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65.THE SECOND DAY
THE Pandava army, having fared badly
on the first day of the battle,
Dhrishtadyumna, the Generalissimo,
devised measures to avoid a repetition of
it. On the second day, the army was most
carefully arrayed and everything was done
to instil confidence.
Duryodhana, filled with conceit on
account of the success on the first day,
stood in the center of his army and
addressed his warriors.
"Heroes in armor", he said in a loud voice,
"our victory is assured. Fight and care not
for life."
The Kaurava army, led by Bhishma, again
made strong attack on the Pandava forces
and broke their formation, killing large
numbers.
Arjuna, turning to Krishna, his charioteer,
said: "If we continue in this way, our army
will soon be totally destroyed by the
grandsire. Unless we slay Bhishma, I am
afraid we can not save our army."
"Dhananjaya, then get ready. There is the
grandsire's chariot," replied Krishna, and
drove straight towards him.
The chariot sped forward at a great pace.
The grandsire sent his shafts welcoming
the challenge. Duryodhana had ordered
his men to protect the grandsire most
vigilantly and never to let him expose
himself to danger.
Accordingly, all the warriors, supporting
the grandsire, at once intervened and
attacked Arjuna who, however, fought on
unconcerned.
It was well known that there were but
three on the Kaurava side who could stand
against Arjuna with any chance of success
the grandsire Bhishma, Drona and Karna.
Arjuna made short work of the warriors,
who intervened in support of Bhishma.
The way in which he wielded his great
bow on this occasion, extorted the
admiration of all the great generals in the
army. His chariot flashed hither and
thither sundering hostile ranks like forked
lightning, so rapidly that the eye ached to
follow its career.
Duryodhana's heart beat fast as he
watched this combat. His confidence in
the great Bhishma began to be shaken.
"Son of Ganga," Duryodhana said, "it
seems as if even while you and Drona are
alive and fighting, this irresistible
combination of Arjuna and Krishna will
destroy our entire army. Karna whose
devotion and loyalty to me are most
genuine stands aside and does not fight for
me only because of you. I fear I shall be
deceived and you will not take steps
quickly to destroy Phalguna (Arjuna)."
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