Mb088. The Eighth Day Of The Battle Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

In Kurma vyuha formation Kauravas,
In three-pronged formation Pandavas,
They set their army this way,
On the morning of the eighth day.

Eight sons of Dhritarashtra,
They were killed by Bhima.
On the early part of the day,
Like a vulture hunted its prey.

So marvelous was Bhima's strike,
His fight to finish, it seemed like.
Iravan, Arjuna's son was killed.
In Arjuna's eyes tears it filled.

"Oh Krishna, now I see why
War Yudhishthira didn't buy.
It came on us by force,
But we were for peace."

"Oh how wicked we are,
Why this war we opt for.
Many warriors died how?
It appears pathetic now."

Arjuna's words of regret,
To hear it was too late.
Ghatotkacha, the demon,
On the enemies he fell upon.

On seeing this Bhima's son,
Ran far away every one,
For fear of being crushed,
Or out from the field pushed.

There arose between Duryodhana,
And Bhima's son Ghatotkacha,
A tough fight, which ended
When Drona came and defended.

Yudhishthira sent Bhima,
To assist Ghatotkacha,
The battle became fiercer
Then it grew tougher.

Duryodhana's brothers
Sixteen in numbers,
Perished that day,
In a miserable way.