n. And the
heroic warriors that protected Bhishma's car, slain by the son of Pandu,
fell prostrate, O monarch, beside the car of Kunti's son. And the
feathery arrows of Swetavahana, shot from the _Gandiva_, fell in all
directions as if with the object of making a wholesale slaughter of the
foe. And issuing forth from his car those blazing arrows furnished with
golden wings looked like rows of swans in the sky. And all the
celestials with Indra, stationed in the firmament, gazed with wonder
upon another celestial weapon hurled with great force by that wonderful
archer Arjuna. And beholding that wonderful weapon of great beauty, the
mighty _Gandiva_, Chitrasena, highly pleased, addressed the lord of
celestials, saying, 'Behold these arrows shot by Partha coursing through
the sky in one continuous line. Wonderful is the dexterity of Jishnu in
evolving this celestial weapon! Human beings are incapable of shooting
such a weapon, for it does not exist among men. How wonderful again is
this concourse of mighty weapons existing from days of old! No interval
can be perceived between his taking up the arrows, fixing them on the
bow-string, and letting them off by stretching the _Gandiva_. The
soldiers are incapable of even looking at the son of Pandu, who is like
unto the midday sun blazing in the sky. So also none ventures to look at
Bhishma, the son of Ganga. Both are famous for their achievements, and
both are of fierce prowess. Both are equal in feats of heroism, and both
are difficult of being vanquished in battle.'

"Thus addressed by the _Gandharva_ about that combat between Partha and
Bhishma, the lord of the celestials, O Bharata, paid proper respect unto
both by a shower of celestial flowers. Meanwhile, Bhishma, the son of
Santanu, assailed Arjuna on the left side, while that drawer of the bow
with either hands was on the point of piercing him. And at this,
Vibhatsu, laughing aloud, cut off with an arrow of keen edge and
furnished with vulturine wings, the bow of Bhishma, that hero of solar
effulgence. And then Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, pierced Bhishma in
the breast with ten shafts although the latter was contending with all
his prowess. And sorely afflicted with pain Ganga's son of mighty arms
and irresistible in battle, stood for a long time leaning on the pole of
his car. And beholding him deprived of consciousness the driver of his
car-steeds, calling to mind the instructions about protecting the
warriors when i