Mahabharata 5.149: ekona pañcāśadadhika śatatamo'dhyāyaḥ

5.149.1

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
janārdanavacaḥ śrutvā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
bhrātṝnuvāca dharmātmā samakṣaṃ keśavasya ha || 1 ||

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Janardana, king Yudhishthira the Just, of virtuous soul, addressed his brothers in the presence of Kesava and said, 'Ye have heard all that had happened in the court of the assembled Kurus. Ye have also understood the words uttered by Kesava. Ye, best of men, draw up, therefore, my troops now in battle-array in which they are to fight. Here are seven Akshauhinis of troops assembled for our victory. Hear the names of those seven celebrated warriors that would lead those seven Akshauhinis. They are Drupada, and Virata, and Dhristadyumna, and Sikhandin, and Satyaki, Chekitana, and Bhimasena of great energy. Those heroes will be the leaders of my troops. All of them are conversant with the Vedas. Endued with great bravery, all of them have practised excellent vows. Possessed of modesty, all of them are conversant with policy, and accomplished in war. Well-skilled in arrows and weapons, all of them are competent in the use of every kind of weapon. Tell us now, O Sahadeva, O son of Kuru's race, who that warrior, is conversant with all kinds of battle-array, that may become the leader of these seven and may also withstand in battle Bhishma who is like unto a fire having arrows for its flames. Give us thy own opinion, O tiger among men, as who is fit to be our generalissimo.'

"Sahadeva said, 'Closely related to us, sympathising with us in our distress, endued with great might, conversant with every virtue, skilled in weapons, and irresistible in battle, the mighty king of the Matsyas, Virata, relying upon whom we hope to recover our share of the kingdom, will be able to bear in battle both Bhishma and all those mighty car-warriors.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Sahadeva had said this, eloquent Nakula then said these words, 'He that in years, in knowledge of scriptures, in perseverance, in family and birth, is respectable; he that is endued with modesty, strength, and prosperity; he that is well-versed in all branches of learning; he that studied the science of weapons (with the sage Bharadwaja); he, who is irresistible and firmly devoted to truth; he that always challenges Drona and mighty Bhishma; he that belongs to one of the foremost of royal houses; he that is a famous leader of hosts; he that resembles a tree of hundred branches in consequence of sons and grandsons that surround him; that king, who, with his wife, performed, moved by wrath, the austerest of penances for the destruction of Drona; that hero, who is an ornament of assemblies; that bull among monarchs who always cherishes us like a father; that father-in-law of ours, Drupada, should be our generalissimo. It is my opinion that he will be able to withstand both Drona and Bhishma rushing to battle, for that king is the friend of Angira's descendant Drona and is conversant with celestial weapons.'

'After the two sons of Madri had thus expressed their individual opinions, Vasava's son, Savyasachin, who was equal to Vasava himself, said these words, 'This celestial person of the hue of fire and endued with mighty arms, who sprang into life through the power of ascetic penances and the gratification of sages; who issued from the sacrificial fire-hole armed with bow and sword, accoutred in armour of steel, mounted on a car unto which were yoked excellent steeds of the best breed, and the clatter of whose car-wheels was as deep as the roar of mighty masses of clouds; this hero endued with that energy and strength and resembling the very lion in his frame of body and prowess, and possessed of leonine shoulders, arms, chest, and voice like the lion's roar; this hero of great effulgence; this warrior of handsome brows, fine teeth, round cheeks, long arms, of stout make, excellent thighs, large expansive eyes, excellent legs, and strong frame; this prince who is incapable of being penetrated by weapons of any kind, and who looks like an elephant with rent temples; this Dhrishtadyumna, truthful in speech, and with passions under control, was born for the destruction of Drona. It is this Dhrishtadyumna, I think, that will be able to bear Bhishma's arrows which strike with the vehemence of the thunderbolt and look like snakes with blazing mouths, which resemble the messengers of Yama in speed, and fall like flames of fire (consuming everything they touch), and which were borne before by Rama alone in battle. I do not, O king, see the man except Dhrishtadyumna, who is able to withstand Bhishma of great vows. This is just what I think. Endued with great lightness of hand and conversant with all the modes of warfare, accoutred in coat of mail that is incapable of being penetrated by weapons, this handsome hero, resembling the leader of a herd of elephants, is according to my opinion, fit to be our generalissimo.'

"Bhima then said, 'That son of Drupada, Sikhandin, who is born for the destruction of Bhishma, as is said, 'O king, by the sages and Siddhas assembled together, whose form on the field of battle, while displaying celestial weapons, will be seen by men to resemble that of the illustrious Rama himself, I see not, O king, the person who is able to pierce with weapons that Sikhandin, when he is stationed for battle on his car, accoutred in mail. Except the heroic Sikhandin, there is no other warrior who is able to slay Bhishma in single combat. It is for this, O king, that I think Sikhandin is fit to be our generalissimo.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'O sire, the strength and weakness, might and feebleness, of everything in the universe, and the intentions of every person here, are well-known to virtuous Kesava. Skilled or unskilled in weapons, old or young, let him be the leader of my forces, who may be indicated by Krishna of Dasarha's race. Even he is the root of our success or defeat. In him are our lives, our kingdom, our prosperity and adversity, our happiness and misery. Even he is the Ordainer and Creator. In him is established the fruition of our desires. Let him, therefore, be the leader of our host, who may be named by Krishna. Let that foremost of speakers say, for the night approacheth. Having selected our leader, worshipped our weapons with offerings of flowers and perfumes, we will, at day-break, under Krishna's orders march to the field of battle!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the intelligent king, Yudhishthira the Just, the lotus-eyed Krishna said, eyeing Dhananjaya, the white, O king, I fully approve of all those powerful warriors whom ye have named for becoming the leaders of thy troops. All of them are competent to withstand thy foes. Indeed, they can frighten Indra himself in great battle, let alone the covetous and wicked-minded sons of Dhritarashtra. O thou of mighty arms, for thy good I made great efforts to prevent the battle by bringing about peace. By that we have been freed from the debt we owed to virtue. Fault-finding persons will not be able to reproach us for anything. Foolish Duryodhana, destitute of understanding, regardeth himself as skilled in weapons, and though really weak thinketh himself to be possessed of strength. Array thy troops soon, for slaughter is the only means by which they can be made to yield to our demands. Indeed, the sons of Dhritarashtra will never be able to keep their ground when they will behold Dhananjaya with Yuyudhana as his second, and Abhimanyu, and the five sons of Draupadi, and Virata, and Drupada, and the other kings of fierce prowess,--all lords of Akshauhinis. Our army is possessed of great strength, and is invincible and incapable of being withstood. Without doubt, it will slay the Dhartarashtra host. As regards our leader, I would name that chastiser of foes, Dhrishtadyumna.'"

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these words of Janardana, king Yudhishthira the Just, of virtuous soul, addressed his brothers in the presence of Kesava and said, 'Ye have heard all that had happened in the court of the assembled Kurus. Ye have also understood the words uttered by Kesava. Ye, best of men, draw up, therefore, my troops now in battle-array in which they are to fight. Here are seven Akshauhinis of troops assembled for our victory. Hear the names of those seven celebrated warriors that would lead those seven Akshauhinis. They are Drupada, and Virata, and Dhristadyumna, and Sikhandin, and Satyaki, Chekitana, and Bhimasena of great energy. Those heroes will be the leaders of my troops. All of them are conversant with the Vedas. Endued with great bravery, all of them have practised excellent vows. Possessed of modesty, all of them are conversant with policy, and accomplished in war. Well-skilled in arrows and weapons, all of them are competent in the use of every kind of weapon. Tell us now, O Sahadeva, O son of Kuru's race, who that warrior, is conversant with all kinds of battle-array, that may become the leader of these seven and may also withstand in battle Bhishma who is like unto a fire having arrows for its flames. Give us thy own opinion, O tiger among men, as who is fit to be our generalissimo.'

5.149.2

śrutaṃ bhavadbhiryadvṛttaṃ sabhāyāṃ kurusaṃsadi |
keśavasyāpi yadvākyaṃ tatsarvamavadhāritam || 2 ||

5.149.3

tasmātsenāvibhāgaṃ me kurudhvaṃ narasattamāḥ |
akṣauhiṇyastu saptaitāḥ sametā vijayāya vai || 3 ||

5.149.4

tāsāṃ me patayaḥ sapta vikhyātāstānnibodhata |
drupadaśca virāṭaśca dhṛṣṭadyumnaśikhaṇḍinau || 4 ||

5.149.5

sātyakiścekitānaśca bhīmasenaśca vīryavān |
ete senāpraṇetāro vīrāḥ sarve tanutyajaḥ || 5 ||

5.149.6

sarve vedavidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve sucaritavratāḥ |
hrīmanto nītimantaśca sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ |
iṣvastrakuśalāścaiva tathā sarvāstrayodhinaḥ || 6 ||

5.149.7

saptānāmapi yo netā senānāṃ pravibhāgavit |
yaḥ saheta raṇe bhīṣmaṃ śarārciḥpāvakopamam || 7 ||

5.149.8

tvaṃ tāvatsahadevātra prabrūhi kurunandana |
svamataṃ puruṣavyāghra ko naḥ senāpatiḥ kṣamaḥ || 8 ||

5.149.9

sahadeva uvāca |
saṃyukta ekaduḥkhaśca vīryavāṃśca mahīpatiḥ |
yaṃ samāśritya dharmajñaṃ svamaṃśamanuyuñjmahe || 9 ||

"Sahadeva said, 'Closely related to us, sympathising with us in our distress, endued with great might, conversant with every virtue, skilled in weapons, and irresistible in battle, the mighty king of the Matsyas, Virata, relying upon whom we hope to recover our share of the kingdom, will be able to bear in battle both Bhishma and all those mighty car-warriors.'

5.149.10

matsyo virāṭo balavānkṛtāstro yuddhadurmadaḥ |
prasahiṣyati saṃgrāme bhīṣmaṃ tāṃśca mahārathān || 10 ||

5.149.11

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
tathokte sahadevena vākye vākyaviśāradaḥ |
nakulo'nantaraṃ tasmādidaṃ vacanamādade || 11 ||

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Sahadeva had said this, eloquent Nakula then said these words, 'He that in years, in knowledge of scriptures, in perseverance, in family and birth, is respectable; he that is endued with modesty, strength, and prosperity; he that is well-versed in all branches of learning; he that studied the science of weapons (with the sage Bharadwaja); he, who is irresistible and firmly devoted to truth; he that always challenges Drona and mighty Bhishma; he that belongs to one of the foremost of royal houses; he that is a famous leader of hosts; he that resembles a tree of hundred branches in consequence of sons and grandsons that surround him; that king, who, with his wife, performed, moved by wrath, the austerest of penances for the destruction of Drona; that hero, who is an ornament of assemblies; that bull among monarchs who always cherishes us like a father; that father-in-law of ours, Drupada, should be our generalissimo. It is my opinion that he will be able to withstand both Drona and Bhishma rushing to battle, for that king is the friend of Angira's descendant Drona and is conversant with celestial weapons.'

5.149.12

vayasā śāstrato dhairyātkulenābhijanena ca |
hrīmānkulānvitaḥ śrīmānsarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ || 12 ||

5.149.13

veda cāstraṃ bharadvājāddurdharṣaḥ satyasaṃgaraḥ |
yo nityaṃ spardhate droṇaṃ bhīṣmaṃ caiva mahābalam || 13 ||

5.149.14

ślāghyaḥ pārthivasaṃghasya pramukhe vāhinīpatiḥ |
putrapautraiḥ parivṛtaḥ śataśākha iva drumaḥ || 14 ||

5.149.15

yastatāpa tapo ghoraṃ sadāraḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ |
roṣāddroṇavināśāya vīraḥ samitiśobhanaḥ || 15 ||

5.149.16

pitevāsmānsamādhatte yaḥ sadā pārthivarṣabhaḥ |
śvaśuro drupado'smākaṃ senāmagre prakarṣatu || 16 ||

5.149.17

sa droṇabhīṣmāvāyāntau sahediti matirmama |
sa hi divyāstravidrājā sakhā cāṅgiraso nṛpaḥ || 17 ||

5.149.18

mādrīsutābhyāmukte tu svamate kurunandanaḥ |
vāsavirvāsavasamaḥ savyasācyabravīdvacaḥ || 18 ||

'After the two sons of Madri had thus expressed their individual opinions, Vasava's son, Savyasachin, who was equal to Vasava himself, said these words, 'This celestial person of the hue of fire and endued with mighty arms, who sprang into life through the power of ascetic penances and the gratification of sages; who issued from the sacrificial fire-hole armed with bow and sword, accoutred in armour of steel, mounted on a car unto which were yoked excellent steeds of the best breed, and the clatter of whose car-wheels was as deep as the roar of mighty masses of clouds; this hero endued with that energy and strength and resembling the very lion in his frame of body and prowess, and possessed of leonine shoulders, arms, chest, and voice like the lion's roar; this hero of great effulgence; this warrior of handsome brows, fine teeth, round cheeks, long arms, of stout make, excellent thighs, large expansive eyes, excellent legs, and strong frame; this prince who is incapable of being penetrated by weapons of any kind, and who looks like an elephant with rent temples; this Dhrishtadyumna, truthful in speech, and with passions under control, was born for the destruction of Drona. It is this Dhrishtadyumna, I think, that will be able to bear Bhishma's arrows which strike with the vehemence of the thunderbolt and look like snakes with blazing mouths, which resemble the messengers of Yama in speed, and fall like flames of fire (consuming everything they touch), and which were borne before by Rama alone in battle. I do not, O king, see the man except Dhrishtadyumna, who is able to withstand Bhishma of great vows. This is just what I think. Endued with great lightness of hand and conversant with all the modes of warfare, accoutred in coat of mail that is incapable of being penetrated by weapons, this handsome hero, resembling the leader of a herd of elephants, is according to my opinion, fit to be our generalissimo.'

5.149.19

yo'yaṃ tapaḥprabhāvena ṛṣisaṃtoṣaṇena ca |
divyaḥ puruṣa utpanno jvālāvarṇo mahābalaḥ || 19 ||

5.149.20

dhanuṣmānkavacī khaḍgī rathamāruhya daṃśitaḥ |
divyairhayavarairyuktamagnikuṇḍātsamutthitaḥ || 20 ||

5.149.21

garjanniva mahāmegho rathaghoṣeṇa vīryavān |
siṃhasaṃhanano vīraḥ siṃhavikrāntavikramaḥ || 21 ||

5.149.22

siṃhorasko mahābāhuḥ siṃhavakṣā mahābalaḥ |
siṃhapragarjano vīraḥ siṃhaskandho mahādyutiḥ || 22 ||

5.149.23

subhrūḥ sudaṃṣṭraḥ suhanuḥ subāhuḥ sumukho'kṛśaḥ |
sujatruḥ suviśālākṣaḥ supādaḥ supratiṣṭhitaḥ || 23 ||

5.149.24

abhedyaḥ sarvaśastrāṇāṃ prabhinna iva vāraṇaḥ |
jajñe droṇavināśāya satyavādī jitendriyaḥ || 24 ||

5.149.25

dhṛṣṭadyumnamahaṃ manye sahedbhīṣmasya sāyakān |
vajrāśanisamasparśāndīptāsyānuragāniva || 25 ||

5.149.26

yamadūtasamānvege nipāte pāvakopamān |
rāmeṇājau viṣahitānvajraniṣpeṣadāruṇān || 26 ||

5.149.27

puruṣaṃ taṃ na paśyāmi yaḥ saheta mahāvratam |
dhṛṣṭadyumnamṛte rājanniti me dhīyate matiḥ || 27 ||

5.149.28

kṣiprahastaścitrayodhī mataḥ senāpatirmama |
abhedyakavacaḥ śrīmānmātaṅga iva yūthapaḥ || 28 ||

5.149.29

bhīma uvāca |
vadhārthaṃ yaḥ samutpannaḥ śikhaṇḍī drupadātmajaḥ |
vadanti siddhā rājendra ṛṣayaśca samāgatāḥ || 29 ||

"Bhima then said, 'That son of Drupada, Sikhandin, who is born for the destruction of Bhishma, as is said, 'O king, by the sages and Siddhas assembled together, whose form on the field of battle, while displaying celestial weapons, will be seen by men to resemble that of the illustrious Rama himself, I see not, O king, the person who is able to pierce with weapons that Sikhandin, when he is stationed for battle on his car, accoutred in mail. Except the heroic Sikhandin, there is no other warrior who is able to slay Bhishma in single combat. It is for this, O king, that I think Sikhandin is fit to be our generalissimo.'

5.149.30

yasya saṃgrāmamadhyeṣu divyamastraṃ vikurvataḥ |
rūpaṃ drakṣyanti puruṣā rāmasyeva mahātmanaḥ || 30 ||

5.149.31

na taṃ yuddheṣu paśyāmi yo vibhindyācchikhaṇḍinam |
śastreṇa samare rājansaṃnaddhaṃ syandane sthitam || 31 ||

5.149.32

dvairathe viṣahennānyo bhīṣmaṃ rājanmahāvratam |
śikhaṇḍinamṛte vīraṃ sa me senāpatirmataḥ || 32 ||

5.149.33

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
sarvasya jagatastāta sārāsāraṃ balābalam |
sarvaṃ jānāti dharmātmā gatameṣyacca keśavaḥ || 33 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'O sire, the strength and weakness, might and feebleness, of everything in the universe, and the intentions of every person here, are well-known to virtuous Kesava. Skilled or unskilled in weapons, old or young, let him be the leader of my forces, who may be indicated by Krishna of Dasarha's race. Even he is the root of our success or defeat. In him are our lives, our kingdom, our prosperity and adversity, our happiness and misery. Even he is the Ordainer and Creator. In him is established the fruition of our desires. Let him, therefore, be the leader of our host, who may be named by Krishna. Let that foremost of speakers say, for the night approacheth. Having selected our leader, worshipped our weapons with offerings of flowers and perfumes, we will, at day-break, under Krishna's orders march to the field of battle!'

5.149.34

yamāha kṛṣṇo dāśārhaḥ so'stu no vāhinīpatiḥ |
kṛtāstro hyakṛtāstro vā vṛddho vā yadi vā yuvā || 34 ||

5.149.35

eṣa no vijaye mūlameṣa tāta viparyaye |
atra prāṇāśca rājyaṃ ca bhāvābhāvau sukhāsukhe || 35 ||

5.149.36

eṣa dhātā vidhātā ca siddhiratra pratiṣṭhitā |
yamāha kṛṣṇo dāśārhaḥ sa naḥ senāpatiḥ kṣamaḥ |
bravītu vadatāṃ śreṣṭho niśā samativartate || 36 ||

5.149.37

tataḥ senāpatiṃ kṛtvā kṛṣṇasya vaśavartinam |
rātriśeṣe vyatikrānte prayāsyāmo raṇājiram |
adhivāsitaśastrāśca kṛtakautukamaṅgalāḥ || 37 ||

5.149.38

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ |
abravītpuṇḍarīkākṣo dhanaṃjayamavekṣya ha || 38 ||

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the intelligent king, Yudhishthira the Just, the lotus-eyed Krishna said, eyeing Dhananjaya, the white, O king, I fully approve of all those powerful warriors whom ye have named for becoming the leaders of thy troops. All of them are competent to withstand thy foes. Indeed, they can frighten Indra himself in great battle, let alone the covetous and wicked-minded sons of Dhritarashtra. O thou of mighty arms, for thy good I made great efforts to prevent the battle by bringing about peace. By that we have been freed from the debt we owed to virtue. Fault-finding persons will not be able to reproach us for anything. Foolish Duryodhana, destitute of understanding, regardeth himself as skilled in weapons, and though really weak thinketh himself to be possessed of strength. Array thy troops soon, for slaughter is the only means by which they can be made to yield to our demands. Indeed, the sons of Dhritarashtra will never be able to keep their ground when they will behold Dhananjaya with Yuyudhana as his second, and Abhimanyu, and the five sons of Draupadi, and Virata, and Drupada, and the other kings of fierce prowess,--all lords of Akshauhinis. Our army is possessed of great strength, and is invincible and incapable of being withstood. Without doubt, it will slay the Dhartarashtra host. As regards our leader, I would name that chastiser of foes, Dhrishtadyumna.'"

5.149.39

mamāpyete mahārāja bhavadbhirya udāhṛtāḥ |
netārastava senāyāḥ śūrā vikrāntayodhinaḥ |
sarva ete samarthā hi tava śatrūnpramarditum || 39 ||

5.149.40

indrasyāpi bhayaṃ hyete janayeyurmahāhave |
kiṃ punardhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ lubdhānāṃ pāpacetasām || 40 ||

5.149.41

mayāpi hi mahābāho tvatpriyārthamariṃdama |
kṛto yatno mahāṃstatra śamaḥ syāditi bhārata |
dharmasya gatamānṛṇyaṃ na sma vācyā vivakṣatām || 41 ||

5.149.42

kṛtārthaṃ manyate bālaḥ so''tmānamavicakṣaṇaḥ |
dhārtarāṣṭro balasthaṃ ca manyate''tmānamāturaḥ || 42 ||

5.149.43

yujyatāṃ vāhinī sādhu vadhasādhyā hi te matāḥ |
na dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ śakṣyanti sthātuṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanaṃjayam || 43 ||

5.149.44

bhīmasenaṃ ca saṃkruddhaṃ yamau cāpi yamopamau |
yuyudhānadvitīyaṃ ca dhṛṣṭadyumnamamarṣaṇam || 44 ||

5.149.45

abhimanyuṃ draupadeyānvirāṭadrupadāvapi |
akṣauhiṇīpatīṃścānyānnarendrāndṛḍhavikramān || 45 ||

5.149.46

sāravadbalamasmākaṃ duṣpradharṣaṃ durāsadam |
dhārtarāṣṭrabalaṃ saṃkhye vadhiṣyati na saṃśayaḥ || 46 ||

5.149.47

evamukte tu kṛṣṇena saṃprahṛṣyannarottamāḥ |
teṣāṃ prahṛṣṭamanasāṃ nādaḥ samabhavanmahān || 47 ||

"Vaisampayana said, 'When Krishna had said this, all the monarchs there were filled with joy. And the shout sent forth by those delighted kings was tremendous. And the troops began to move about with great speed, saying, 'Draw up, Draw up.' And the neighing of steeds and roars of elephants and the clatter of car-wheels and the blare of conchs and the sound of drums, heard everywhere, produced a tremendous din. And teeming with cars and foot-soldiers and steeds and elephants, that invincible host of the marching Pandavas moving hither and thither, donning their coats of mail, and uttering their war-cries, looked like the impetuous current of the Ganga when at its full, agitated with fierce eddies and waves. And in the van of that host marched Bhimasena, and the two sons of Madri encased in their coats of mail, and Subhadra's son and the five sons of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race. And the Prabhadrakas and the Panchalas marched behind Bhimasena. And the din made by the marching hosts, filled with joy, was like unto the roars of the deep when the tide is highest on the day of the new moon. Indeed, the tumult was such that it seemed to reach the very heavens. And capable of breaking hostile ranks, those warriors cased in armour marched thus, filled with joy. And Kunti's son, king Yudhishthira, amongst them marched, taking with him the cars and other vehicles for transport, the food-stores and fodder, the tents, carriages, and draught-cattle, the cash-chests, the machines and weapons, the surgeons and physicians, the invalids, and all the emaciated and weak soldiers, and all the attendants and camp-followers. And truthful Draupadi, the princess of Panchala, accompanied by the ladies of the household, and surrounded by servants and maids, remained at Upaplavya. And causing their treasure and ladies to be guarded by bodies of soldiers, some of whom were placed as permanent lines of circumvallation and some ordered to move about at a distance from this line, the Pandavas set out with their mighty host. And having made presents of kine and gold to the Brahmanas, who walked around them and uttered blessings, the sons of Pandu commenced the march on their cars decked with jewels. And the princes of Kekaya, and Dhrishtaketu, and the son of the king of the Kasis, and Srenimat, and Vasudana, and the invincible Sikhandin, all hale and hearty, cased in armour and armed with weapons and decked with ornaments, marched behind Yudhishthira, keeping him in their centre. And in the rear, were Virata, Yajnasena's son of the Somaka race (Dhrishtadyumna), Susarman, Kuntibhoja, Dhrishtadyumna's sons, forty thousand cars, five times as much cavalry, infantry ten times more numerous (than the last), and sixty thousand elephants. And Anadhrishti, and Chekitana and Dhrishtaketu and Satyaki all marched, surrounding Vasudeva and Dhananjaya. And reaching the field of Kurukshetra with their forces in battle-array, those smiters, the sons of Pandu, looked like roaring bulls. And entering the field, those chastisers of foes blew their conchs. And Vasudeva and Dhananjaya also blew their conchs. And hearing the blare of the conch called Panchajanya, which resembled the roll of the thunder, all the warriors (of the Pandava army) were filled with joy. And the leonine roars of those warriors, endued with lightness of hand and speed of motion, mingling with the blare of conchs and beat of Drums, made the whole earth, the welkin, and the oceans resound therewith.'"

"Vaisampayana said, 'When Krishna had said this, all the monarchs there were filled with joy. And the shout sent forth by those delighted kings was tremendous. And the troops began to move about with great speed, saying, 'Draw up, Draw up.' And the neighing of steeds and roars of elephants and the clatter of car-wheels and the blare of conchs and the sound of drums, heard everywhere, produced a tremendous din. And teeming with cars and foot-soldiers and steeds and elephants, that invincible host of the marching Pandavas moving hither and thither, donning their coats of mail, and uttering their war-cries, looked like the impetuous current of the Ganga when at its full, agitated with fierce eddies and waves. And in the van of that host marched Bhimasena, and the two sons of Madri encased in their coats of mail, and Subhadra's son and the five sons of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race. And the Prabhadrakas and the Panchalas marched behind Bhimasena. And the din made by the marching hosts, filled with joy, was like unto the roars of the deep when the tide is highest on the day of the new moon. Indeed, the tumult was such that it seemed to reach the very heavens. And capable of breaking hostile ranks, those warriors cased in armour marched thus, filled with joy. And Kunti's son, king Yudhishthira, amongst them marched, taking with him the cars and other vehicles for transport, the food-stores and fodder, the tents, carriages, and draught-cattle, the cash-chests, the machines and weapons, the surgeons and physicians, the invalids, and all the emaciated and weak soldiers, and all the attendants and camp-followers. And truthful Draupadi, the princess of Panchala, accompanied by the ladies of the household, and surrounded by servants and maids, remained at Upaplavya. And causing their treasure and ladies to be guarded by bodies of soldiers, some of whom were placed as permanent lines of circumvallation and some ordered to move about at a distance from this line, the Pandavas set out with their mighty host. And having made presents of kine and gold to the Brahmanas, who walked around them and uttered blessings, the sons of Pandu commenced the march on their cars decked with jewels. And the princes of Kekaya, and Dhrishtaketu, and the son of the king of the Kasis, and Srenimat, and Vasudana, and the invincible Sikhandin, all hale and hearty, cased in armour and armed with weapons and decked with ornaments, marched behind Yudhishthira, keeping him in their centre. And in the rear, were Virata, Yajnasena's son of the Somaka race (Dhrishtadyumna), Susarman, Kuntibhoja, Dhrishtadyumna's sons, forty thousand cars, five times as much cavalry, infantry ten times more numerous (than the last), and sixty thousand elephants. And Anadhrishti, and Chekitana and Dhrishtaketu and Satyaki all marched, surrounding Vasudeva and Dhananjaya. And reaching the field of Kurukshetra with their forces in battle-array, those smiters, the sons of Pandu, looked like roaring bulls. And entering the field, those chastisers of foes blew their conchs. And Vasudeva and Dhananjaya also blew their conchs. And hearing the blare of the conch called Panchajanya, which resembled the roll of the thunder, all the warriors (of the Pandava army) were filled with joy. And the leonine roars of those warriors, endued with lightness of hand and speed of motion, mingling with the blare of conchs and beat of Drums, made the whole earth, the welkin, and the oceans resound therewith.'"

5.149.48

yoga ityatha sainyānāṃ tvaratāṃ saṃpradhāvatām |
hayavāraṇaśabdaśca nemighoṣaśca sarvaśaḥ |
śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣastumulaḥ sarvato'bhavat || 48 ||

5.149.49

prayāsyatāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ sasainyānāṃ samantataḥ |
gaṅgeva pūrṇā durdharṣā samadṛśyata vāhinī || 49 ||

5.149.50

agrānīke bhīmaseno mādrīputrau ca daṃśitau |
saubhadro draupadeyāśca dhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ |
prabhadrakāśca pāñcālā bhīmasenamukhā yayuḥ || 50 ||

5.149.51

tataḥ śabdaḥ samabhavatsamudrasyeva parvaṇi |
hṛṣṭānāṃ saṃprayātānāṃ ghoṣo divamivāspṛśat || 51 ||

5.149.52

prahṛṣṭā daṃśitā yodhāḥ parānīkavidāraṇāḥ |
teṣāṃ madhye yayau rājā kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 52 ||

5.149.53

śakaṭāpaṇaveśāśca yānayugyaṃ ca sarvaśaḥ |
kośayantrāyudhaṃ caiva ye ca vaidyāścikitsakāḥ || 53 ||

5.149.54

phalgu yacca balaṃ kiṃcittathaiva kṛśadurbalam |
tatsaṃgṛhya yayau rājā ye cāpi paricārakāḥ || 54 ||

5.149.55

upaplavye tu pāñcālī draupadī satyavādinī |
saha strībhirnivavṛte dāsīdāsasamāvṛtā || 55 ||

5.149.56

kṛtvā mūlapratīkārāngulmaiḥ sthāvarajaṅgamaiḥ |
skandhāvāreṇa mahatā prayayuḥ pāṇḍunandanāḥ || 56 ||

5.149.57

dadato gāṃ hiraṇyaṃ ca brāhmaṇairabhisaṃvṛtāḥ |
stūyamānā yayū rājanrathairmaṇivibhūṣitaiḥ || 57 ||

5.149.58

kekayā dhṛṣṭaketuśca putraḥ kāśyasya cābhibhūḥ |
śreṇimānvasudānaśca śikhaṇḍī cāparājitaḥ || 58 ||

5.149.59

hṛṣṭāstuṣṭāḥ kavacinaḥ saśastrāḥ samalaṃkṛtāḥ |
rājānamanvayuḥ sarve parivārya yudhiṣṭhiram || 59 ||

5.149.60

jaghanārdhe virāṭaśca yajñasenaśca somakiḥ |
sudharmā kuntibhojaśca dhṛṣṭadyumnasya cātmajāḥ || 60 ||

5.149.61

rathāyutāni catvāri hayāḥ pañcaguṇāstataḥ |
pattisainyaṃ daśaguṇaṃ sādināmayutāni ṣaṭ || 61 ||

5.149.62

anādhṛṣṭiścekitānaścedirājo'tha sātyakiḥ |
parivārya yayuḥ sarve vāsudevadhanaṃjayau || 62 ||

5.149.63

āsādya tu kurukṣetraṃ vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ |
pāṇḍavāḥ samadṛśyanta nardanto vṛṣabhā iva || 63 ||

5.149.64

te'vagāhya kurukṣetraṃ śaṅkhāndadhmurariṃdamāḥ |
tathaiva dadhmatuḥ śaṅkhau vāsudevadhanaṃjayau || 64 ||

5.149.65

pāñcajanyasya nirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitamivāśaneḥ |
niśamya sarvasainyāni samahṛṣyanta sarvaśaḥ || 65 ||

5.149.66

śaṅkhadundubhisaṃsṛṣṭaḥ siṃhanādastarasvinām |
pṛthivīṃ cāntarikṣaṃ ca sāgarāṃścānvanādayat || 66 ||

5.149.67

tato deśe same snigdhe prabhūtayavasendhane |
niveśayāmāsa tadā senāṃ rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 67 ||

"Vaisampayana said, 'King Yudhishthira then caused his troops to encamp on a part of the field that was level, cool, and abounding with grass and fuel. Avoiding cemeteries, temples and compounds consecrated to the deities, asylums of sages, shrines, and other sacred plots. Kunti's high-souled son, Yudhishthira, pitched his camp on a delightful, fertile, open and sacred part of the plain. And rising up, again, after his animals had been given sufficient rest, the king set out joyously surrounded by hundreds and thousands of monarchs. And Kesava accompanied by Partha began to move about, scattering numerous soldiers of Dhritarashtra (kept as outposts). And Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race and that mighty car-warrior of great energy, viz., Yuyudhana, otherwise called Satyaki, measured the ground for the encampment. And arrived, O Bharata, at the holy Hiranwati which flows through Kurukshetra, which was filled with sacred water, and whose bed was divested of pointed pebbles and mire, and which was regarded as an excellent tirtha, Kesava caused a moat to be excavated there, and for its protection stationed a sufficient number of troops with proper instructions. And the rules that were observed in respect of the tents of the high-souled Pandavas, were followed by Kesava in the matter of the tents he caused to be set up for the kings (that came as their allies). And, O monarch, costly tents, incapable of being attacked, apart from one another, were, by hundreds and thousands, set up for those kings on the surface of the earth, that looked like palatial residences and abounded with fuels and edibles and drinks. And there were assembled hundreds upon hundreds of skilled mechanics, in receipt of regular wages and surgeons and physicians, well-versed in their own science, and furnished with every ingredient they might need. And king Yudhishthira caused to be placed in every pavilion large quantities, high as hills, of bow-strings and bows and coats of mail and weapons, honey and clarified butter, pounded lac, water, fodder of cattle, chaff and coals, heavy machines, long shafts, lances, battleaxes, bow-staffs, breast-plates, scimitars and quivers. And innumerable elephants cased in plates of steel with prickles thereon, huge as hills, and capable of fighting with hundreds and thousands, were seen there. And learning that the Pandavas had encamped on that field, their allies, O Bharata, with their forces and animals, began to march thither. And many kings who had practised Brahmacharya vows, drunk (consecrated) Soma and had made large presents to Brahmanas at sacrifices, came there for the success of the sons of Pandu.'"

"Vaisampayana said, 'King Yudhishthira then caused his troops to encamp on a part of the field that was level, cool, and abounding with grass and fuel. Avoiding cemeteries, temples and compounds consecrated to the deities, asylums of sages, shrines, and other sacred plots. Kunti's high-souled son, Yudhishthira, pitched his camp on a delightful, fertile, open and sacred part of the plain. And rising up, again, after his animals had been given sufficient rest, the king set out joyously surrounded by hundreds and thousands of monarchs. And Kesava accompanied by Partha began to move about, scattering numerous soldiers of Dhritarashtra (kept as outposts). And Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race and that mighty car-warrior of great energy, viz., Yuyudhana, otherwise called Satyaki, measured the ground for the encampment. And arrived, O Bharata, at the holy Hiranwati which flows through Kurukshetra, which was filled with sacred water, and whose bed was divested of pointed pebbles and mire, and which was regarded as an excellent tirtha, Kesava caused a moat to be excavated there, and for its protection stationed a sufficient number of troops with proper instructions. And the rules that were observed in respect of the tents of the high-souled Pandavas, were followed by Kesava in the matter of the tents he caused to be set up for the kings (that came as their allies). And, O monarch, costly tents, incapable of being attacked, apart from one another, were, by hundreds and thousands, set up for those kings on the surface of the earth, that looked like palatial residences and abounded with fuels and edibles and drinks. And there were assembled hundreds upon hundreds of skilled mechanics, in receipt of regular wages and surgeons and physicians, well-versed in their own science, and furnished with every ingredient they might need. And king Yudhishthira caused to be placed in every pavilion large quantities, high as hills, of bow-strings and bows and coats of mail and weapons, honey and clarified butter, pounded lac, water, fodder of cattle, chaff and coals, heavy machines, long shafts, lances, battleaxes, bow-staffs, breast-plates, scimitars and quivers. And innumerable elephants cased in plates of steel with prickles thereon, huge as hills, and capable of fighting with hundreds and thousands, were seen there. And learning that the Pandavas had encamped on that field, their allies, O Bharata, with their forces and animals, began to march thither. And many kings who had practised Brahmacharya vows, drunk (consecrated) Soma and had made large presents to Brahmanas at sacrifices, came there for the success of the sons of Pandu.'"

5.149.68

parihṛtya śmaśānāni devatāyatanāni ca |
āśramāṃśca maharṣīṇāṃ tīrthānyāyatanāni ca || 68 ||

5.149.69

madhurānūṣare deśe śive puṇye mahīpatiḥ |
niveśaṃ kārayāmāsa kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 69 ||

5.149.70

tataśca punarutthāya sukhī viśrāntavāhanaḥ |
prayayau pṛthivīpālairvṛtaḥ śatasahasraśaḥ || 70 ||

5.149.71

vidrāvya śataśo gulmāndhārtarāṣṭrasya sainikān |
paryakrāmatsamantācca pārthena saha keśavaḥ || 71 ||

5.149.72

śibiraṃ māpayāmāsa dhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ |
sātyakiśca rathodāro yuyudhānaḥ pratāpavān || 72 ||

5.149.73

āsādya saritaṃ puṇyāṃ kurukṣetre hiraṇvatīm |
sūpatīrthāṃ śucijalāṃ śarkarāpaṅkavarjitām || 73 ||

5.149.74

khānayāmāsa parikhāṃ keśavastatra bhārata |
guptyarthamapi cādiśya balaṃ tatra nyaveśayat || 74 ||

5.149.75

vidhiryaḥ śibirasyāsītpāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām |
tadvidhāni narendrāṇāṃ kārayāmāsa keśavaḥ || 75 ||

5.149.76

prabhūtajalakāṣṭhāni durādharṣatarāṇi ca |
bhakṣyabhojyopapannāni śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ || 76 ||

5.149.77

śibirāṇi mahārhāṇi rājñāṃ tatra pṛthakpṛthak |
vimānānīva rājendra niviṣṭāni mahītale || 77 ||

5.149.78

tatrāsañśilpinaḥ prājñāḥ śataśo dattavetanāḥ |
sarvopakaraṇairyuktā vaidyāśca suviśāradāḥ || 78 ||

5.149.79

jyādhanurvarmaśastrāṇāṃ tathaiva madhusarpiṣoḥ |
sasarjarasapāṃsūnāṃ rāśayaḥ parvatopamāḥ || 79 ||

5.149.80

bahūdakaṃ suyavasaṃ tuṣāṅgārasamanvitam |
śibire śibire rājā saṃcakāra yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 80 ||

5.149.81

mahāyantrāṇi nārācāstomararṣṭiparaśvadhāḥ |
dhanūṃṣi kavacādīni hṛdyabhūvannṛṇāṃ tadā || 81 ||

5.149.82

gajāḥ kaṅkaṭasaṃnāhā lohavarmottaracchadāḥ |
adṛśyaṃstatra giryābhāḥ sahasraśatayodhinaḥ || 82 ||

5.149.83

niviṣṭānpāṇḍavāṃstatra jñātvā mitrāṇi bhārata |
abhisasruryathoddeśaṃ sabalāḥ sahavāhanāḥ || 83 ||

5.149.84

caritabrahmacaryāste somapā bhūridakṣiṇāḥ |
jayāya pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ samājagmurmahīkṣitaḥ || 84 ||