As a forest in consumed by fire at the end of winter, so were the troops of Drupada scen to be consumed (by Bhishma). Bhishina stood in that battle like a blazing fire without smoke, or like the sun at mid-day, scorching every thing around. The Pandava troops could not even look at Bhishma.
अग्निनेव प्रदग्धानि वनानि शिशिरात्यये॥ शरदग्धान्यदृश्यन्त सैन्यानि द्रुपदस्य ह। अत्यतिष्ठद् रणे भीष्मो विधूम इव पावकः॥ मध्यंदिने यथाऽऽदित्यं तपन्तमिव तेजसा। न शेकुः पाण्डवेयस्य योधा भीष्मं निरीक्षितुम्॥