all renowned men and endued with great mental vigour.  O son, they are again protected by many foremost of men endued with great activity, and of famous achievements, resembling the very Regents of the world and renowned over the whole earth.  Innumerable Kshatriyas, respected throughout the world, and who have of their own will sided us with their forces and followers also protect them.  Indeed, our army is like the vast ocean filled with the water of innumerable rivers running from all directions.  It abounds with elephants, and with cars which though destitute of wings, yet resemble the winged tenants of the air.  Vast numbers of combatants constitute the waters of that ocean, and the steeds and other animals constitute its terrible waves.  Innumerable swords and maces and darts and arrows and lances constitute the oars (piled on that ocean).  Abounding with standards and ornaments and adorned with cloth inlaid with gold and gems, the rushing steeds and elephants constitute the winds agitating it into fury.  Our host, therefore, really resembles the vast, shoreless ocean roaring in rage.  And that host is protected by Drona and Bhishma and by Kritavarman and Kripa and Dussasana, and others headed by Jayadratha.  It is also protected by Bhagadatta and Vikarna by Drona’s son, and Suvala’s son, and Valhika and by many other mighty and high-souled heroes of the world.  That our army should yet be slaughtered in battle is due only to predestined fate, O Sanjaya.  Neither men nor highly blessed Rishis of old ever beheld such preparations (for battle) on earth before.  That so large an army, mustered according to science, and attached (to us) by wealth, should yet be slaughtered in battle, alas, what can it be but the result of Destiny?  O Sanjaya, all these seem to be unnatural.  Indeed Vidura had often said what was both beneficial and desirable.  But my wicked son Duryodhana would not accept it.  I believe that high-souled and well-knowing person had foreseen all that is now happening and hence the counsel he gave.[404] Or, O Sanjaya, all these, in all its details, had been pre-arranged by Him, for that which is ordained by the Creator must happen as ordained and cannot be otherwise.”

SECTION LXXVII

Sanjaya said, “Thou hast, O king, in consequence of thy own fault, been overtaken by this calamity.  O bull of Bharata’s race, the faults which thou, O monarch, hadst seen in that unrighteous course of conduct (towards the Pandavas), were not seen by Duryodhana.  It was through thy fault, O king, that the match at dice had taken place.  And it is through thy fault that this battle hath taken place with the Pandavas.  Having committed a sin, do thou, therefore, reap the fruit of that sin of thine.  One reapeth the fruit of acts perpetrated by one’s own self.  Do thou, therefore, O king, reap the fruit of thy own acts both here and hereafter.  Therefore, O monarch, though overtaken by this calamity, be calm still, and listen, O sire, to the (account of the) battle as I recite it.