Mb089. The Ninth Day Of The Battle Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

In the shape of petal Pandavas,
In a circle within a triangle Kauravas,
They arranged on the ninth day,
Their forces like this all the way.

Abhimanyu led the first attack.
Pandavas came in front and back.
The battle, as usual, began.
In rows marched all the men.

Abhimanyu was attacked by Alambasa,
A raksasa friend of Duryodhana,
Alambasa ran away defeated.
Kaurava forces were routed.

Bhisma rushed to the spot,
Yudhishthira had a time hot
Bhima to support rushed there,
Somehow he saved his brother.

Drona fought with Arjuna.
Then Kripa attacked Bhima.
Pandavas army in thousands,
They died in Bhisma's hands.

"On the third day you promised
To kill Bhisma, but you missed.
Ninth day is this afternoon,
Bhisma is still moving on."

"If like this he's allowed to do,
He'll finish our army in a day or two.
Hold Gandiva with your firm hand,
Let its arrow seek Bhisma's end."

These words of Krishna,
Seriously took Arjuna,
With Bhisma he fought.
But no result it brought.

Bhisma's arrows hit Arjuna,
His horses, besides Krishna.
Out of control the horses ran.
Krishna in anger shouted again.

"To protect your charioteer,
And horses, useless you're.
Slay Bhisma how can you?
No more chance for you."

So saying he jumped down,
Towards Bhisma He ran.
No resistance Bhisma offered.
As death from Him he preferred.

Arjuna prayed for His mercy.
To kill Bhisma, it wasn't easy.
Bhisma resumed his fight.
He killed many left and right.

At the sunset to an end it came.
Tired every one became.
Happy that day was Duryodhana.
With the performance of Bhisma.