both possessed of great splendour and effulgence, looked like two Suns risen at the hour of the universal dissolution.  Looking like two enraged tigers or like two roaring masses of clouds, they became as glad as two maned lions.  Like two angry elephants or two blazing fires, those two high-souled ones appeared like two mountains with tall summits.  With lips swelling with rage and casting keen glances upon each other, those two high-souled and best of men, armed with maces, encountered each other.  Both were filled with joy, and each regarded the other as a worthy opponent, and Vrikodara then resembled two goodly steeds neighing at each other, or two elephants trumpeting at each other.  Those two foremost of men then looked resplendent like a couple of Daityas swelling with might.  Then Duryodhana, O monarch, said these proud words unto Yudhishthira in the midst of his brothers and of the high-souled Krishna and Rama of immeasurable energy, ’Protected by the Kaikeyas and the Srinjayas and the high-souled Pancalas, behold ye with all those foremost of kings, seated together, this battle that is about to take place between me and Bhima!’ Hearing these words of Duryodhana, they did as requested.  Then that large concourse of kings sat down and was seen to look resplendent like a conclave of celestials in heaven.  In the midst of that concourse the mighty-armed and handsome elder brother of Keshava, O monarch, as he sat down, was worshipped by all around him.  In the midst of those kings, Valadeva clad in blue robes and possessed of a fair complexion, looked beautiful like the moon at full surrounded in the night by thousands of stars.  Meanwhile those two heroes, O monarch, both armed with maces and both unbearable by foes, stood there, goading each other with fierce speeches.  Having addressed each other in disagreeable and bitter words, those two foremost of heroes of Kuru’s race stood, casting angry glances upon each other, like Shakra and Vritra in fight.”

56

Vaishampayana said, “At the outset, O Janamejaya a fierce wordy encounter took place between the two heroes.  With respect to that, king Dhritarashtra, filled with grief, said this, ’Oh, fie on man, who hath such an end!  My son, O sinless one, had been the lord of eleven chamus of troops He had all the kings under his command and had enjoyed the sovereignty of the whole earth!  Alas, he that had been so, now a warrior proceeding to battle, on foot, shouldering his mace!  My poor son, who had before been the protector of the universe, was now himself without protection!  Alas, he had, on that occasion, to proceed on foot, shouldering his mace!  What can it be but Destiny?  Alas, O Sanjaya, great was the grief that was felt by my son now!’ Having uttered these words, that ruler of men, afflicted with great woe, became silent.