Bhishma-Vadha Parva — The colloquy between Drona and Ashvathama,

Sanjaya said Then that foremost of men, the valiant Drona, that fierce bow-man possessed of the prowess of an infuriate elephants and of great energy taking up and shaking his bow capable of checking even an infuriate elephant, began to crush the arrayed lines of the Pandavas, having penetrated into their very midst.

That highly powerful one conversant with the nature of all omens beholding various omens on all sides, thus addressed his son who had also been consuming the ranks of the enemy.

"This indeed is the day, O son, on which the highly powerful son of Pritha desirous of slaying Bhishma in battle, will exert his utmost.

My arrows are coming out of their own accord, and my bow seems to gape. My weapons are falling off when I am trying to fix them on the bow-string, and my mind is losing and warmth.

Animals and birds are emitting fearful and inauspicious cries on all sides. The vultures are swooping down upon the mighty host of the Bharatas.

The sun seems to be waned in its effulgence; all the points of the compass have assumed a crimson hue. The earth seems to be pained and to utter cries and to tremble on all sides.

The Kanka birds, the vultures and the cranes are incessantly uttering cries. The jackals are uttering inauspicious and dreadful yells foreboding a terrible calamity.

Mighty meteors seem to shot out for the centre of the solar disc. The constellation Parigha with irunkless form seems to over-rode the sun.

The and the lunar discs have assumed dreadful aspects, foreboding terrible calamity to the kings, in the shape of the mangling of। their bodies.

The images of gods consecrating the temples of the Kuru king are laughing trembling and dancing, and lamenting.

The planets are revolving, keeping the inauspicious sun to their left; and the charming deity of the moon is risen with his horns downwards.

The persons of kings belonging to the host Dhritarashtra's son appear to have lost all splendor, and though clad in armour, they do not seem to be shining,

A loud uproar set up by the two armies is heard, as also the blare of the conch Panchajanya, and the twang of bow Gandiva.

Surely Vibhatsu will, with the help of his excellent weapons, leaving, other warriors in battle, confront the grandsire.

The pores, of the hair of my body are being contracted, and my mind mis-gives, thinking, o hero of long arms, of the battle that will ensue between Bhishma and Arjuna.

Placing before him that prince of the Panchalas, who is of sinful and who is ever inclined to deceitful behaviour, Partha is proceeding for battle towards Bhishma.

Bhishma had said before, I will never slay Shikhandin. He was created a female by the Creator, but has became a man out of chance only.

This mighty son of Yajnasena is thus reckoned as an inauspicious sign. The son of the ocean-going Ganga will not therefore strike that inauspicious person.

Thus as I reflect, my mind mis-gives, knowing that Arjuna is rushing against the old grandsire of the Kurus, highly wrought up with rage.

These three namely, the wrath of Yudhishthira, the encounter between Bhishma and Arjuna and my exceptions in this battle are surely very harmful to the creatures.

The son of Pandu is highly intelligent, endued with strength, heroic, accomplished in the use of weapons, possessed of great agility and lightness; he is capable of shooting his arrows to a great distance, and is firm in shooting them and is conversant with the nature of omens.

He is invincible in battle cven by the celestial headed by Vasava himself. He is mighty, quick-witted, indefeasible and the foremost of ali warriors;

He is ever victorious in battle and possessed of dreadful weapons. Avoiding his path do you repair to Bhishma of regulated vows.

This day you will behold in battle a terrible massacre. Auspicious, mighty and gold-decked armors of heroes will be splintered into pieces with arrows of close knots; the tops of standards, the tomaras and bows, and resplendent and sharp lances, and dares of the effulgence of gold and the caparisons of elephants shall this day be torn and broken by the enraged diadem decked Arjuna.

This is not the time, O son for dependents to take care of their own lives. So, keeping paradise in view, do you rush to battle for winning victory and fame.

Yonder is Arjuna, with his banner bearing the emblem of an ape, crossing on his car the dreadful current of battle, having cars, elephants and chargers for its eddies and which is incapable of being crossed over.

Devotion to the Brahmanas, self control, benevolence, asceticism, and laudable good conduct-these are to be found in that king only who owns for his brothers Dhananjaya.

The mighty Bhimasena and the two sons of Pandu begotten upon Madri, and who have the son of Vasudeva of the Vrishni race for his Saviour.

It is the wrath, engendered by grief, of that Yudhishthira whose person have been consumed by the austerities of asceticism, that is consuming the host of the wicked-souled son off Dhritarashtra.

Yonder is seen the son of Pritha having Vasudeva for his protector, and checking all the troops of Dhritarashtra's host.

You is seen the army agitated by the diadem decked Arjuna, like the waters of the ocean agitated by a mighty whale.

Listen to the cries of 'Alas and Oh' and to the shrinks of agony and distress! Go, comfort the son of the Panchala king. I will confront Yudhishthira.

Protected as it is on all sides with Atirathas, the centre of the very strong array of the mighty king's troops is difficult of being penetrated into, like the bowels of sea being difficult of access.

Satyaki, Abhimanyu, Dhrishtadyumna and Vrikodara, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva are all engaged in protecting that foremost of men viz., king Yudhishthira.

Blue-complexioned like the younger brother of Indra, and tell like a mighty Sala tree, yonder is Abhimanyu rushing to fight at the head of his division, like a second Phalguna.

Make your excellent weapons ready, grasp your mighty bow, and then rush against the royal son of Prishata and fight also with Vrikodara.

What person wishes not his dear loved son to live for eternal years? But in view of the duties of Kshatriyas, I do command you to fight.

Yonder is Bhishma, equal in battle to Death himself or Varuna, O son, consuming the hostile host.