the while by bards, in pursuit of the flying combatants.  When enemies, coming to battle tarnish the fame of a person, the misery the latter feels is more poignant, I think, than that of death itself.  Know that victory is the root of religious merit and of every kind of happiness.  That which is regarded as the highest misery by cowards is cheerfully borne by those that are heroes.[300] Resolved upon acquiring heaven, we should fight, regardless of life itself, and determined to conquer or die, attain a blessed end in heaven.  Having taken such an oath, and prepared to throwaway life itself, heroes should courageously rush against the enemy’s ranks.  In the van should be placed a division of men armed with swords and shields.  In the rear should be placed the car-division.  In the space intervening should be placed other classes of combatants.  This should be the arrangement made for assailing the foe.  Those combatants in the army that are veterans should fight in the van.  They would protect their comrades behind them.  Those amongst the army that would be regarded as foremost for strength and courage, should be placed in the van.  The others should stand behind them.  They that are inspired with fear should, with care, be comforted and encouraged.  These weaker combatants should be placed on the field (without being withdrawn) for at least showing the number of the army (to the foe).[301] If the troops are few, they should be drawn close together for the fight.  At times, if their leader wishes, the close array may be extended wide.  When a small number of troops is to fight with a great army, the array called Suchimukha should be formed.[302] When a small force is engaged with a large one, the leader of the former may shake hands with his men and utter loud cries to effect, ‘The enemy has broken!  The enemy has broken!’ Those among them that are endued with strength should resist the enemy, loudly unto their comrades, ’Fresh friends have arrived!  Fearlessly strike at your foes!’ Those that are in advance of the rest should utter loud shouts and make diverse kinds of noises, and should blow and beat Krakachas, cow-horns, drums, cymbals, and kettle-drums.’”

SECTION CI

“Yudhishthira said, ’Of what disposition, of what behaviour, of what form, how acoutred, and how armed should the combatants be in order that they may be competent for battle?’

“Bhishma said, ’It is proper that those weapons and vehicles should be adopted (by particular bodies of combatants) with which they have become familiar by use.  Brave soldiers, adopting those weapons and vehicles, engage in battle.  The Gandharvas, the Sindhus, and the Sauviras fight best with their nails and lances.  They are brave and endued with great strength.  Their armies are capable of vanquishing all forces, The Usinaras are possessed of great strength and skilled in all kinds of weapons.  The Easterners are skilled in fighting from the backs of elephants