Drona-Vadha Parva — The division of the troops

Sanjaya said Then king Duryodhana, under the influence of anger, approached Drona and addressing him said these word for inspiring him with delight and wrath simultaneously.

Duryodhana said No quarter should have been granted to our enemies when they were depressed at heart and exhausted with fatigue and taking rest, especially as they are ever of sure aim.

That we showed them mercy was only from a desire for pleasing you. The fatigued Pandavas, however, have now (after taking rest) become stronger.

We, on the other hand, are becoming reduced in mighty and in energy, while the Pandavas, spared by you, are again and again gaining strength.

All weapons of celestial workmanship and all Brahma weapons are known perfectly to you.

Neither the Pandavas, nor ourselves nor any other bowman of the world are equal to you in battle. This I tell you truly.

Conversant with all kinds of weapons O foremost of regenerate ones, you are competent enough to slay with your celestial weapons, the gods, the Asureas, the Gandharvas and all this world.

The Pandavas are all afraid of you. Yet you always forgive them remembering perhaps that they are your disciples or owing to my unfortunate luck."

Sanjaya said Thus reprimanded and incited by your son, Drona, O monarch, wrathfully addressed

Although I am advanced in years, yet. ) Duryodhana, I am fighting in battle to the best

of my abilities. All these men are versed in the use of weapons; I am however well-versed in thein. If from desire of victory, I slay these men, there can be no more impious act for me to do. However, what is in your heart, be it good or bad.

I shall accomplish, foremost of the Kurus, at your behest. It will not be other.vise. Putting forth my prowess in battle and slaying all the Panchalas I will put off my coat of mail, O monarch. I swear this to you for sooth. You think that Kunti's son Arjuna was exhausted in battle.

O mighty-armed Kaurava, listen to what I say regarding his prowess. If Savyasachin's anger is excited, neither the Gandharvas nor the Yakshas, nor the Rakshasas can venture to oppose him. On the occasion of the burning of the Khandava forest, he fought with the chief of the gods himself.

With his arrows, the high-souled Arjuna then worsted the pouring Indra. Yakshas and the Nagas and the Daityas and other creatures.

Proud of their strength, were then slain by that foremost of men. This also you know. On the occasion of the numbering of cattle, the Gandharvas, headed by Chitrasena and others, were defeated by him.

You also were set free from the bondage to the Gandharvas by that resolute bowman. The Nivtakavachas and other enemies of the gods.

Unslayable by the gods themselves in battle, were also vanquished by that hero. Thousands of Danavas dallying in the golden city.

Were defeated by that foremost of men. How it is possible for other men to resist him in battle? You have also seen with your own eyes, O king, how this host of yours, though striving hard, is destroyed by the son of Pandu, O ruler of men!

Sanjaya said Thereupon, your son, 0 king highly enraged, once more thus addressed Drona who had been praising Arjuna then.

Dividing this Bharata army in two, today, myself, Dushasana, Karna and my uncle Sakuni will slay Arjuna in battle.

Hearing those words of his, the son of Bharadvaja, as if smiling, quickly turned round and said, “Good befall you!"

What presumptuous Kshatriya would venture to destroy that foremost of the Kshatriyas viz., the wielder of the Gandiva bow, who never suffers and reduction and who ever burns in his own effulgence?

When furnished with weapons, neither the Lord of wealth, nor Indra nor Yama, nor Varuna, nor the Asuras nor the Rakshasas, will be able to defeat him?

What you have spoken, 0 Bharata, is worthy of a fool only. Who ever returns safely to his own home, after having encountered Arjuna in battle?

Suspicious of everybody, you are cruel and of sinful purposes. You rebuke even those who are engaged in doing you good.

Go yourself to resist the son of Kunti, at your own risk. You are well-born and a Kshatriya too; you are again desirous of battle.

Why then do you cause the ruin of all these other un-offending Kshatriyas? You are the root of this hostility, so, do you yourself encounter Arjuna.

Here indeed is your sagacious uncle, ever devoted to the performance of the Kshatriya duties. O son of Ghandhari, let this one, addicted to deceitful gambling at dice, meet Arjuna in battle.

Expert in the game of dice, crooked, fond of gambling and wily and deceitful-this gamester addicted to deception will surely vanquish the Pandavas in battle!

Accompanied by Karna and delightful you used to brag always, out of your foolishness, within Dhritarashtra's hearing, with these

O Sire, myself, Karna and my brother Dussasan, united in battle, shall slay the sons of Pandu!

This brag of yours was heard in every assemblage of the court. Now with their help fulfill your vow and be true to your words.

Yonder stand your fierce enemies, the sons of Pandu, prepared to fight to the last. Do now what should be done by a Kshatriya. It is batter that you did other than suffer defeat.

You have been charitable and enjoyed edibles to your heart's content. You have acquired wealth to your heart's content, you have accomplished all that one should do. You are debtless. Be not afraid. Encounter the son of Pandu battle.

Having thus spoken Drona desisted from fighting. Then the Bharata troops were divided in twain and the battle commenced.