“as it ais” is a tell of the 18-day Kurukshetra war from the Hindu epic Mahabharata as prompted by Manmatha Dutt’s translation.
Bhishma and Arjuna fight on chariots under nets of arrows. - Manmatha Dutt. Bhishma Vadha. chapter 52
Dhrishtadyumna charges Drona with a sword and shield marked with one hundred golden moons, Drona showers arrows onto Dhrishtadyumna. Dutt. chp. 53
Indra fights Asuras and Danavas in ocean. - Dutt. chp. 54
Bhima destroys the Kalingas. Bhima hurls iron club whirls like circle of fire sword bull-hide shield slain elephants broken tusks rent heads, broken lances, shields, hooks, darts ground, like fallen cliffs. - Dutt. chp. 54
Bhima roamed the field of battle with a club, like death. Bhima, with the Chedis, advanced to meet the Kalingas. - Dutt. ibid.
Bhima ascended the elephant by its tusks, sliced Bhanuman in half, then Bhima made his sword descend through the elephant's neck. The elephant screamed and fell like a mountain shattered by thunder as Bhima jumped free. - Dutt. ibid.
Bhima destroys horses and chariots after bringing down the Kalinga elephants
After the elephants were destroyed, Bhima roamed like an angry hawk, displaying many motions leaping to attack chariots and horses in circuits. - Dutt. ibid.
Bhima stretched his bow back to his neck and kill the Kalinga King with iron tipped arrows.
The warriors withdrew to camp at sundown for the night. - Dutt. chp. 55
