battle or I will slay him.  Blessed be ye.  Listen to these true words, you foremost of heroes in the world.  Observant of Kshatriya duties, I will fight with my maternal uncle, you lords of Earth, firmly resolved to either obtain victory or be slain.  Let them that furnish cars quickly supply my vehicle, according to the rules of science, with weapons and all kinds of implements in a larger measure than Shalya’s.  The grandson of Sini will protect my right wheel, and Dhrishtadyumna my left.  Let Pritha’s son Dhananjaya guard my rear today.  And let Bhima, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, fight in my front.  I shall thus be superior to Shalya in the great battle that will occur.”  Thus addressed by the king, all his well-wishers did as they were requested.  Then the Pandava troops once more became filled with joy, especially the Pancalas, the Somakas and the Matsyas.  Having made that vow, the king proceeded against the ruler of the Madras.  The Pancalas then blew and beat innumerable conchs and drums and uttered leonine roars.  Endued with great activity and filled with rage, they rushed, with loud shouts of joy, against the ruler of the Madras, that bull among the Kurus.  And they caused the Earth to resound with the noise of the elephants’ bells, and the loud blare of conchs and trumpets.  Then thy son and the valiant ruler of the Madras, like the Udaya and the Asta hills, received those assailants.  Boasting of his prowess in battle, Shalya poured a shower of arrows on that chastiser of foes, king Yudhishthira the just, like Maghavat pouring rain.  The high-souled king of the Kurus also having taken up his beautiful bow displayed those diverse kinds of lessons that Drona had taught him.  And he poured successive showers of arrows beautifully, quickly, and with great skill.  As he careered in battle, none could mark any lapses in him.  Shalya and Yudhishthira, both endued with great prowess in battle, mangled each other, like a couple of tigers fighting for a piece of meat.  Bhima was engaged with thy son, that delighter in battle.  The Pancala prince (Dhrishtadyumna), Satyaki, and the two sons of Madri by Pandu, received Shakuni and the other Kuru heroes around.  In consequence of thy evil policy, O king, there again occurred in that spot an awful battle between thy warriors and those of the foe, all of whom were inspired with the desire of victory.  Duryodhana then, with a straight shaft, aiming at the gold-decked standard of Bhima, cut off in that battle.  The beautiful standard of Bhimasena, adorned with many bells, fell down, O giver of honours.  Once more the king, with a sharp razor-faced arrow, cut off the beautiful bow of Bhima that looked like the trunk of an elephant.  Endued with great energy, the bowless Bhima then, putting forth his prowess pierced the chest of thy son with a dart.  At this, thy son sat down on the terrace of his car.  When Duryodhana swooned away, Vrikodara once more, with razor-faced shaft, cut off the head of his driver