|
66.THE THIRD DAY'S BATTLE
I am an old
man and what I am doing is quite my
utmost."
Saying thus, the grandsire resumed his
operations. The turn of events in the
forenoon had been so much in their favor
that the delighted Pandavas were now
somewhat careless.
They did not expect Bhishma to rally his
forces and attack them again. But stung by
Duryodhana's reproaches, the grandsire
raged about the field like a destroying fire.
He rallied his men and delivered the most
severe attack yet made on the Pandava
army. The latter thought that the grandsire
had multiplied himself into a number of
Bhishmas fighting at several points. So
swift were his movements that afternoon.
Those who opposed him were struck
down and perished like months in the fire.
The Pandava army was thoroughly broken
and began to scatter. Vasudeva, Partha
and Sikhandin tried hard to restore order
and confidence, but were unsuccessful.
"Dhanjaya," said Krishna, "now has the
critical time come. Be true to your
decision not to flinch from your duty to
kill in battle Bhishma, Drona and all the
other friends and relatives and respected
elders. You have pledged yourself to it
and you have now to carry it out.
Otherwise our army is lost beyond
redemption. You must now attack the
grandsire."
"Drive on," said Arjuna.
As Dhananjaya's chariot sped on towards
Bhishma, it met a hot reception from the
grandsire, who covered it with his arrows.
But, Arjuna bent his bow and discharged
three shafts that broke the grandsire's bow.
Bhishma picked up another bow but it too
met the same fate. The grandsire's heart
was gladdened when he saw Arjuna's skill
in archery.
"Hail, brave warrior!" applauded the
grandsire, even as, taking up another bow;
he poured shafts on Arjuna's chariot with
unerring aim.
Krishna was not happy at the way Arjuna
met the attack. The grandsire's bow was
working fiercely. But Arjuna's hands did
not do their best, for his heart was not in
it.
|
|