THE Pandavas were camping atUpaplavya in Virata's territory. From there, they sent emissaries to all friendly rulers.

Contingents arrived from all parts of the country and soon, the Pandavas had a mighty force of seven divisions. The Kauravas did likewise and collected an army of eleven divisions.

Then, as now, a division was made up of all arms grouped together in accordance with established military practice. In those days, a division consisted of 21,870 chariots, an equal number of elephants, thrice as many horses and five times as many foot soldiers, and they wereprovided with weapons of all kinds and other war equipment.

Chariots were the "armoured cars" of ancient warfare and elephants, specially trained for war, corresponded to the " tanks" of modem times.

Drupada's brahmana messenger reached Dhritarashtra's court. After the usual ceremonial introduction and enquiries were over, the messenger addressed the assembled gathering on behalf of the Pandavas: