Mb086. The Sixth Day Of The Battle Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

Pandavas set in Makara formation
Kauravas in Krauncha formation
Opened the sixth day of the battle,
All the chariots racing in rattle.

A slaughter gave an indication,
The enormity of the situation.
Very heavy the day count was,
Both sides suffered this loss.

Kaurava brothers to finish,
Bhima was in great anguish.
He pierced the enemy line,
To seek out, but in vain.

He was surrounded right now.
To kill him there somehow,
Kauravas tried their best,
But he was rescued by the rest.

Wounded though he was
Never did he give a pause
In his challenging role,
That took a severe toll.

It was like hit and chase
In a mad killing race,
Behind and in front,
Both sides left not.

Face to face Bhima
Once met Duryodhana.
A word battle arose first,
And a severe clash next.

Wounded Duryodhana became.
To rescue him there Kripa came.
Bhisma gave a counter attack.
Pandavas' forces then held back.

The ‘sunset' rule was broken.
And the conduct code forgotten.
They cared not the closing call.
They fought till the night fall.

Torn limbs, mangled bodies,
Rotting flesh, severed heads,
Dripping blood, scattered bones,
Broken armour, wailing tones.

It was a scene of horror,
And a sight of total terror,
That melted everyone's heart,
Felt, what for they fought?

As a routine, they retired
When they were so tired,
Their night rest to take,
Before the next daybreak.