srimahabharat - udyoga parva (book 5) chapters 163 to 174

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Book 5
Chapter 163

1 [bhīsma]
      sudakṣiṇas tu kāmbojo ratha ekaguṇo mataḥ
      tavārtha siddhim ākāṅkṣan yotsyate samare paraiḥ
  2 etasya rathasiṃhasya tavārthe rājasattama
      parākramaṃ yathendrasya drakṣyanti kuravo yudhi
  3 etasya rathavaṃśo hi tigmavegaprahāriṇām
      kāmbojānāṃ mahārāja śalabhānām ivāyatiḥ
  4 nīlo māhiṣmatī vāsī nīlavarma dharas tava
      rathavaṃśena śatrūṇāṃ kadanaṃ vai kariṣyati
  5 kṛtavairaḥ purā caiva sahadevena pārthivaḥ
      yotsyate satataṃ rājaṃs tavārthe kurusattama
  6 vindānuvindāv āvantyau sametau rathasattamau
      kṛtinau samare tāta dṛḍhavīryaparākramau
  7 etau tau puruṣavyāghrau ripusainyaṃ pradhakṣyataḥ
      gadā prāsāsinārācais tomaraiś ca bhujacyutaiḥ
  8 yuddhābhikāmau samare krīḍantāv iva yūthapau
      yūthamadhye mahārāja vicarantau kṛtāntavat
  9 trigartā bhrātaraḥ pañca rathodārā matā mama
      kṛtavairāś ca pārthena virāṭanagare tadā
  10 makarā iva rājendra samuddhata taraṅgiṇīm
     gaṅgāṃ vikṣobhayiṣyanti pārthānāṃ yudhi vāhinīm
 11 te rathāḥ pañca rājendra yeṣāṃ satyaratho mukham
     ete yotsyanti samare saṃsmarantaḥ purā kṛtam
 12 vyalīkaṃ pāṇḍaveyena bhīmasenānujena ha
     diśo vijayatā rājañ śvetavāhena bhārata
 13 te haniṣyanti pārthānāṃ samāsadya mahārathān
     varān varān maheṣvāsān kṣatriyāṇāṃ dhuraṃdharāḥ
 14 lakṣmaṇas tava putras tu tathā duḥśāsanasya ca
     ubhau tau puruṣavyāghrau saṃgrāmeṣv anivartinau
 15 taruṇau sukumārau ca rājaputrau tarasvinau
     yuddhānāṃ ca viśeṣajñau praṇetārau ca sarvaśaḥ
 16 rathau tau rathaśārdūla matau me rathasattamau
     kṣatradharmaratau vīrau mahat karma kariṣyataḥ
 17 daṇḍadhāro mahārāja ratha eko nararṣabhaḥ
     yotsyate samaraṃ prāpya svena sainyena pālitaḥ
 18 bṛhadbalas tathā rājā kausalyo rathasattamaḥ
     ratho mama matas tāta dṛḍhavegaparākramaḥ
 19 eṣa yotsyati saṃgrāme svāṃ camūṃ saṃpraharṣayan
     ugrāyudho maheṣvāso dhārtarāṣṭra hite rataḥ
 20 kṛpaḥ śāradvato rājan rathayūthapa yūthapaḥ
     priyān prāṇān parityajya pradhakṣyati ripūṃs tava
 21 gautamasya maharṣer ya ācāryasya śaradvataḥ
     kārtikeya ivājeyaḥ śarastambāt suto 'bhavat
 22 eṣa senāṃ bahuvidhāṃ vividhāyudhakārmukām
     agnivat samare tāta cariṣyati vimardayan

SECTION CLXIII

"Sanjaya said, 'O monarch, provoking Arjuna still further who was like a snake of virulent poison, by means of those wordy strokes of his Uluka once more repeated the words he had once spoken. The Pandavas had before such repetition, been sufficiently provoked, but hearing these words (a second time) and receiving those censures through the gambler's son, they were provoked beyond endurance. They all stood up, and began to stretch their arms. And looking like enraged snakes of virulent poison, they began to cast their eyes on one another. And Bhimasena, with face downwards, and breathing heavily like a snake, began to glance obliquely at Kesava, directing the blood-red corners of his eyes towards him. And beholding the Wind-god's son to be greatly afflicted and extremely provoked with rage, he of Dasarha's race smilingly addressed the gambler's son and said, 'Depart hence without a moment's delay. O gambler's son, and say unto Suyodhana these words, viz.,--Thy words have been heard and sense understood. Let that take place which
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thou desirest.' Having said this, O best of monarchs, the mighty-armed Kesava looked once more at Yudhishthira endued with great wisdom. Then in the midst and presence of all the Srinjayas, of Krishna possessed of great fame, of Drupada with his sons, of Virata, and all the kings (there assembled), Uluka once more repeated unto Arjuna the words he had said, provoking him still further thereby, like one annoying wrathful snake of virulent poison by means of a stake. And he also said unto all of them, viz.,--Krishna and others, those words that Duryodhana had instructed him to say. And hearing those harsh and highly disagreeable words uttered by Uluka, Partha was greatly excited and wiped the sweat off his forehead. And beholding Partha, O king, in that condition, that assembly of monarchs could not bear it at all. And at that insult to Krishna and the high-souled Partha, the car-warriors of the Pandavas were greatly agitated. Though endued with great steadiness of mind, those tigers among men began to burn with anger. And Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin and that mighty car-warrior, Satyaki, and the five Kekaya brothers, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, the sons of Draupadi, and Abhimanyu, and king Dhrishtaketu, and Bhimasena, endued with great prowess, and those mighty car-warriors--the twins,--jumped up from their seats, their eyes red with anger, tossing their handsome arms decked with red sandal-paste and ornaments of gold. Then Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, understanding their gestures and hearts, sprang up from his seat. And gnashing his teeth, and licking with his tongue the corners of his mouth, and burning with rage, and squeezing his hands and turning his eyes fiercely, said these words unto Uluka, Ignorant fool, thy words have now been heard which Duryodhana said unto thee for the object of provoking us as if we were a set of imbeciles! Hear now the words which I say and which thou art to repeat unto the inaccessible Suyodhana in the midst of all the Kshatriyas and in the hearing of the Suta's son and the wicked-hearted Sakuni. We always seek to gratify our elder brother! It was for this, O thou of wicked behaviour, that we tolerated thy acts. Dost thou not regard this as highly fortunate for thee? It was for only the good of our race that king Yudhishthira the Just, endued with great intelligence, sent Hrishikesa to the Kurus for bringing about a peace! Impelled by Fate, without doubt, thou art desirous of repairing unto Yama's abode! Come, fight with us. That, however, is certainly to take place tomorrow! I have, indeed, vowed to slay thee with thy brothers! O sinful fool, do not entertain the slightest doubt, for it will be as I have vowed! The very ocean, the abode of Varuna-may all on a sudden transgress its continents. The very mountains may split, yet my words can never be false! If Yama himself, or Kuvera, or Rudra, assisteth thee, the Pandavas will still accomplish what they have vowed! I shall certainly drink Dussasana's blood according to my pleasure! And I also vow that Kshatriya whatsoever may then angrily approach me, even if he cometh with Bhishma himself at the van, I will send him to Yama's
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abode! That which I have said in the midst of a Kshatriya assembly will certainly be true. I swear this by my soul!
'Hearing these words of Bhimasena, the wrathful Sahadeva also, with eyes red in anger, said these words in the presence of the (assembled) troops,--words that become that proud hero. And he said, 'Listen, O sinful one, to the words I utter and which must be repeated to thy father! A difference would never have arisen between us and the Kurus, if Dhritarashtra had no relationship with thee! Of sinful acts and the exterminator of thy own race, thou hast been born as an embodiment of quarrel for the destruction of the whole world as also for the destruction of Dhritarashtra's race! From our very birth, O Uluka, that sinful father of thine hath always sought to do us injury and evil. I desire to attain the opposite shore of that hostile relation. Slaying thee first before the very eyes of Sakuni, I shall then slay Sakuni himself in the sight of all bowmen!'
'Hearing these words of both Bhima and Sahadeva, Falguni smilingly addressed Bhima, saying, 'O Bhimasena, they that have provoked hostilities with thee, cannot live! Though they may dwell happily in their homes, those fools become yet entangled in the meshes of death! O best of men, Uluka doth not deserve to be addressed harshly by thee! What fault do envoys commit, repeating as they only do what they are instructed (to say)?' And having thus addressed Bhima of terrible prowess that mighty-armed hero then addressed his heroic allies and well-wishers headed by Dhrishtadyumna, saying, 'Ye have heard the words of the sinful son of Dhritarashtra in dispraise of Vasudeva and especially of myself! And hearing them ye have been filled with anger because ye wish us well! But through Vasudeva's might and your endeavours, I do not reckon even all the Kshatriyas of the earth assembled together! With your permission I will now communicate to Uluka what the reply to those words is, what, indeed, he should say unto Duryodhana!--When the morrow cometh, stationed at the head of my division, the answer to these words shall I give through Gandiva! For they that are eunuchs, answer in words!'
'Hearing this, all those best of kings applauded Dhananjaya, wondering at the ingenuity of that reply. King Yudhishthira the Just, then, having spoken mildly unto all the kings each according to his age and as each deserved said, at last, unto Uluka these words so that he might carry them to Duryodhana. And Yudhishthira said, 'No good king should patiently bear an insult. Having so long heard what thou hadst to say, I shall now tell thee what my reply is!'
'Having heard then, O best of Bharata's race, those words of Duryodhana, Yudhishthira, that bull of the Bharata race, with eyes exceedingly red in anger and himself sighing like a snake of virulent poison, licking the corners of his mouth with his tongue, as if swelling with wrath, and casting his eyes on Janardana and his own brothers, said unto Uluka these words that were fraught with both mildness and
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vigour. And tossing his massive arms he said unto the gambler's son, 'Go, O Uluka, and say unto Duryodhana, that ungrateful, wicked-minded embodiment of hostilities, that infamous wretch of his race, these words, viz.,--O sinful wretch, thou always behavest with crookedness towards the Pandavas! O sinful fool, he that displayeth his prowess relying on his own might and summoneth his foes (to battle) and fulfilleth his own words, even he is a man of the Kshatriya order! Be thou a Kshatriya, O sinful wretch, and summon us to battle! O infamous one of thy race, do not come to battle, placing at thy head others for whom we profess respect! O Kaurava, relying on thy own might and on that of thy servants, summon the sons of Pritha to battle! Be Kshatriya in every way! He, who summoneth his foes, relying on the might of others, and incapable of receiving them himself is, indeed, a eunuch! Thou, however, thinkest highly of thyself, relying on the might of others! Being weak and unable thyself, why then dost thou roar so (in words) at us?'
"Krishna said, 'My words also, O gambler's son, should be communicated unto Suyodhana. Let that morrow come to thee on which the battle is to take place. O thou of wicked soul, be a man! O fool, thou thinkest Janardana will not fight, since he hath been chosen by the Pandavas to act only as a charioteer, so thou art not alarmed. That, however, will not be, even for a moment. If my wrath is excited, I may then consume all the kings (assembled by thee) like a fire consuming a heap of straw. At Yudhishthira's command, however, I shall only discharge the functions of charioteer to the high-souled Falguni, of senses under complete control and who alone, (amongst us two) will fight! If thou fliest beyond the limits of the three worlds, if thou sinkest into the depths of the earth, thou shalt, even at these places, behold Arjuna's car tomorrow morning. Thou thinkest that Bhima's words have been spoken in vain! But know that Dussasana's blood hath already been quaffed. Know this also that although thou hast uttered such cross and perverse words, yet neither Partha, nor king Yudhishthira, nor Bhimasena, nor any of the twins, regardeth thee as straw!'"

Book 5
Chapter 164

1 [bhīsma]
      śakunir mātulas te 'sau ratha eko narādhipa
      prasajya pāṇḍavair vairaṃ yotsyate nātra saṃśayaḥ
  2 etasya sainyā durdharṣāḥ samare 'pratiyāyinaḥ
      vikṛtāyudha bhūyiṣṭhā vāyuvegasamā jave
  3 droṇaputro maheṣvāsaḥ sarveṣām ati dhanvinām
      samare citrayodhī ca dṛḍhāstraś ca mahārathaḥ
  4 etasya hi mahārāja yathā gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
      śarāsanād vinirmuktāḥ saṃsaktā yānti sāyakāḥ
  5 naiṣa śakyo mayā vīraḥ saṃkhyātuṃ rathasattamaḥ
      nirdahed api lokāṃs trīn icchann eṣa mahāyaśāḥ
  6 krodhas tejaś ca tapasā saṃbhṛto ''śramavāsinā
      droṇenānugṛhītaś ca divyair astrair udāradhīḥ
  7 doṣas tv asya mahān eko yenaiṣa bharatarṣabha
      na me ratho nātiratho mataḥ pārthiva sattama
  8 jīvitaṃ priyam atyartham āyuṣ kāmaḥ sadā dvijaḥ
      na hy asya sadṛśaḥ kaś cid ubhayoḥ senayor api
  9 hanyād ekarathenaiva devānām api vāhinīm
      vapuṣmāṃs talaghoṣeṇa sphoṭayed api parvatān
  10 asaṃkhyeyaguṇo vīraḥ prahartā dāruṇadyutiḥ
     daṇḍapāṇir ivāsahyaḥ kālavat pracariṣyati
 11 yugāntāgnisamaḥ krodhe siṃhagrīvo mahāmatiḥ
     eṣa bhārata yuddhasya pṛṣṭhaṃ saṃśamayiṣyati
 12 pitā tv asya mahātejā vṛddho 'pi yuvabhir varaḥ
     raṇe karma mahat kartā tatra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ
 13 astravegāniloddhūtaḥ senā kaṣṇendhanotthitaḥ
     pāṇḍuputrasya sainyāni pradhakṣyati jaye dhṛtaḥ
 14 rathayūthapa yūthānāṃ yūthapaḥ sa nararṣabhaḥ
     bhāradvājātmajaḥ kartā karma tīvraṃ hitāya vaḥ
 15 sarvamūrdhābhiṣiktānām ācāryaḥ sthaviro guruḥ
     gacched antaṃ sṛñjayānāṃ priyas tv asya dhanaṃjayaḥ
 16 naiṣa jātu maheṣvāsaḥ pārtham akliṣṭakāriṇam
     hanyād ācāryakaṃ dīptaṃ saṃsmṛtya guṇanirjitam
 17 ślāghaty eṣa sadā vīraḥ pārthasya guṇavistaraiḥ
     putrād abhyadhikaṃ caiva bhāradvājo 'nupaśyati
 18 hanyād ekarathenaiva devagandharvadānavān
     ekībhūtān api raṇe divyair astraiḥ pratāpavān
 19 pauravo rājaśārdūlas tava rājan mahārathaḥ
     mato mama ratho vīra paravīra rathārujaḥ
 20 svena sainyena sahitaḥ pratapañ śatruvāhinīm
     pradhakṣyati sapāñcālān kakṣaṃ kṛṣṇa gatir yathā
 21 satyavrato rathavaro rājaputro mahārathaḥ
     tava rājan ripubale kālavat pracariṣyati
 22 etasya yodhā rājendra vicitrakavacāyudhāḥ
     vicariṣyanti saṃgrāme nighnantaḥ śātravāṃs tava
 23 vṛṣaseno rathāgryas te karṇa putro mahārathaḥ
     pradhakṣyati ripūṇāṃ te balāni balināṃ varaḥ
 24 jalasaṃdho mahātejā rājan rathavaras tava
     tyakṣyate samare prāṇān māgadhaḥ paravīrahā
 25 eṣa yotsyati saṃgrāme gajaskandhaviśāradaḥ
     rathena vā mahābāhuḥ kṣapayañ śatruvāhinīm
 26 ratha eṣa mahārāja mato mama nararṣabhaḥ
     tvadarthe tyakṣyati prāṇān saha sainyo mahāraṇe
 27 eṣa vikrāntayodhī ca citrayodhī ca saṃgare
     vītabhīś cāpi te rājañ śātravaiḥ saha yotsyate
 28 bāhlīko 'tirathaś caiva samare cānivartitā
     mama rājan mato yuddhe śūro vaivasvatopamaḥ
 29 na hy eṣa samaraṃ prāpya nivarteta kathaṃ cana
     yathā satatago rājan nābhihatya parān raṇe
 30 senāpatir mahārāja satyavāṃs te mahārathaḥ
     raṇeṣv adbhutakarmā ca rathaḥ pararathārujaḥ
 31 etasya samaraṃ dṛṣṭvā na vyathāsti kathaṃ cana
     utsmayann abhyupaity eṣa parān rathapathe sthitān
 32 eṣa cāriṣu vikrāntaḥ karma satpuruṣocitam
     kartā vimarde sumahat tvadarthe puruṣottamaḥ
 33 alāyudho rākṣasendraḥ krūrakarmā mahābalaḥ
     haniṣyati parān rājan pūrvavairam anusmaran
 34 eṣa rākṣasasainyānāṃ sarveṣāṃ rathasattamaḥ
     māyāvī dṛḍhavairaś ca samare vicariṣyati
 35 prāgjyotiṣādhipo vīro bhagadattaḥ pratāpavān
     gajāṅkuśa dharaśreṣṭho rathe caiva viśāradaḥ
 36 etena yuddham abhavat purā gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
     divasān subahūn rājann ubhayor jaya gṛddhinoḥ
 37 tataḥ sakhāyaṃ gāndhāre mānayan pākaśāsanam
     akarot saṃvidaṃ tena pāṇḍavena mahātmanā
 38 eṣa yotsyati saṃgrāme gajaskandhaviśāradaḥ
     airāvata gato rājā devānām iva vāsavaḥ

SECTION CLXIV

"Sanjaya said, 'Having heard those words of Duryodhana, Gudakesha of great fame looked at the gambler's son with eyes exceedingly red. And eyeing Kesava also and tossing his massive arms, he addressed the gambler's son, saying, 'He, who, relying on his own strength, summoneth his foes and fighteth with them fearlessly, is spoken of as a man. He, however, who, relying on the strength of others, summoneth his foes, is an infamous Kshatriya. In consequence of his incapacity, such a one is
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regarded as the lowest of men. Relying on the strength of others, thou (O Duryodhana), being a coward thyself, desirest yet, O fool, to rebuke thy foes. Having installed (Bhishma) the oldest of all the Kshatriyas, whose heart is ever bent in doing what is good, who hath all his passions under control, and who is endued with great wisdom, in the command of thy troops and made him liable to certain death, thou indulgest in brag! O thou of wicked understanding, thy object (in doing this) is fully known to us, O wretch of thy race! Thou hast done it, believing that sons of Pandu will not, from kindness, slay the son of Ganga. Know, however, O Dhritarashtra's son, that I will slay that Bhishma first in the sight of all the bowmen, relying upon whose strength thou indulgest in such boasts! O gambler's son, repairing (hence) unto the Bharatas and approaching Duryodhana the son of Dhritarashtra, say unto him that Arjuna hath said,--So be it! After this night will have passed away, the fierce encounter of arms will take place. Indeed, Bhishma of unfailing might and firmly adhering to truth, hath told thee in the midst of the Kurus these words, viz.,--I will slay the army of the Srinjayas and the Salweyas. Let that be my task. Excepting Drona I can slay the whole world. Thou needest not, therefore, entertain any fear oil the Pandavas! At this, thou, O Duryodhana, regardest the kingdom as thy own and thinkest that the Pandavas have sunk into distress. Thou hast been filled with pride at this. Thou seest not, however, danger that is in thy own self. I shall, therefore, in battle, first slay before thy very eyes, Bhishma the eldest of the Kurus! At sunrise (tomorrow) at the head of the troops, with standards and cars protect ye that leader of thy forces firm in his promises. I shall, with my arrows, throw him down who is your refuge from his car before the eyes of you all! When the morrow cometh, Suyodhana will know what it is to indulge in brag, beholding the grandsire covered with my arrows! Thou shalt, O Suyodhana, very soon see the fulfilment of that which Bhimasena in anger had said, in the midst of the assembly, unto thy brother, that man of limited sight, viz., Dussasana, wedded to unrighteousness, always quarrelsome, of wicked understanding, and cruel in behaviour. Thou shalt soon see the terrible effects of vanity and pride, of wrath and arrogance, of bragging and heartlessness, cutting words and acts, of aversion from righteousness, and sinfulness and speaking ill of others, of transgressing the counsels of the aged, of oblique sight, and of all kinds of vices! O scum of humanity, how canst thou, O fool, hope for either life or kingdom, if I, having Vasudeva for my second, give way to anger? After Bhishma and Drona will have been quieted and after the Suta's son will have been overthrown, thou shalt be hopeless of life, kingdom and sons! Hearing of the slaughter of thy brothers and sons, and struck mortally by Bhimasena, thou wilt, O Suyodhana, recollect all thy misdeeds!--Tell him, O gambler's son, that I do not vow a second time. I tell thee truly that all this will be true!--Departing hence, O Uluka, say, O sire, these words of mine, unto Suyodhana! It behoveth thee not to apprehend my behaviour by the light of thy own!
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[paragraph continues] Know the difference there is between thy conduct and mine, which is even the difference between truth and falsehood! I do not wish harm to even insects and ants. What shall I say, therefore, of my ever wishing harm to my kinsmen? O sire, it was for this that five villages only were solicited by me! Why, O thou of wicked understanding, dost thou not see the dire calamity that threatens thee? Thy soul overwhelmed with lust, thou indulgest in vauntings from defectiveness of understanding. It is for this also thou acceptest not the beneficial words of Vasudeva. What need now of much talk? Fight (against us) with all thy friends! Say, O gambler's son, unto the Kuru prince who always doth what is injurious to me (these words also, viz.,)--Thy words have been heard; their sense also hath been understood. Let it be as thou wishest!'
'O son of king, Bhimasena then once more said these words, 'O Uluka, say those words of mine unto the wicked-minded, deceitful, and unrighteous Suyodhana, who is an embodiment of sin, who is wedded to guile, and whose behaviour is exceedingly wicked. Thou shalt have to dwell in the stomach of a vulture or in Hastinapura. O scum of human kind, I shall assuredly fulfil the vow I have made in the midst of the assembly. I swear in the name of Truth, slaying Dussasana in battle, I shall quaff his life-blood! Slaying also thy (other) brothers, I shall smash thy own thighs. Without doubt, O Suyodhana, I am the destroyer of all the sons of Dhritarashtra, as Abhimanyu is of all the (younger) princes! I shall by my deeds, gratify you all! Hearken once more to me. O Suyodhana, slaying thee, with all thy uterine brothers, I shall strike the crown of thy head with my foot in the sight of the king Yudhishthira the Just!'
'Nakula, then, O king, said these words, 'O Uluka, say unto Dhritarashtra's son, Suyodhana, of Kuru's race that all the words uttered by him have now been heard and their sense understood. I shall, O Kauravya, do all that thou hast commended me to do.'
'And Sahadeva also, O monarch, said these words of grave import, 'O Suyodhana, it will all be as thou wishest! Thou shalt have to repent, O great king, along with thy children, kinsmen, and counsellors, even as thou art now bragging joyously in view of our sufferings.'
'Then Virata and Drupada, both venerable in years, said these words unto Uluka, It is even our wish that we become slaves of a virtuous person! Whether, however, we are slaves or masters, will be known tomorrow, as also who owns what manliness!'
'After them, Sikhandin said these words unto Uluka, 'Thou must say unto king Duryodhana who is always addicted to sinfulness, these words, viz.,--See, O king, what fierce deed is perpetrated by me in battle! I shall slay grandsire of thine from his car, relying upon whose prowess thou art certain of success in battle! Without doubt, I have been created by the high-souled Creator for the destruction of Bhishma. I shall assuredly slay Bhishma in the sight of all bowmen.'
'After this, Dhrishtadyumna also said unto Uluka, the gambler's son, these words, 'Say unto prince Suyodhana these my words, viz., I shall
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slay Drona with all his followers and friends. And I shall do a deed which none else will ever do.'
'King Yudhishthira once more said these high words fraught with clemency, viz.,--O monarch, I never desire the slaughter of my kinsmen. O thou of wicked understanding, it is from thy fault that all this will assuredly take place. I shall, of course, have to sanction the fulfilment of their great feats by all these (around me). Go hence, O Uluka, without delay or stay here, O sire, for, blessed be thou, we too are thy kinsmen.'
'Uluka, then, O king, thinking permission of Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, went thither where king Suyodhana was. Thus addressed, the gambler's son carefully bearing in mind all he had heard, returned to the place from which he had come. And arriving there, he fully represented unto the vindictive Duryodhana all that Arjuna had charged him with. And he also faithfully communicated unto Dhritarashtra's son the words of Vasudeva, of Bhima, of king Yudhishthira the Just, of Nakula and Virata and Drupada, O Bharata and the words of Sahadeva and Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin, and the words also that were spoken (subsequently) by Kesava and Arjuna. And having listened to the words of the gambler's son, Duryodhana, that bull of Bharata's race, ordered Dussasana and Karna and Sakuni, O Bharata, and their own troops and the troops of the allies, and all the (assembled) kings, to be arrayed in divisions and be ready for battle before sunrise (next morrow). Messengers then, instructed by Karna and hastily mounting on cars and camels and mares and good steeds endued with great fleetness, quickly rode through the encampment. And at Karna's command they promulgated the order--Array (yourselves) before sunrise tomorrow!'"

Book 5
Chapter 165

1 [bhīsma]
      acalo vṛṣakaś caiva bhrātarau sahitāv ubhau
      rathau tava durādharṣau śatrūn vidhvaṃsayiṣyataḥ
  2 balavantau naravyāghrau dṛḍhakrodhau prahāriṇau
      gāndhāramukhyau taruṇau darśanīyau mahābalau
  3 sakhā te dayito nityaṃ ya eṣa raṇakarkaśaḥ
      protsāhayati rājaṃs tvāṃ vigrahe pāṇḍavaiḥ saha
  4 paruṣaḥ katthano nīcaḥ karṇo vaikartanas tava
      mantrī netā ca bandhuś ca mānī cātyantam ucchritaḥ
  5 eṣa naiva rathaḥ pūrṇo nāpy evātiratho nṛpa
      viyuktaḥ kavacenaiṣa sahajena vicetanaḥ
      kuṇḍalābhyāṃ ca divyābhyāṃ viyuktaḥ satataṃ dhṛṇī
  6 abhiśāpāc ca rāmasya brāhmaṇasya ca bhāṣaṇāt
      karaṇānāṃ viyogāc ca tena me 'rdharatho mataḥ
      naiṣa phalgunam āsādya punar jīvan vimokṣyate
  7 [s]
      tato 'bravīn mahābāhur droṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
      evam etad yathāttha tvaṃ na mithyāstīti kiṃ cana
  8 raṇe raṇe 'timānī ca vimukhaś caiva dṛśyate
      ghṛṇī karṇaḥ pramādī ca tena me 'rdharatho mataḥ
  9 etac chrutvā tu rādheyaḥ krodhād utphullalocanaḥ
      uvāca bhīṣmaṃ rājendra tudan vāgbhiḥ pratodavat
  10 pitāmaha yatheṣṭaṃ māṃ vākśarair upakṛntasi
     anāgasaṃ sadā dveṣād evam eva pade pade
     marṣayāmi ca tat sarvaṃ duryodhanakṛtena vai
 11 tvaṃ tu māṃ manyase 'śaktaṃ yathā pāpuruṣaṃ tathā
     bhavān ardharatho mahyaṃ mato nāsty atra saṃśayaḥ
 12 sarvasya jagataś caiva gāṅgeya na mṛṣā vade
     kurūṇām ahito nityaṃ na ca rājāvabudhyate
 13 ko hi nāma samāneṣu rājasūdātta karmasu
     tejovadham imaṃ kuryād vibhedayiṣur āhave
     yathā tvaṃ guṇanirdeśād aparādhaṃ cikīrṣasi
 14 na hāyanair na palitair na vittair na ca bandhubhiḥ
     mahārathatvaṃ saṃkhyātuṃ śakyaṃ kṣatrasya kaurava
 15 balajyeṣṭhaṃ smṛtaṃ kṣatraṃ mantrajyeṣṭhā dvijātayaḥ
     dhanajyeṣṭhāḥ smṛtā vaiśyāḥ śūdrās tu vayasādhikāḥ
 16 yathecchakaṃ svayaṃ grāhād rathān atirathāṃs tathā
     kāmadveṣasamāyukto mohāt prakurute bhavān
 17 duryodhana mahābāho sādhu samyag avekṣyatām
     tyajyatāṃ duṣṭabhāvo 'yaṃ bhīṣmaḥ kilbiṣakṛt tava
 18 bhinnā hi senā nṛpate duḥsaṃdheyā bhavaty uta
     mailāpi puruṣavyāghra kim u nānā samutthitā
 19 eṣāṃ dvaidhaṃ samutpannaṃ yodhānāṃ yudhi bhārata
     tejovadho naḥ kriyate pratyakṣeṇa viśeṣataḥ
 20 rathānāṃ kva ca vijñānaṃ kva ca bhīṣmo 'lpacetanaḥ
     aham āvārayiṣyāmi pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm
 21 āsādya mām amogheṣuṃ gamiṣyanti diśo daśa
     pāṇḍavāḥ saha pañcālāḥ śārdūlaṃ vṛṣabhā iva
 22 kva ca yuddhavimardo vā mantrāḥ suvyāhṛtāni vā
     kva ca bhīṣmo gatavayā mandātmā kālamohitaḥ
 23 spardhate hi sadā nityaṃ sarveṇa jagatā saha
     na cānyaṃ puruṣaṃ kaṃ cin manyate moghadarśanaḥ
 24 śrotavyaṃ khalu vṛddhānām iti śāstranidarśanam
     na tv evāpy ativṛddhānāṃ punar bālā hi te matāḥ
 25 aham eko haniṣyāmi pāṇḍavān nātra saṃśayaḥ
     suyuddhe rājaśārdūla yaśo bhīṣmaṃ gamiṣyati
 26 kṛtaḥ senāpatis tv eṣa tvayā bhīṣmo narādhipa
     senāpatiṃ guṇo gantā na tu yodhān kathaṃ cana
 27 nāhaṃ jīvati gāṅgeye yotsye rājan kathaṃ cana
     hate tu bhīṣme yodhāsmi sarvair eva mahārathaiḥ

SECTION CLXV

'Sanjaya said, 'Having listened to Uluka's words, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, moved his army headed by Dhrishtadyumna and others. And that vast army commanded by Dhrishtadyumna, consisting of four kinds of forces, viz., foot-soldiers and elephants and cars and cavalry, terrible, and immovable like the earth herself, and guarded by mighty car-warriors led by Bhimasena and Arjuna, could be compared to the vast ocean lying in stillness. And at the head of that vast force was that mighty bowman, the prince of Panchalas, invincible in battle, viz., Dhrishtadyumna, desirous of obtaining Drona for his antagonist. And Dhrishtadyumna began to select combatants (from his own army) for pitting them against particular warriors of the hostile force. And he gave orders unto his car-warriors, suited to their strength and courage. And he pitted
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[paragraph continues] Arjuna against the Suta's son (Karna), Bhima against Duryodhana, Dhrishtaketu against Salya, Uttamaujas against Gautama's son (Kripa), Nakula against Kritavarman, Yuyudhana against the ruler of the Sindhus (Jayadratha). And he placed Sikhandin in the van, pitting him against Bhishma. And he urged Sahadeva against Sakuni, and Chekitana against Sala, and the five sons of Draupadi against the Trigartas. And he urged Subhadra's son (Abhimanyu) against Vrishasena (the son of Karna), and also against all the rest of the kings, for he regarded Abhimanyu as superior to Arjuna himself in battle. And distributing his warriors thus, individually and collectively, that mighty bowman, of the hue of blazing fire, kept Drona for his own share. And that leader of leaders of troops, the mighty and intelligent bowman Dhrishtadyumna, having arrayed his troops duly, waited for battle with a firm heart. And having arrayed the combatants, as indicated above, of the Pandavas, he waited, with collected mind, on the field for securing victory to the sons of Pandu.'"

Book 5
Chapter 166

1 [bhīsma]
      samudyato 'yaṃ bhāro me sumahān sāgaropamaḥ
      dhārtarāṣṭrasya saṃgrāme varṣapūgābhicintitaḥ
  2 tasminn abhyāgate kāle pratapte lomaharṣaṇe
      mitho bhedo na me kāryas tena jīvasi sūtaja
  3 na hy ahaṃ nādya vikramya sthaviro 'pi śiśos tava
      yuddhaśraddhāṃ raṇe chindyāṃ jīvitasya ca sūtaja
  4 jāmadagnyena rāmeṇa mahāstrāṇi pramuñcatā
      na me vyathābhavat kā cit tvaṃ tu me kiṃ kariṣyasi
  5 kāmaṃ naitat praśaṃsanti santo ''tmabalasaṃstavam
      vakṣyāmi tu tvāṃ saṃtapto nihīna kulapāṃsana
  6 sametaṃ pārthivaṃ kṣatraṃ kāśirājñaḥ svayaṃvare
      nirjityaika rathenaiva yat kanyās tarasā hṛtāḥ
  7 īdṛśānāṃ sahasrāṇi viśiṣṭānām atho punaḥ
      mayaikena nirastāni sasainyāni raṇājire
  8 tvāṃ prāpya vairapuruṣaṃ kurūṇām anayo mahān
      upasthito vināśāya yatasva puruṣo bhava
  9 yudhyasva pārthaṃ samare yena vispardhase saha
      drakṣyāmi tvāṃ vinirmuktam asmād yuddhāt sudurmate
  10 tam uvāca tato rājā dhārtarāṣṭro mahāmanāḥ
     mām avekṣasva gāṅgeya kāryaṃ hi mahad udyatam
 11 cintyatām idam evāgre mama niḥśreyasaṃ param
     ubhāv api bhavantau me mahat karma kariṣyataḥ
 12 bhūyaś ca śrotum icchāmi pareṣāṃ rathasattamān
     ye caivātirathās tatra tathaiva rathayūthapāḥ
 13 balābalam amitrāṇāṃ śrotum icchāmi kaurava
     prabhātāyāṃ rajanyāṃ vai idaṃ yuddhaṃ bhaviṣyati
 14 ete rathās te saṃkhyātās tathaivātirathā nṛpa
     ya cāpy ardharathā rājan pāṇḍavānām ataḥ śṛṇu
 15 yadi kautūhalaṃ te 'dya pāṇḍavānāṃ bale nṛpa
     rathasaṃkhyāṃ mahābāho sahaibhir vasudhādhipaiḥ
 16 svayaṃ rājā rathodāraḥ pāṇḍavaḥ kuntinandanaḥ
     agnivat samare tāta cariṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
 17 bhīmasenas tu rājendra ratho 'ṣṭa guṇasaṃmitaḥ
     nāgāyuta balo mānī tejasā na sa mānuṣaḥ
 18 mādrīputrau tu rathinau dvāv eva puruṣarṣabhau
     aśvināv iva rūpeṇa tejasā ca samanvitau
 19 ete camūmukhagatāḥ smarantaḥ kleśam ātmanaḥ
     rudravat pracariṣyanti tatra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ
 20 sarva eva mahātmānaḥ śālaskandhā ivodgatāḥ
     prādeśenādhikāḥ pumbhir anyais te ca pramāṇataḥ
 21 siṃhasaṃhananāḥ sarve pāṇḍuputrā mahābalāḥ
     caritabrahma caryāś ca sarve cātitapasvinaḥ
 22 hrīmantaḥ puruṣavyāghrā vyāghrā iva balotkaṭāḥ
     jave prahāre saṃmarde sarva evātimānuṣāḥ
     sarve jitamahīpālā dig jaye bharatarṣabha
 23 na caiṣāṃ puruṣāḥ ke cid āyudhāni gadāḥ śarān
     viṣahanti sadā kartum adhijyāny api kaurava
     udyantuṃ vā gadāṃ gurvīṃ śarān vāpi prakarṣitum
 24 jave lakṣyasya haraṇe bhojye pāṃsuvikarṣaṇe
     balair api bhavantas taiḥ sarva eva viśeṣitāḥ
 25 te te sainyaṃ samāsādya vyāghrā iva balotkaṭāḥ
     vidhvaṃsayiṣyanti raṇe mā sma taiḥ saha saṃgamaḥ
 26 ekaikaśas te saṃgrāme hanyuḥ sarvān mahīkṣitaḥ
     pratyakṣaṃ tava rājendra rājasūye yathābhavat
 27 draupadyāś ca parikleśaṃ dyūte ca paruṣā giraḥ
     te saṃsmarantaḥ saṃgrāme vicariṣyanti kālavat
 28 lohitākṣo guḍā keśo nārāyaṇa sahāyavān
     ubhayoḥ senayor vīra ratho nāstīha tādṛśaḥ
 29 na hi deveṣu vā pūrvaṃ dānaveṣūrageṣu vā
     rākṣaseṣv atha yakṣeṣu nareṣu kuta eva tu
 30 bhūto 'tha va bhaviṣyo vā rathaḥ kaś cin mayā śrutaḥ
     samāyukto mahārāja yathā pārthasya dhīmataḥ
 31 vāsudevaś ca saṃyantā yodhā caiva dhanaṃjayaḥ
     gāṇḍīvaṃ ca dhanur divyaṃ te cāśvā vātaraṃhasaḥ
 32 abhedyaṃ kavacaṃ divyam akṣayyau ca maheṣudhī
     astragrāmaś ca māhendro raudraḥ kaubera eva ca
 33 yāmyaś ca vāruṇaś caiva gadāś cograpradarśanāḥ
     vajrādīni ca mukhyāni nānāpraharaṇāni vai
 34 dānavānāṃ sahasrāṇi hiraṇyapuravāsinām
     hatāny ekarathenājau kas tasya sadṛśo rathaḥ
 35 eṣa hanyād dhi saṃrambhī balavān satyavikramaḥ
     tava senāṃ mahābāhuḥ svāṃ caiva paripālayan
 36 ahaṃ cainaṃ patyudiyāmācāryo vā dhanaṃjayam
     na tṛtīyo 'sti rājendra senayor ubhayor api
     ya enaṃ śaravarṣāṇi varṣantam udiyād rathī
 37 jīmūta iva gharmānte mahāvātasamīritaḥ
     samāyuktas tu kaunteyo vāsudevasahāyavān
     taruṇaś ca kṛtī caiva jīrṇāv āvām ubhāv api
 38 etac chrutvā tu bhīṣmasya rājñāṃ dadhvaṃsire tadā
     kāñcanāṅgadinaḥ pīnā bhujāś candanarūṣitāḥ
 39 manobhiḥ saha sāvegaiḥ saṃsmṛtya ca purātanam
     sāmarthyaṃ pāṇḍaveyānāṃ yathā pratyakṣadarśanāt

SECTION CLXVI

"Dhritarashtra said, After Falguni had vowed the slaughter of Bhishma in battle, what did my wicked sons headed by Duryodhana do? Alas, I already behold my father, Ganga's son, slain in battle, by that bowman of firm grasp, viz., Partha, having Vasudeva for his ally! And what also did that mighty bowman, that foremost of smiters, Bhishma, endued with immeasurable wisdom, say on hearing the words of Partha. Having accepted also the command of the Kauravas, what did that foremost of warriors, Ganga's son, of exceeding intelligence and prowess, do?'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus questioned, Sanjaya told him everything about what that eldest one of the Kurus, Bhishma of immeasurable energy, had said.'
"Sanjaya said, 'O monarch, obtaining the command, Bhishma, the son of Santanu said these words unto Duryodhana, gladdening him greatly, 'Worshipping the leader of celestial forces, viz., Kumara, armed with the lance, I shall, without doubt, be the commander of thy army today! I am well-versed in all mighty affairs, as also in various kinds of array. I know also how to make regular soldiers and volunteers act their parts. In the matter of marching the troops and arraying them, in encounters and withdrawing, I am as well-versed, O great king, as Vrihaspati (the preceptor of the celestials), is! I am acquainted with all the methods of military array prevalent amongst the celestials, Gandharvas, and human beings. With these I will confound the Pandavas. Let thy (heart's) fever be dispelled. I will fight (the foe), duly protecting thy army and according to the rules of (military) science! O king, let thy heart's fever be dispelled!'
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Hearing these words, Duryodhana said, 'O Ganga's son of mighty arms, I tell thee truly, I have no fear from even all the gods and Asuras united together! How much less, therefore, is my fear when thy invincible self hath become the leader of my forces and when that tiger among men, Drona, also waiteth willingly for battle! When you two foremost of men, are addressed for battle on my side, victory, nay, the sovereignty of even the celestial cannot assuredly be unattainable by me! I desire, however, O Kaurava, to know who amongst all the warriors of the foe and my own are to be counted as Rathas and who Atirathas. Thou, O grandsire, art well-acquainted with the (prowess of the) combatants of the foe, also of ourselves! I desire to hear this, with all these lords of earth!'
"Bhishma said, 'Listen, O son of Gandhari, O king of kings, to the tale of Rathas in thy own army! Hear, O king, as to who are Rathas and who Atirathas! They are in thy army, many thousands, many millions, and many hundreds of millions of Rathas. Listen, however, to me as I name only the principal ones. Firstly, with thy country of brothers including Dussasana and others, thou art of the foremost of Rathas! All of you are skilled in striking, and proficient in cutting chariots and piercing. All of you are accomplished drivers of chariots while seated in the driver's box, and accomplished managers of elephants while seated on the necks of those animals. All of you are clever smiters with maces and bearded darts and swords and bucklers. You are accomplished in weapons and competent in bearing burthens of responsibility. Ye all are disciples of Drona and of Kripa, the son of Saradwat, in arrows and other arms. Wronged by the sons of Pandu, these Dhartarashtras, endued with energy, will assuredly slay in the encounter the Panchalas irresistible in combat. Then, O foremost of the Bharatas, come I, the leader of all thy troops, who will exterminate thy foes, vanquishing the Pandavas! It behoveth me not to speak of my own merits. I am known to thee. The foremost of all wielders of weapons, Bhoja (chief) Kritavarman is Atiratha. Without doubt, he will accomplish thy purpose in battle. Incapable of being humiliated by persons accomplished in arms, shooting or hurling his weapons to a great distance, and a severe smiter, he will destroy the ranks of the foe, as the great Indra destroying the Danavas. The ruler of the Madras, the mighty bowman Salya, is, as I think, an Atiratha. That warrior boasteth himself as Vasudeva's equal, in every battle (that he fighteth). Having abandoned his own sister's sons, that best of kings, Salya, hath become thine. He will encounter in battle the Maharathas of the Pandava party, flooding the enemy with his arrows resembling the very surges of the sea. The mighty bowman Bhurisravas, the son of Somadatta, who is accomplished in arms and is one of thy well-meaning friends, is a leader of leaders of car-divisions. He will, certainly, make a great havoc among the combatants of thy enemies. The king of the Sindhus, O monarch, is in my judgment, equal to two Rathas. That best of car-warriors will fight in battle, displaying great prowess. Humiliated, O king, by the Pandavas on the occasion of his,
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abducting Draupadi, and bearing that humiliation in mind, that slayer of hostile heroes will fight (for thee). Having practised after that, O king, the severest austerities, he obtained a boon, highly difficult of acquisition, for encountering the Pandavas in battle. That tiger among car-warriors, therefore, remembering his old hostility, will, O sire, fight with the Pandavas in battle, reckless of his very life which is so difficult to lay down.'"

Book 5
Chapter 167

1 [bhīsma]
      draupadeyā mahārāja sarve pañca mahārathāḥ
      vairāṭir uttaraś caiva ratho mama mahān mataḥ
  2 abhimanyur mahārāja rathayūthapa yūthapaḥ
      samaḥ pārthena samare vāsudevena vā bhavet
  3 laghv astraś citrayodhī ca manasvī dṛḍhavikramaḥ
      saṃsmaran vai parikleśaṃ svapitur vikramiṣyati
  4 sātyakir mādhavaḥ śūro rathayūthapa yūthapaḥ
      eṣa vṛṣṇipravīrāṇām amarṣī jitasādhvasaḥ
  5 uttamaujās tathā rājan ratho mama mahān mataḥ
      yudhāmanyuś ca vikrānto rathodāro nararṣabhaḥ
  6 eteṣāṃ bahusāhasrā rathā nāgā hayās tathā
      yotsyante te tanuṃ tyaktvā kuntīputra priyepsayā
  7 pāṇḍavaiḥ saha rājendra tava senāsu bhārata
      agnimārutavad rājann āhvayantaḥ parasparam
  8 ajeyau samare vṛddhau virāṭadrupadāv ubhau
      mahārathau mahāvīryau matau me puruṣarṣabhau
  9 vayovṛddhāv api tu tau kṣatradharmaparāyaṇau
      yatiṣyete paraṃ śaktyā sthitau vīra gate pathi
  10 saṃbandhakena rājendra tau tu vīryabalānvayāt
     ārya vṛttau maheṣvāsau snehapāśasitāv ubhau
 11 kāraṇaṃ prāpya tu narāḥ sarva eva mahābhujāḥ
     śūrā vā kātarā vāpi bhavanti narapuṃgava
 12 ekāyanagatāv etau pārthena dṛḍhabhaktikau
     tyaktvā prāṇān paraṃ śaktyā ghaṭitārau narādhipa
 13 pṛthag akṣauhiṇībhyāṃ tāv ubhau saṃyati dāruṇau
     saṃbandhibhāvaṃ rakṣantau mahat karma kariṣyataḥ
 14 lokavīrau maheṣvāsau tyaktātmānau ca bhārata
     pratyayamparirakṣantau mahat karma kariṣyataḥ

SECTION CLXVII

"Bhishma said, 'Sudhakshina, the ruler of the Kamvojas, is in my judgment, equal to a single Ratha. Desiring the success of thy object, he will certainly fight with the enemy in battle. O best of kings, the Kauravas will behold the prowess of this lion among car-warriors exerted for thee, to be equal to that of Indra himself in battle. As regards the car-army of this king, O monarch, those smiters of fierce impetus, the Kamvojas, will cover a large area like a flight of locusts! Coming from (the province of) Mahishmati, Nila, accoutred in blue mail, is one of thy Rathas. With his car-army he will cause a great havoc among thy foes, O child, he had hostilities with Sahadeva. O king, he will continually fight for thee, O thou of Kuru's race. Accomplished in battle, and of fierce energy and prowess, (the princes) Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti are both regarded as excellent Rathas. These two heroes among men will consume the troops of thy foes, with maces and bearded darts, and swords and long shafts, and javelins hurled from their hands. Like a couple of (elephant) leaders sporting in the midst of their herds, these two princes, O monarch, longing for battle, will range the field, each like Yama himself. The five (royal) brothers of Trigarta are, in my judgment, all foremost of Rathas. The sons of Pritha provoked hostilities with them at Virata's city on that (well-known) occasion. Like huge Makaras, O king, agitating the stream of the Ganges crested with high waves, they will agitate the ranks of the Parthas in battle. All the five, O king, are Rathas, having Satyaratha (amongst them) as their first. Remembering the wrongs inflicted on them of old by that son of Pandu who is Bhima's younger brother, when the latter, O Bharata, on his car drawn by white steeds, was engaged, O monarch, in subjugating all the kings of the earth, they will certainly exert themselves bravely in battle. Encountering many Maharathas--chief of bowmen--leaders of Kshatriyas--on the side of the Parthas, they will certainly slay them. Thy son Lakshmana and the son also of Dussasana--those tigers among men are both unretreating in battle. In prime of youth, of delicate limbs, endued with great activity, those two princes, well-versed with battles and capable of leading all,
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those tigers among Kurus, those car-warriors, are, I think, two of our best Rathas. Devoted to the duties of the Kshatriya order, those two heroes will achieve great feats. Dandadhara, O monarch, is, O bull among men, equal to a single Ratha. Guarded by his own soldiers, he will fight in battle for thee. Endued with great impetus and prowess, king Vrihadvala, the ruler of the Kosalas, is, in my judgment, O sire, equal to one Ratha. Fierce in arms, this mighty bowman, devoted to the good of the Dhartarashtras, will exert himself powerfully in battle, gladdening his own friends. Kripa, the son of Saradwat is, O king, a leader of leaders of car-ranks. Reckless even of life which is so dear, he will consume thy foes. Born among a clump of heath as the son of that great sage, viz., the preceptor Gautama, otherwise called Saradwat, he is invincible like Kartikeya himself. Consuming untold warriors armed with various weapons and bows, he will, O sire, roam forth on the field of battle like a blazing fire.'"

Book 5
Chapter 168

1 [bhīsma]
      pāñcālarājasya suto rājan parapuraṃjayaḥ
      śikhaṇḍī rathamukhyo me mataḥ pārthasya bhārata
  2 eṣa yotsyati saṃgrāme nāśayan pūrvasaṃsthitim
      paraṃ yaśo viprathayaṃs tava senāsu bhārata
  3 etasya bahulāḥ senāḥ pāñcālāś ca prabhadrakāḥ
      tenāsau rathavaṃśena mahat karma kariṣyati
  4 dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca senānīḥ sarvasenāsu bhārata
      mato me 'tiratho rājan droṇaśiṣyo mahārathaḥ
  5 eṣa yotsyati saṃgrāme sūdayan vai parān raṇe
      bhagavān iva saṃkruddhaḥ pinākī yugasaṃkṣaye
  6 etasya tadrathānīkaṃ kathayanti raṇapriyāḥ
      bahutvāt sāgaraprakhyaṃ devānām iva saṃyuge
  7 kṣatradharmā tu rājendra mato me 'rdharatho nṛpa
      dhṛṣṭadyumnasya tanayo bālyān nātikṛta śramaḥ
  8 śiśupāla suto vīraś cedirājo mahārathaḥ
      dhṛṣṭaketur maheṣvāsaḥ saṃbandhī pāṇḍavasya ha
  9 eṣa cedipatiḥ śūraḥ saha putreṇa bhārata
      mahārathenāsukaraṃ mahat karma kariṣyati
  10 kṣatradharmarato mahyaṃ mataḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ
     kṣatradevas tu rājendra pāṇḍaveṣu rathottamaḥ
     jayantaś cāmitaujāś ca satyajic ca mahārathaḥ
 11 mahārathā mahātmānaḥ sarve pāñcāla sattamāḥ
     yotsyante samare tāta saṃrabdhā iva kuñjarāḥ
 12 ajo bhojaś ca vikrāntau pāṇḍaveṣu mahārathau
     pāṇḍavānāṃ sahāyārthe paraṃ śakthyā yatiṣyataḥ
     śīghrāstrau citrayoddhārau kṛtinau dṛḍhavikramau
 13 kekayāḥ pañca rājendra bhrātaro yuddhadurmadāḥ
     sarva ete rathodārāḥ sarve lohitaka dhvajāḥ
 14 kāśikaḥ sukumāraś ca nīlo yaś cāparo nṛpaḥ
     sūryadattaś ca śaṅkhaś ca madirāśvaś ca nāmataḥ
 15 sarva ete rathodārāḥ sarve cāhavalakṣaṇāḥ
     sarvāstraviduṣaḥ sarve mahātmāno matā mama
 16 vārdhakṣemir mahārāja ratho mama mahān mataḥ
     citrāyudhaś ca nṛpatir mato me rathasattamaḥ
     sa hi saṃgrāmaśobhī ca bhaktaś cāpi kirīṭinaḥ
 17 cekitānaḥ satyadhṛtiḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathau
     dvāv imau puruṣavyāghau rathodārau matau mama
 18 vyāghradattaś ca rājendra candra senaś ca bhārata
     matau mama rathodārau pāṇḍavānāṃ na saṃśayaḥ
 19 senā binduś ca rājendra krodhahantā ca nāmataḥ
     yaḥ samo vāsudevena bhīmasenena cābhibhūḥ
     sa yotsyatīha vikramya samare tava sainikaiḥ
 20 māṃ droṇaṃ ca kṛpaṃ caiva yathā saṃmanyate bhavān
     tathā sa samaraślāghī mantavyo rathasattamaḥ
 21 kāśyaḥ paramaśīghrāstraḥ ślāghanīyo rathottamaḥ
     ratha ekaguṇo mahyaṃ mataḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ
 22 ayaṃ ca yudhi vikrānto mantavyo 'ṣṭa guṇo rathaḥ
     satyajit samaraślāghī drupadasyātmajo yuvā
 23 gataḥ so 'tirathatvaṃ hi dhṛṣṭadyumnena saṃmitaḥ
     pāṇḍavānāṃ yaśaḥ kāmaḥ paraṃ karma kariṣyati
 24 anuraktaś ca śūraś ca ratho 'yam aparo mahān
     pāṇḍya rājo mahāvīryaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ dhuraṃdharaḥ
 25 dṛḍhadhanvā maheṣvāsaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ rathottamaḥ
     śreṇimān kauravaśreṣṭha vasu dānaś ca pārthivaḥ
     ubhāv etāv atirathau matau mama paraṃtapa

SECTION CLXVIII

"Bhishma said, 'This thy maternal uncle Sakuni is, O king, equal to a single Ratha. Having caused the (present) hostilities (to break out) with the sons of Pandu, he will fight. There is no doubt in this. His troops are irresistible when rushing to battle. Armed with various kinds of weapons in abundance, in speed, they are equal to the very wind. The mighty bowman (Aswatthaman) who is Drona's son surpasseth all bowmen. Acquainted with all modes of warfare, and of unbaffled weapons, he is a Maharatha. Like the wielder of Gandiva, the shafts of this warrior, shot from his bow, proceed in a continuous line, touching one another. If he wishes it, this Maharatha is capable of consuming the three worlds. Engaged in austerities in his hermitage, he hath, by these, increased both his fury and energy. Possessed of great intelligence, he hath been favoured by Drona with (the gift of all) celestial weapons. There is, however, O bull of Bharata's race, one great defect in him, in consequence of which, O best of kings, I do not regard him either as a Ratha or a Maharatha. This regenerate man is exceedingly fond of living, life being very dear to him. Amongst the warriors of both armies there is no one who can be regarded as his peer. On even a single car he can annihilate the very army of the celestials. Possessed of a strong frame, he can split the very mountains by the flaps of his bow-string, striking against the leathern fence on his left arm. Endued with innumerable qualities, this smiter of fierce effulgence will wander (over the field of battle), incapable of being withstood like Yama himself, mace in hand. Resembling the fire at the end of the Yuga as regards his fury, possessed
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of leonine neck, and endued with great lustre, Aswatthaman will extinguish the embers of this battle between the Bharata's. His father (Drona) is endued with great energy, and though aged, is still superior to many young men. He will achieve great feats in battle. I have no doubt of this. Staying immovably (on the field), he will consume Yudhishthira's troops. The Pandava army will play the part of the dry grass and fuel in which that fire will originate, while the impetus of his own weapons will be the wind for fanning it into a (mighty) flame. This bull among men, is a leader of bands of car-warriors. The son of Bharadwaja will achieve fierce feats for thy good! The preceptor of all Kshatriyas of royal lineage, the venerable preceptor, will exterminate the Srinjayas. Dhananjaya, however, is dear to him. This mighty bowman, therefore, remembering his own celebrated and highly meritorious services as preceptor, will never be able to slay Partha who is capable of achieving great feats without any trouble. O hero, Drona always boasteth of the numerous accomplishments of Partha. Indeed, Bharadwaja looketh on him with greater affection than on his own son. Endued with great prowess, he can, on a single car, beat in battle, by means of his celestial weapons, all the gods, Gandharvas, and human beings united together. That tiger among kings, is, O monarch, one of thy Maharathas. Capable of breaking the car-ranks of hostile heroes, he, in my judgment, is one of thy foremost of car-warriors. Afflicting the ranks of the enemy at the head of his own large force, he will consume the Panchalas like fire consuming a heap of dry grass. Possessed of true fame, prince Vrihadvala is equal to single Ratha. He, O monarch, will roam amid thy enemy's troops like Death himself. His troops, O king of kings, accoutred in various kinds of mail and armed with diverse kinds of weapons, will wander on the field, slaying all the warriors opposed to them. Vrishasena, the son of Karna, is one of thy foremost of car-warriors and is a Maharatha. That foremost of mighty men will consume the troops of thy enemy. Endued with great energy, Jalasandha, O king, is one of thy foremost of Rathas. Born in Madhu's race, that slayer of hostile heroes, is prepared to cast away his very life in battle. Skilled in battle, that mighty-armed warrior, scattering the enemy's ranks before him, will fight in battle mounted on car or from the elephant's back. That best of kings, O monarch, is in my judgment, a Ratha. He will, in fierce battle, cast away for thy sake his very life with all, his troops possessed of great prowess and acquainted with all the modes of warfare, he will, O king, fight fearlessly with thy foes in battle. Never retreating from battle, brave, and resembling Yama himself, Vahlika, O king, is in my judgment, an Atiratha. Rushing to the encounter he never cometh back. Indeed, he will slay hostile warriors in battle like the Wind-god himself. That router of hostile car-ranks, that car-warrior of wonderful feats in battle, commander of thy forces, Satyavan is, O king, a Maharatha. He never cherisheth grief at the prospect of battle. Confounding those warriors that stand in the way of his car, he falleth upon them. Always displaying his prowess against the
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enemy, that best of men will, for thy sake, in fierce press of battle, achieve all that a good Kshatriya should. Thai chief of Rakshasas, Alambhusha, of cruel deeds, is a Maharatha. Remembering his old hostilities (with the Pandavas), he will commit great execution among the foe. He is the best of Rathas amongst all the Rakshasa-warriors. Possessing powers of illusion, and firm in enmity, he will wander fiercely on the field. The ruler of Pragjyotisha, the brave Bhagadatta of exceeding prowess, is the foremost of those holding the elephant hook, and is skilled also in fighting from a car. An encounter took place between him and the wielder of Gandiva for days together, O king, each desirous of victory over the other. Then Bhagadatta, O son of Gandhari, who regarded Indra as his friend, made friendship with (Indra's son) the high-souled Pandava. Skilled in fight from the elephant's neck, this king will fight in battle, like Vasava among the celestials, fighting from his Airavata.'"

Book 5
Chapter 169

1 [bhīsma]
      rocamāno mahārāja pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathaḥ
      yotsyate 'maravat saṃkhye parasainyeṣu bhārata
  2 purujit kuntibhojaś ca maheṣvāso mahābalaḥ
      mātulo bhīmasenasya sa ca me 'tiratho mataḥ
  3 eṣa vīro maheṣvāsaḥ kṛtī ca nipuṇaś ca ha
      citrayodhī ca śaktaś ca mato me rathapuṃgavaḥ
  4 sa yotsyati hi vikramya maghavān iva dānavaiḥ
      yodhāś cāsya parikhyātāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ
  5 bhāgineya kṛte vīraḥ sa kariṣyati saṃgare
      sumahat karma pāṇḍūnāṃ sthitaḥ priyahite nṛpaḥ
  6 bhaimasenir mahārāja haiḍimbo rākṣaseśvaraḥ
      mato me bahu māyāvī rathayūthapa yūthapaḥ
  7 yotsyate samare tāta māyābhiḥ samarapriyaḥ
      ye cāsya rākṣasāḥ śūrāḥ sacivā vaśavartinaḥ
  8 ete cānye ca bahavo nānājanapadeśvarāḥ
      sametāḥ pāṇḍavasyārthe vāsudeva purogamāḥ
  9 ete prādhānyato rājan pāṇḍavasya mahātmanaḥ
      rathāś cātirathāś caiva ye cāpy ardharathā matāḥ
  10 neṣyanti samare senāṃ bhīmāṃ yaudhiṣṭhirīṃ nṛpa
     mahendreṇeva vīreṇa pālyamānāṃ kirīṭinā
 11 tair ahaṃ samare vīra tvām āyadbhir jayaiṣibhiḥ
     yotsyāmi jayam ākāṅkṣann atha vā nidhanaṃ raṇe
 12 pārthaṃ ca vāsudevaṃ ca cakragāṇḍīvadhāriṇau
     saṃdhyāgatāv ivārkendū sameṣye puruṣottamau
 13 ye caiva te rathodārāḥ pāṇḍuputrasya sainikāḥ
     saha sainyān ahaṃ tāṃś ca pratīyāṃ raṇamūrdhani
 14 ete rathāś cātirathāś ca tubhyaṃ; yathā pradhānaṃ nṛpa kīrtitā mayā
     tathā rājann ardharathāś ca ke cit; tathaiva teṣām api kauravendra
 15 arjunaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca ye cānye tatra pārthivāḥ
     sarvān āvārayiṣyāmi yāvad drakṣyāmi bhārata
 16 pāñcālyaṃ tu mahābāho nāhaṃ hanyāṃ śikhaṇḍinam
     udyateṣum abhiprekṣya pratiyudhyantam āhave
 17 lokas tad veda yad ahaṃ pituḥ priyacikīrṣayā
     prāptaṃ rājyaṃ parityajya brahmacarye dhṛtavrataḥ
 18 citrāṅgadaṃ kauravāṇām ahaṃ rājye 'bhyaṣecayam
     vicitravīryaṃ ca śiśuṃ yauvarājye 'bhyaṣecayam
 19 devavratatvaṃ vikhyāpya pṛthivyāṃ sarvarājasu
     naiva hanyāṃ striyaṃ jātu na strīpūrvaṃ kathaṃ cana
 20 sa hi strīpūrvako rājañ śikhaṇḍī yadi te śrutaḥ
     kanyā bhūtvā pumāñ jāto na yotsye tena bhārata
 21 sarvāṃs tv anyān haniṣyāmi pārthivān bharatarṣabha
     yān sameṣyāmi samare na tu kuntīsutān nṛpa

SECTION CLXIX

"Bhishma said, 'Both the brothers Achala and Vrisha are Rathas. Invincible (in battle) they will slay thy foes. Endued with great strength, those tigers among men, those foremost of Gandharvas, are firm in wrath. Young and handsome, they are possessed of great strength. As regards this thy ever dear friend, this one who is always boastful of his skill in battle, this one who always urgeth thee, O king, to fight with the Pandavas, this vile braggart, Karna, the son of Surya, this one who is thy counsellor, guide, and friend, this vain wight who is destitute of sense, this Karna, is neither a Ratha nor an Atiratha. Without sense, this one hath been deprived of his natural coat of mail. Always kind, he hath also been deprived of his celestial ear-rings. In consequence of the curse of Rama (his preceptor in arms) as also of the words of a Brahmana (who cursed him on another occasion), owing also to his deprivation of the accoutrements of battle, he, in my judgment, is only half a Ratha. Having approached Falguni (in battle), he will not certainly escape with life!' Hearing this, Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, said, 'It is even so as thou hast said. That is not untrue! He boasteth on the eve of every battle, but yet he is seen to retreat from every engagement. Kind (out of season) and blundering, it is for this that Karna, in my judgment, is only half a Ratha!'
"Hearing these words, Radha's son, expanding his eyes in rage, and afflicting Bhishma with words like sharp hooks, said unto Ganga's son these words, 'O grandsire, though I am innocent yet from thy aversion to me, thou manglest me thus, according to thy pleasure, with thy wordy
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arrows at every step. I tolerate, however, all this for the sake of Duryodhana. Indicating me as only half a Ratha, thou regardest me worthless, as if, indeed, I were a coward! What doubt is there in this? I do not speak an untruth when I say that thou, O Ganga's son, art an enemy of the whole universe, and especially of all the Kurus! The king, however, doth not know this! Who else is there that would thus seek to disunite and abate the energy of these kings that are all equal and that are all equally brave, as thou, from thy hatred of merit, seekest to do? O Kaurava, neither years, nor wrinkles, nor wealth, nor possession of friends, would entitle a Kshatriya to be regarded as a Maharatha! It hath been said that a Kshatriya acquireth eminence only through might, as Brahmanas acquire eminence through superiority in mantras, as Vaisyas through wealth, and Sudras through age. Influenced, however, by lust and envy, and acting from ignorance, thou hast indicated Rathas and Atirathas according only to thy own caprice! Blessed be thou, O mighty-armed Duryodhana, judge properly! Let this wicked Bhishma, who only wrongeth thee, be abandoned by thee! Thy warriors, once disunited, can with difficulty be united again. O tiger among men, thy main army, under such circumstances, can with difficulty be united; far greater will the difficulty be in uniting an army gathered from various provinces! Behold, O Bharata, doubt (of success) hath already arisen in the hearts of thy warriors! This Bhishma weakeneth our energy in our very presence! Where is the task of ascertaining the merits of Rathas, and where is Bhishma of little understanding? I alone will withstand the army of Pandavas. Coming in contact with me, whose arrows never go for nothing, the Pandavas and the Panchalas will fly away in all directions like oxen when they come in contact with a tiger! Where, Oh, are battle, the press of armed encounter, good counsels and well-expressed words, and where is Bhishma, who is superannuated and of wicked soul, and who is impelled by the very fates to become their victim? Alone he challengeth the whole universe! Of false vision he regardeth none else as a man. It is true the scriptures teach that the words of the old should be listened to. That, however, doth not refer to those that are very old, for these, in my judgment, become children again. Alone I will exterminate the army of the Pandavas! The fame, however, of such a feat will attach to Bhishma, O tiger among kings, for this Bhishma, O monarch, hath been made by thee the commander of thy forces, and the renown always attacheth to the leader and not to those that fight under him. I will not, therefore, O king, fight as long as Ganga's son liveth! After Bhishma, however, hath been laid low, I will fight with all the Maharathas of the enemy united together!'
"Bhishma said, 'This burden, vast as the ocean, in the matter of Duryodhana's battle (with the Pandavas), is about to be taken up by me. I have thought of it for many years. Now that the hour is come for that terrible encounter, dissensions amongst ourselves should not be created by me. It is for this, Suta's son, that thou livest! Else, superannuated
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though I am and young in years thou art, I would quell thy desire for battle and crush thy hope of life! (Thy preceptor) Rama, the son of Jamadagni, shooting his great weapons, could not cause me the slightest pain. What canst thou, therefore, do to me? They that are good, do not approve self-praise. Infamous wretch of thy race, know that I indulge in little boast because I am enraged. Vanquishing on a single car all the assembled Kshatriyas of the world at the Swayamvara of the daughters of the ruler of Kasi, I abducted those maidens. Alone, I stopped on the field of battle the rush of countless kings with their soldiers! Obtaining thee as embodiment of strife, a great calamity is ready to overtake the Kurus! Strive then for slaying our antagonists. Be a man, fight with that Partha, whom thou so often challengest. O thou of wicked understanding, I desire to see thee come out of that encounter with thy life!'
"King Duryodhana then said unto Bhishma, of great prowess, 'Cast thy eyes on me, O Ganga's son! Great is the business that is at hand! Think earnestly as how I may be most benefited! Both of you will render me great services! I desire now to bear of the best car-warriors among the enemy, that is, of those that are Atirathas among them and of those that are leaders of car-division. O Kaurava, I desire to hear of the strength and weakness of my foes, since when this night will dawn, our great battle will take place.'"

Book 5
Chapter 170

 1 duryodhana uvāca
      kimarthaṃ bharataśreṣṭha na hanyās tvaṃ śikhaṇḍinam
      udyateṣum atho dṛṣṭvā samareṣv ātatāyinam
  2 pūrvam uktvā mahābāho pāṇḍavān saha somakaiḥ
      vadhiṣyāmīti gāṅgeya tan me brūhi pitāmaha
  3 bhīṣma uvāca
      śṛṇu duryodhana kathāṃ sahaibhir vasudhādhipaiḥ
      yadarthaṃ yudhi saṃprekṣya nāhaṃ hanyāṃ śikhaṇḍinam
  4 mahārājo mama pitā śaṃtanur bharatarṣabhaḥ
      diṣṭāntaṃ prāpa dharmātmā samaye puruṣarṣabha
  5 tato 'haṃ bharataśreṣṭha pratijñāṃ paripālayan
      citrāṅgadaṃ bhrātaraṃ vai mahārājye 'bhyaṣecayam
  6 tasmiṃś ca nidhanaṃ prāpte satyavatyā mate sthitaḥ
      vicitravīryaṃ rājānam abhyaṣiñcaṃ yathāvidhi
  7 mayābhiṣikto rājendra yavīyān api dharmataḥ
      vicitravīryo dharmātmā mām eva samudaikṣata
  8 tasya dārakriyāṃ tāta cikīrṣur aham apy uta
      anurūpād iva kulād iti cintya mano dadhe
  9 tathāśrauṣaṃ mahābāho tisraḥ kanyāḥ svayaṃvare
      rūpeṇāpratimāḥ sarvāḥ kāśirājasutās tadā
      ambā caivāmbikā caiva tathaivāmbālikāparā
  10 rājānaś ca samāhūtāḥ pṛthivyāṃ bharatarṣabha
     ambā jyeṣṭhābhavat tāsām ambikā tv atha madhyamā
     ambālikā ca rājendra rājakanyā yavīyasī
 11 so 'ham ekarathenaiva gataḥ kāśipateḥ purīm
     apaśyaṃ tā mahābāho tisraḥ kanyāḥ svalaṃkṛtāḥ
     rājñaś caiva samāvṛttān pārthivān pṛthivīpate
 12 tato 'haṃ tān nṛpān sarvān āhūya samare sthitān
     ratham āropayāṃ cakre kanyās tā bharatarṣabha
 13 vīryaśulkāś ca tā jñātvā samāropya rathaṃ tadā
     avocaṃ pārthivān sarvān ahaṃ tatra samāgatān
     bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavaḥ kanyā haratīti punaḥ punaḥ
 14 te yatadhvaṃ paraṃ śaktyā sarve mokṣāya pārthivāḥ
     prasahya hi nayāmy eṣa miṣatāṃ vo narādhipāḥ
 15 tatas te pṛthivīpālāḥ samutpetur udāyudhāḥ
     yogo yoga iti kruddhāḥ sārathīṃś cāpy acodayan
 16 te rathair meghasaṃkāśair gajaiś ca gajayodhinaḥ
     pṛṣṭhyaiś cāśvair mahīpālāḥ samutpetur udāyudhāḥ
 17 tatas te māṃ mahīpālāḥ sarva eva viśāṃ pate
     rathavrātena mahatā sarvataḥ paryavārayan
 18 tān ahaṃ śaravarṣeṇa mahatā pratyavārayam
     sarvān nṛpāṃś cāpy ajayaṃ devarāḍ iva dānavān
 19 teṣām ātapatāṃ citrān dhvajān hemapariṣkṛtān
     ekaikena hi bāṇena bhūmau pātitavān aham
 20 hayāṃś caiṣāṃ gajāṃś caiva sārathīṃś cāpy ahaṃ raṇe
     apātayaṃ śarair dīptaiḥ prahasan puruṣarṣabha
 21 te nivṛttāś ca bhagnāś ca dṛṣṭvā tal lāghavaṃ mama
     athāhaṃ hāstinapuram āyāṃ jitvā mahīkṣitaḥ
 22 ato 'haṃ tāś ca kanyā vai bhrātur arthāya bhārata
     tac ca karma mahābāho satyavatyai nyavedayam

SECTION CLXX

"Bhishma said, 'I have now, O king, indicated who thy Rathas are and who thy Atirathas and half Rathas. Listen now to the tale of Rathas and Atirathas among the Pandavas. If thou feelest any curiosity, listen then, O king, with these monarchs, to the tale of Rathas in the army of the Pandavas. The king himself, son of Pandu and Kunti, is a mighty Ratha. Without doubt, O sire, be will glide along the field of battle like a blazing fire; Bhimasena, O king, is regarded equal to eight Rathas. In an encounter with the mace or even with arrows, there is none equal to him. Endued with the strength of ten thousand elephants, and filled with pride, in energy he is superhuman. Those two bulls among men, the sons of Madri, are both Rathas. In beauty, they are equal to the twin Aswinis, and they are endued with great energy. Stationed at the head of their divisions, all of them, remembering their great sufferings, without doubt, wander along the field like so many Indras! All of them are endued with high souls, and are tall in stature like the trunks of Sala trees. Taller than other men by half-a-cubit in stature, all the sons of Pandu are brave as lions and endued with great strength. All of them,
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[paragraph continues] O sire, have practised Brahmacharya vows and other ascetic austerities. Endued with modesty, those tigers among men are possessed of fierce strength like the veritable tigers. In speed, in smiting, and in crushing (foes), all of them are more than human. All of them, on the occasion of the campaign of universal conquest, vanquished great kings, O bull of Bharata's race! No other men can wield their weapons, maces, and shafts. Indeed, O Kaurava, there are no men that can even string their bows, or uplift their maces, or shoot their arrows in battle. In speed, in hitting the aim, in eating, and in sports on the dust, they used to beat all of you even when they were children. Possessed of fierce might they will, when they encounter this force, exterminate it in battle. A collision, therefore, with them is not desirable. Each of them can alone slay all the kings of the earth! That which happened, O great king, on the occasion of the Rajasuya sacrifice, had occurred before thy very eyes! Remembering the sufferings of Draupadi and the harsh speeches uttered after their defeat at dice, they will wander in battle like so many Rudras. As regards Gudakesha, of reddish eyes, having Narayana for his ally, there is not among both the armies any brave car-warrior that can be regarded as his equal. Let men alone, it hath not been heard by us that even among gods, Asuras, Uragas, Rakshasas and Yakshas, there ever was born before, or there ever will be born hereafter, any car-warrior like unto him! O great king, intelligent Partha owneth that car which is furnished with the banner bearing the device of the ape; the driver of that car is Vasudeva! Dhananjaya himself is the warrior who fighteth from it; his, again, is that celestial bow called Gandiva; he owneth again those steeds fleet as the wind; his coat of mail is impenetrable and of celestial make; his two large quivers are inexhaustible; his arms have been obtained from the great Indra, Rudra, Kuvera, Yama and Varuna; and upon his car, again, are those maces of frightful mien, and diverse other great weapons having the thunderbolt amongst them! What car-warrior can be regarded as his equal, who, stationed on a single car' slew in battle a thousand Danavas, having their abode in Hiranyapura? Inflamed with wrath, possessed of great might and prowess, incapable of being baffled, that mighty-armed warrior, while protecting his own army, will certainly exterminate thy troops! Myself and preceptor (Drona) among the two armies, and no third car-warrior, O great king, can advance against Dhananjaya, that scatterer of arrowy showers! Pouring his shafts, like the very clouds during the rainy season when propelled by mighty winds, that son of Kunti when Vasudeva as his second, steppeth for battle! He is skilful and young, while both of us are old and worn out!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Bhishma, and recollecting with trembling heart, the well-known valour of the sons of Pandu and thinking of it, as if it were present before their eyes, the massive arms of kings, decked with bracelets and smeared with sandal-paste, seemed to hang down divested of might.'"

Book 5
Chapter 171

1 bhīṣma uvāca
      tato 'haṃ bharataśreṣṭha mātaraṃ vīramātaram
      abhigamyopasaṃgṛhya dāśeyīm idam abruvam
  2 imāḥ kāśipateḥ kanyā mayā nirjitya pārthivān
      vicitravīryasya kṛte vīryaśulkā upārjitāḥ
  3 tato mūrdhany upāghrāya paryaśrunayanā nṛpa
      āha satyavatī hṛṣṭā diṣṭyā putra jitaṃ tvayā
  4 satyavatyās tv anumate vivāhe samupasthite
      uvāca vākyaṃ savrīḍā jyeṣṭhā kāśipateḥ sutā
  5 bhīṣma tvam asi dharmajñaḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ
      śrutvā ca dharmyaṃ vacanaṃ mahyaṃ kartum ihārhasi
  6 mayā śālvapatiḥ pūrvaṃ manasābhivṛto varaḥ
      tena cāsmi vṛtā pūrvaṃ rahasy avidite pituḥ
  7 kathaṃ mām anyakāmāṃ tvaṃ rājañ śāstram adhītya vai
      vāsayethā gṛhe bhīṣma kauravaḥ san viśeṣataḥ
  8 etad buddhyā viniścitya manasā bharatarṣabha
      yat kṣamaṃ te mahābāho tad ihārabdhum arhasi
  9 sa māṃ pratīkṣate vyaktaṃ śālvarājo viśāṃ pate
      kṛpāṃ kuru mahābāho mayi dharmabhṛtāṃ vara
      tvaṃ hi satyavrato vīra pṛthivyām iti naḥ śrutam

SECTION CLXXI

"Bhishma said, 'All the five sons of Draupadi, O monarch, are Maharathas. Virata's son Uttara is, in my judgment, one of the foremost of Rathas. The mighty-armed Abhimanyu is a leader of leaders of car-divisions. Indeed, that slayer of foes is equal in battle to Partha himself or Vasudeva. Endued with great lightness of hand in shooting weapons, and acquainted with all the modes of warfare, he is possessed of great energy and is steady in the observance of vows. Remembering the sufferings of his own father, he will put forth his prowess. The brave Satyaki of Madhu's race is a leader of leaders of car-divisions. Foremost among the heroes of the Vrishni race, he is endued with great wrath, and is perfectly dauntless. Uttamaujas also, O king, is an excellent car-warrior in my judgment. And Yudhamanyu, too, of great prowess, is, in my judgment, an excellent car-warrior. All those chiefs own many thousands of cars and elephants and horses, and they will fight, reckless of their very lives, from desire of doing what is agreeable to Kunti's sons. Uniting with the Pandavas, they will, O great king, sweep through thy ranks like fire or the wind, challenging thy warriors. Invincible in battle, those bulls among men, old Virata and old Drupada, both endued with great prowess, are, in my judgment, both Maharathas. Though old in years yet both of them are devoted to the observance of Kshatriya virtues. Treading along the path that is trod by heroes, both of them will exert to the best of their might. In consequence of their relationship (to the Pandavas) and owing also, O king, to their being endued with strength and prowess, those great bowmen devoted to pure vows, have both derived additional strength from the strength of their affection. According as the cause is, all strong-armed men become, O bull of Kuru's race, heroes or cowards. Actuated by a singleness of purpose, both these kings, who are powerful bowmen, will lay down their very lives in causing a great massacre of thy troops to the best of their might, O slayer of foes! Fierce in battle, these distinguished heroes, these mighty bowmen, regardless, O Bharata, of their lives, will, at the head of their respective Akshauhinis, achieve great feats, justifying their relationship and the confidence that is reposed on them (by the Pandavas).'"

Book 5
Chapter 172

1 bhīṣma uvāca
      tato 'haṃ samanujñāpya kālīṃ satyavatīṃ tadā
      mantriṇaś ca dvijāṃś caiva tathaiva ca purohitān
      samanujñāsiṣaṃ kanyāṃ jyeṣṭhām ambāṃ narādhipa
  2 anujñātā yayau sā tu kanyā śālvapateḥ puram
      vṛddhair dvijātibhir guptā dhātryā cānugatā tadā
      atītya ca tam adhvānam āsasāda narādhipam
  3 sā tam āsādya rājānaṃ śālvaṃ vacanam abravīt
      āgatāhaṃ mahābāho tvām uddiśya mahādyute
  4 tām abravīc chālvapatiḥ smayann iva viśāṃ pate
      tvayānyapūrvayā nāhaṃ bhāryārthī varavarṇini
  5 gaccha bhadre punas tatra sakāśaṃ bhāratasya vai
      nāham icchāmi bhīṣmeṇa gṛhītāṃ tvāṃ prasahya vai
  6 tvaṃ hi nirjitya bhīṣmeṇa nītā prītimatī tadā
      parāmṛśya mahāyuddhe nirjitya pṛthivīpatīn
      nāhaṃ tvayy anyapūrvāyāṃ bhāryārthī varavarṇini
  7 katham asmadvidho rājā parapūrvāṃ praveśayet
      nārīṃ viditavijñānaḥ pareṣāṃ dharmam ādiśan
      yatheṣṭaṃ gamyatāṃ bhadre mā te kālo 'tyagād ayam
  8 ambā tam abravīd rājann anaṅgaśarapīḍitā
      maivaṃ vada mahīpāla naitad evaṃ kathaṃ cana
  9 nāsmi prītimatī nītā bhīṣmeṇāmitrakarśana
      balān nītāsmi rudatī vidrāvya pṛthivīpatīn
  10 bhajasva māṃ śālvapate bhaktāṃ bālām anāgasam
     bhaktānāṃ hi parityāgo na dharmeṣu praśasyate
 11 sāham āmantrya gāṅgeyaṃ samareṣv anivartinam
     anujñātā ca tenaiva tavaiva gṛham āgatā
 12 na sa bhīṣmo mahābāhur mām icchati viśāṃ pate
     bhrātṛhetoḥ samārambho bhīṣmasyeti śrutaṃ mayā
 13 bhaginyau mama ye nīte ambikāmbālike nṛpa
     prādād vicitravīryāya gāṅgeyo hi yavīyase
 14 yathā śālvapate nānyaṃ naraṃ dhyāmi kathaṃ cana
     tvām ṛte puruṣavyāghra tathā mūrdhānam ālabhe
 15 na cānyapūrvā rājendra tvām ahaṃ samupasthitā
     satyaṃ bravīmi śālvaitat satyenātmānam ālabhe
 16 bhajasva māṃ viśālākṣa svayaṃ kanyām upasthitām
     ananyapūrvāṃ rājendra tvatprasādābhikāṅkṣiṇīm
 17 tām evaṃ bhāṣamāṇāṃ tu śālvaḥ kāśipateḥ sutām
     atyajad bharataśreṣṭha tvacaṃ jīrṇām ivoragaḥ
 18 evaṃ bahuvidhair vākyair yācyamānas tayānagha
     nāśraddadhac chālvapatiḥ kanyāyā bharatarṣabha
 19 tataḥ sā manyunāviṣṭā jyeṣṭhā kāśipateḥ sutā
     abravīt sāśrunayanā bāṣpavihvalayā girā
 20 tvayā tyaktā gamiṣyāmi yatra yatra viśāṃ pate
     tatra me santu gatayaḥ santaḥ satyaṃ yathābruvam
 21 evaṃ saṃbhāṣamāṇāṃ tu nṛśaṃsaḥ śālvarāṭ tadā
     paryatyajata kauravya karuṇaṃ paridevatīm
 22 gaccha gaccheti tāṃ śālvaḥ punaḥ punar abhāṣata
     bibhemi bhīṣmāt suśroṇi taṃ ca bhīṣmaparigrahaḥ
 23 evam uktā tu sā tena śālvenādīrghadarśinā
     niścakrāma purād dīnā rudatī kurarī yathā

SECTION CLXXII

"Bhishma said, 'That subjugator of hostile cities, Sikhandin, the son of the king of the Panchalas, is, O king, in my judgment, one of the foremost of Yudhishthira's Rathas. Having divested himself on his former
p. 332
sex, he will fight in battle and earn great fame, O Bharata, among thy troops! He hath a large number of troops,--Panchalas and Prabhadrakas,--to support him. With those hosts of cars he will achieve great feats. Dhrishtadyumna also, O Bharata, the leader of all Yudhishthira's army, that mighty car-warrior who is also a disciple of Drona, is, O king, in my judgment, an Atiratha. Afflicting all foes in battle, he will singly sweep the field, like Pinaka,--bearing God himself in rage on the occasion of the universal dissolution. Even great warriors will speak of his car-divisions, so multitudinous are they, as resembling the very ocean or that of the gods, in battle! Kshattradharman, the son of Dhrishtadyumna, owing to his immature years, as also in consequence of his want of exercise in arms, is, in my judgment, O king, only half a Ratha. That relative of the Pandavas, the mighty bowman Dhrishtaketu, the heroic son of Sisupala, the king of the Chedis, is a Maharatha. That brave ruler of the Chedis will, O king, with his son, achieve feats such as are difficult for even a Maharatha. Kshattradeva, that subjugator of hostile cities, who is devoted to Kshatriya virtues, is, O great king, in my judgment, one of the best Rathas among the Pandavas. Those brave warriors among the Panchalas, viz., Jayanta and Amitaujas and the great car-warrior Satyajit are all, O king, high-souled Maharathas. They will all, O sire, fight in battle like furious elephants. Aja and Bhoja, both endued with great prowess, are both Maharathas. Possessed of great might, those two heroes will fight for the Pandavas. Both of them are endued with great lightness of hand in the use of weapons. Both of them are conversant with all the modes of warfare, both are well-skilled and possessed of firm prowess. The five Kshatriya brothers, O king, who are difficult of being vanquished, and all of whom have blood red banners, are foremost of the Rathas. Kasika, and Sukumara, and Nila, and that other one, viz., Suryadatta, and Sankha, otherwise called Madiraswa, are all in my judgment, the foremost of Rathas. Possessed of every qualification that renders them fit for battle, they are acquainted with all weapons, and all of them are endued with high souls. Vardhakshemi, O king, is in my judgment, a Maharatha. King Chitrayudha is, in my judgment, one of the best of Rathas. He is, besides, an asset in battle and devotedly attached to the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Those mighty car-warriors, those tigers among men, Chekitana, and Satyadhriti, are two of the best Rathas of the Pandavas in my judgment. Vyaghradatta, O monarch, and Chandrasena also, O Bharata, are without doubt two of the best Rathas, as I think, of the Pandavas. Senavindu, O king, otherwise called Krodhahantri by name, who, O lord, is regarded as equal of Vasudeva and of Bhimasena, will contend with great prowess in battle against your warriors. Indeed, that best of kings, ever boasting of his feats in battle, should be regarded by thee, precisely as myself, Drona and Kripa are regarded by thee! That best of men, worthy of praise, viz., Kasya, is endued with great lightness of hand in the use of weapons. Indeed, that subjugator of hostile cities is known to me as equal to one
p. 333
[paragraph continues] Ratha. Drupada's son, Satyajit, young in years and displaying great prowess in battle, should be regarded as equal to eight Rathas. Indeed being Dhrishtadyumna's equal, he is an Atiratha. Desirous of spreading the fame of the Pandavas, he will achieve great feats. Devoted to the Pandavas and endued with great bravery, there is another great Ratha of the Pandavas, viz., king Pandya, that bowman of mighty energy. The mighty bowman Dhridadhanwan is another Maharatha of the Pandavas. O subjugator of hostile cities, that foremost of Kurus, viz., Srenimat and king Vasudeva are both, in my judgment, Atirathas.'"

Book 5
Chapter 173

 1 bhīṣma uvāca
      sā niṣkramantī nagarāc cintayām āsa bhārata
      pṛthivyāṃ nāsti yuvatir viṣamasthatarā mayā
      bāndhavair viprahīnāsmi śālvena ca nirākṛtā
  2 na ca śakyaṃ punar gantuṃ mayā vāraṇasāhvayam
      anujñātāsmi bhīṣmeṇa śālvam uddiśya kāraṇam
  3 kiṃ nu garhāmy athātmānam atha bhīṣmaṃ durāsadam
      āhosvit pitaraṃ mūḍhaṃ yo me 'kārṣīt svayaṃvaram
  4 mamāyaṃ svakṛto doṣo yāhaṃ bhīṣmarathāt tadā
      pravṛtte vaiśase yuddhe śālvārthaṃ nāpataṃ purā
      tasyeyaṃ phalanirvṛttir yad āpannāsmi mūḍhavat
  5 dhig bhīṣmaṃ dhik ca me mandaṃ pitaraṃ mūḍhacetasam
      yenāhaṃ vīryaśulkena paṇyastrīvat praveritā
  6 dhiṅ māṃ dhik śālvarājānaṃ dhig dhātāram athāpi ca
      yeṣāṃ durnītabhāvena prāptāsmy āpadam uttamām
  7 sarvathā bhāgadheyāni svāni prāpnoti mānavaḥ
      anayasyāsya tu mukhaṃ bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo mama
  8 sā bhīṣme pratikartavyam ahaṃ paśyāmi sāṃpratam
      tapasā vā yudhā vāpi duḥkhahetuḥ sa me mataḥ
      ko nu bhīṣmaṃ yudhā jetum utsaheta mahīpatiḥ
  9 evaṃ sā pariniścitya jagāma nagarād bahiḥ
      āśramaṃ puṇyaśīlānāṃ tāpasānāṃ mahātmanām
      tatas tām avasad rātriṃ tāpasaiḥ parivāritā
  10 ācakhyau ca yathāvṛttaṃ sarvam ātmani bhārata
     vistareṇa mahābāho nikhilena śucismitā
     haraṇaṃ ca visargaṃ ca śālvena ca visarjanam
 11 tatas tatra mahān āsīd brāhmaṇaḥ saṃśitavrataḥ
     śaikhāvatyas tapovṛddhaḥ śāstre cāraṇyake guruḥ
 12 ārtāṃ tām āha sa muniḥ śaikhāvatyo mahātapāḥ
     niḥśvasantīṃ satīṃ bālāṃ duḥkhaśokaparāyaṇām
 13 evaṃgate kiṃ nu bhadre śakyaṃ kartuṃ tapasvibhiḥ
     āśramasthair mahābhāgais taponityair mahātmabhiḥ
 14 sā tv enam abravīd rājan kriyatāṃ madanugrahaḥ
     pravrājitum ihecchāmi tapas tapsyāmi duścaram
 15 mayaivaitāni karmāṇi pūrvadeheṣu mūḍhayā
     kṛtāni nūnaṃ pāpāni teṣām etat phalaṃ dhruvam
 16 notsaheyaṃ punar gantuṃ svajanaṃ prati tāpasāḥ
     pratyākhyātā nirānandā śālvena ca nirākṛtā
 17 upadiṣṭam ihecchāmi tāpasyaṃ vītakalmaṣāḥ
     yuṣmābhir devasaṃkāśāḥ kṛpā bhavatu vo mayi
 18 sa tām āśvāsayat kanyāṃ dṛṣṭāntāgamahetubhiḥ
     sāntvayām āsa kāryaṃ ca pratijajñe dvijaiḥ saha

SECTION CLXXIII

"Bhishma said, 'O great king, Rochamana is another Maharatha of the Pandavas. He will, O Bharata, contend in battle against hostile warriors, like a second god. That subjugator of foes, the mighty bowman Kuntibhoja of great strength, the maternal uncle of Bhimasena, is, in my judgment, an Atiratha. This mighty and heroic bowman is well-versed and highly skilled in fight. Acquainted with all modes of warfare, this bull among car-warriors is regarded by me as exceedingly competent. Displaying his prowess he will fight, like a second Indra against the Danavas. Those celebrated soldiers that he owns are all accomplished in fight. Stationed on the side of the Pandavas and devoted to what is agreeable and beneficial to them, that hero will, for the sake of his sister's sons achieve extra-ordinary feats. That prince of Rakshasas (Ghatotkacha), O king, born of Bhima and Hidimva, and endued with ample powers of illusion, is, in my judgment, a leader of the leaders of car-divisions. Fond of battle, and endued with powers of illusion, he will, O sire, fight earnestly in battle. Those heroic Rakshasas who are his counsellors or dependents will also fight under him.
'These and many other rulers of provinces, headed by Vasudeva, have assembled for the sake of Pandu's son. These, O king, are principally the Rathas, Atirathas, and half Rathas of the high-souled Pandava, and these, O king, will lead in battle the terrible army of Yudhishthira which is protected, again, by that hero, the diadem-decked (Arjuna), who is even like the great Indra himself. It is with them (thus) endued with powers of illusion and fired by the desire of success that I shall contend in battle, expectant of victory or death. I shall advance against these two foremost of car-warriors, Vasudeva and Arjuna, bearing (respectively) Gandiva and the discus, and resembling the sun and the moon as seen together in the evening. I shall, on the field of battle, encounter also those other car-warriors of Yudhishthira (whom I have, mentioned) at the head of their respective troops.
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'The Rathas and Atirathas, according to their precedence, have now been declared by me to thee, and they also that are half Rathas, belonging to thee or them, O chief of the Kauravas! Arjuna and Vasudeva and other lords of earth that may be there, all of them, upon whom my eyes may fall, I will withstand, O Bharata! But, thou of mighty arms, I will not strike or slay Sikhandin the prince of Panchalas, even if I behold him rushing against me in battle with weapons upraised. The world knows how from a desire of doing what was agreeable to my father, that I gave up the kingdom that had become mine and lived in the observance of the Brahmacharya vow. I then installed Chitrangada in the sovereignty of the Kauravas, making at the same time the child Vichitravirya the Yuvaraja. Having notified my god-like vow among all the kings of the earth, I shall never slay a woman or one that was formerly a woman. It may be known to you, O king, that Sikhandin was formerly a woman. Having been born as a daughter, she afterwards became metamorphosed into the male sex. I shall not, O Bharata, fight against him. I shall certainly smite all other kings, O bull of Bharata's race, whom I may encounter in battle. I will not, however, O king, be able to slay the sons of Kunti!'"

Book 5
Chapter 174

1 bhīṣma uvāca
      tatas te tāpasāḥ sarve kāryavanto 'bhavaṃs tadā
      tāṃ kanyāṃ cintayanto vai kiṃ kāryam iti dharmiṇaḥ
  2 ke cid āhuḥ pitur veśma nīyatām iti tāpasāḥ
      ke cid asmadupālambhe matiṃ cakrur dvijottamāḥ
  3 ke cic chālvapatiṃ gatvā niyojyam iti menire
      neti ke cid vyavasyanti pratyākhyātā hi tena sā
  4 evaṃgate kiṃ nu śakyaṃ bhadre kartuṃ manīṣibhiḥ
      punar ūcuś ca te sarve tāpasāḥ saṃśitavratāḥ
  5 alaṃ pravrajiteneha bhadre śṛṇu hitaṃ vacaḥ
      ito gacchasva bhadraṃ te pitur eva niveśanam
  6 pratipatsyati rājā sa pitā te yad anantaram
      tatra vatsyasi kalyāṇi sukhaṃ sarvaguṇānvitā
      na ca te 'nyā gatir nyāyyā bhaved bhadre yathā pitā
  7 patir vāpi gatir nāryāḥ pitā vā varavarṇini
      gatiḥ patiḥ samasthāyā viṣame tu pitā gatiḥ
  8 pravrajyā hi suduḥkheyaṃ sukumāryā viśeṣataḥ
      rājaputryāḥ prakṛtyā ca kumāryās tava bhāmini
  9 bhadre doṣā hi vidyante bahavo varavarṇini
      āśrame vai vasantyās te na bhaveyuḥ pitur gṛhe
  10 tatas tu te 'bruvan vākyaṃ brāhmaṇās tāṃ tapasvinīm
     tvām ihaikākinīṃ dṛṣṭvā nijane gahane vane
     prārthayiṣyanti rājendrās tasmān maivaṃ manaḥ kṛthāḥ
 11 ambovāca
     na śakyaṃ kāśinagarīṃ punar gantuṃ pitur gṛhān
     avajñātā bhaviṣyāmi bāndhavānāṃ na saṃśayaḥ
 12 uṣitā hy anyathā bālye pitur veśmani tāpasāḥ
     nāhaṃ gamiṣye bhadraṃ vas tatra yatra pitā mama
     tapas taptum abhīpsāmi tāpasaiḥ paripālitā
 13 yathā pare 'pi me loke na syād evaṃ mahātyayaḥ
     daurbhāgyaṃ brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhās tasmāt tapsyāmy ahaṃ tapaḥ
 14 bhīṣma uvāca
     ity evaṃ teṣu vipreṣu cintayatsu tathā tathā
     rājarṣis tad vanaṃ prāptas tapasvī hotravāhanaḥ
 15 tatas te tāpasāḥ sarve pūjayanti sma taṃ nṛpam
     pūjābhiḥ svāgatādyābhir āsanenodakena ca
 16 tasyopaviṣṭasya tato viśrāntasyopaśṛṇvataḥ
     punar eva kathāṃ cakruḥ kanyāṃ prati vanaukasaḥ
 17 ambāyās tāṃ kathāṃ śrutvā kāśirājñaś ca bhārata
     sa vepamāna utthāya mātur asyāḥ pitā tadā
     tāṃ kanyām aṅgam āropya paryāśvāsayata prabho
 18 sa tām apṛcchat kārtsnyena vyasanotpattim āditaḥ
     sā ca tasmai yathāvṛttaṃ vistareṇa nyavedayat
 19 tataḥ sa rājarṣir abhūd duḥkhaśokasamanvitaḥ
     kāryaṃ ca pratipede tan manasā sumahātapāḥ
 20 abravīd vepamānaś ca kanyām ārtāṃ suduḥkhitaḥ
     mā gāḥ pitṛgṛhaṃ bhadre mātus te janako hy aham
 21 duḥkhaṃ chetsyāmi te 'haṃ vai mayi vartasva putrike
     paryāptaṃ te manaḥ putri yad evaṃ pariśuṣyasi
 22 gaccha madvacanād rāmaṃ jāmadagnyaṃ tapasvinam
     rāmas tava mahad duḥkhaṃ śokaṃ cāpanayiṣyati
     haniṣyati raṇe bhīṣmaṃ na kariṣyati ced vacaḥ
 23 taṃ gaccha bhārgavaśreṣṭhaṃ kālāgnisamatejasam
     pratiṣṭhāpayitā sa tvāṃ same pathi mahātapāḥ
 24 tatas tu sasvaraṃ bāṣpam utsṛjantī punaḥ punaḥ
     abravīt pitaraṃ mātuḥ sā tadā hotravāhanam
 25 abhivādayitvā śirasā gamiṣye tava śāsanāt
     api nāmādya paśyeyam āryaṃ taṃ lokaviśrutam
 26 kathaṃ ca tīvraṃ duḥkhaṃ me haniṣyati sa bhārgavaḥ
     etad icchāmy ahaṃ śrotum atha yāsyāmi tatra vai

SECTION CLXXIV

"Duryodhana said, 'For what reason, O chief of the Bharatas, wilt thou not slay Sikhandin even if thou beholdest him approach thee as a foe with arms upraised? Thou hadst, O mighty-armed one, formerly told me,--I will slay the Panchalas with the Somakas'--O son of Ganga, tell me, O grandsire (the reason of the present reservation),'
"Bhishma said, 'Listen, O Duryodhana, to this history, with all these lords of earth, as to why I will not slay Sikhandin even if I behold him in battle! My father, Santanu, O king, was celebrated over all the world. O bull of the Bharata race, that king of virtuous soul paid his debt to nature in time, Observing my pledge, O chief of the Bharatas, I then installed my brother, Chitrangada, on the throne of the extensive kingdom of the Kurus. After Chitrangada's demise, obedient to the counsels of Satyavati, I installed, according to the ordinance, Vichitravirya as king. Although young in age, yet being installed duly by me, O monarch, the virtuous Vichitravirya looked up to me in everything. Desirous of marrying him, I set my heart upon procuring daughters from a suitable family. (At that time) I heard, O thou of mighty arms, that three maidens, all unrivalled for beauty, daughters of the ruler of Kasi, by name Amva, Amvika, and Amvalika would select husbands for themselves, and that all the kings of the earth, O bull of the Bharata's race, had
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been invited. Amongst those maidens Amva was the eldest, Amvika the second, while the princess Amvalika, O monarch, was the youngest. Myself repairing on a single car to the city of the ruler of Kasi, I beheld, O thou of mighty arms, the three maidens adorned with ornaments and also all the kings of the earth invited thither on the occasion. Then, O bull of Bharata's race, challenging to battle all those kings who were ready for the encounter, I took up those maidens on my car and repeatedly said unto all the kings assembled there these words--Bhishma, the son of Santanu, is carrying away by force these maidens. Ye kings, strive ye all to the best of your power for rescuing them! By force do I take them away, ye bulls among men, making you spectators of my act!--At these words of mine those rulers of the earth sprang up with weapons unsheathed. And they angrily urged the drivers of their cars, saying, 'Make ready the cars,--Make ready the cars.' And those monarchs sprang up to the rescue, with weapons unsheathed; car-warriors on their cars resembling masses of clouds, those fighting from elephants, on their elephants, and others on their stout and plump steeds. Then all those kings, O monarch, surrounded me on all sides with a multitudinous number of cars. With a shower of arrows, I stopped their onrush on all sides and vanquished them like the chief of celestials vanquishing hordes of Danavas. Laughingly, with easiness I cut down the variegated standards, decked with gold, of the advancing kings, with blazing shafts, O bull of Bharata's race! In that combat I overthrew their steeds and elephants and car-drivers, each with a single arrow. Beholding that lightness (of hand) of mine, they desisted (from the fight) and broke. And having vanquished all those rulers of the earth, I came back to Hastinapura, I then, O thou of mighty arms, made over those maidens, intending them for my brothers to Satyavati and represented unto her everything I had done.'"

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguliji for the collection )