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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:
"Law is eternal and of inherent validity. You know this and I need
not point it out to you. Dhritarashtra and Pandu are both Vichitravirya's sons and are,
according to our usages, equally entitled to their father's property.
Author : Shri C. Raja Gopalachari
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