“’Duryodhana said, “What use is there of many words?  Fight now with me!  Today, O Vrikodara, I shall beat out of thee thy desire for battle!  Why dost thou not behold me, O wretch, standing here for an encounter with the mace?  Am I not armed with a formidable mace that looks like a cliff of Himavat?  What foe is there, O wretch, that would venture to vanquish me armed with this weapon?  If it be a fair fight, Purandara himself, amongst the gods, is not competent for that end!  For all those wicked deeds of mine to which thou hast referred, thou couldst not (hitherto) do me the slightest injury!  By exercising my might, I caused ye to dwell in the woods, to serve in another’s dwelling, to conceal yourselves in disguises!  Your friends and allies also have been slain.  Our loss has been equal!  If, then my fall takes place in this battle, that would be highly praiseworthy.  Or, perhaps, Time will be the cause!  Up to this day I have never been vanquished in fair fight on the field of battle!  If you vanquish me by deceit, your infamy will certainly last for ever!  That act of yours will, without doubt, be unrighteous and infamous!  Do not, O son of Kunti, roar fruitlessly in this way like autumnal clouds uncharged with water!  Show all the strength thou hast in battle now!” Hearing these words of his, the Pandavas with the Srinjayas, all inspired with desire of victory, applauded them highly.  Like men exciting an infuriated elephant with clapping of hands, all of them then gladdened king Duryodhana (with those praises and cheers).  The elephants that were there began to grunt and the steeds to neigh repeatedly.  The weapons of the Pandavas, who were inspired with desire of victory blazed forth of their own accord.’”

34

“Sanjaya said, ’When that fierce battle, O monarch, was about to commence, and when all the high-souled Pandavas had taken their seats, indeed, having heard that battle between those two heroes, both of whom were his disciples, was about to begin, Rama, whose banner bore the device of the palmyra palm, and who owns the plough for his weapon, came to that spot.  Beholding him, the Pandavas, with Keshava, filled with joy advanced towards him, and receiving him, worshipped him with due rites.  Their worship over, they then, O king, said unto him these words, “Witness, O Rama, the skill, in battle, of thy two disciples!” Rama then casting his eyes on Krishna and the Pandavas, and looking at Duryodhana also of Kuru’s race who was standing there armed with mace, said, “Two and forty days have passed since I left home.  I had set out under the constellation Pushya and have come back under Sravana.  I am desirous, O Madhava, of beholding this encounter with the mace between these two disciples of mine!” At that time the two heroes, Duryodhana and Vrikodara, looked resplendent as they stood on the field, both armed with maces.  King Yudhishthira, embracing him owning the plough for his weapon, duly enquired about his welfare and bade him welcome.