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.[9] 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.’”

SECTION VI

“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.’”