Armored and stationed at the head of the vyuha, Shalya advanced. He was accompanied by the brave Madrakas and Karna's invincible sons. Kritavarma, surrounded by the Trigartas was on the left flank. With the Shakas and Yavanas, Kripa was on the right flank. Surrounded by the Kambhojas, Ashvatthama was at the rear. Duryodhana was in the middle. Shakuni was surrounded by a large army of horses. His son, Uluka, advanced with the soldiers.
The Pandavas arranged their soldiers in a vyuha. They divided themselves into three points led by Arjuna, Yudhishthira and Bhima and attacked. Yudhishthira attacked Shalya with lethal intent. Bhima attacked Kripa with the Somakas. Madri's two sons attacked Shakuni and Uluka.
- Mhb. Shalya-Vadha Parva. Chapter 7
Combat proceeds -
Bhima's forces pierced Shalya with an arrow. Then seven. Satyaki's force covered Shalya's force with hundreds of arrows. Nakula pierced Shalya with five arrows. Sahadeva pierced Shalya with seven arrows then another seven. Shalya pierced Satyaki with twenty-five arrows, Bhima with seventy-three and Nakula with seven.
- Shalya-Vadha Parva. Chapter 12
Arjuna fought Shamshaptakas, who are warriors who have sworn to stand and fight him, then tussles with Ashvatthama, who counters Arjuna’s advances.
More blistering action -
In that battle, they were slaughtered by Partha's arrows. They thought the entire field was full of many Parthas. Partha (Arjuna) was like a fire. The arrows were flames. The great twang of the bow was the wind that fanned it. The soldiers on your side were the kindling. It was extraordinary.
- Shalya-Vadha Parva. Chapter 14
The showdown between Yudhishthira and Shalya.
Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) seemed to be dancing around in anger. He extended his arm. He loudly exclaimed, 'O wretch! You are dead.' Yudhishthira hurled that javelin with great force. Shalya roared and used all his strength to seize it. It pierced through his inner organs, his broad chest and his sparkling armour. It then penetrated the earth, as it if was slicing through water. The King's fame was taken away. Blood began to flow from his wounds and covered his nose, eyes, ears and mouth. Shalya extended his arms in Yudhishthira's direction. He then fell down on the ground.
- Shalya-Vadha Parva. Chapter 16
Nakula goes berserk,
"His bow was severed. His chariot was destroyed. The brave one grasped a sword and shield and jumped down from his chariot, like a lion from the summit of a mountain. As he advanced on foot, arrows showered down on him. However, Nakula was fierce in his spirit and dexterous in his valor. He received the arrows on his shield. Nakula approached Chitrasena's chariot and climbed up. Pandava severed Chitrasena's head, with its earrings and crown, excellent nose and large eyes, from his head. Resplendent as the sun, Chitrasena fell down from his chariot."
- Mhb. Shalaya-Vadha Parva. Chapter 9
As the war goes on, the fighting becomes more and more savage. The landscape of the last few days seems incomprehensible - mountains of corpses and shattered equipment and chariots sinking into mud made by pools of blood. The stench of rotting flesh and the sights and sounds of delighted jackals, hyenas and vultures stuffing their bellies full of meat while the fighting carries on in open spaces. The sounds of clashing men, animals, chariots, weapons and armor. By night the sound of scavengers feeding on flesh and bone. The only egress from this hell was death by combat.
Wishing to go to heaven, the men fought an excellent war. Setting their minds on the tasks of their masters, they wished to repay all debts. With minds set on heaven, they fought and clashed. 'Strike. Pierce. Seize. Hit. Sever.' These were the only words they spoke to one another.
- Mhb. Shalaya-Vadha Parva. Chapter 11.
The terrible battle commenced. Men, chariots, crowds of elephants, thousands of riders and horses clashed. A great noise was heard, like clouds roaring in the sky during the rains.
- Mhb. Shalaya-Vadha Parva. Chapter 8
The soldiers slaughtered each other. The tuskers shrieked. The foot soldiers lamented loudly. Horses ran away in many directions. For the living there was only terrible destruction and carnage.
- Mhb. Shalaya-Vadha Parva. Chapter 10
The narrator is Sanjaya, who retells the events of the war to blind King Dhritarashtra. Sanjaya has a way with words. The context of Sanjaya’s gripping narrative detail is his desire for the blind king to see everything.
The anti-war stance of the text arises in exchanges like this.
‘Dhritarashtra said, ‘O’ Sanjaya! I am struck by fear and wonder by the feats of the Pandavas. What Gods favor them? What boons have they obtained? What knowledge do they have? They do not decay, like stars in the sky. The repeated slaughter of my soldiers is because of destiny.'
Sanjay replied, ‘O’ King! Listen attentively. Nothing was accomplished because of mantras or maya. Nor did the Pandavas cause this calamity. They fought a just cause and fight according to their powers. … Your evil-souled son has always acted according to evil. He is cruel and performs bad deeds. These are the bitter fruits of his offenses and deceit. O’ King! You are tasting that. I tried to restrain you, but you did not accept my words, just as you ignored Vidura and Bhishma.
Bhishma Vadha Parva
Sanjaya places the blame squarely on Dhritarashtra as he attempts to duck behind divine fortune or mystical illusion (maya). Many characters felt and said similar things. Nonetheless, they are all gripped by duty and social standing and pulled into a destruction they were against. Duryodhana’s method is to push his advantage until the other breaks when strong, and make friends when he is weak, such as when he gives Karna a kingdom Anga. This is a good strategy against kings that can be conquered. The trouble is the Pandavas can be pushed underground, but not defeated. Thus Duryodhana runs his insurmountable advantages into the Pandavas until they are spent, then chases sunk costs until the bitter end.
Notes
[1] Vyuha is a military formation with elephants forming walls and open channels for spaces for chariots to fight.
[2] Ashvatthama is the son of Drona. Drona is the preceptor of Kaurava warriors.