Arjuna replied, "So be it." The valorous hero mounted his chariot, drew Gandiva taut, and made the bow resound. At the twang of his bowstring against his palm, like the crash of thunder, all beings trembled, and all the kings, hearing it, trembled as well. Then the best of charioteers, on his ratha, made a reverent circuit around the reclining best of the Bharatas, the foremost of all who bear weapons. Fitting a blazing arrow, consecrating it with a mantra, and joining it to the Parjanya weapon, the son of Pritha, before the eyes of the whole world, pierced the earth at Bhishma's right side. From there sprang forth a pure and blessed stream of cool water, like nectar, of divine fragrance and taste. Then the son of Pritha, whose deeds and valor were divine, satisfied Bhishma, the bull of the Kurus, with that cool stream of water. At this deed of Pritha's son, as though it were a wonder wrought by Indra, all the lords of the earth were struck with the greatest astonishment. Beholding this superhuman and wondrous deed of Bibhatsu, the Kurus trembled like cows afflicted by cold. In their amazement the kings waved their upper garments on every side, and everywhere a tumult arose from the sound of conches and drums. His thirst satisfied, the son of Shantanu, O king, spoke to Bibhatsu in the presence of all the heroic kings, as though paying him honor.