standards trembled; and their animals, O monarch, shed copious tears.  These and many other terrible and awful portents appeared for the destruction of the Kurus.  Stupefied by destiny, none of them regarded those portents at all.  Beholding the Suta’s son setting out, all the rulers of men (in the Kaurava army) cried victory to him.  The Kauravas regarded the Pandavas to have been already vanquished.  That slayer of hostile heroes, that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Vaikartana, as he stayed on his car recollecting the death of Bhishma and Drona, blazed up with splendour like the Sun or fire.  Reflecting on the mighty feats of Partha, and burning with self-conceit and pride, and blazing with wrath and breathing long and hard, he addressed Shalya and said these words:  “When stationed on my car and armed with my bow, I would not take fright at Indra himself armed with the thunder and excited with wrath.  Beholding those great heroes headed by Bhishma lying on the field of battle, do not feel any anxiety.  Seeing even the faultless Bhishma and Drona, equal unto Indra and Vishnu, those crushers of foremost of cars and steeds and elephants, those heroes that were unslayable, slain by the foe, I do not still experience any fear in this battle.  Acquainted with mighty weapons, and himself the foremost of brahmanas, why, indeed, did not the preceptor slay in battle all foes, seeing them destroy the mightiest of our kings with their drivers and elephants and cars?  Remembering that Drona in great battle, I tell you truly, listen to me, ye Kurus, there is none amongst you, save myself, that is competent to bear the advancing Arjuna, that warrior who resembles Death himself in his fiercest form.  In Drona were the skills attendant on practice, and might, and bravery, and the highest of weapons and policy.  When even that high-souled one had to succumb to Death, I regard all the others (of our army), strengthless and on the point of death.  In this world I do not find anything, even on reflection, to be stable, in consequence of the inevitable connection of acts.  When the preceptor himself is dead, who then will indulge in the certain belief that he will live till even today’s sun-rise?  When the preceptor was thus slain by the enemy in battle, without doubt weapons, ordinary and celestial, and might and prowess, and achievements and wise policy, are not able to compass the happiness of man.  In energy Drona was equal to fire or the Sun, in prowess he resembled Vishnu or Purandara; in policy he was equal to Brihaspati or Usana; irresistible as he was, weapons could not yet protect him.  When (our) women and children are weeping and uttering loud wails, when the valour of the Dhartarashtras has been defeated, I know it, O Shalya, that it is I who am to fight.  Proceed therefore, against the army of our enemies.  Who else, save myself, will be able to bear those troops amongst whom are stationed the royal son of Pandu firm in truth, and Bhimasena and Arjuna, and