Bhishma stood alone on the battlefield, his bow bristling with arrows. He unleashed a great, relentless shower upon his foes, cutting them down with unerring aim. In response, all the assembled kings surrounded him, attacking from every direction. Their arrows rained upon him like thunderclouds pelting a mountain. Yet Bhishma, undaunted, blocked their assault completely with his own volleys. Then, with remarkable precision, Bhishma pierced each king with three arrows, and in return, every one of them struck Bhishma with five. Unshaken, Bhishma retaliated with two arrows apiece, demonstrating his peerless prowess. The battle raged tumultuously, fierce as the ancient wars between gods and demons. Before the eyes of the world’s greatest heroes, Bhishma cut down bows, shattered the crests of standards, splintered armor, and struck off heads, all amidst a hail of arrows and spears. Hundreds and thousands fell before him—such was the extraordinary feat and swiftness of this mighty chariot-warrior. Even his enemies marveled at his defense, for after destroying countless foes, Bhishma remained unscathed, his valor immeasurable. Then, the son of the king of Kashi was brought forth by the son of the ocean-going king. Bhishma, foremost among warriors, had conquered them all in battle. With the maidens of Kashi, he set out toward the Bharata kingdom. But as he departed, the mighty king of Shalva, undaunted, followed from behind. Like a powerful elephant charging an adversary, the indomitable king of Shalva approached Bhishma, son of Shantanu, in the midst of battle. Driven by desire for the maiden, Shalva called out, “Stop! Stop!” Challenging Bhishma, the tiger among men, Shalva’s anger blazed. Agitated by these words, Bhishma’s fury flared like a smokeless fire. His brow furrowed, he grasped his great bow and, fearless and resolute, turned his chariot toward Shalva, embracing the duty of a warrior. All the kings who had gathered to witness the svayamvara now became spectators of this epic duel. Like two roaring bulls among the herd, Bhishma and Shalva, both mighty and valorous, advanced upon each other, displaying their strength and skill. Then, O best of men, the king of Shalva showered Bhishma with hundreds of thousands of swift arrows. At first, Bhishma seemed pressed hard, and the watching kings were astonished, exclaiming, “Well done! Well done!” Delighted by Shalva’s prowess, they praised him with words of admiration. Hearing the acclaim of the Kshatriyas, Bhishma, the subduer of enemies, grew angry and called out, “Stop! Stop!” Enraged, he ordered his charioteer, “Drive me to that king; today I will slay him, as the king of birds slays a serpent.” With resolve, Bhishma invoked the Varuna weapon and struck down the four horses of King Shalva. He countered Shalva’s weapons with his own, and struck down Shalva’s charioteer. Then, using the Indra weapon, Bhishma felled the excellent horses for the sake of the maiden. Having conquered, Bhishma released the king of Shalva alive, and Shalva returned to his own city, his pride wounded but his life spared. At that time, the kings, upholding righteousness, returned to their own kingdoms, as did all who had come to witness the svayamvara. Those conquerors of cities departed for their realms, and Bhishma, having won the maidens, set out for Hastinapura, where his younger brother, the righteous king Vicitravirya, ruled. Just as his father Shantanu, best of kings, had once done, so did Bhishma, lord of men, in a short time. He subdued forests, rivers, mountains, and treasuries of trees, destroying his foes in battle, his valor immeasurable and himself unharmed. The son of the ocean-going king brought the daughters of the king of Kashi as daughters-in-law, and as sisters for his younger brother, in accordance with dharma. Having accepted them as his own daughters, Bhishma brought them to the Kurus out of love for his brother. All these virtuous maidens, Bhishma gave to Vicitravirya, having won them by his prowess. Thus, knowing righteousness, Bhishma performed a deed beyond human power and began preparations for his brother Vicitravirya’s marriage. Having made a firm decision together with Satyavati, Bhishma, self-controlled, was arranging the marriage of the Kashi king’s daughters. Then, the eldest of the maidens, steadfast in truth, spoke these words: “The lord of Saubha, King Shalva, was already chosen by me in my heart as my husband. He also chose me, and this was my father’s wish. I was to choose Shalva at the svayamvara. Knowing this, O knower of righteousness, act according to the true principle of dharma.” Hearing the maiden’s words in the assembly of Brahmins, Bhishma entered into deep and fitting thought about his own actions. He reflected, “This maiden is attached to another; the eldest, Amba, was won by me, given by word, given by mind, and auspicious words were spoken. But since she was designated for another and her thoughts are with another, she must be relinquished.” Having said this and obtained his brother’s consent, Bhishma acted according to his own will, upholding the highest principles of righteousness.