As the battle raged, Kaunteya—Arjuna—stood firm, striking down the showers of arrows sent by Karna with his own swift shafts. Witnessing his fierce attacks repelled, Karna realized the Brahmin’s energy was invincible and quickly withdrew from the fight. The great chariot-warrior moved to another part of the forest, where he found Shalya and Bhimasena, two heroes of immense strength and skill, facing off. Like two mighty, intoxicated elephants, Shalya and Bhimasena challenged each other, their knowledge and might evident in every move. They grappled fiercely, striking each other with fists and knees, each striving to overpower the other by sheer force. As they dragged and struck one another, a terrible cracking sound echoed from their blows, reminiscent of rocks colliding. For a time, the two warriors pulled each other around in the heat of battle. Then, Bhima, with remarkable strength, lifted Shalya with his arms and threw him down. At this display, the foremost of the Kurus and the assembled Brahmanas laughed in delight. Bhimasena, the bull among men, performed a wondrous feat—though he had thrown Shalya to the ground, he did not kill him, showing restraint even in victory. When Bhimasena threw down Shalya and Karna grew anxious, great astonishment arose among all the men watching. As the assembly of kings looked on, Shalya climbed a tree for safety, and Dharmaraja, Yudhishthira, signaled Bhima to stop. Understanding his brother’s gesture, Bhima withdrew, and Yudhishthira restrained the irate Duryodhana. In the midst of the assembly, before the eyes of the kings, Duryodhana—though strong—did not fight Bhima at that moment, disregarding Yudhishthira’s presence. Then, Yudhishthira, the king of dharma, struck Duryodhana, the destroyer of foes, with a sharp arrow. Enraged like a serpent struck with a stick, Duryodhana counterattacked with all his might. Yet, Yudhishthira cut his bow’s string and showered him with arrows before leaving the field. Meanwhile, Duhshasana, greatly enraged, engaged Sahadeva in battle. After a long fight, Duhshasana was defeated; abandoning his bow, he fell to his knees, then rose and seized a sword and shield. Vikarna and Citrashena, along with a powerless Brahmana, intervened, restraining Duhshasana and urging, “Do not fight, O Kaurava.” Elsewhere, Duhsaha and Nakula, both eager for combat, prepared to fight. Seeing them, the mighty Kauravas spoke, “Turn back, sirs! Why this cruelty toward Brahmanas? These Brahmanas are weak, and you are very strong. Here are two fierce Brahmanas, equal in strength to the wind and Indra; whoever they may be, we salute them and will return to our own city.” With these words, the Kauravas withdrew from the contest, and the Brahmanas gathered in joyful groups. Many Kshatriyas remained, observing the battlefield and surrounding the Brahmanas. Victorious, the Brahmanas departed with the maiden, Panchali, after Bhimasena had conquered and Shalya and Karna had been defeated. When Duryodhana and Duhshasana retreated, the kings, now apprehensive, surrounded Bhimasena. All those assembled wondered aloud, “Who are these two eminent Brahmanas? Let their lineage and place of residence be known. Who, except Rama, Drona, or the crowned Pandava, can fight Karna, son of Radha, in battle? Who, except Krishna, son of Devaki, or Kripa, son of Sharadvata, can withstand Duryodhana? Who but Baladeva or Bhimasena can overcome Shalya, the mighty king of Madra? Who else, apart from the heroic Duryodhana, could bring down such a warrior? Let us withdraw from this fight, surrounded as it is by Brahmanas. Brahmanas must always be protected, even if they have erred; if we do not find them here, we shall fight again with renewed vigor.” Seeing the kings speak thus, the one who had accomplished the deed in battle gathered other men as well. Krishna, observing Bhima’s feat and suspecting the true identity of the two sons of Kunti, restrained the kings, persuading them that the maiden had been won according to dharma. Thus, those skilled in battle withdrew, and all the foremost kings departed to their own abodes, astonished. The contest ended with the Brahmanas victorious, and Panchali taken by them; so spoke all those assembled as they departed. Concealed by Brahmanas clad in ruru-deer skins, Bhimasena and Dhananjaya made their way out with difficulty. Freed from the crowd and guarded from enemies, the two heroic princes, accompanied by Krishna, shone forth. On the full moon night, emerging from the clouds like the moon and sun, their mother, Kunti, pondered many dangers for her sons. As her sons had not returned and the time for alms had passed, she feared the Kurus might have slain them, having recognized them. Or perhaps, she thought, they had fallen prey to demons endowed with illusion, fierce and implacable foes; even the great Vyasa’s opinion had turned to misfortune.