An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s4.303.5

c5.s4.303.5

Bhīshma tried to mediate between Açvatthāman and Kṛpa on one side and Karṇa on the other side; he was of opinion that fight they must, and therefore this was not the time for quarrel. "The Brāhmāstra and the Vedas are never to be seen combined anywhere else than in Droṇa (and Açvatthāman)." He was supported by Açvatthāman and Duryodhana. Droṇa said: "Let such arrangements be made that Arjuna may not be able to approach Duryodhana in battle, and that Duryodhana may not be captured by the foe" (IV, 51). Having calculated the time ("an excess of five months and twelve nights in thirteen years"), Bhīshma declared that the Pāṇḍavas had not broken the pledge. Duryodhana said: "I will not give back the kingdom to the Pāṇḍavas." Bhīshma proposed that Duryodhana should proceed towards the capital with one-fourth of the army, and that one-fourth should escort the kine, while he, Droṇa, Karṇa, Açvatthāman, and Kṛpa should withstand the foes. This proposal was accepted; Bhīshma placed Droṇa in the centre, Açvatthāman on the left wing, Kṛpa on the right wing, and Karṇa in the van, and would himself stand in the rear (IV, 52). Droṇa recognized the top of Arjuna's banner, etc. Arjuna directed Uttara to the spot where Duryodhana was; the soldiers became so confounded that they could not even fly, and the kine turned back along the southern road (IV, 53).