In the midst of the fierce battle, warriors made death their foremost aim and fought in pairs. It was in this tumultuous conflict that Sumitra and Priyadarśana fell, slain by Jayadratha and Karṇa right before Arjuna’s eyes. Witnessing the death of these valiant men, Arjuna’s wrath was kindled. Without hesitation, he struck down Sudāmā—the younger brother of Vṛṣasena and son of Jayadratha—right in front of his grieving father. Arjuna’s might did not wane; he brought down Karṇa’s son, a formidable archer, from his chariot. Seeing their sons slain before them, Jayadratha and Karṇa, lion-like kings of great strength, could not endure the blow, just as noble elephants cannot bear a strike. Undaunted, they advanced toward Arjuna’s chariot, their shields fastened, hurling curses as they approached. A most terrible clash arose between them in that great battle. The encounter was reminiscent of Vṛtra and Śambara facing the wielder of the thunderbolt in a celestial war. These two tigers among men struck down three of Arjuna’s horses, causing a tumultuous uproar among the Kurus. Witnessing the loss, the valiant Bhīmasena swiftly yoked new horses to Arjuna’s chariot in but a moment’s time. Seeing the chariot readied, Duryodhana and his followers—Saubala and Saumadatti, destroyers of foes—came forth. With these five warriors, Bhīmasena fought as a lord would with the objects of the senses. Though surrounded, the victorious Bhīmasena felt no fear, like a lion hemmed in by five maddened elephants. Those five heroes, simultaneously, each with five sharp arrows, struck down Bhīmasena’s charioteer and horses, sending them to the realm of Yama. The great chariot-warrior, his horses slain and his chariot destroyed, dismounted. Sword in hand, Bhīmasena moved in many directions—upon the backs of horses, on wheels, on the yoke, and even on the shafts—striking down his enemies like Garuda attacking serpents. Seeing him without bow, armor, or chariot, the chariots led by Arjuna—fierce as young tigers—charged at Bhīmasena. Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍī, and the invincible twins joined the fray. As the great chariot battle raged, showers of arrows hid the banners and pennants behind the armor. The battle, though long and evenly matched, was soon scattered again by mighty-armed Arjuna with his chariot. Sensing Arjuna’s charge, Karṇa, foremost among those skilled in weapons and wielding his bow, checked him with arrows like Indra’s thunderbolts. Struck by Karṇa, the enraged Arjuna fitted three arrows to slay his furious foe. Hit by these arrows, Karṇa, clinging to his banner staff, was quickly driven away from his chariot by his charioteer, the conqueror of enemy cities. With Karṇa defeated, great fear entered the hearts of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons. The Pāṇḍavas, their strength growing, looked on. Saubala, seeing his force shaken, gently encouraged his men. Then all the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, led by Duryodhana, rallied, holding their force together despite the pressure from the Pārthas. Bhīma, of terrible might, seeing Duryodhana, grew angry, remembering the burning house of lac. At the height of battle, he spotted a great tree, tall with fifty branches, broad and massive, its trunk huge and its height towering like Indra’s banner. With sheer strength, Bhīma uprooted it with his hands and even his feet, lifting it high. He rushed at the enemy like Vajrapāṇi against the Asuras. Terrified by Bhīmasena and struck by Arjuna, the foes fled. The Dhārtarāṣṭra troops, their warriors confused and their horses and elephants exhausted, could not even look at them. Bhīma scattered them in all directions, like the wind dispersing clouds in the sky. Men, elephants, and horses, joyless, turned back. They did not pursue, nor strike, nor utter harsh words. The Kṣatriyas, wounded by arrows, retreated to their own camp. The others, rejoicing, entered the city, bringing happiness to its people. Their battle with the Pāṇḍavas had lasted only a moment. As long as that great battle, like one between gods and asuras, continued, so did the warriors fight. But then it ceased, and the mighty ones withdrew. All praised the virtuous conduct and spoke approvingly of the bride, declaring Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna to have achieved their purpose. Shakuni, the king of Sindhu, Karṇa, and Duryodhana felt grief in their hearts, though they did not express it in words. Then all the kings departed as they had come, and the sons of Dhritarashtra went to Nagapura. Even before the enclosure was cleared, the Pandavas, mounted on horses, sent messengers ahead to inform Shouri of the events. In a short time, they reached the city of the Yadavas and spoke with Sankarshana and Upendra, who were patient in speech. The Andhaka-Vrishnis asked after the welfare of all the Pandavas, inquiring about themselves, now freed from the house of lac. In the assembly, they spoke of Draupadi, lotus-eyed, won as a bride, worthy of themselves in every way—her character, conduct, and composure praised by all.