||-SHAHEER SHEIKH-|| **PurusavyAghra Arjuna** AT#45 - Page 42

Arjuna shot arrow after arrow at Bheeshma. Bheeshma would not fight back. The body of Bheeshma was bristling with arrows. With his lips firmly compressed so his sobs would not escape, Arjuna shot arrow after arrow at the old man. Arjuna hated himself.

Yudhisthera could not see because his tears blinded him. Bheeshma tried to throw an immense Javelin at Arjuna. But Arjuna cut it into pieces. Bheeshma was happy and proud that Arjuna had hurt him. All the heroes were looking on. No sound could be heard on the field absolute silence reigned. The drums were silent. The trumpet dare not whisper. There was a hush on the army at that moment.

The sun was nearing the west. He was still glowing in the sky even like Bheeshma with the 1000 arrows of Arjuna. With his body torn to shreds by Arjuna and with his face lit up by a smile of excessive beauty and his eyes resting lovingly on the face of Krishna, the great Bheeshma fell from his chariot. The hearts of the Kauravas broke. A wail could be heard all over the earth as if it was in pain. Bheeshma did not fall to the ground; he fell on a bed of arrows. At his fall the sky sent a shower of rain.

Warriors came from either side to the side of Bheeshma. Bheeshma spoke to all. "My head is hurting, I want a pillow". The men ran and brought him silk and embroidered pillows. This annoyed Bheeshma. "Call Arjuna."

Arjuna came running and shot 3 arrows into the ground near the head of Bheema. He places the head of Bheeshma on the pillow of arrows. "Please" he continued to his men, "Dig me a ditch so that I can worship the sun undisturbed". Then, Bheeshma was very thirsty, "Send for Arjuna, I want to see Arjuna". Arjuna was the only person that knew how to quench his thirst. His men brought him milk and nectar from the flowers. Arjuna came and shot an arrow into the ground near the head of Bheeshma. The earth opened up and a fountain of sweet clear water rose up. Bheeshma's thirst was satisfied.