long, and mighty arms, embrace thee.  And then let that son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, called also Partha, of eyes like lotus-petals, and curly hair and conch-like neck salute thee respectfully.  Then let those tigers among men, the twin Aswins, unrivalled on earth for beauty, wait on thee with affection and reverence as on their preceptor.  And let all the kings with him of Dasarha’s race at their head, shed tears of joy.  Abandoning thy pride, unite thyself with thy brothers.  Rule thou the whole earth, with thy brothers.  Let all the kings joyfully return to their respective homes, having embraced one another.  There is no need of battle, O king of kings.  Listen to the dissuasions of thy friends.  In the battle that will ensue a great destruction of the Kshatriyas is certainly indicated.  The stars are all hostile.  The animals and birds have all assumed fearful aspects.  Diverse portents, O hero, are visible, all indicating the slaughters of the Kshatriyas.  All these portents, again, are particularly visible in our abodes.  Blazing meteors are afflicting thy host.  Our animals are all cheerless and seem, O king, to be crying.  Vultures are wheeling around thy troops.  Neither the city nor the palace looks as before.  Jackals, setting forth ominous yells, are running about the four quarters which are ablaze with conflagrations.  Obey thou the counsels of thy father and mother as also of ourselves who are thy well-wishers.  War and peace, O thou of mighty arms, are within thy control.  If, O grinder of foes, thou dost not act according to the words of thy friends, thou shalt have to repent upon beholding thy army afflicted with the arrows of Partha.  Hearing in battle the terrible yells uttered by the mighty Bhima and the twang of Gandiva, thou wilt remember our these words.  Indeed, if what we say appears unacceptable to thee, then it will be as we say.’”

SECTION CXXXIX

“Vaisampayana said, ’Thus addressed by them, Duryodhana, contracting the space between his eye-brows, became cheerless, and with face bent down began to cast oblique glances.  And he said not a word in reply.  Beholding him cheerless, those bulls among men, Bhishma and Drona, looking at each other, once more addressed him, and said (these words).’

“Bhishma said, ’What can be a matter of greater grief to us than that we shall have to light against that Yudhishthira who is devoted to the service of his superiors, destitute of envy, conversant with Brahma, and truthful in speech.’

“Drona said, ’My affection for Dhananjaya is greater than that which I bear for my son Aswatthaman.  There is greater reverence also and humility (towards me) in that Ape-bannered hero (than in Aswatthaman).  Alas, in observance of the Kshatriya duties, I shall have to light even against that Dhananjaya who is dearer to me than my son.  Fie on the Kshatriya profession.  That Vibhatsu who hath no other bowman in the world as his equal, hath, through my grace,