Events of the Rangabhoomi as per BORI Critical Edition translated by Bibek Debroy (volume 1)
Pandavas and Kauravas enter Rangabhoomi. Their feats. Bhima vs. Duryodhana fight. Arjuna's feats.
Then the mighty bulls of the Bharata lineage6 tightened their lower garments and entered, equipped with bows, quivers and finger protectors. With Yudhishthira leading the way, those princes, in order of their age, began to display great valour and wonderful skills in the use of weapons. Some7 lowered their heads, concerned that arrows might fall on them. Other men who were not concerned looked on, in wonder and amazement. They pierced targets with arrows that had their names engraved on them. They rode fleet-footed horses skilfully. On witnessing the strength of the princes in the use of bows and arrows, they were amazed and thought they were in a city of the gandharvas. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Hundreds and thousands of men, their eyes dilated with wonder, cheered them on. After repeatedly demonstrating their skill in the use of bows and arrows, chariots, fighting on elephants, fighting on horses and duels, those strong ones then picked up swords and shields and began to circle one another on the ground, exhibiting the various modes of attacking with a sword. They saw the agility, beauty, symmetry, balance, firmness of grasp and mastery in use of sword and shield.
Then, in great spirits, Suyodhana8 and Vrikodara entered, with clubs in their hands, like two single-peaked mountains. Those mighty-armed warriors tightened their lower garments and roared, like two mad elephants trumpeting and contending.9 Those immensely strong ones circled each other with unblemished clubs, like mad elephants. Vidura described the feats of the princes to Dhritarashtra and the mother of the Pandavas10 described them to Gandhari.'
Vaishampayana said, When the Kuru prince11 and Bhima, supreme among strong ones, descended into the arena, the spectators divided into two factions, each partial towards its own favourite. Some cried, "Look at the valorous Kuru prince. Others cried, "Look at the valorous Bhima. A great roar arose from the cheers of the spectators. On seeing that the place had become like a turbulent ocean, the wise son of Bharadvaja spoke to his beloved son Ashvatthama. Drona said, "Stop those two great warriors, both skilled. Let this crowd not become angered over Bhima and Duryodhana. Restrained by their preceptor's son, those two raised their clubs, like violent oceans lashed by tempests at the time of the world's destruction.
Then Drona entered the arena and stopped the musical instruments in a voice that was as deep as the thunder of the clouds. "Now behold Partha, who is dearer to me than my own son. He is skilled in the use of all weapons. He is Indra's son himself and is like Indra's younger brother. With his entrance blessed by his preceptor, the youthful Phalguni12 appeared. He wore a finger protector and arm guard,13his quiver was full of arrows and he had a bow in his hand. He wore golden armour and he looked like an evening cloud reflecting the rays of the setting sun, radiant as a rainbow with lightning flashes. At this, a loud roar of joy arose everywhere in the arena. Musical instruments and conch shells sounded. "This is the middle Pandava, Kunti's illustrious son. "This is the great Indra's son, the protector of the Kurus. "This is the supreme one among those who are skilled in the use of weapons. "This is the supreme one among those who tread the path of dharma. "This is the foremost one in good conduct. "This is the treasury in knowledge of good conduct. Hearing these loud and incomparable words from the spectators, Kunti's tears mingled with milk from her breasts and made them damp.
Dhritarashtra's ears were filled with the great roar and that best of men happily asked Vidura, "O kshatta! What is this great uproar like the sound of a stormy sea, which suddenly arises in this arena and resonates in the sky? Vidura replied, "O great king! Pandu and Pritha's son, Phalguni, clad in his armour, has entered. Hence, this uproar. Dhritarashtra said, "O one with great intelligence! I am indeed fortunate and favoured that I am protected by the flames of these three Pandavas, obtained from Pritha's kindling. When the arena had become somewhat quiet, Bibhatsu14 began to exhibit the lightness in use of weapons he had learned from his preceptor.
He created fire with an agneya weapon. He created water with a varuna weapon. He created winds with a vayavya weapon. He created rain with a parjanya weapon. He entered the ground with a bhoumya weapon. He created mountains with a parvata weapon. He made everything disappear with an antardhana weapon. In an instant, he appeared tall, then short. In an instant, he was yoked to his chariot. In another, he was in the middle of his chariot. And in another instant, he was on the ground again. Trained well, the preceptor's favourite used various types of arrows to shoot various targets, some fragile, some fine and still others thick. When an iron boar was moved, he shot five continuous arrows into its mouth, as if they were but one arrow. A cow's hollow horn was swayed on a rope and the immensely valorous hero shot twenty-one arrows into it. In this way, he exhibited his great dexterity in the use of the sword, the bow, the club and other weapons.
Edited by SweetRogue - 6 years ago
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