fightest not with Arjun for thy house and for thy cause?

Ask the dark and deep Sakuni, where is now his low device, Wherefore wields he not his weapon as he wields the loaded dice?

Ask the chief who proudly boasted, archer Arjun he would slay, Helmed Arjun sways the battle, whither now doth Karna stay?

Know the truth; the gallant Arjun hath no peer on earth below, And no warrior breathes, Duryodhan, who can face thy helmed foe!

Drona knows his sacred duty; and 'tis willed by Heaven on high, Arjun or preceptor Drona shall in this day's battle die!"

Now the Sun in crimson splendour rolled his car of glistening gold, Sent his shafts of purple radiance on the plain and mountain bold,

And from elephant and charger, from each bravely bannered car, Lighted mailed kings and chieftains and the leaders of the war,

Faced the sun with hands conjoined and the sacred _mantra_ told,-- Hymns by ancient _rishis_ chanted, sanctified by bards of old!

Worship done, each silent warrior mounts the car or battle-steed, Onward to the deathful contest did his gallant forces lead,

Ill it fared with Pandav forces, doughty Drona took the field, Peer was none midst living warriors of the Brahman trained and skilled!

Arjun, faithful to his promise, his preceptor would not fight, King nor chief nor other archer dared to face his peerless might,