"It is clear we cannot succeed in ourefforts to seize Yudhishthira so long as Dhanan- jaya is nearby. It is no want of interest on my part. If by some stratagem we could draw Arjuna away to some other part of the field, I could pierce the Pandava forma- tions and capture Yudhishthira.

I promise to seize him and deliver him to you provided he does not flee from the battle, renouncing honour. If he does that, then also we win indeed, do we not?"

The chief of the Trigartadesa who heard Drona say this talked it over with his brothers, and they made a plan. They resolved to take the samsaptaka oath and challenge Arjuna to battle and draw him away from Yudhishthira's side.

Accordingly, together with a large force, they gathered, and sat before the fire, dressed in matted grass, and went through funeral gifts and ceremonies for them selves as if already dead, and took their oath: