The Pandavas and the Kauravas assemble armies

The Pandavas consult with their allies in Virata’s court

Then those valiant descendants of Kuru, who belonged to the same party (with Virata), having joyfully celebrated the nuptials of Abhimanyu and rested themselves that night, presented themselves at dawn, well pleased, in the court of Virata. The chamber of the king of the Matsya was full of riches, and variegated with choice gems and precious stones, with seats methodically arranged, adorned with garlands, and filled with fragrance. Those mighty monarchs of men all came to that place. On the seats in front sat the two kings Virata and Drupada. The revered and aged rulers of the earth, and Balarama and Krishna along with their father, all sat there. Close to the king of Panchala was seated the great hero of the race of Shini, together with the son of Rohini. Side by side with the king of the Matsya sat Krishna and Yudhishthira, and all the sons of king Drupada, and Bhima and Arjuna, and the two sons of Madri, and Pradyumna and Samba, both valiant in battle, and Abhimanyu with Virata's sons. Those princes, the sons of Draupadi, rivalling their fathers in valour, strength, grace, and prowess, sat upon excellent seats inlaid with gold. When those mighty heroes wearing shining ornaments and robes had set themselves down, that gorgeous assembly of kings looked beautiful like the firmament spangled with resplendent stars. Those valiant men, assembled together, having conversed with one another upon various topics, remained for some time in a pensive mood, with their eyes fixed upon Krishna. At the end of their talk, Krishna drew their attention to the affairs of the Pandavas. Those powerful kings together listened to Krishna's speech, pregnant and lofty.

And Krishna said,

“It is known to you all, how this Yudhishthira was deceitfully defeated at dice by the son of Subala, and how he was robbed of his kingdom and how a stipulation was made by him concerning his exile in the forest. Capable as they were of conquering the earth by force, the sons of Pandu remained firm in their plighted faith. Accordingly for six and seven years these incomparable men accomplished the cruel task imposed upon them. This last, the thirteenth year, was exceedingly hard for them to pass. Yet unrecognised by any one they have passed it, as known to you, suffering unendurable hardships of various kinds. This is known to you all. These illustrious men have spent the thirteenth year, employed in menial service of others. This being so, it is for you to consider what will be for the good of both Yudhishthira and Duryodhana, and what, as regards the Kurus and the Pandavas, will be consistent with the rules of righteousness and, propriety and what will meet with the approbation of all.

The virtuous king Yudhishthira would not unrighteously covet even the celestial kingdom. But righteously he would accept the rule even of a single village. How the sons of Dhritarashtra fraudulently robbed him of his paternal kingdom, and how he has passed a life of unendurable hardships, are known to all the kings assembled here. The sons of Dhritarashtra are incapable of overcoming by strength Arjuna, the son of Pritha. Nevertheless, king Yudhishthira and his friends have no other desire than the good of Dhritarashtra's son. These brave sons of Kunti, and the two sons of Madri, ask for only what they themselves, achieving victory in battle, had won from the defeated kings. You, no doubt, know full well how those enemies of the Pandavas, with the object of possessing themselves of the kingdom, endeavoured by various means to destroy them, when they were yet mere boys. So wicked and rancorous they were. Consider, how grasping they are and how virtuous Yudhishthira is. Consider also the relationship that exists between them.

I beseech you all to consult together and also think separately. The Pandavas have always had a regard for truth. They have fulfilled their promise to the very letter. If now treated wrongfully by the sons of Dhritarashtra, they would slay them all though banded together. They have friends, who, on being informed of their unworthy treatment at the hands of others, would stand by them, engaged in fight with their persecutors, and willingly slay them even if they should lose their own lives for it. If you suppose them to be too few to be capable of winning a victory over their enemies, you must know that united together and followed by their friends, they would, no doubt, try their utmost to destroy those enemies. What Duryodhana thinks is not exactly known, nor what he may do. When the mind of the other side is not known, what opinion can be formed by you as to what is best to be done?

Therefore, let a person, virtuous and honest and of respectable birth, and wary, an able ambassador, set out to beseech them mildly for inducing them to give half the kingdom to Yudhishthira.”

Having listened to the speech of Krishna, marked by prudence and a regard for virtue and showing a pacific and impartial spirit, his elder brother then addressed the assembly bestowing high encomiums on the words of the younger brother.

Baladeva said,

“You have all listened to the speech of him who is the elder brother of Gada, characterised as it is by a sense of virtue and prudence, and salutary alike to Yudhishthira and king Duryodhana. These valiant sons of Kunti are ready to give up half their kingdom, and they make this sacrifice for the sake of Duryodhana. The sons of Dhritarashtra, therefore, should give up half of the kingdom, and should rejoice and be exceedingly happy with us that the quarrel can be so satisfactorily settled. These mighty persons having obtained the kingdom would, no doubt, be pacified and happy, provided the opposite party behave well. For them to be pacified will rebound to the welfare of men. I should be well-pleased if somebody from here, with the view of pacifying both the Kurus and the Pandavas, should undertake a journey and ascertain what is the mind of Duryodhana and explain the views of Yudhishthira.

Let him respectfully salute Bhishma the heroic scion of Kuru's race, and the magnanimous son of Vichitravirya, and Drona along with his son, and Vidura and Kripa, and the king of Gandhara, along with the Suta's son. Let him also pay his respects to all the other sons of Dhritarashtra, to all who are renowned for strength and learning, devoted to their proper duties, heroic, and conversant with signs of the times. When all these persons are gathered together and when also the elderly citizens are assembled, let him speak words full of humility and likely to serve the interests of Yudhishthira, At all events, let them not be provoked, for they have taken possession of the kingdom with a strong hand.

When Yudhishthira had his throne, he forgot himself by being engaged in gambling and was dispossessed by them of his kingdom. This valiant Kuru, this descendant of Ajamida, Yudhishthira, though not skilled in dice and though dissuaded by all his friends, challenged the son of the king of Gandhara, an adept at dice, to the match. There were then at that place thousands of dice-players whom Yudhishthira could defeat in a match. Taking however, no notice of any of them, he challenged Subala's son of all men to the game, and so he lost. Although the dice constantly went against him, he would still have Shakuni alone for his opponent. Competing with Shakuni in the play, he sustained a crushing defeat. For this, no blame can attach to Shakuni.

Let the messenger make use of words characterised by humility, words intended to conciliate Vichitravirya's son. The messenger may thus bring round Dhritarashtra's son to his own views. Do not seek war with the Kurus; address Duryodhana in only a conciliatory tone, The object may possibly fail to be gained by war, but it may be gained by conciliation, and by this means also it may be gained enduringly.”

While that valiant scion of Madhu's race was even continuing his speech, the gallant son of the race of Shini suddenly rose up and indignantly condemned the words of the former by these words of his. Satyaki said,

“As a man's heart is, so does he speak! You are speaking in strict conformity with the nature of your heart. There are brave men, and likewise those that are cowards. Men may be divided into these two well defined classes. As upon a single large tree there may be two boughs one of which bears fruits while the other does not, so from the self-same line of progenitors may spring persons that are imbecile as well as those that are endowed with great strength. O you bearing the sign of a plough on your banner, I do not, in sooth, condemn the words you have spoken, but I simply condemn those, O son of Madhu, who are listening to your words! How, indeed, can he, who unblushingly dares attach even the slightest blame in the virtuous king Yudhishthira be permitted to speak at all in the midst of the assembly?

Persons clever in the game of dice challenged the magnanimous Yudhishthira unskilled as he is in play, and confiding in them he was defeated! Can such persons be said to have virtuously won the game? If they had come to Yudhishthira while playing in this house with his brothers and defeated him there, then what they would have won would have been righteously won. But they challenged Yudhishthira who was bound in conscience to follow the rules observed by the military caste, and they won by a trick. What is there in this conduct of theirs that is righteous?

And how can this Yudhishthira here, having performed to the utmost the stipulations entered into by way of stakes in the play, freed from the promise of a sojourn in the forest, and therefore entitled to his ancestral throne, humble himself? Even if Yudhishthira coveted other people's possessions, still it would not befit him to beg! How can they be said to be righteous and not intent on usurping the throne when, although the Pandavas have lived out their sojourn of concealment unrecognised, they still say that the latter had been recognised? They were besought by Bhishma and the magnanimous Drona, but they would not yet consent to give back to the Pandavas the throne that belongs to them by right of birth.

The means with which I would beseech them would be sharp arrows. I shall fight and with a strong hand force them to prostrate themselves at the feet of the illustrious son of Kunti. If, however, they do not bow at the feet of the wise Yudhishthira, then they and their partisans must go to the regions of Yama. When Yuyudhana (myself) is enraged and resolved to fight, they, to be sure, are unequal to withstand his impetus, as mountains are unable to resist that of the thunderbolt. Who can withstand Arjuna in fight, or him who has the discus for his weapon in battle, or myself as well? Who can withstand the unapproachable Bhima? And who, having regard for his life, would come near the twin brothers who firmly grasp their bows and resemble the death-dealing Yama in intelligence? Who would approach Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Drupada, or these five sons of the Pandavas who have added lustre to Draupadi's name, rivalling their fathers in valour, equal to them in every respect and full of martial pride, or him of the powerful bow, Subhadra's son, irresistible by even the gods themselves; or Gada, or Pradyumna, or Samba, resembling Yama or the thunderbolt or fire?

We shall slay Dhritarashtra's son and Shakuni and Karna in battle, and place the Pandava on the throne. There is no sin in slaying them that are bent on slaying us: but to be a beggar before foes is both impious and infamous. I ask you to be diligent in doing that which is heartily desired by Yudhishthira. Let Pandu's son get back the kingdom resigned by Dhritarashtra! Either Yudhishthira should get back his kingdom this very day or all our enemies shall lie down on the earth slain by me!”

Drupada said,

“O mighty-armed one, it will, without doubt, be as you have said! Never will Duryodhana give up the kingdom by peaceful means, and Dhritarashtra, who dotes on his son, will follow him in his wish. And so will Bhishma and Drona from imbecility, and Karna and Shakuni from folly. The words of Baladeva command themselves to my judgment; the course pointed out by him should, indeed, be followed by a man who desires peaceful settlement. But Duryodhana should never be addressed in mild words. Vicious by nature, he, I believe cannot be brought to reason by mildness. In respect of an ass, mildness is in place; but in respect of animals of the bovine species, severity should be resorted to. If any one were to speak mild words to Duryodhana, vicious by nature that wicked wight would consider the speaker to be an imbecile person. If a mild course is adopted towards him, the fool will think that he has won.

Let us do even this, let us make preparations; let us send word to our friends that they may collect an army for us. Let speedy messengers go to Shalya, and Dhrishtaketu, and Jayatsena, and the prince of the Kekayas. Duryodhana also, on his part, will send word to all the kings, Rightminded persons, however, respond to the request of those that first beseech them. Therefore, I ask you to make haste in first preferring your suit to these rulers of men. Meseems that a great undertaking is awaiting us.

Quickly send word to Shalya, and to the kings under him, and to king Bhagadatta of immeasurable valour residing on the eastern sea-coast, and to fierce Hardikya, and Ahuka, and the king of the Mallas of powerful understanding, and Rochamana. Let Brihanta be summoned and king Senabindu, and Bahlika and Munjakesha and the ruler of the Chedis, and Suparshva, Subahu; and that great hero, Paurava; and also the kings of the Shakas, the Pahlavas, and the Daradas, and Shurari, and Nadija, and king Karnaveshti, and Nila, and the valiant king Viradharman; and Durjaya, and Dantavakra, and Rukmi, and Janamejaya; and Ashada and Vayuvega, and king Purvapali; and Bhuritejas, and Devaka, and Ekalavya with his sons; and also the kings of the Krausha race, and the valiant Kshemamurti, and the kings of the Kamboja and the Richika tribes, and of the western sea-coast; and Jayatsena and the king of Kashi, and the rulers of the land of the five rivers, and the proud son of Kratha, and the rulers of the mountain regions, and Janaki, and Susharman and Maniman, and Potimatsyaka, and the valiant Dhrishtaketu, and the ruler of the kingdom of Panshu; and Paundra, and Dandadhara, and the brave Brihatsena; and Aparajita, and Nishada and Shrenimat and Vasumat; and Brihadbala of great strength, and Bahu the conqueror of hostile cities; and the warlike king Samudrasena with his son; and Uddhava, and Kshemaka and king Vatadhana; and Shrutayus, and Dridhayus, and the gallant son of Salwa; and the king of the Kalingas, and Kumara, unconquerable in battle. Speedily send word to these. This is what recommends itself to me. Let this my priest, learned Brahmana, be sent, O king, to Dhritarashtra. Tell him the words he is to say and what Duryodhana should be told; and how Bhishma is to be addressed, and how Drona, that best of car-warriors!”

Krishna said,

“These worlds are worthy of the chief of the Somaka tribe, and are calculated to promote the interests of Pandu's son of immeasurable strength. As we are desirous of adopting a political course, this is, no doubt, our first duty; a man acting otherwise would be a great fool. But our relationship to both the Kurus and the Pandus is equal, howsoever these two parties may behave with each other. Both you and we have been invited here on the occasion of a marriage. The marriage having now been celebrated, let us go home well-pleased. You are the foremost of kings, both in years and learning; and here we all, no doubt are as if your pupils.

Dhritarashtra has always entertained a great respect for you; and you are also a friend of the preceptors Drona and Kripa. I, therefore, ask you to send a message (to the Kurus) in the interests of the Pandavas. We all resolve even upon this that you should send a message unto them. If that chief of the Kuru race should make peace on equitable terms, then the brotherly feelings between the Kuras and the Pandus will sustain no injury. If on the other hand, the son of Dhritarashtra should wax haughty and from folly refuse to make peace, then, having summoned others, summon us too. The holder of Gandiva then will be fired with wrath and the dull-headed and wicked Duryodhana, with his partisans and friends, will meet his fate.”

King Virata, then having honoured Krishna, sent him home with his followers and relatives. After Krishna had set out for Dwaraka, Yudhishthira and his followers, with king Virata, began to make preparations for war. Virata and his relatives sent word to all the monarchs, and king Drupada also did the same. At the request of those lions of the Kuru race, as also of the two kings of the Matsyas and the Panchalas, many lords of the earth possessed of great strength, came to the place with cheerful hearts.

When the sons of Dhritarashtra heard that the Pandavas had collected a large army, they also assembled many rulers of the earth. At that time the whole land became thronged with the rulers of the earth who were marching to espouse the cause of either the Kurus or the Pandavas. The land was full of military bands composed of four kinds of forces. From all sides the forces began to pour in. The goddess Earth with her mountains and forests seemed to tremble beneath their tread. The king of the Panchalas, having consulted the wishes of Yudhishthira, despatched to the Kurus his own priest, who was old both in years and understanding.

Arjuna  chooses Krishna as his charioteer

Having despatched the priest to the city called after the elephant they sent messengers to the kings of various countries. Having sent messengers to other places, the Kuru hero Dhananjaya, that bull among men and son of Kunti, himself set out for Dwaraka.

After Krishna and Baladeva, the descendants of Madhu, had both departed for Dwaraka with all the Vrishnis, the Andhakas and the Bhojas, by hundreds, the royal son of Dhritarashtra had, by sending secret emissaries, furnished himself with information of all the doings of the Pandavas. Learning that Krishna was on his way, the prince went to the city of Dwaraka by means of fine horses possessing the speed of the wind, and taking with him a small number of troops. On that very day the son of Kunti and Pandu, Dhananjaya, also speedily arrived at the beautiful city of the Anarta land. The two scions of the Kuru race, those tigers among men, on arriving there saw that Krishna was asleep, and drew near him as he lay down.

As Krishna was sleeping, Duryodhana entered the room, and sat down on a fine seat at the head of the bed. After him entered that wearer of the diadem the magnanimous Arjuna. Stood at the back of the bed, bowing and joining his hands. When the descendant of Vrishni, Krishna awoke, he first cast his eyes on Arjuna. Having asked them as to the safety of their journey, and having fitly bestowed his greetings upon them, the slayer of Madhu questioned them as to the occasion of their visit. Then Duryodhana addressed Krishna, with a cheerful countenance, saying,

“It befits you to lend me your help in the impending war. Arjuna and myself are both equally your friends. O descendant of Madhu, you also bear the same relationship to both of us. Today, O slayer of Madhu, I have been the first to come to you. Right-minded persons take up the cause of him who comes first to them. This is how the ancients acted. O Krishna, you stand at the very top of all right-minded persons in the world, and are always respected. I ask you to follow the rule of conduct observed by right-minded men.”

Thereat, Krishna replied,

“That you have come first, O king, I do not in the least doubt. But, O king, the son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, has been first beheld by me. On account of your first arrival, and on account of my having beheld Arjuna first, I shall, no doubt, lend my assistance to both. But it is said that those who are junior in years should have the first choice. Therefore, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, is entitled to first choice. There is a large body of cowherds numbering ten crores, rivalling me in strength and known as the Narayanas, all of whom are able to fight in the thick of battle. These soldiers, irresistible in battle, shall be sent to one of you and I alone, resolved not to fight on the field, and laying down my arms, will go to the other. You may, O son of Kunti, first select whichever of these two commends itself to you. For, according to law, you have the right to the first choice.”

Thus addressed by Krishna, Dhananjaya the son of Kunti selected Keshava who was not to fight on the battle-field, even Narayana himself, the slayer of foes, increate, born among men at his own will, the foremost of all Kshatriyas and above all the gods and the Danavas. Duryodhana selected for himself that entire army (composed of the Narayanas). Having obtained those troops numbering thousands upon thousands, he was exceedingly delighted, although he knew that Krishna was not on his side. Having secured that army possessed of terrible prowess, Duryodhana went to the son of Rohini of great strength, and explained to him, the object of his visit. The descendant of Shura in reply addressed the following words to Dhritarashtra's son,

“You should remember, O tiger among men, all that I said at the marriage ceremony celebrated by Virata. O you delighter of the race of Kuru, for your sake I then contradicted Krishna and spoke against his opinions. Again and again I alluded to the equality of our relationship to both the parties. But Krishna did not adopt the views I then expressed; nor can I separate myself from Krishna for even a single moment. Seeing that I cannot act against Krishna, this is resolution formed by me, viz., that I will fight neither for Kunti's sons nor for you. And, O bull of the Bharatas, born as you are in Bharata's race that is honoured by all the kings, go and fight in accordance with the rules of propriety.”

Thus addressed, Duryodhana embraced that hero wielding a plough for his weapon of battle, and although knowing that Krishna had been taken away from his side, he yet regarded Arjuna as already vanquished. The royal son of Dhritarashtra then went to Kritavarman. Kritavarman gave him a body of troops numbering an Akshauhini. Surrounded by that military host, terrible to behold, the Kaurava marched forth delighting his friends. After Duryodhana had departed, Krishna, the Creator of the world, clad in yellow attire, addressed Kiritin, saying,

“For what reason is it that you have selected me who will not fight at all?”

Thereupon Arjuna answered,

“I question not that you are able to slay them all. I also am alone capable of slaying them, O best of men. But you are an illustrious person in the world; and this renown will accompany you. I also am a suitor for fame; therefore, you have been selected by me. It has been always my desire to have you for driving my car. I, therefore, ask you to fulfil my desire cherished for a long time.”

Vasudeva's son thereupon said,

“It beseems you well, O Kunti's son, that you measure yourself with me. I will act as your charioteer; let your wish be fulfilled.”

Then with a glad heart, Kunti's son, accompanied by Krishna as well as by the flower of the Dasharha race, came back to Yudhishthira.

Shalya joins Duryodhana following the deception

Having learnt the news from the messengers, Shalya, accompanied by a large body of troops and by his sons, all of whom were mighty in battle, was coming to the Pandavas. His encampment covered an area of one and a half yojana, so large was the force owned by that best of men. He was the master of an Akshauhini and had great prowess and valour. There were in his army heroes bearing armour of various colours, with diverse kinds of banners and bows and ornaments and cars and animals, all wearing excellent garlands, and various robes and ornaments. Hundreds and thousands of foremost of Kshatriyas were the leaders of his troops, dressed and decorated in the manner of their native land. He proceeded by slow marches, giving rest to his troops, towards the place where the Pandava was. The creatures of the earth felt oppressed and the earth trembled under the tread of his troops.

King Duryodhana, hearing that magnanimous and mighty hero was on his way, hastened towards him and paid him honours and caused finely decorated places of entertainment to be constructed at different spots for his reception, on beautiful sites, and whither many artists were directed to entertain the guests. Those pavilions contained garlands and meat and the choicest viands and drinks, and wells of various forms, capable of refreshing the heart, and tanks of various forms, and edibles, and roomy apartments. Arriving at those pavilions, and waited upon like a very god by the servants of Duryodhana located at different spots, Shalya reached another house of entertainment resplendent as a retreat of the celestials.

There, greeted with choice creature-comforts fit for beings superior to man, he deemed himself superior even to the lord himself of the gods and thought meanly of Indra as compared with himself. That foremost of Kshatriyas, well-pleased, asked the servants, saying,

“Where are those men of Yudhishthira, who have prepared these places of refreshment? Let those men who made these be brought to me. I deem them worthy of being rewarded by me. I must reward them, let it so please the son of Kunti!”

The servants, surprised, submitted the whole matter to Duryodhana. When Shalya was exceedingly pleased and ready to grant even his life, Duryodhana, who had remained concealed, came forward and showed himself to his maternal uncle. The king of the Madras saw him and understood that it was Duryodhana who had taken all the trouble to receive him. Shalya embraced Duryodhana and said, “Accept something that you may desire.”

Duryodhana thereupon said,

“O you auspicious one, let your word be true, grant me a boon. I ask you to be the leader of all my army.”

Hearing this, Shalya said, “Be it so! What else is to be done?” And the son of Gandhari repeated again and again, “It is done.”  And Shalya said,

“O Duryodhana, O best of men, go to your own city. I shall proceed to pay a visit to Yudhishthira, the subduer of foes. O king, I shall speedily come back, O ruler of men. That best of men, Pandu's son Yudhishthira, must, by all means, be visited by me.”

Hearing this Duryodhana said,

“O king, O ruler of the earth, having seen the Pandava, come speedily back. I depend entirely upon you, O king of kings. Remember the boon that you have granted me.”

And Shalya answered,

“Good betide you! I shall come speedily back. Repair to your own city, O protector of men.”

Then those two kings Shalya and Duryodhana embraced each other. Having thus greeted Shalya, Duryodhana came back to his own city. Shalya went to inform the sons of Kunti of that proceeding of his. Having reached Upaplavya, and entered the encampment, Shalya saw there all the sons of Pandu. The mighty-armed Shalya having met the sons of Pandu, accepted as usual water for washing his feet, and the customary gifts of honour including a cow. The king of the Madras, that slayer of foes, first asked them how they were, and then with great delight embraced Yudhishthira, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the sons of his sister the two twin-brothers. When all had sat down, Shalya spoke to Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, saying,

“O tiger among kings, O you delighter of the race of Kuru, is it all well with you? O best of victors, how fortunately have you spent the term of your residence in the wilderness, O king, O lord of monarchs, it was an exceedingly hard task that you have performed by dwelling in the wilderness together with your brothers and this noble lady here. Awfully difficult task again was that sojourn of yours, the period of concealment, which task also you have performed, O descendant of Bharata; for one pulled down from a throne it is nothing but hardship that awaits him. O king, where is there any happiness for him! O afflicter of your foes, in compensation for all this vast misery wrought by Dhritarashtra's son, you will attain to proportional happiness after having killed your foes, O great king, O lord of men, the ways of the world are known to you. Therefore, O my son, you are never guided by avarice in any of your dealings. O descendant of Bharata, do tread on the foot-prints of ancient saintly kings. My son, Yudhishthira, be steady in the path of liberality, and self-abnegation, and truth. And, O royal Yudhishthira, mercy and self control, and truth and universal sympathy, and everything wonderful in this world, are to be found in you. You are mild, munificent, religious, and liberal, and you regard virtue as the highest good. O king, many are the rules of virtue that prevail amongst men, and all those are known to you. O my son, O afflicter of foes, you know in fact everything relating to this world. O king, O best of Bharata's race, how lucky it is that you have come out of this difficulty of yours. How lucky, O king, O foremost of monarchs, O lord, it is that I see you, so virtuous a soul, a treasure-house of righteousness, freed with your followers from this.”

Then, the king spoke of his meeting with Duryodhana and gave a detailed account regarding that promise of his and that boon granted by himself. Yudhishthira said,

“O valiant king, it has been well-done by you that being pleased at heart you have plighted your truth to Duryodhana. But good betide you, O ruler of the earth, I ask you to do one thing only. O king, O best of men, you will have to do it solely for my sake, though it may not be proper to be done. O valiant one, hear what I submit to you. O great king, you are equal to Krishna on the field of battle. When, O best of kings, the single combat between Karna and Arjuna will take place, I have no doubt you will have to drive Karna's car. On that occasion, if you are inclined to do good to me, you must protect Arjuna. O king, you must likewise so act that the Suta's son Karna may be dispirited and the victory may be ours. Improper it no doubt is; but, O my uncle, for all that you must do it.”

Shalya said,

“Good betide you. Listen, O son of Pandu. You tell me to so act that the vile son of the Suta may be dispirited in fight. To be sure, I shall be his charioteer on the field, for he always considers me equal to Krishna. O tiger like descendant of Kuru, I shall certainly speak to him, when desirous of fighting on the field of battle, words contradictory and fraught with harm to him, so that bereft of pride and valour, he may be easily slain by his antagonist. This I tell you truly. Asked by you to do it, this I am determined to do, O my son. Whatever else I may be able to bring about, I shall do for your good. Whatever troubles were suffered by you together with Draupadi on the occasion of the game at dice, the rude inhuman words uttered by the Suta's son, the misery inflicted by the Asura Jata and by Kichaka, O illustrious one, all the miseries experienced by Draupadi, like those formerly experienced by Damayanti, will all, O hero, end in joy. You should not be aggrieved at this; for Destiny is all powerful in this world; and, O Yudhishthira, high-minded persons have to endure miseries of various kinds, nay, even the gods themselves, O king, have suffered misfortunes. O king, O descendant of Bharata, it is narrated that the high-minded Indra, the chief of the celestials, had to endure together with his wife very great misery, indeed.”

Yudhishthira said,

“O foremost of monarchs, I wish to know how it was that great and unparalleled misery had to be endured by the illustrious Indra together with his queen.”

Shalya said,

“Listen, O king, to me as I relate this ancient story of the events of former days,--how, O descendant of Bharata, misery befell Indra and his wife.”

Narrating to Yudhishthira the story of Indra’s victory, Shalya said,

“Similarly, O slayer of foes, your enemies, Karna and Duryodhana and others of vicious souls will quickly be destroyed. Then, O hero, you will enjoy the whole of this earth, as far as the sea, with your brothers and this Draupadi. This story of the victory of Indra, equal to the Veda in its sacred character, should be listened to by a king desirous of victory and when his forces have been arrayed in order of battle. Therefore, O best of victors, I am reciting it to you for your victory, O Yudhishthira. High-souled persons attain prosperity when they are glorified. O Yudhishthira, the destruction of high-souled Kshatriyas is at hand by reason of the crimes of Duryodhana, and through the might also of Bhima and Arjuna. He who reads this story of Indra's victory with a heart full of religious faith, is cleansed of his sins, attains a region of bliss, and obtaines joy both in this world and in the next. He has no fear of his foes; he never becomes a sonless man, never encounters any peril whatever, and enjoys long life. Everywhere victory declares for him, and he knows not what defeat is.”

The king, that best of righteous men, thus encouraged by Shalya, honoured him in proper form. Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, of powerful arms, having beard the words of Shalya, spoke to the king of the Madras the following words,

“There is no doubt that you will act as the charioteer of Karna. You must damp the spirits of Karna then by recounting the praises of Arjuna.”

Shalya said,

“Let it be so. I shall do just as you tell me. And I shall do for you anything else that I may be able to do.”

Then Shalya, the king of the Madras, bade farewell to the sons of Kunti. That handsome man then went with his army to Duryodhana.

Arrival of warrior kings in support of Pandavas and Kauravas

Then Yuyudhana, the great hero of the Satwata race, came to Yudhishthira with a large army of foot, and horses and cars and elephants. His soldiers of great valour come from various lands, bore various weapons of war, and heroic in look they beautified the Pandava army. That army looked splendid by reason of battleaxes, and missiles and spears, and lances, and mallets, and clubs, and staves, and cords, and stainless swords, and daggers, and arrows of various kinds, all of the best temper. The army, beautified by those weapons, and resembling in colour the cloudy sky, assumed an appearance like to amass of clouds with lightning-flashes in its midst. The army counted an Akshauhini of troops. When absorbed in the troops of Yudhishthira it entirely disappeared, as does a small river when it enters the sea.

Similarly, the powerful chief of the Chedis, Dhrishtaketu, accompanied by an Akshauhini, came to the sons of Pandu of immeasurable strength. The king of Magadha, Jayatsena of great strength, brought with him for Yudhishthira an Akshauhini of troops. Similarly, Pandya, who dwelt on the coast-land near the sea, came accompanied by troops of various kinds to Yudhishthira, the king of kings. When all these troops had assembled, his army, finely dressed and exceedingly strong, assumed an appearance pleasant to the eye. The army of Drupada, also was beautified by valiant soldiers who had come from various lands, and also by his mighty sons. Similarly, Virata, the king of the Matsyas, a leader of troops, accompanied by the king of the hilly regions, came to Pandu's sons. For the high-souled sons of Pandu there were thus assembled from various directions, seven Akshauhini of troops, bristling with banners of various forms. Eager to fight with the Kurus, they gladdened the hearts of the Pandavas.

In the same way king Bhagadatta, gladdening the heart of Dhritarashtra's son, gave an Akshauhini of troops to him. The unassailable mass of his troops, crowded with Chins and Kiratas, all looking like figures of gold, assumed a beauty like to that of a forest of Karnikara trees. So the valiant Bhurishravas, and Shalya came to Duryodhana, with an Akshauhini of troops each. Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, accompanied by the Bhojas, the Andhakas, and the Kukuras, came to Duryodhana with an Akshauhini of troops. The body of his troops composed of those mighty soldiers, who wore on their persons garlands of many-coloured flowers, looked as graceful as a number of sportive elephants that have passed through a wood. Others led by Jayadratha, the dwellers of the land of Sindhusauvira, came in such force that the hills seemed to tremble under their tread. Their force, counting an Akshauhini, looked like a mass of clouds moved by the wind. Sudakshina, the king of the Kambhojas, accompanied by the Yavanas and Shakas, came to the Kuru chief with an Akshauhini of troops. The body of his troops that looked like a flight of locusts, meeting with the Kuru force, was absorbed and disappeared in it. Similarly came king Nila, the resident of the city of the Mahishmati, with mighty soldiers from the southern country who carried weapons of pretty make. The two kings of Avanti, accompanied by a mighty force, brought to Duryodhana, each a separate Akshauhini of troops. Those tigers among men, the five royal brothers, the princes of Kekaya, hastened to Duryodhana with an Akshauhini of troops, and gladdened his heart. From the illustrious king, of other quarters there came three large divisions of troops. Thus Duryodhana had a force which numbered eleven Akshauhinis all eager to fight with the sons of Kunti, and bristling with banners of various forms. There was no space in the city of Hastinapura even for the principal leaders of Duryodhana's army. For this reason the land of the five rivers, and the whole of the region called Kurujangala, and the forest of Rohitaka which was uniformly wild, and Ahichatra and Kalakuta, and the banks of the Ganga, and Varana, and Vatadhana, and the hill tracts on the border of the Yamuna, the whole of this extensive tract, full of abundant corn and wealth, was entirely overspread with the army of the Kauravas.