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Dhritarashtra said :
What did my (people) and the Pandavas do, O Sangaya! when they assembled together on the holy field of Kurukshetra, desirous to do battle?
Sangaya said :
Seeing the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle-array 1, the prince Duryodhana approached the preceptor, and spoke (these) words: 'O preceptor! observe this grand army of the sons of Pandu, drawn up in battle-array by your talented pupil, the son of Drupada. In it are heroes (bearing) large bows, the equals of Bhima and Arguna in battle--(namely), Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada, the master of a great car 2, and Dhrishtaketu, Kekitana, and the valiant king of Kasi, Purugit and Kuntibhoga, and that eminent man Saibya; the heroic Yudhamanyu, the valiant Uttamaugas, the son of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi--all masters of great cars. And now, O best of Brahmanas! learn who are most distinguished among us, and are leaders of my army. I will name them to you, in order that you may know them well. Yourself, and Bhishma, and Karna, and Kripa the victor of (many) battles; Asvatthaman, and Vikarna, and also the son of Somadatta, and many other brave men, who have given up their lives for me, who fight with various weapons, (and are) all dexterous in battle. Thus our army which is protected by Bhishma is unlimited; while this army of theirs which is protected by Bhima is very limited. And therefore do ye all, occupying respectively the positions 3 assigned to you, protect Bhishma 4 only.'
Then his powerful grandsire, Bhishma, the oldest of the Kauravas, roaring aloud like a lion, blew his conch, (thereby) affording delight to Duryodhana. And then all at once, conchs, and kettledrums, and tabors, and trumpets were played upon; and there was a tumultuous din. Then, too, Madhava and the son of Pandu (Arguna), seated in a grand chariot to which white steeds were yoked, blew their heavenly conchs. Hrishikesa 5 blew the Pankaganya 6, and Dhanangaya the Devadatta, and Bhima, (the doer) of fearful deeds, blew the great conch Paundra. King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti 7, blew the Anantavigaya, and Nakula and Sahadeva (respectively) the Sughosha and Manipushpaka. And the king of Kasi, too, who has an excellent bow, and Sikhandin, the master of a great car, and Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the unconquered Satyaki, and Drupada, and the sons of Draupadi, and the son of Subhadra, of mighty arms, blew conchs severally from all sides, O king of the earth! That tumultuous din rent the hearts of all (the people) of Dhritarashtra's (party), causing reverberations throughout heaven and earth.
Foot Notes :
1. Several of these modes of array are described in Manu VII, 187, like a staff, like a wain, like a boar, &c. That of the Pandavas, here referred to, appears to have been like the thunderbolt, as to which see Manu VII, 191.
2. This is a literal rendering; the technical meaning is 'a warrior proficient in military science, who can fight single-handed a thousand archers.'
3. The original word means, according to Sridhara, 'the ways of entrance into a Vyuha or phalanx.'
4. Who, as generalissimo, remained in the centre of the army.
5. Literally, according to the commentators, 'lord of the senses of perception.'
6. Schlegel renders the names of these conchs by Gigantea, Theodotes, Arundinea, Triumphatrix, Dulcisona, and Gemmiflorea respectively.
7. So called, par excellence, apparently.
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