of Kuru’s race became the generalissimo, having eleven divisions of the Kaurava princes under his command, like Vasava of the celestial forces.[176] Sikhandin of great intelligence, protected by the blessed Arjuna, became the leader of the seven divisions of the sons of Pandu.  The battle between the Kurus and the Pandavas (under these leaders) raged for ten days.  It was so fierce as to make one’s hair stand on its end.  Then Sikhandin, in great battle, aided by the wielder of Gandiva, slew, with innumerable arrows, the son of Ganga fighting bravely.  Lying on a bed of arrows, Bhishma waited like an ascetic till the sun leaving his southward path entered on his northerly course when that hero gave up his life-breaths.  Then Drona, that foremost of all persons conversant with arms, that greatest of men under Duryodhana, like Kavya himself of the lord of the Daityas, became generalissimo.[177] That foremost of regenerate persons, ever boasting of his prowess in battle, was supported by the remnant of the Kaurava force consisting then of nine Akshauhinis, and protected by Kripa and Vrisha and others.  Dhrishtadyumna conversant with many mighty weapons, and possessed of great intelligence, became the leader of the Pandavas.  He was protected by Bhima like Varuna protected by Mitra.  That high-souled hero, always desirous of measuring his strength with Drona, supported by the (remnant of the) Pandava army, and recollecting the wrongs inflicted (by Drona) on his sire (Drupada, the king of the Panchalas), achieved great feats in battle.  In that encounter between Drona and the son of Prishata, the kings assembled from diverse realms were nearly exterminated.  That furious battle lasted for five days.  At the conclusion of that period, Drona, exhausted, succumbed to Dhrishtadyumna.  After that, Karna became the generalissimo of Duryodhana’s forces.  He was supported in battle by the remnant of the Kaurava host which numbered five Akshauhinis.  Of the sons of Pandu there were then three Akshauhinis.  After the slaughter of innumerable heroes, protected by Arjuna, they came to battle.  The Suta’s son Karna, though a fierce warrior, encountering Partha, came to his end on the second day, like an insect encountering a blazing fire.  After the fall of Karna, the Kauravas became dispirited and lost all energy.  Numbering three Akshauhinis, they gathered round the ruler of the Madras.  Having lost many car-warriors and elephants and horsemen, the remnant of the Pandava army, numbering one Akshauhini and penetrated with cheerlessness, supported Yudhishthira (as their leader).  The king Yudhishthira, in the battle that ensued, achieved the most difficult feats and slew, before half the day was over, the king of the Madras.  After the fall of Salya, the high-souled Sahadeva of immeasurable prowess slew Sakuni, the man who had brought about the quarrel (between the Pandavas and the Kurus).  After the fall of Sakuni, the royal son of Dhritarashtra, whose army had suffered an extensive carnage and who