strength, there is none else in this world that can
achieve that which was achieved by Bhima himself at
the slaughter of Duhshasana. Hearing of the slaughter
of the ruler of the Madras who was incapable of defeat
by the very gods, that king will know the prowess of
the eldest son of Pandu. After the slaughter
of the heroic son of Subala and all the Gandharas
he will know the strength, in battle, of the two sons
of Madri by Pandu. Why will not victory be theirs
that have Dhananjaya for their warrior, as also Satyaki,
and Bhimasena, and Dhrishtadyumna the son of Prishata,
and the five sons of Draupadi, and the two sons of
Madri, and the mighty bowman Shikhandi, and king Yudhishthira?
Why will not victory be theirs that have for their
protector Krishna, otherwise called Janardana, that
protector of the universe? Why will not victory
be theirs that have righteousness for their refuge?
Who else than Yudhishthira the son of Pritha, who
hath Hrishikesa, the refuge of righteousness and fame,
for his protector, is competent to vanquish in battle
Bhishma and Drona and Karna and the ruler of the Madras
and the other kings by hundreds and thousands?”
Saying these words and filled with joy, the Srinjayas
pursued thy troops in that battle who had been exceedingly
mangled with shafts. Then Dhananjaya of great
valour proceeded against the car-division of the foe.
The two sons of Madri and the mighty carwarrior Satyaki
proceeded against Shakuni. Beholding them all
flying with speed in fear of Bhimasena, Duryodhana
as if smiling the while, addressed his driver, saying,
“Partha, stationed there with his bow, is transgressing
me. Take my steeds to the rear of the whole army.
Like the ocean that cannot transgress its continents,
Kunti’s son Dhananjaya will never venture to
transgress me, if I take up my stand in the rear.
Behold, O driver, this vast host that is pursued by
the Pandavas. Behold this cloud of dust that
has arisen on all sides in consequence of the motion
of the troops. Hear those diverse leonine roars
that are so awful and loud! Therefore, O driver,
proceed slowly and take up thy position in the rear.
If I stay in battle and fight the Pandavas, my army,
O driver, will rally and come back with vigour to
battle.” Hearing these words of thy son
that were just those of a hero and man of honour,
the driver slowly urged those steeds in trappings
of gold. 21,000 foot-soldiers, deprived of elephants
and steeds and car-warriors, and who were ready to
lay down their lives, still stood for battle.
Born in diverse countries and hailing from diverse
towns, those warriors maintained their ground, desirous
of winning great fame. The clash of those rushing
warriors filled with joy became loud and exceedingly
terrible. Then Bhimasena, O king, and Dhrishtadyumna
the son of Prishata resisted them with four kinds of
forces. Other foot-soldiers proceeded against
Bhima, uttering loud shouts and slapping their armpits,
all actuated by the desire of going to heaven.


