As the assembly gathered, eyes fell upon a striking figure standing before them—a man with lotus-like eyes, tall and fair, his movements graceful as a lion’s stride. Humble in bearing, yet radiant, his beautiful nose shone with distinction. It was clear to all that this noble presence was none other than the son of Dharma. Nearby, two youthful men stood together, their appearance reminiscent of the twin sons of Ashvini or perhaps Kartikeya himself. Observers suspected that these must be the Ashvineyas, for rumors had spread that the sons of Pandu and Pritha had escaped the deadly house of lac. Halayudha, delighted at the sight, spoke confidently to Ananta’s younger brother, expressing his joy: “I am pleased to see my father’s sister, Pritha, freed and reunited with the foremost of the Kauravas.” As the tension grew, the eminent Brahmins shook their deer-skins and staffs, declaring boldly, “Do not be afraid; we will fight the others.” Arjuna, smiling, addressed them, “You all stand aside and watch.” He promised, “With hundreds of straight-flying arrows, I will check these enraged ones, as with spells one restrains venomous serpents.” With determination, Arjuna bent the prize-winning bow and stood firm beside his brother Bhima, like a mountain beside its towering peak. Seeing the Kshatriyas, proud and eager for battle, the two brothers rushed at them like elephants charging their rivals. The kings, eager for combat, spoke harshly, “Even the death of a Brahmin in battle is seen when he desires to fight.” With these words, the kings suddenly rushed at the Brahmins. Karna, radiant with energy, advanced against Jishnu—Arjuna—in battle. Likewise, Shalya, lord of the Madras and strong in might, rushed at Bhimasena, desiring combat like an elephant against a rival. All the sons of Dhritarashtra, together with the Brahmins, engaged in a gentle, effortless contest. Then Arjuna, drawing his powerful bow, struck Karna, son of Radha, as he advanced, with sharp arrows. The force of Arjuna’s blazing arrows bewildered Karna, who struggled to pursue him. Both warriors, equally swift and unmatched among victors, fought fiercely, each striving to overcome the other. They exchanged heroic words: “See my counter to your move, see my arm’s strength!” Recognizing Arjuna’s unmatched prowess, Karna became enraged and challenged him to battle. At that moment, Karna struck down Arjuna’s swift arrows and roared loudly, earning honor from the armies for his feat. Karna declared, “I am pleased with you, foremost of Brahmins, for your prowess in battle, your fearlessness, and your mastery over weapons and missiles. Are you the very embodiment of the science of archery, or Rama himself, O best of Brahmins? Or are you perhaps Hari, Haya, or even Vishnu incarnate? To conceal your true self, you have taken refuge in the strength of your arms and assumed the form of a Brahmin, I think, to fight against me. For, apart from Indra himself or Arjuna the diademed Pandava, no other man can withstand me in battle when I am enraged. When all the Pandavas, except Arjuna, were burned in the house of lac, even then, without Arjuna, they could not slay me in battle.” To Karna’s challenge, Phalguna—Arjuna—replied, “I am not the science of archery incarnate, nor am I the mighty Rama, O Karna. I am a Brahmin, O best of warriors, foremost among all wielders of weapons; I am accomplished in the Brahma and Paurandara weapons, as instructed by my teacher. Today I stand firm in battle to defeat you, O hero; stand your ground, or else admit ‘I am vanquished’ and then depart as you please.” Having spoken thus, Arjuna cut down Karna’s bow. Karna, undeterred, seized another bow to continue the fight, but Arjuna swiftly cut down that bow as well, wounding Karna in battle. Karna, his bow destroyed and his body pierced with arrows, turned and fled from the field. Yet, after a moment, he returned, seizing a new bow and showering arrows upon Partha—Arjuna. Kaunteya—Arjuna—struck down those showers of arrows with his own shafts. Seeing all his terrible arrows repelled, Karna quickly withdrew. Realizing the Brahmin’s energy was invincible, the great chariot-warrior moved to another part of the forest, where Shalya and Bhimasena stood. Both strong and skilled in battle, Shalya and Bhima challenged each other like two intoxicated elephants. They struck each other with fists and knees, grappling and pulling, each striving to overpower the other by sheer force. Dragging and striking with their fists, a terrible cracking sound arose from their blows, like the collision of rocks. For a while, they pulled each other around in the heat of battle. Then Bhima, lifting Shalya with his arms, threw him down. At this sight, the foremost of the Kurus and the Brahmanas laughed. Bhimasena, the bull among men, performed a wonder: though Shalya was thrown to the ground, Bhima did not kill the strong man. When Bhimasena threw down Shalya and Karna became anxious, great astonishment arose among all the men watching. As the assembly of kings observed, Shalya climbed a tree; and Dharmaraja signaled Bhima to stop. Thus, amid the tumult of battle and the marvels of skill and strength, the assembly witnessed the valor of the Pandavas and the remarkable events that unfolded before their eyes.