Mahabharata 7.5: pañcamo'dhyāyaḥ

7.5.1

saṃjaya uvāca |
rathasthaṃ puruṣavyāghraṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇamavasthitam |
hṛṣṭo duryodhano rājannidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 1 ||

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding that tiger among men, viz., Karna, mounted on his car, Duryodhana, O king, filled with joy, said these words, 'This host, protected by thee, hath now, I think, got a proper leader. Let that, however, be settled now which is proper and within our power.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding that tiger among men, viz., Karna, mounted on his car, Duryodhana, O king, filled with joy, said these words, 'This host, protected by thee, hath now, I think, got a proper leader. Let that, however, be settled now which is proper and within our power.'

'Karna said, 'Tell us thyself, O tiger among men, for thou art the wisest of kings. Another can never see so well what should be done as one seeth it whose concern it is. Those kings are all desirous of listening to what thou mayst have to say. I am sure that no improper words will be uttered by thee.'

"Duryodhana, said, 'Bhishma was our commander possessed (as he was) of years, prowess, and learning and supported by all our warriors. That high-souled one, O Karna, achieving great glory and slaying large numbers of my enemies protected us by fair fight for ten days. He achieved the most difficult of feats. But now that he is about to ascend to heaven, whom, O Karna, dost thou think fit to our commander after him? Without a leader, an army cannot stay in battle for even a short while. Thou art foremost in battle, like a boat without a helmsman in the waters. Indeed, as a boat without a helmsman, or a car without a driver, would go anywhere, so would the plight be of a host that is without a leader. Like a merchant who falleth into every kind of distress when he is unacquainted with the ways of the country he visits, an army that is without a leader is exposed to every kind of distress. Look thou, therefore, among all the high-souled warriors of our army and find out a proper leader who may succeed the son of Santanu. Him whom thou wouldst regard as a fit leader in battle, him, all of us, without doubt, will together make our leader.'

"Karna said, 'All these foremost of men are high-souled persons. Every one of them deserveth to be our leader. There is no need of any minute examination. All of them are conversant with noble genealogies and with the art of smiting; all of them are endued with prowess and intelligence, all of them are attentive and acquainted with the scriptures, possessed of wisdom, and unretreating from battle. All, however, cannot be leaders at the same time. Only one should be selected as leader, in whom are special merits. All of these regard one another as equals. If one amongst them, therefore, be honoured, others will be dissatisfied, and, it is evident, will no longer fight for thee from a desire of benefiting thee. This one, however, is the Preceptor (in arms) of all these warriors; is venerable in years, and worthy of respect. Therefore, Drona, this foremost of all wielders of weapons, should be made the leader. Who is there worthy of becoming a leader, when the invincible Drona, that foremost of persons conversant with Brahma, is here, that one who is equal to Sukra or Vrihaspati himself? Amongst all the kings in thy army, O Bharata, there is not a single warrior who will not follow Drona when the latter goeth to battle. This Drona is the foremost of all leaders of forces, the foremost of all wielders of weapons, and the foremost of all intelligent persons. He is, besides, O king, thy preceptor (in arms). Therefore, O Duryodhana, make this one the leader of thy forces without delay, as the celestials made Kartikeya their leader in battle for vanquishing the Asuras.'"

Kula-samhanana-jnana, i.e., 'knowledge of Kula, as also of samhanana, which latter, as Nilakantha explains, means the body. A knowledge of the body, of vital and other limbs, was possessed by every accomplished warrior who wanted to smite effectually.

i.e., who will feel it humiliating for him to walk behind Drona?

7.5.2

sanāthamidamatyarthaṃ bhavatā pālitaṃ balam |
manye kiṃ tu samarthaṃ yaddhitaṃ tatsaṃpradhāryatām || 2 ||

7.5.3

karṇa uvāca |
brūhi tatpuruṣavyāghra tvaṃ hi prājñatamo nṛpa |
yathā cārthapatiḥ kṛtyaṃ paśyate na tathetaraḥ || 3 ||

'Karna said, 'Tell us thyself, O tiger among men, for thou art the wisest of kings. Another can never see so well what should be done as one seeth it whose concern it is. Those kings are all desirous of listening to what thou mayst have to say. I am sure that no improper words will be uttered by thee.'

7.5.4

te sma sarve tava vacaḥ śrotukāmā nareśvara |
nānyāyyaṃ hi bhavānvākyaṃ brūyāditi matirmama || 4 ||

7.5.5

duryodhana uvāca |
bhīṣmaḥ senāpraṇetāsīdvayasā vikrameṇa ca |
śrutena ca susaṃpannaḥ sarvairyodhaguṇaistathā || 5 ||

"Duryodhana, said, 'Bhishma was our commander possessed (as he was) of years, prowess, and learning and supported by all our warriors. That high-souled one, O Karna, achieving great glory and slaying large numbers of my enemies protected us by fair fight for ten days. He achieved the most difficult of feats. But now that he is about to ascend to heaven, whom, O Karna, dost thou think fit to our commander after him? Without a leader, an army cannot stay in battle for even a short while. Thou art foremost in battle, like a boat without a helmsman in the waters. Indeed, as a boat without a helmsman, or a car without a driver, would go anywhere, so would the plight be of a host that is without a leader. Like a merchant who falleth into every kind of distress when he is unacquainted with the ways of the country he visits, an army that is without a leader is exposed to every kind of distress. Look thou, therefore, among all the high-souled warriors of our army and find out a proper leader who may succeed the son of Santanu. Him whom thou wouldst regard as a fit leader in battle, him, all of us, without doubt, will together make our leader.'

7.5.6

tenātiyaśasā karṇa ghnatā śatrugaṇānmama |
suyuddhena daśāhāni pālitāḥ smo mahātmanā || 6 ||

7.5.7

tasminnasukaraṃ karma kṛtavatyāsthite divam |
kaṃ nu senāpraṇetāraṃ manyase tadanantaram || 7 ||

7.5.8

na ṛte nāyakaṃ senā muhūrtamapi tiṣṭhati |
āhaveṣvāhavaśreṣṭha netṛhīneva naurjale || 8 ||

7.5.9

yathā hyakarṇadhārā nau rathaścāsārathiryathā |
dravedyatheṣṭaṃ tadvatsyādṛte senāpatiṃ balam || 9 ||

7.5.10

sa bhavānvīkṣya sarveṣu māmakeṣu mahātmasu |
paśya senāpatiṃ yuktamanu śāṃtanavādiha || 10 ||

7.5.11

yaṃ hi senāpraṇetāraṃ bhavānvakṣyati saṃyuge |
taṃ vayaṃ sahitāḥ sarve prakariṣyāma māriṣa || 11 ||

7.5.12

karṇa uvāca |
sarva eva mahātmāna ime puruṣasattamāḥ |
senāpatitvamarhanti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā || 12 ||

"Karna said, 'All these foremost of men are high-souled persons. Every one of them deserveth to be our leader. There is no need of any minute examination. All of them are conversant with noble genealogies and with the art of smiting; all of them are endued with prowess and intelligence, all of them are attentive and acquainted with the scriptures, possessed of wisdom, and unretreating from battle. All, however, cannot be leaders at the same time. Only one should be selected as leader, in whom are special merits. All of these regard one another as equals. If one amongst them, therefore, be honoured, others will be dissatisfied, and, it is evident, will no longer fight for thee from a desire of benefiting thee. This one, however, is the Preceptor (in arms) of all these warriors; is venerable in years, and worthy of respect. Therefore, Drona, this foremost of all wielders of weapons, should be made the leader. Who is there worthy of becoming a leader, when the invincible Drona, that foremost of persons conversant with Brahma, is here, that one who is equal to Sukra or Vrihaspati himself? Amongst all the kings in thy army, O Bharata, there is not a single warrior who will not follow Drona when the latter goeth to battle. This Drona is the foremost of all leaders of forces, the foremost of all wielders of weapons, and the foremost of all intelligent persons. He is, besides, O king, thy preceptor (in arms). Therefore, O Duryodhana, make this one the leader of thy forces without delay, as the celestials made Kartikeya their leader in battle for vanquishing the Asuras.'"

7.5.13

kulasaṃhananajñānairbalavikramabuddhibhiḥ |
yuktāḥ kṛtajñā hrīmanta āhaveṣvanivartinaḥ || 13 ||

7.5.14

yugapanna tu te śakyāḥ kartuṃ sarve puraḥsarāḥ |
eka evātra kartavyo yasminvaiśeṣikā guṇāḥ || 14 ||

7.5.15

anyonyaspardhināṃ teṣāṃ yadyekaṃ satkariṣyasi |
śeṣā vimanaso vyaktaṃ na yotsyante hi bhārata || 15 ||

7.5.16

ayaṃ tu sarvayodhānāmācāryaḥ sthaviro guruḥ |
yuktaḥ senāpatiḥ kartuṃ droṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ || 16 ||

7.5.17

ko hi tiṣṭhati durdharṣe droṇe brahmaviduttame |
senāpatiḥ syādanyo'smācchukrāṅgirasadarśanāt || 17 ||

7.5.18

na ca sa hyasti te yodhaḥ sarvarājasu bhārata |
yo droṇaṃ samare yāntaṃ nānuyāsyati saṃyuge || 18 ||

7.5.19

eṣa senāpraṇetṝṇāmeṣa śastrabhṛtāmapi |
eṣa buddhimatāṃ caiva śreṣṭho rājanguruśca te || 19 ||

7.5.20

evaṃ duryodhanācāryamāśu senāpatiṃ kuru |
jigīṣanto'surānsaṃkhye kārttikeyamivāmarāḥ || 20 ||

7.5.21

saṃjaya uvāca |
karṇasya vacanaṃ śrutvā rājā duryodhanastadā |
senāmadhyagataṃ droṇamidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 21 ||

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these words of Karna, king Duryodhana. then said this unto Drona who was staying in the midst of the troops.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these words of Karna, king Duryodhana. then said this unto Drona who was staying in the midst of the troops.'

"Duryodhana said, 'For the superiority of the order of thy birth, for the nobility of thy parentage, for thy learning, years and intelligence, for also thy prowess, skill, invincibility, knowledge of worldly matters, policy, and self-conquest, by reason also of thy ascetic austerities and thy gratitude, superior as thou art as regards every virtue, among these kings there is none who can make so good a leader as thou. Protect thou, therefore, ourselves, like Vasava protecting the celestials. Having thee for our leader, we desire, O best of Brahmanas, to vanquish our foes. As Kapali amongst the Rudras, Pavaka among the Vasus, Kuvera among the Yakshas, Vasava among the Maruts, Vasishtha among Brahmanas, the Sun amongst luminous bodies, Yama among the Pitris, Varuna among aquatic creatures, as the Moon among the stars, and Usanas among the sons of Diti, so art thou the foremost of all leaders of forces. Be thou, therefore, our leader. O sinless one, let these ten and one Akshauhinis of troops be obedient to thy word of command. Disposing these troops in battle array, slay thou our foes, like Indra slaying the Danavas. Proceed thou art the head of us all, like Pavaka's son (Kartikeya) at the head of the celestial forces. We will follow thee to battle, like bulls following a bovine leader. A fierce and great bowman as thou art, beholding thee stretching the bow at our head. Arjuna will not strike. Without doubt, O tiger among men, if thou becomest our leader, I will vanquish Yudhishthira with all his followers and relatives in battle.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'After Duryodhana had uttered these words, the kings (in the Kaurava army) all cried victory to Drona. And they delighted thy son by uttering a loud leonine shout. And the troops, filled with joy, and with Duryodhana at their head, desirous of winning great renown, began to glorify that best of Brahmanas. Then, O king, Drona addressed Duryodhana fin those words.'"

7.5.22

varṇaśraiṣṭhyātkulotpattyā śrutena vayasā dhiyā |
vīryāddākṣyādadhṛṣyatvādarthajñānānnayājjayāt || 22 ||

"Duryodhana said, 'For the superiority of the order of thy birth, for the nobility of thy parentage, for thy learning, years and intelligence, for also thy prowess, skill, invincibility, knowledge of worldly matters, policy, and self-conquest, by reason also of thy ascetic austerities and thy gratitude, superior as thou art as regards every virtue, among these kings there is none who can make so good a leader as thou. Protect thou, therefore, ourselves, like Vasava protecting the celestials. Having thee for our leader, we desire, O best of Brahmanas, to vanquish our foes. As Kapali amongst the Rudras, Pavaka among the Vasus, Kuvera among the Yakshas, Vasava among the Maruts, Vasishtha among Brahmanas, the Sun amongst luminous bodies, Yama among the Pitris, Varuna among aquatic creatures, as the Moon among the stars, and Usanas among the sons of Diti, so art thou the foremost of all leaders of forces. Be thou, therefore, our leader. O sinless one, let these ten and one Akshauhinis of troops be obedient to thy word of command. Disposing these troops in battle array, slay thou our foes, like Indra slaying the Danavas. Proceed thou art the head of us all, like Pavaka's son (Kartikeya) at the head of the celestial forces. We will follow thee to battle, like bulls following a bovine leader. A fierce and great bowman as thou art, beholding thee stretching the bow at our head. Arjuna will not strike. Without doubt, O tiger among men, if thou becomest our leader, I will vanquish Yudhishthira with all his followers and relatives in battle.'

7.5.23

tapasā ca kṛtajñatvādvṛddhaḥ sarvaguṇairapi |
yukto bhavatsamo goptā rājñāmanyo na vidyate || 23 ||

7.5.24

sa bhavānpātu naḥ sarvānvibudhāniva vāsavaḥ |
bhavannetrāḥ parāñjetumicchāmo dvijasattama || 24 ||

7.5.25

rudrāṇāmiva kāpālī vasūnāmiva pāvakaḥ |
kubera iva yakṣāṇāṃ marutāmiva vāsavaḥ || 25 ||

7.5.26

vasiṣṭha iva viprāṇāṃ tejasāmiva bhāskaraḥ |
pitṝṇāmiva dharmo'tha ādityānāmivāmburāṭ || 26 ||

7.5.27

nakṣatrāṇāmiva śaśī ditijānāmivośanāḥ |
śreṣṭhaḥ senāpraṇetṝṇāṃ sa naḥ senāpatirbhava || 27 ||

7.5.28

akṣauhiṇyo daśaikā ca vaśagāḥ santu te'nagha |
tābhiḥ śatrūnprativyūhya jahīndro dānavāniva || 28 ||

7.5.29

prayātu no bhavānagre devānāmiva pāvakiḥ |
anuyāsyāmahe tvājau saurabheyā ivarṣabham || 29 ||

7.5.30

ugradhanvā maheṣvāso divyaṃ visphārayandhanuḥ |
agre bhavantaṃ dṛṣṭvā no nārjunaḥ prasahiṣyate || 30 ||

7.5.31

dhruvaṃ yudhiṣṭhiraṃ saṃkhye sānubandhaṃ sabāndhavam |
jeṣyāmi puruṣavyāghra bhavānsenāpatiryadi || 31 ||

7.5.32

evamukte tato droṇe jayetyūcurnarādhipāḥ |
siṃhanādena mahatā harṣayantastavātmajam || 32 ||

"Sanjaya continued, 'After Duryodhana had uttered these words, the kings (in the Kaurava army) all cried victory to Drona. And they delighted thy son by uttering a loud leonine shout. And the troops, filled with joy, and with Duryodhana at their head, desirous of winning great renown, began to glorify that best of Brahmanas. Then, O king, Drona addressed Duryodhana fin those words.'"

7.5.33

sainikāśca mudā yuktā vardhayanti dvijottamam |
duryodhanaṃ puraskṛtya prārthayanto mahadyaśaḥ || 33 ||

7.5.34

droṇa uvāca |
vedaṃ ṣaḍaṅgaṃ vedāhamarthavidyāṃ ca mānavīm |
traiyambakamatheṣvastramastrāṇi vividhāni ca || 34 ||

"Drona said, 'I know the Vedas with their six branches. I know also the science of human affairs. I am acquainted also with the Saiva weapon, and diverse other species of weapons. Endeavouring to actually display all those virtues which ye, desirous of victory, have attributed to me, I will fight with the Pandavas. I will not, however, O king, be able to slay the son of Prishata. O bull among men, he hath been created for my slaughter. I will fight with the Pandavas, and slay the Somakas. As regards the Pandavas, they will not fight with me with cheerful hearts.'

"Drona said, 'I know the Vedas with their six branches. I know also the science of human affairs. I am acquainted also with the Saiva weapon, and diverse other species of weapons. Endeavouring to actually display all those virtues which ye, desirous of victory, have attributed to me, I will fight with the Pandavas. I will not, however, O king, be able to slay the son of Prishata. O bull among men, he hath been created for my slaughter. I will fight with the Pandavas, and slay the Somakas. As regards the Pandavas, they will not fight with me with cheerful hearts.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus permitted by Drona, the son, O king, then made him the commander of his forces according to the rites prescribed in the ordinance. And the kings (in the Katirava army) headed by Duryodhana performed the investiture of Drona in the command of the forces, like the celestials headed by India in days of yore performing the investiture of Skanda. After Drona's installation in the command, the joy of the army expressed itself by the sound of drums and the loud blare of conchs. Then with cries such as greet the ears en a festive day, with auspicious invocations by Brahmanas gratified with cries of Jaya uttered by foremost of Brahmanas, and with the dance of mimes, Drona was duly honoured. And Kaurava warriors regarded the Pandayas as already vanquished.'

"Sanjaya continued. 'Then that mighty car-warrior, viz., Bharadwaja's son, having obtained the command, arrayed the troops in order of battle, and went out with thy sons from desire of fighting the foe. And the ruler of the Sindhus, and the chief of the Kalingas, and thy son Vikarna, clad in mail, took up their position on the right wing (of Drona). And Sakuni, accompanied by many foremost of horsemen battling with bright lances and belonging to the Gandhara tribe, proceeded, acting as their support. And Kripa, and Kritavarman, and Chitrasena, and Vivinsati headed by Duhsasana, strove vigorously for protecting the left wing. And the Kamvojas headed by Sudakshina, and the Sakas, and the Yavanas, with steeds of great fleetness, proceeded, as the latter's support. And the Madras, the Trigartas the Amvashthas, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Surasenas, the Sudras the Maladas, the Sauviras, the Kaitavas, the Easterners, and the Southerners placing thy son (Duryodhana) and the Suta's son (Karna) at their head, forming the rear guard, gladdened warriors of their own army, added to the strength of the (advancing) force, Vikartana's son Karna proceeded at the head of the bowmen. And his blazing and large and tall standard bearing the advice of the elephant's rope, shone with an effulgence like that of the Sun, gladdening his own divisions. Beholding Karna, none regarded the calamity caused by Bhishma's death. And the kings, along with the Kurus, all became freed from grief. And large numbers of warriors, banded together, said unto one another, 'Beholding Karna on the field, the Pandavas will never be able to stand in battle. Indeed, Karna is quite competent to vanquish in battle the very gods with Vasava at their head. What need be said, therefore, for the sons of Pandu who are destitute of energy and prowess? The mighty-armed Bhishma spared the Parthas in battle. Karna, however, will slay them in the fight with his keen shafts.' Speaking unto one another thus and filled with joy, they proceeded, applauding and worshipping the son of Radha. As regards our army, it was arrayed by Drona in the form of a Sakata (vehicle); while the array of our illustrious foes, O king, was in the form of a Krauncha (crane), as disposed, O Bharata, by king Yudhishthira the just in great cheerfulness. At the head of their array were those two foremost of persons viz., Vishnu and Dhananjaya, with their banner set up, bearing the device of the ape. The hump of the whole army and the refuge of all bowmen, that banner of Partha, endued with immeasurable energy, as it floated in the, sky, seemed to illumine the entire host of the high-souled Yudhishthira. The banner of Partha, possessed of great intelligence, seemed to resemble the blazing Sun that riseth at the end of the Yuga for consuming the world. Amongst bowmen, Arjuna is the foremost; amongst bows, Gandiva is the foremost amongst creature Vasudeva is the first; and amongst all kinds of discs, Sudarsana is the first. Bearing these four embodiments of energy, that car unto which were yoked white steeds, took up its position in the front of the (hostile) army, like the fierce discus upraised (for striking). Thus did those two foremost of men stand at the very head of their respective forces, viz., Karna at the head of thy army, and Dhananjaya at the head of the hostile one. Both excited with wrath, and each desirous of slaying the other, Karna and Arjuna looked at each other in that battle.'

A substantial difference of reading occurs here between the Bengal and the Bombay texts. Both have defects of their own. It seems to me that Drona, as leader, proceeded in the van. Karna, when described as proceeding at the head of all bowmen, must be taken marching at the head of the whole rear guard. In the case, his position would be immediately behind Drona's.

"Then when that mighty car-warrior, viz.. Bharadwaja's son, proceeded to battle with great speed, the earth seemed to tremble with loud sounds of wailing. Then the thick dust, raised by the wind resembling a canopy of tawny silk, enveloped the sky and the sun. And though the firmament was cloudless, yet a shower fell of pieces of flesh, bones, and blood. And vultures and hawks and cranes and Kankas, and crows in thousands, began continually to fall upon the (Kaurava) troops. And jackals yelled aloud; and many fierce and terrible birds repeatedly wheeled to the left of thy army, from desire of eating flesh and drinking blood, and many blazing meteors, illuminating (the sky), and covering large areas with their tails, fell on the field with loud sound and trembling motion. And the wide disc of the sun O monarch, seemed to emit flashes of lightning with thundering noise, when commander of the (Kaurava) army set out. These and many other portents, fierce and indicating a destruction of heroes, were seen during the battle. Then commenced the encounter between the troops of the Kurus and the Pandavas, desirous of slaying each other. And so loud was the din that it seemed to fill the whole earth. And the Pandavas and the Kauravas, enraged with each other and skilled in smiting, began to strike each other with sharp weapons, from desire of victory. 'Then that great bowman of blazing effulgence rushed towards the troops of the Pandavas with great impetuosity, scattering hundreds of sharp arrows. Then the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, beholding Drona rush towards them, received him, O king, with showers upon showers (in distinct sets) of arrows. Agitated and broken by Drona, the large host of the Pandavas and the Panchalas broke like rows of cranes by force of the wind. Invoking into existence many celestial weapons in that battle, Drona, within a very short time, afflicted the Pandavas and the Srinjayas. Slaughtered by Drona, like Danavas by Vasava, the Panchalas headed by Dhrishtadyumna trembled in that battle. Then that mighty car-warrior, viz., Yajnasena's son (Dhrishtadyumna), that hero acquainted with celestial weapons, broke, with his arrowy showers, the division of Drona in many places. And the mighty son of Prishata baffling with his own arrowy showers the showers of arrows shot by Drona, caused a great slaughter among the Kurus. The mighty-armed Drona then, rallying his men in battle and gathering them together, rushed towards the son of Prishata. He then shot at Prishata's son a thick shower of arrows, like Maghavat excited with rage showering his arrows with great force upon the Danavas, Then the [paragraph continues] Pandavas and the Srinjayas, shaken by Drona with his shafts, repeatedly broke like a herd of inferior animals attacked by a lion. And the mighty Drona coursed through the Pandava force like a circle of fire. All this, O king, seemed highly wonderful. Mounted on his own excellent car which (then) resembled a city coursing through the skies, which was furnished with every necessary article according to (military) science, whose banner floated on the air, whose rattle resounded through the field, whose steeds were (well) urged, and the staff of whose standard was bright as crystal, Drona struck terror into the hearts of the enemy and caused a great slaughter among them.'"

Lit, "placed army to their right," i.e., these birds wheeled to the left of thy host, which is an evil omen.

7.5.35

ye cāpyuktā mayi guṇā bhavadbhirjayakāṅkṣibhiḥ |
cikīrṣustānahaṃ satyānyodhayiṣyāmi pāṇḍavān || 35 ||

7.5.36

saṃjaya uvāca |
sa evamabhyanujñātaścakre senāpatiṃ tataḥ |
droṇaṃ tava suto rājanvidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā || 36 ||

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus permitted by Drona, the son, O king, then made him the commander of his forces according to the rites prescribed in the ordinance. And the kings (in the Katirava army) headed by Duryodhana performed the investiture of Drona in the command of the forces, like the celestials headed by India in days of yore performing the investiture of Skanda. After Drona's installation in the command, the joy of the army expressed itself by the sound of drums and the loud blare of conchs. Then with cries such as greet the ears en a festive day, with auspicious invocations by Brahmanas gratified with cries of Jaya uttered by foremost of Brahmanas, and with the dance of mimes, Drona was duly honoured. And Kaurava warriors regarded the Pandayas as already vanquished.'

7.5.37

athābhiṣiṣicurdroṇaṃ duryodhanamukhā nṛpāḥ |
senāpatye yathā skandaṃ purā śakramukhāḥ surāḥ || 37 ||

7.5.38

tato vāditraghoṣeṇa saha puṃsāṃ mahāsvanaiḥ |
prādurāsītkṛte droṇe harṣaḥ senāpatau tadā || 38 ||

7.5.39

tataḥ puṇyāhaghoṣeṇa svastivādasvanena ca |
saṃstavairgītaśabdaiśca sūtamāgadhabandinām || 39 ||

7.5.40

jayaśabdairdvijāgryāṇāṃ subhagānartitaistathā |
satkṛtya vidhivaddroṇaṃ jitānmanyanta pāṇḍavān || 40 ||