Bhagadatta was a veteran of very advan- ced age. His grey hair and the wrinkles on his noble old face gave him the intrepid appearance of a lion; indeed, so old was he that the skin hung loose down over his eyes and he had tied its folds over his forehead with a silk kerchief so that they might not interfere with his sight.

Bhagadatta was not more renowned for valour than for purity of character and conduct and was one of the mostillustrious among the brave men of his time. Men gave him the title "Friend of Indra" in recognition of his greatness.

"Look around for the last time," said Arjuna to this great man and hurled at him shafts which broke his bow, shattered his quiver and pierced the joints of his armour.

In those days, all warriors wore heavy armour and the secret of hitting weak points such as- Joints and moving parts was specially studied by kshatriyas and was an important part of military training.