|
64.THE FIRST DAY'S BATTLE
Bhishma, in his turn, killed Sveta's
horses and charioteer. There upon, they
hurled javelins at one another and fought
on.
Sveta took a mace, and swinging it, sent it
at Bhishma's car which was smashed to
pieces. But the grandsire, even before the
mace dashed against the chariot, had
anticipated it and jumped down. From the
ground he pulled the string of his bow to
his ear and sent a fatal arrow at Sveta.
Sveta was struck and fell dead. Duhsasana
blew his horn and danced in joy. This was
followed by a great attack on the Pandava
army by Bhishma.
The Pandava forces suffered greatly on
the first day of the battle. Dharmaputra
was seized with apprehension, and
Duryodhana's joy was unbounded. The
brothers came to Krishna and were
engaged in anxious consultations.
"Chief among Bharatas," said Krishna to
Yudhishthira, "do not fear. God has
blessed you with valiant brothers. Why
should you entertain any doubts? There is
Satyaki and there are Virata, Drupada and
Dhrishtadyumna, besides myself. What
reason is there for you to be dejected? Do
you forget that Sikhandin is awaiting for
his predestined victim Bhishma?" Thus
did Krishna comfort Yudhishthira.
|
|