2nd day.
Saving an ally/warrior who served him.
[Quote]
"Then that bull among men, Bhimasena, taking up a heavy and mighty mace made of Saikya iron speedily jumped down from his car. And Dhrishtadyumna quickly taking up that foremost chariot warrior on his own car, took away, in the very sight of all the combatants, that renowned warrior."
[End]
Comment - he saved Bheem on day 2 of the war.
Offering resistance to a enemy warrior.
[Quote]
"Bharadwaja's son of great prowess and immeasurable soul, covered with his arrows the wrathful Dhrishtadyumna. And he took up a dreadful arrow for the destruction of Prishata's son whose force resembled that of Sakra's bolt and which was like a second rod of death. And beholding that arrow aimed by Bharadwaja in battle, loud cries arose, O Bharata, among all the combatants. And then we beheld the wonderful prowess of Dhrishtadyumna in so much that the hero stood immovable like a mountain."
"And he cut off that terrible and blazing arrow coming towards him like his own Death, and also showered an arrowy downpour on Bharadwaja's son. And beholding that difficult feat achieved by Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchalas with the Pandavas, filled with delight, set up loud shouts. And that prince, endued with great prowess, desirous of slaying Drona hurled at him a dart of great impetuosity."
[End]
Logic - he put up a good resistance against guru Drona. Even though drona beats him after this.
====
4th day.
[Quote]
"And while proceeding towards Arjuna, that perpetuator of Panchala's race struck Saradwat's son on his shoulder-joint with three arrows. And piercing the Madrakas then with ten sharp shafts, he speedily slew the protector of Kritavarman's rear. And that chastiser of foes then, with a shaft of broad head, slew Damana, the heir of the high-souled Paurava. Then the son of Samyamani pierced the Panchala prince incapable of defeat in the battle with ten shafts, and his charioteer also with ten shafts. Then that mighty bowman, (thus) severely pierced, licked with his tongue the corners of his mouth, and cut off his enemy's bow with a broad-headed shaft of excessive sharpness. And soon the prince of Panchala afflicted his foe with five and twenty arrows, and then slew his steeds, O king, and then both the protectors of his wings."
[eNd]
"Then Samyamani's son, standing on that car whose steeds were slain, looked at the son of the renowned king of the Panchalas. Then taking up a terrible scimitar of the best kind, made of steel, Samyamani's son walking on foot, approached Drupada's son staying on his car. And the Pandavas, soldiers and Dhrishtadyumna also of Prishata's race beheld him coming like a wave and resembling a snake fallen from the skies. And he whirled his sword and looked like the sun and advanced with the tread of an infuriate elephant. The prince of Panchala then, excited with rage, quickly taking up a mace, smashed the head of Samyamani's son thus advancing towards him, sharp-edged scimitar in grasp and shield in hand, as soon as the latter, having crossed the shooting distance, was near enough to his adversary's car. And then, O king, while falling down deprived of life, his blazing scimitar and shield, loosened from his grasp, fell down with his body on the ground. And the high-souled son of the Panchala king, of terrible prowess, having slain his foe with his mace, won great renown. And when that prince, that mighty car-warrior and great bowman, was (thus) slain, loud cries of oh and alas arose among thy troops, O sire. Then Samyamani, excited with rage upon beholding his own son slain, impetuously rushed towards the prince of Panchala."
[End]
===
12th day.
Two important warrior chief's were slain by Dhrishtadyumna.
[quote]
"Dhrishtadyumna also taking up a sword and a bright shield; despatched Charmavarman and also Vrihatkshatra, the ruler of the Nishad's. The Panchala prince then, mounting upon his own car and taking up another bow, pierced Karna with three and seventy shafts, and uttered a loud roar."
[eNd]
Note - this was more than karna did in four day's, dhrishtadyumna was able to slay 2 characters, karn could barely even keep up with foot soldiers.
=
SLAYING MORE IMPORTANT NAMES.
14th night.
[Quote]
"Dhrishtadyumna then pierced Drumasena in return with three straight arrows, in the encounter, which were equipped with wings of gold, steeped in oil, and capable of taking the life of him at whom they are sped. With another broad-headed shaft, the prince of the Panchalas then, in that battle, cut off from Drumasena's trunk the latter's head decked with bright ear-rings of gold."
[End]
Logic - he slew Drumasena without use of any divine weapons unlike karna who needed a divine weapon for Ghatotkaca yet ended up harming his own kaurav army again.
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18th day.
Dhrishtadyumn had almost beaten Salwa's elephant (lord of Mlecchas).
Quote:
The illustrious Dhrishtadyumna then, charged for vanquishing the elephant, even as the Asura Jambha had proceeded against Airavata, the prince of elephants that Indra rode in the course of his encounter with Indra. Salwa, that lion among kings, quickly urged his elephants, for the destruction of Drupada's son. The latter, seeing the animal approaching with precipitancy, pierced it with three foremost of shafts, polished by the hands of the smith, keen, blazing, endued with fierce energy, and resembling fire itself in splendour and force."
"Then that illustrious hero struck the animal at the frontal globes with five other whetted and foremost of shafts. Pierced therewith, that prince of elephants, turning away from the battle, ran with great speed. Salwa, however, suddenly checking that foremost of elephants which had been exceedingly mangled and forced to retreat, caused it to turn back, and with hooks and keen lances urged it forward against the chariot of the Pancala king, pointing it out to the infuriate animal."
[End]
15th day.
How his duel with guru Dron is ranked by spectator's
[Quote]
"Then the Panchala prince Dhrishtadyumna, also, penetrating into that large host, engaged himself with Drona in battle. The battle became furious. Such a fierce encounter we had never seen or heard of before, O king, as that which now took place at sunrise of that day."
[End]
Conclusion - sanjay said that their was no fierce duel like this before, not ram vs ravan, not karna vs ghatotkaca, not bhishma vs parshurama.
Defeating prince Duhsasan:
[Quote]
"Duhsasana, encountered Dhrishtadyumna. Mounted upon his, golden chariot and exceedingly afflicted with the shafts of Duhsasana, the Panchala prince wrathfully showered his shafts upon thy son's steeds. Covered with the shafts of Prishata's son, O king, Duhsasana's car, with standard and driver, soon became invisible. Afflicted with those showers of arrows, Duhsasana, O monarch, became unable to stay before the illustrious prince of the Panchalas. Forcing, by means of his shafts, Duhsasana to turn back Dhrishtadyumn, scattering his arrows, proceeded against Drona in that battle."
[End]
Comment - To make this seem like an impressive achievement i have to quote incidents of Duhsasana's power as a warrior. Since it says "to turn back" the quote clearly is saying he ran away from Dhrishtadyumn.
Duhsasan's power.
[Quote]
"Duhshasana sped a shaft bright as the rays of the sun, decked with gold, diamonds, and other precious gems, capable of piercing the body of his assailant, and irresistible as the stroke of Indra's thunder. His body pierced therewith, Vrikodara fell, with languid limbs and like one deprived of life and with outstretched arms, upon his own excellent car. Recovering his senses, however, he began to roar like a lion."
[End]
Comment - throughout all their encounters with eachother Pitamah Bhishma failed to knock Bheem out with an arrow. Same for Karna, he failed to knock Bheem out.
WHY BHEEM IS A GREAT WARRIOR.
He vanquished 3 akshounis very quickly.
[Quote]
"Full three akshauhinis of Duryodhana's soldiers had been assembled together (in front of Bhima). They have all been checked by that lion among men, Bhimasena, in wrath."
[End]
Next Chapter.
[Quote]
"Seeing thy army fly away from Bhimasena, the mighty Karna, O king, rallied it with great efforts. The mighty-armed Karna, having rallied thy son's host, proceeded against the Pandavas, those heroes difficult of defeat in battle."
[End]
Conclusion - defeating prince Duhsasana is more impressive than beating 656,000 soldier's of Arya Varth. And tearing a mountain.
Ashwathama failed to make Bheem feel hurt:
"Though shrouded in that battle by Drona's son, that warrior of great skill, Bhima yet felt no pain, O monarch, which seemed exceedingly wonderful. Then the mighty-armed Bhima sped ten gold-decked arrows, of great keenness and resembling the darts of Yama himself, at his foe."
Ashwathama's arrow power:
"The force of the heroic Duryodhana's shafts, or Ashwathama's or Kripa's would break down the very mountains."
Logic - Duhsasan is able to accomplish what Ashwathama failed in doing.
Other notable achievement of prince Bhima.
Bheem also held in place & checked the whole army of Kauravs on 14th night battle.
[Quote]
"The mighty-armed Bhimasena is now engaged with Drona's division."
[End]
[Second]
"Beholding thy vast host held in check by Bhima, Yudhishthira, addressing Dhrishtadyumna."
[second enD]
Comment - this was when the kauravs still had king Shalya, Mlecch king Salwa, Ashwathama, Duryodhan, Karna, Vrishasen, Uluka, Sakuni, Kripa, guru Drona & Kritvarma with Susarman on their side.
If i had to guess they would've had maybe 5 or 6 akshouni's at the time (because krishna's army alone was 10 crore or 100,000,000 Gopalas) still it was a big big army. Though it is possible that Drona was not among those who Bheem checked as Yudhisthir told Dhrishtadyumn, Drupad etc to go after Drona instead.
=======
BACK TO THE MAIN TOPIC.
Day 15.
"Dhrishtadyumna, smiling, took up another bow, and pierced Drona with a keen shaft in the centre of the chest. Deeply pierced therewith and losing his self-possession in that encounter, that mighty bowman, then, with a sharp and broad-headed arrow, once more cut off Dhrishtadyumna's bow. Indeed, the invincible Drona then cut off all the weapons, O king, and all the bows that his antagonist had, with the exception only of his mace and sword."
"Filled with rage, he then pierced the angry Dhrishtadyumna, O chastiser of foes, nine keen arrows, capable of taking the life of every foe. Then the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, of immeasurable soul, invoking into existence the Brahma Astra."
Comment - though dhrishtadyumn was losing he dealt a considerable amount of damage before being on the receiving end. Also the last line show's that he also owned the Brahmastra.
[Quote]
"Those 2 ornaments of battle then, both foremost of fighters and both filled with rage, invoked into existence the Brahma Astra and diverse other celestial weapons. Indeed, O king, Dhrishtadyumna covered Drona with many mighty weapons in that encounter. Destroying all the weapons of Bharadwaja's son, then Dhrishtadyumn began to slay the Vasatis, the Sivis, the Valhikas and the Kurus, that is, them, who protected Drona in that battle."
"Indeed, O king, shooting showers of arrows on all sides, Dhrishtadyumna at that time looked resplendent like the sun himself shedding his thousands of rays. Drona, however, once more cut off the prince's bow and pierced the vitals of the prince himself with many arrows. Thus pierced, the prince felt great pain."
[End]
Comment:
After the above quote Bheem interfered. Dhrishtadyumn had successfully countered many astras of Drona & he clearly wounded him too, even slaying the 4 army unit's/tribes of Kshatriya's who were gaurding the mighty Drona.
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=======
Beating Suyodhan twice.
17th day.
[Quote]
"Dhrishtadyumna quickly took up another, and with it, sixteen broad-headed arrows. With five he slew the four steeds and the driver of Duryodhana, and he cut off with another his bow decked with gold. With the remaining ten shafts, the son of Prishata cut off the car with the upashkara, the umbrella, the dart, the sword, the mace, and the flag of thy son."
"Then the uterine brothers of Duryodhana, O bull of Bharata's race, rescued the carless Duryodhana who had all his weapons, besides, cut off in that battle. In the very sight of Dhrishtadyumna, Durdhara, O monarch, causing that ruler of men to ride upon his car quickly bore him away from the battle."
[enD]
18th day.
[Quote]"Prishata's son of fierce shafts, once more pierced him with seven arrows. Endued with great might and steady prowess, Dhrishtadyumna, in that battle, afflicted Duryodhana with seventy arrows. Beholding the king thus afflicted, O bull of Bharata's race, his uterine brothers, accompanied by a large force, encompassed the son of Prishata. Surrounded by those Atirathas on every side, the Pancala hero, O king, careered in that battle, displaying his quickness in the use of weapons."
[End]
-------
Praise Duryodhan had recieved from various character's as an archer.
1 (king virata):
"How couldst thou, O child, encounter that Duryodhana, the prince who is capable of piercing even a mountain with his mighty arrows?"
[End]
2 (arjuna himself stated this)
"The illustrious king Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra. O hero, take before him this thy car that is capable of grinding hostile cars. This king is difficult of being vanquished in battle and is capable of grinding all foes. He is regarded as the first of all Drona's disciples in lightness of hand."
[End]
3) Ashwathama praised him too.
Quote:
"O tiger among kings, all people indicated thee as the foremost of all bowmen!"
{End}
==================
Duel with Karn;
"Then Dhrishtadyumna assailed the son of Radha with a straight shaft in that battle."
"Karna, filled with rage, shook his foremost of bows called Vijaya, and cutting off the bow of Dhrishtadyumna, as also his arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison assailed Dhrishtadyumna himself with nine arrows."
"The mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, casting aside that broken bow, took up another bow and a number of shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. With those straight shafts numbering seventy, he pierced Karna."
"Similarly, O king, Karna, in that battle, covered Prishata's son, that scorcher of foes, with many shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. The slayer of Drona, that great bowman, retaliated by piercing Karna with many keen shafts."
Note - Dhrishtadyumn fired more than 71 arrows, compared to Karna it is clear Dhrishtadyumn was much quicker in use of weaponry and tool's.
14th night.
[Quote]
"Once again, piercing all those warriors with keen shafts, that hero, with some broad-headed shafts, cut off the bow of Radha's son, that warrior conversant with all modes of warfare. Karna could not book that cutting off of his bow, like a fierce lion incapable of brooking the cutting off of his tail. Taking up another bow, Karna, with eyes red in rage, and breathing hard, covered mighty Dhrishtadyumna with clouds of arrows."
"Beholding Karna excited with rage, those six bulls among car-warriors, quickly encompassed the prince of the Panchalas from desire of slaying him. Seeing the latter in front of those six foremost warriors of thy side, all thy troops, O lord, regarded him to be already within the jaws of the Destroyer."
[End]
Logic - all those chariot warriors who aided karna were Shalya, Ashwathama, Duryodhan, Guru drona, Duhsasana, Sakuni, that is unfair for Dhrishtadyumn but he still injures all of them with arrows and made karna weaponless. It is clear that Dhrishtadyumn is worthy of more praise here and should be given more point's than karna.
What happened between them later?
[quote]
"Then Bharadwaja's son, proceeding against the car of Dhrishtadyumna, fought a wonderful and fierce battle at dead of night, O bull of Bharata's race, with the brave Dhrishtadyumna."
"Then Bharadwaja's son, proceeding against the car of Dhrishtadyumna, fought a wonderful and fierce battle at dead of night, O bull of Bharata's race, with the brave Dhrishtadyumna."
[end]
Comment - dhrishtadyumn is then met solely by guru drona implying that karna was not able to stand before him, karna fled away and could not control the mighty prince of Panchal.
Again.
[Quote]
"Then the valiant Dhrishtadyumna, deprived of car, steeds, and driver, quickly jumped down from his car and took up a mace. Though struck all the while with straight shafts by Karna, the Panchala prince, approaching Karna, slew the four steeds of the latter."
[End]
Comment:
The son of surya obviously lost here while Dhrishtadyumn stood strong here karna needed unfair advantages. The last person to get a blow in was panchal's prince not namard karna. It's dhrishtadyumn who slew the horses of Radheya Karna, but no arrow of karna ever touched the body of Dhrishtadyumna in the last part of their encounter.
============
CONFLICT WITH ASHWATHAMA.
14th night;
"Dhrishtadyumna of great prowess struck the preceptor's son with many keen and terrible arrows capable of piercing the very vitals. Those swiftly-coursing shafts, equipped with golden wings and keen points, and capable of piercing the body of every foe proceeding in a continuous line, penetrated into Aswatthaman's body, like freely-roaming bees in search of honey entering a flowering tree. Deeply pierced and swelling with rage, like a trodden snake, the proud and fearless son of Drona, arrow in hand, addressed his foe."
Comment - ashwathama tries distracting his opponent now with word's.
PART 2.
[start]
"The preceptor's son, then, covered Dhrishtadyumna in that battle (with a shower of arrows). The mighty-armed son of Prishata, however, that best of car-warriors, surrounded by all the Panchala troops, though thus struck with arrows in that encounter by Drona's son, did not tremble, relying as he did on his own energy. In return, he sped many arrows at Aswatthaman. Both engaged in a gambling match in which the stake was life itself, those heroes, unable to brook each other, resisted each other and checked each other's arrowy showers. And those great bowmen shot dense showers of shafts all around. Beholding that fierce battle, inspiring terror, between Drona's and Prishata's son, the Siddhas and Charanas and other sky-ranging beings applauded them highly. Filling the welkin and all the points of the compass with clouds of shafts, and creating a thick gloom therewith, those two warriors continued to fight with each other, unseen (by any of us)."
"As if dancing in that battle, with their bows drawn to circles, resolutely aspiring to slay each other, those mighty-armed warriors, inspiring fear in every heart, fought wonderfully and with remarkable activity and skill. Applauded by thousands of foremost warriors in that battle, and thus resolutely engaged in fight like two wild elephants in the forest, both the armies, beholding them, became filled with delight. And leonine shouts were heard there, and all the combatants blew their conchs. And hundreds and thousands of musical instruments began to be sounded. That fierce fight, enhancing the terror of the timid, seemed only for a short time to be waged equally. Then Drona's son, O king, making a rush, cut off the bow, and standard, and umbrella, and the two Parshni drivers, and the principal driver, and the four steeds, of the high-souled son of Prishata."
[end]
15th day;
[quote]
"Then Dhrishtadyumna, pierced Drona's son that resembled a blazing fire, with four and sixty shafts. And he pierced Aswatthaman's driver also with twenty arrows whetted on stone and equipped with wings of gold, and then his four steeds with four sharp arrows. Repeatedly piercing Drona's son, and causing the earth to tremble with his leonine roars. Dhrishtadyumna then seemed to be employed in taking the lives of creatures in the world in dreadful battle. Making death itself his goal, the mighty son of Prishata, O king, accomplished in weapons and endued with sureness of aim, then rushed against Drona's son alone."
"Of immeasurable soul, that foremost of car-warriors the prince of Panchala, poured upon Ashwathama's head a shower of arrows. Then Drona's son, in that battle, covered the angry prince with winged shafts. And once more, he pierced the latter with ten shafts, remembering the slaughter of his father. Then cutting off the standard and bow of the Panchala prince with a couple of well-shot shafts, equipped with heads like razors. Drona's son began to grind his foe with other arrows. In that dreadful battle, Aswatthaman made his antagonist steedless and driverless and carless, and covered his followers also with thick showers of shafts."
[end]
Comment - his performance was impressive despite being beaten prince Dhrishtadyumn fired 88 arrows and injured his enemy greatly.
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17th day.
Disarmed Ashvathaman;
"Then Dhrishtadyumna in that battle cut off the very tough and formidable bow of Drona's son, as also all his arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison. Drona's son, however, with his arrows, destroyed within the twinkling of an eye the bow, the dart, the mace, the standard, the steeds, the driver, and the car of Prishata's son."
[End]
Note - it is true that Dhrishtadyumn indeed lost this fight, but the point is that he put up a good resistance before his defeat.
[Quote]
"That mighty car-warrior of great lightness of hand striving resolutely, deeply pierced the brave son of Prishata, who also strove to the utmost of his prowess, with many keen and terrible shafts endued with great impetuosity."
[Pause]
[Quote again]
"The wrathful commander of the Pandava forces, the son of Prishata, pierced Drona's son with a keen arrow. Then Drona's son filled with great rage, shrouded every side of Dhrishtadyumna, O king, in that battle, with straight arrows. Shrouded with thousands of arrows, neither the welkin, nor the points of the compass, nor the combatants all around, could, O monarch, be any longer seen. Similarly, the son of Prishata, O king, shrouded Drona's son, that ornament of battle, with arrows, in the very sight of Karna."
[end]
Had physical power to skin the mighty Brahmin warrior Ashvathama;
"The Pancala prince tore Ashvatthama with his nails."
===============
Fighting Kritvarma.
14th day.
Power of "Kritvarma";
[Quote]
"The prowess that we then beheld of Kritvarma was wonderful, inasmuch as the united Parthas succeeded not in transgressing his single self. Then the mighty-armed Bhima, piercing Kritavarman with three shafts, blew his conch, gladdening all the Pandavas. Then Sahadeva pierced him with 20 arrows, and Yudhishthira pierced him with five and Nakula pierced him with a hundred. And the sons of Draupadi pierced him with three and seventy shafts, Ghatotkacha pierced him with seven. And Virata and Drupada and Drupada's son, each pierced him with five shafts, and Sikhandin, having once pierced him with five, again pierced him smilingly with five and twenty shafts."
[End]
Note - 14 warriors is the total amount which Kritvarma had to face, the number of arrows he got harmed with is 253. Still no matter how many angles got hit how much blood was spilled from his vein's and body he still didn't stop himself from fighting back.
[Quote]
Then Kritavarman, O king, pierced every one of those great car-warriors with five shafts, and Bhima again with seven. And the son of Hridika felled both the bow and the standard of Bhima from the latter's car. Then that mighty car-warrior, with great speed, wrathfully struck Bhima, whose bow had been cut off with seventy keen shafts in the chest. Then mighty Bhima, deeply pierced with those excellent shafts of Hridika's son, trembled on his car like a mountain during an earthquake."
Note - he very quickly shot 149 arrows back only at one target though, despite having 13 helpers that could have protected him Bheem failed miserably in protecting himself.
[Quote]
"Beholding Bhima in that condition, the Parthas headed by Yudhishthira encompassing Kritvarma with throngs of cars, O sire, they cheerfully began to pierce him with their shafts, desiring to protect the Wind-god's son in that battle. Then mighty Bhimasena recovering consciousness, took up in that battle a dart made of steel and equipped with a golden staff, and hurled it with great speed from his own car at the car of Kritavarman."
[End]
Note - this proves that Bheem also got knocked out cold in the previous engagement.
"Taking tip another bow which was tougher and whose twang was louder, Bhimasena, filled with wrath, attacked the son of Hridika in that battle. He struck Kritavarman, in the center of the chest with five shafts, in consequence of thy evil policy, O monarch! The ruler of the Bhoja then, mangled in every limb, O sire, by Bhimasena, shone resplendent in the field."
"Then that mighty bowman, Kritavarman, filled with rage, smilingly struck Bhimasena with three shafts, and having struck him forcibly, pierced in return every one of those great car-warriors struggling vigorously in battle, with three shafts. Each of the latter then pierced him in return with seven shafts.
Note - basically Kritvarma shot 42 arrows at everyone (despite being mangled himself) while those 14 warriors each shot 3 at him (total would be 98 arrow's).
He beat many warriors who fought him jointly not counting Arjuna (he was not present during the incident):
[Quote]
"The Parthas, beholding Sikhandin lying senseless on the terrace of his car, soon encompassed Kritavarman in that battle with crowds of cars. The mighty chariot warrior, Kritavarman, then achieved a most wonderful feat their as, alone, he held in check all the Parthas with their followers. Having thus vanquished the Parthas."
"The forces of the Pandavas then, thus slaughtered by the son of Hridika began to run in all directions, unable to stay coolly in battle. Having vanquished the sons of Pandu headed by Bhimasena himself, the son of Hridika stayed in battle like a blazing fire. Those mighty car-warriors, afflicted with torrents of shafts and routed by Hridika's son in battle, ventured not to face him."
[End]
Basically - this all proves that he was a very powerful and talented warrior.
17th day.
[Quote]
"The son of Hridika, however, in that battle, with many thousands of his own arrows, destroyed that fierce arrowy shower coursing towards him with great impetuosity. Beholding his irresistible shower of arrows checked in that battle by Kritavarma, the son of Prishata, approaching his antagonist, began to resist him. And soon he despatched Kritavarma's driver to Yama's abode with a broad-headed arrow of great sharpness. Deprived of life, the driver fell down from the car. The mighty Dhrishtadyumna, having vanquished his mighty antagonist, began then to resist the Kauravas with shafts, without losing a moment."
[End]
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That Kritvarma who has beaten Sahadev (who subjugated southern arya varth including Lanka), Nakul, Yudhisthir, Bheem, Srikandi, Ghatotkatch (in day time only) and many others was defeated by Dhrishtadyumn.
Bheem had lost in his duel with Kritvarma twice not just once. On the 14th day karna repeatedly lost to Bheem, so Kritvarma was greater than karna. While Dhrishtadyumn should be rated above karna. It should be mentioned that Dhrishtadyumn won without using Pramohan/Brahma Astras.
===
Dhrishtadyumn versus group's of warriors.
Against Duryodhana & many of his brother's.
[QUOTE]
"Duryodhana in that terrible conflict, quickly coming up to his brothers, said unto them This son of Drupada of wicked soul, is now united with Bhimasena. Let us all approach him together for slaying him. Let not the foe seek our ranks for battle. Hearing these words, the Dhartarashtras, thus urged on by the command of their eldest brother and unable to put up (with the foe), quickly rushed, with upraised weapons, for slaying Dhrishtadyumna like fierce comets at the hour of the universal dissolution."
"Taking up their beautiful bows, those heroes, making the very earth shiver with the twang of their bowstring and the rattle of their car-wheels, showered shafts on Drupada's son, like the clouds covering the mountain-breast with torrents of rain. But that hero conversant with all modes of warfare, though thus struck with sharp arrows in that battle, did not waver. On the other hand, that mighty car-warrior, the youthful son of Drupada, beholding those heroic sons of thine staying before him in battle and exerting themselves to their utmost being desirous of slaying them applied that fierce weapon called Pramohana and engaged with thy sons, O king, like Indra with the Danavas in battle."
"Then those heroic warriors were deprived of their senses, their minds and strength afflicted by the Pramohana weapon. And the Kauravas fled away in all directions, with their steeds and elephants and chariot's beholding those sons of thine deprived of their senses in a swoon like those whose hours had come."
[END]
14th night.
[Quote]
"Karna then pierced Dhrishtadyumna himself with many sharp arrows. Ashwathama pierced him with five, and Drona himself with 5, and Salya pierced him with nine, and Duhsasana with three. Suyodhana pierced him with 20 arrows and Sakuni with five. Indeed, all those chariot-warriors quickly pierced the prince of the Panchalas. Thus was he pierced by these 7 heroes in that battle exerting themselves for the rescue of Drona. The prince of the Panchalas, however, pierced every one of these heroes with three arrows. Indeed, O king, Dhrishtadyumna, in that dreadful battle, quickly pierced Drona himself, and Karna, and Drona's son, and thy son. Thus pierced by that bowman, those warriors, fighting together, pierced Dhrishtadyumna again in that encounter, uttering loud roars the while. Then Drumasena, excited with wrath, O king, pierced the Panchala prince with a winged arrow, and once again quickly with three other arrows."
[End]
Comment - it was 8 great warriors fighting against him, drumasena, drona, ashwathama, sakuni, karna, duhsasana, shalya, suyodhan.
He killed a unknown group of people & defeated them.
"I myself, O king, having only two kinds of forces, and becoming reckless of life, joined the five leaders of our army, and fought with the forces of the Pancala prince, posting our men on that spot where Saradwat's son was stationed. We had been afflicted with the shafts of Kiritin. Nevertheless, a fierce battle took place between us and the division of Dhrishtadyumna. At last, vanquished by the latter, all of us retreated from that encounter. I then beheld the mighty car-warrior Satyaki rushing against us. With four hundred cars that hero pursued me in battle. Having escaped with difficulty from Dhrishtadyumna whose steeds had been tired."
Note - it's entirely possible that ashwathama & kripa were among the warriors he defeated on day eighteen.
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Other power's.
Dhrishtadyumna couldn't be slain by weapons:
"Soon, however, remembering that he was unslayable in battle by means of weapons, he rushed with great speed against Drona's son, like the Destroyer running against the Destroyer at the time of the universal dissolution."
[end]
[proof]
"Ashvatthama, however, though struggling vigorously, could not, O chief of the Bharatas, slay the carless and steedless and bowless Dhrishtadyumna, although pierced and exceedingly mangled with many arrows. When, therefore, O king, the son of Drona found that he could not slay his enemy with arrows, he laid aside his bow and quickly proceeded towards the son of Prishata."
1 thousand arrow's of guru Drona:
"Rushing towards the son of Prishata and desirous of slaying that hero who had been ordained as his slayer, he covered him with a thousand keen shafts, equipped with kanka feathers."
Comment - his durability was better than almost every warrior.
His death;
"While saying so, Ashvatthama, filled with rage, began to strike the vital parts of his victim with violent kicks of his heels, and slew his foe like a lion slaying an infuriated elephant."
Basically - He could not be killed by a weapon so Ashwathaman resorted to physical kicks & punch's.
My belief - either it was the result of a boon, a curse or maybe a special divine connection to Agnidev otherwise it makes no logical sense on why he survived from weapons but not kick's.
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He was also compared to NARASIMHA.
[Quote]
"The form, O king, of Dhrishtadyumna at that time, when he sought to slay the son of Bharadwaja, resembled the form of Vishnu himself in days of yore when at the point of slaying Hiranyakasipu."
[end]
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He was multi talented.
1) Able to make use of a shield;
"Although possessed of great might in battle, he was unable to proceed further. And we behold the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna staying where he did and warding off those clouds of arrows with his shield, using his arms with great dexterity."
Comment - this's against guru Drona who was educated by multiple preceptor's and a expert at breaking enemy's defences. The guy who defeated Satyaki, Drupada, Vrihatkshatra, Abhimanyu, Nakula & Yudhisthir. Who gave Arjun tougher competition on day's 14 and 15 than karna, bhishma, Raja bhagdatt, nivatkavachas etc ever did.
2) Use of Shield & Sword for offencive purpose:
"Dhrishtadyumna also taking up a sword and a bright shield; despatched Charmavarman and also Vrihatkshatra, the ruler of the Nishad's.
3) When a blade was used by him against Drona.
[Quote]
"The Panchala prince), took up a spotless sword and a bright shield decked with a hundred moons. Without doubt, under those circumstances, the Panchala prince determined to make an end of that foremost of preceptors, that high-souled warrior. Sometimes, sheltering himself in his car-box and sometimes riding on his car-shafts, the prince moved about, uplifting his swords and whirling his bright shield."
"The mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, desirous of achieving, from folly, a difficult feat, hoped to pierce the chest of Bharadwaja's son in that battle. Sometimes, he stayed upon the yoke, and sometimes under the haunches of Drona's red steeds. These movements of his were highly applauded by all the troops. Indeed, while he stayed amid the trappings of the yoke or behind those red steeds, Drona found no opportunity to strike him."
[End]
Comment - though eventually drona successfully countered this by using arrow's people should give credit and praise to Dhrishtadyumn for this good achievement. Good things do not last long.
4) Dhrishtadyumn the mace fighter/GADADHARI.
Quote:
"Then the valiant Dhrishtadyumna, deprived of car, steeds, and driver, quickly jumped down from his car and took up a mace. Though struck all the while with straight shafts by Karna, the Panchala prince, approaching Karna, slew the four steeds of the latter."
[End]
5) As a mace combatant.
"Beholding the animal rushing impetuously at him, the heroic Dhrishtadyumna, taking up a mace, quickly jumped down on the Earth from his chariot, his limbs stupefied with fear."
"The brave Pancala king then, taking up his mace which resembled the lofty crest of a mountain, appeared there. Fearlessly, O king, that hero, that smiter of foes, rushed with speed against the elephant. Endued with great activity, the prince of the Pancalas approached and began to strike with his mace that animal which was huge as a hill and which shed its secretions like a mighty mass of pouring clouds."
"Its frontal globes suddenly split open, and it uttered a loud cry & vomiting a profuse quantity of blood, the animal, huge as a hill, suddenly fell down, even as a mountain falling down during an earthquake. While that prince of elephants was falling down, and while the troops of thy son were crying at the sight."
6) He used Brahma Astra twice on the 15th day, their were no other moment's or incidents where Dhrishtadyumn used a Brahma Astra. But this weapon has the ability to slaughter all vanaras in Ramayan including hanuman, vali, sugreev, angada combined.
7) Dhrishtadyumn had a celestial bow like Vijaya.
[Quote]
"Desirous of slaying Drona, he now took up a victory-giving and formidable bow whose twang resembled the roll of the clouds, whose string was possessed of great strength, and which was irrefragable and celestial."
[End]
8) Most skilled swordfighter.
"He performed diverse evolutions, in fact. O Kauravya, the son of Prishata, careering in that battle, exhibited the well-known one and twenty different kinds of motion. Armed with the sword, and shield in hand, Prishata's son wheeled about and whirled his sword on high, and made side thrusts, and rushed forward, and ran sideways, and leapt high, and assailed the flanks of his antagonists and receded backwards, and closed with his foes, and pressed them hard."
"Having practised them well, he also showed the evolutions called Bharata, Kausika Satwata, as he careened in that battle for compassing the destruction of Drona, Beholding those beautiful evolutions of Dhrishtadyumna, as he careered on the field, sword and shield in hand, all the warriors, as also the celestials assembled there, were filled with wonder."
Comment - He was considered the best swordsman of Mahabharat, and the only character to do 23 different movement's and techniques with a sword. Its not 21 cause "Kausika Satwata" & "Bharata" are two move's that got mentioned seperately.
ALSO we read or hear alot about Nakul/Sahadev being excellent sword fighter's but the FACT IS that they never ever showed that skill in fight's they always used arrows instead of other weapon's.
Logic say's - Among the pandav warrior's besides Satyaki and Bheem only Dhrishtadyumn proved himself as a swordsman.
On his birth, what was stated.
[Quote]
"Let this son of king Drupada, they said, be called Dhrishtadyumna, because of his excessive audacity and because of his being born like Dyumna with a natural mail and weapon."
[End]
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[Quote]
"The strong-armed Dhrishtadyumna gifted with great prowess who was born with natural mail and sword and bow and arrows from the blazing fire, himself like unto the second Fire."
[End]
His chariot had a red flag. It was decked with gold and yoked with horses white as pigeons.
An expert at every vyuha (excluding Padma/chakra vyooha).
[quote]
That great chariot warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, who is acquainted with human, celestial, Gandharva and Asura arrays of battle, leadeth that army."
[end]
Another accolade.
[Quote]
Yudhisthir said "The Panchalas and the Pandavas wholly depend upon thy prowess and steadiness. Rescue us safely from the war. I know, O mighty-armed one, that thou art firm in the duties of the Kshatriya order. Thou art, indeed, quite competent to smite alone the Kauravas."
[End]
Yes it is true he lost many times, but he also always gave tough competition to the people that beat him (Drona, Ashwathama etc).
If i had to compare him to any historical figure i would compare Dhrishtadyumn's military career to that of Rana Pratap's, Emperor Humayun and Tipu Sultan. All had been beaten more than twice and won their fair share of engagement's.
i believe that dhrishtadyumn could easily cut the head of laxman and parshurama
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