Mahabharata: Vol. 5 by Bibek Debroy Read Free Book Online Page A

the eternal path, indicated by the ancient ones, and those who have
     preceded them. Honour yourselves by fighting with great attention. Through such
     deeds, Nabhaga, Yayati, Mandhata, Nahusha and Nriga have been successful and have
     reached the supreme goal. It is adharma for a kshatriya to die from disease in his
     home. The eternal dharma is to die in the field of battle.’ O bull among
     the Bharata lineage! Having been thus addressed by Bhishma, all the lords of the
     earth went to the heads of their armies and were resplendent in their supreme
     chariots. O bull among the Bharata lineage! But because of Bhishma, Vaikartana
     Karna, together with his advisers and relatives, cast aside his weapons in that
     battle. Without Karna, your sons and all the kings on your side marched out. They
     roared like lions and this resounded in the ten directions. There were white
     umbrellas and flags and pennants, elephants and horses. With charioteers, chariots
     and infantry, the army was splendid. There was the sound of drums and cymbals and
     also the noise of kettledrums. The earth trembled because of the roar of the wheels
     of chariots. The maharathas had golden armlets and bracelets and bows. They were as
     radiant as mobile mountains.
    ‘“Bhishma’s standard had a large palm tree with five
     stars. The general of the Kuru army was like the clear sun. O bull among the Bharata
     lineage! O king! As instructed by Shantanu’s son,all
     the kings and great archers who were on your side stationed themselves. With all the
     kings, Shaibya Govasana 36 advanced on a king among elephants that was bedecked with flags and deserved to
     carry kings. Ashvatthama, whose complexion was like the lotus, was at the head of
     all the soldiers. He was ready and his standard was adorned with a lion’s
     tail. Shrutayudha, Chitrasena, Purumitra, Vivimshati, Shalya, Bhurishrava, maharatha
     Vikarna—these seven great archers were adorned in excellent armour. They
     rode their chariots and followed Drona’s son, ahead of Bhishma. Their
     great standards were resplendent on their supreme chariots. The golden flags were
     seen to be blazing. Drona, foremost among preceptors, had a golden altar on his
     standard, adorned with a water pot and the sign of a bow. Duryodhana’s
     large standard had a bejewelled elephant and led hundreds and thousands of soldiers.
     Pourava, Kalinga, Sudakshina from Kamboja, Kshemadhanva, Sumitra and other rathas
     were in front of him. 37 The king of Magadha guided the forces from the front, on an extremely expensive
     chariot that bore the standard of a bull. He was protected by the lord of Anga 38 and the great-souled Kripa. That extremely large army from the east looked like
     scattered autumn clouds. The immensely famous Jayadratha stationed himself at the
     forefront of the soldiers. 39 He had a beautiful silver standard, marked with the sign of a boar. A hundred
     thousand chariots, eight thousand elephants and sixty thousand horses were under his
     command. O king! Commanded by the lord of Sindhu, foremost among standard bearers,
     that large army was resplendent with chariots, elephants and horses. Together with
     Ketumat, the lord of all the Kalingas advanced with sixty thousand chariots and ten
     thousand elephants. His large elephants were likemountains.
     They were adorned with implements of war, 40 spears, quivers and standards and were beautiful. Kalinga was resplendent with
     a standard that bore the sign of a tree. He had a white umbrella and golden whisks.
     O king! Ketumat was also on an elephant, with a colourful and supreme goad. 41 He was stationed in that battle, like the sun amidst clouds. King Bhagadatta
     was stationed on a supreme elephant and was radiant in his energy. He was like the
     wielder of the vajra. Vinda and Anuvinda from Avanti were regarded as
     Bhagadatta’s equal. They rode on the shoulders of elephants and followed
     Ketumat. O king! Instructed by Drona, the king who was