delay, what should be done that might do me good.  As regards Arjuna, I see that he is an indifferent spectator in this battle.  Endued with great might, this Bhima alone, remembering Kshatriya duties, fighteth putting forth the prowess of his arms and to the utmost of his power.  With his hero-slaying mace, this high-souled (warrior), to the full measure of his powers, achieveth the most difficult feats upon foot-soldiers and steeds and cars and elephants.  This hero, however, is incapable, O sire, of destroying in fair fight the hostile host in even a century.  This thy friend (Arjuna) alone (amongst) is conversant with (mighty) weapons.  He, however, beholding us consumed by Bhishma and the high-souled Drona, looketh indifferently on us.  The celestial weapons of Bhishma and the high-souled Drona, incessantly applied, are consuming all the Kshatriyas.  O Krishna, such is his prowess, that Bhishma, with wrath excited, aided by the kings (on his side), will, without doubt annihilate us.  O Lord of Yoga, look for that great bowman, that mighty car-warrior, who will give Bhishma his quietus like rain-charged clouds quenching a forest conflagration. (Then) through thy grace, O Govinda, the son of Pandu, their foes being slain, will, after recovery of their kingdom, be happy with their kinsmen.

“Having said this, the high-souled son of Pritha, with heart afflicted by grief and mind turned within, remained silent for a long while in a reflected mood.  Beholding the son of Pandu stricken with grief and deprived of his senses by sorrow, Govinda then gladdening all the Pandavas said, ’Do not grieve, O chief of the Bharatas.  It behoveth thee not to grieve, when thy brothers are all heroes and renowned bowmen in the world.  I also am employed in doing thee good, as also that mighty car-warrior Satyaki and Virata and Drupada, both reverend in years, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata’s line.  And so also, O best of kings, all these monarchs with their (respective) troops are expectant of thy favour and devoted to thee, O king.  This mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata’s race placed in command of thy army is always desirous of thy welfare and engaged in doing that which is agreeable to thee, as also this Sikhandin, O thou of mighty arms, who is certainly the slayer of Bhishma.  Hearing these words, the king (Yudhishthira), said, unto that mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, in that very assembly and in the hearing of Vasudeva, these words, O Dhrishtadyumna, mark these words that I say unto thee, O thou of Prishata’s line.  The words uttered by me should not be transgressed.  Approved by Vasudeva, thou hast been the commander of our forces.  As Kartikeya, in days of old, was ever the commander of the celestial host, so also art thou, O bull among men, the commander of the Pandava host.  Putting forth thy prowess, O tiger among men, slay the Kauravas.  I will follow thee, and Bhima, and Krishna also, O sire, and the sons of Madri united together, and the sons of Draupadi accoutred