food and drink.  Nor do they bathe (after receiving the intelligence), nor go into mourning for him.  Listen to me as I enumerate the felicity that is in store for such a person.  Foremost of Apsaras, numbering by thousands, go out with great speed (for receiving the spirit of the slain hero) coveting him for their lord.  That Kshatriya who duly observes his duty in battle, acquires by that act the merit of penances and of righteousness.  Indeed, such conduct on his part conforms with the eternal path of duty.  Such a man obtains the merits of all the four modes of life.  The aged and the children should not be slain; nor one that is a woman; not one that is flying, away; nor one that holds a straw in his lips[293]; nor one that says.  ‘I am thine.’  Having slain in battle Jambha, Vritra, Vala, Paka, Satamaya, Virochana, the irresistible Namuchi, Samvara of innumerable illusions, Viprachitti,—­all these sons of Diti and Danu, as also Prahlada, I myself have become the chief of the celestials.’

’Bhishma continued, ’Hearing these words of Sakra and approving of them, king Amvarisha comprehended how warriors succeed, (by battle as their means) in compassing success for themselves (in respect of winning regions of beatitude in heaven).’”

SECTION XCIX

“Bhishma said, ’In this connection is cited the old story of the battle between Pratardana and the ruler of Mithila.  The ruler of Mithila, viz., Janaka, after installation in the sacrifice of battle, gladdened all his troops (on the eve of fight).  Listen to me, O as I recite the story.  Janaka, the high souled king of Mithila, conversant with the truth of everything, showed both heaven and hell unto his own warriors.  He addressed them, saying, ’Behold, these are the regions, endued with great splendour, for those that fight fearlessly.  Full of Gandharva girls, those regions are eternal and capable of granting every wish.  There, on the other side, are the regions of hell, intended for those that fly away from battle.  They would have to rot there for eternity in everlasting ingloriousness.  Resolved upon casting away your very lives, do ye conquer your foes.  Do not fall into inglorious hell.  The laying down of life, (in battle) constitutes, in respect of heroes, their happy door of heaven.’  Thus addressed by their king, O subjugator of hostile towns, the warriors of Mithila, gladdening their rulers, vanquished their foes in battle.  They that are of firm souls should take their stand in the van of battle.  The car-warriors should be placed in the midst of elephants.  Behind the car-warriors should stand the horsemen.  Behind the last should be placed the foot-soldiers all accoutred in mail.  That king who forms his array in this manner always succeeds in vanquishing his foes.  Therefore, O Yudhishthira, the array of battle should always be thus formed.  Filled with rage, heroes desire to will blessedness in heaven by fighting fairly.