tah -- those stalks; vajra-kalpah -- as strong as thunderbolts; hi -- indeed; abhavan -- became; parighah -- iron staffs; mushtina -- with their fists; bhritah -- held; jaghnuh -- they attacked; dvishah -- their enemies; taih -- with these; krishnena -- by Lord Krishna; varyamanah -- being checked; tu -- although; tam -- Him; ca -- as well; te -- they.

As soon as they took these cane stalks in their fists, the stalks changed into iron rods as hard as thunderbolts. With these weapons the warriors began attacking one another again and again, and when Lord Krishna tried to stop them they attacked Him as well.