The description of standards

Dhritarastra said Describe to me, O Sanjaya, the distinctive marks of the cars of all those heroes, who, wrought up with rage and headed by Bhima, then rushed at Drona.

Sanjaya said Seeing Vrikodara rush into battle, (on a car drawn by steeds of chappled hue) the heroic grandson of Sini advanced being borne by steeds of the colour of silver.

Inflamed with ire, the invincible Yudhamanyu proceeded towards the car of Drona, being borne by excellent steeds of variegated hue.

The son of the ruler of the Panchalas, namely Dhrishtadyumna, proceeded, being borne by steeds of great fleetness caparisoned with gold trappings and of the hue of pigeons.

Desirous of supporting his father (Dhrishtadyumna) and wishing his complete success, Kshatradarman of regulated vows followed (in a car drawn by chestnut steeds).

Kshatradeva, the son of Sikhandin, himself urging well-trapped steeds of the hue of lotusleaves and with pure white eyes, advanced towards Drona.

Steeds of Kamboja bred beautiful to look at the decked with the feathers of the Shuka bird, bearing Nakula, quickly made against your army.

O Bharata, delighted steeds of the colour of clouds, inflamed with rage, bore Uttamaujas to battle against the invincible Drona who was Standing with arrows fixed (on the bow-string).

Steeds of the fleetness of wind and of variegated hue, carried Sahadeva with uplifted arms to that dreadful battle.

Steeds of the hue of the tusks of elephants, of the fleetness of wind, of black mein and of great impetuosity, carried king Yudhishthira, the foremost of men.

Riding on horses caparisoned with gold trappings and all fleet as the wind, many warriors followed Yudhishthira.

After king Yudhishthira, came Drupada, the ruler of the Panchalas, with a golden umbrella held over his head and himself protected by all those soldiers.

That mighty warrior among all monarchs, namely, Santabhi, advanced, borne by excellent steeds capable of putting up with every noise.

Accompanied by various mighty carwarriors, Virata speedily followed him. The Kekayas and Sikhandin and Dhristaketu.

Surrounded by their respective forces, followed the king of the Matsyas. Excellent steeds of the colour of trumpet-flowers bearing this latter, appeared very beautiful. Fleet steeds decked with golden chains and resembling turmeric in colour, appeared highly beautiful as they carried the son of that slayer of foes, namely, Virata the royal chief of the Matsya. The five Kekaya brothers were borne by horses of crimson colour.

All these heroes accomplished in battle, having complexions effulgent like god, owning standards of red huc and be-decked with golden chains.

Were scon, clad in mail and showering arrows, like the clouds showering (torrents of) rain. Stecds of the hue of ivory and that of unbaked earthenware pots, carried Sikhandin, the Panchala prince of immeasurable energy. In all, twelve thousand mighty car-warriors of the Panchala race proceeded in battle.

Of these twelve thousands, six thousand followed Sikhandin. O sire, the son of Shishupala, the foremost of men.

Was borne by sportive steeds of the hue of antelopes, Dhristaketu, the foremost of the Chedis, endued with great prowess.

And invincible in battle, was carried by horses of Kamboja breed and of variegated hue. Excellent steeds of thc Sindhu breed, of beautiful limbs and of the colour of the smoke emitted by burning straws, quickly bore the prince of the Kekayas, namely, Vrihatkshastra. Possessed of eyes of the hue of jasmine, of lotus hue, of Valhika breed and decked with gold trappings, such steeds.

Bore the heroic son of Sikhandin viz., Kshatradeva, decorated with caparison of gold and of the hue of silk, steeds.

Of quiet nature, bore into battle Senavindu, that chastiser of foes. Excellent steeds of the colour of cream, carried into battle the youthful.

Delicate and mighty car-warrior, the son of the king of the Kasis. White horses, having black necks and endued with the fleetness of the mind and obedient of the (reins of the) driver, O monarch, bore prince Prativindhya. Steeds of the hue of the Masa flower carried in battle Sutasoma, the son of Partha, whom the latter had obtained through (the favour of) Soma.

Of the radiance of a thousand Moons, he was born in the city of the Kurus, known as Udayendu. In as much as in an assembly of the Somas he won great renown, he came to be siylcd Sutasoma.

Steeds, resembling the flower of the Sala in hue and radiant like the rising sun, bore the glorious son of Nakula, by name Shatanika.

Decked with caparisons of gold and possessed of the hue of the peacock's neck, steed bore in battle, that foremost of men Shrutakarman, the son of Draupadi (by Bhima).

Excellent stceds of the colour of the feathers of the king fisher, carried into battle, Shrutakirti, the son of Draupadi, who was equal to Partha in his knowledge of the Srutis.

Tawny-coloured steeds bore in battle prince Abhimanyu, who is said to be one and a half time superior in battle to both Krishna and Partha.

Huge-bodied steeds bore to battle Yuyutsu, who alone, among the sons of Dhritarashtra, had sided with the Pandavas, (deserting his own brothers). Steeds, plump, decked with golden caparisons and of the hue of the stalk of paddy, bore to that dreadful battle, Vardhakshemi of great activity.

Steeds, having black legs, caparisoned with golden breast-plates and obedient to the driver, bore to battle, the youthful Sauchithi.

Quiet steeds of the hue of red silk, decked with chains of gold and having their backs covered with armour of the same metal, bore Shreniman.

The gallant warriors with gold garland around their neck and the well decorated horses with golden back side brought the competitive king Kashiraja to the battle-field.

Crimson steeds bore the assaulting Satyadhriti, who was proficient in the sciences dealing with the use of weapons and the bow and also in the divine Vedas.

He that was the commander of the Panchala forces and that considered Drona to be the victim destined to fall by his hand, that Dhrishtadyumna was borne by steeds of the hue of pigeons.

Satyadhriti and Sauchithi both irrepressible in battle followed him, as also Shrenimat, Vasudana and Vibhu the son of the ruler of Kasis. or

These were borne by fleet steeds of the best Kamboja breed, decked with chains of gold. Resembling Yama Vaishravana, they proceeded striking terror into the hearts of his enemies.

The Prabhadrakas of the Kamboja country, six thousand strong, with uplifted arms, with excellent steeds of various hues, with golddecked standards mounted on their cars. With their stretched bows discharging arrows that produced confusion in the hostile host and with a determination to die together, followed Dhrishtadyumna.

Excellent steeds of the hue of yellow silk, decorated with beautiful chains of gold cheerfully bore Chekitana.

Borne by excellent steeds of the best breed and of the colour of rainbow, came Kuntibhoja or Purujit the maternal uncle of Savyasachin.

Steeds of the appearance of the star-studded firmament, bore king Rochamana to battle.

Sahadeva, the son of Jarasandha was brought to battle-field by stripped horses having black hoofs and decorated by the gold gauze.

was as The best and excellent white colour horses like lotus stem, speedy as the bird eagle appeared in the battle-field with Sudama rode on the chariot driven by them.

Steeds of the colour of the red deer having white stripes all over their body, bore the prince of the Panchalas, the son of Gopati, by name Singhasena.

Excellent steeds of the hue of the mustard flowers belonged to that foremost among the Panchalas, who well known Janamejaya.

Fleet, huge-bodied steeds of the hue of Masa, decked with gold chains with backs white like the hue of curds and faces beautiful like the moon, speedily bore the ruler of the Panchalas.

Brave and gentle steeds resembling reedstalks and of the hue of the palms of the lotus, bore Dandadhara.

Steeds, of the huge of donkeys, with backs of the hue of mice and with necks proudly drawn up, bore Vyaghradatta.

Dart-spotted steeds, decorated with beautiful garlands, bore that foremost of men Sudhanvan, the prince of the Panchalas.

Steeds of the impetuosity of Indra's thunderbolt, of the hue of the Indragopakas and variegated with patches, bore Chitrayudha.

Decorated with golden garlands and having bellies of the hue of the Chakravaka, steeds bore the son of the ruler of the Kosalas, by name Sukshatra.

Excellent and tall steeds, of huge bodies, variegated hue, excecdingly docile and caparisoned with golden chains, bore Satyadhriti accomplished in battle.

Shukla proceeded to battle with standards, armours, bow and steeds, all of the same white colour.

Ocean-bred steeds of the hue of the moon, bore Chandrasena of fierce energy, the son of Samudrasena.

Steeds of the hue of the blue lotus and decked with ornaments of gold and adorned with beautiful garlands of flowers, bore to battle Shaivya owning a beautiful chariot.

Excellent steeds of the hue of the Kalaya flower, covered with red and white stripes, bore to battle Rathasena difficult to be repressed in battle.

Steeds of the hue of the blue parrot, bore that king who had slain the Pattacharas and who was regarded as the best hero among all men.

Superior steeds of hue resembling that of the Kinshuka flowers, bore Chitrayudha, decorated with beautiful garlands and owning beautiful armour, weapons and standard.

King Nila protected to battle, with standards, armour, bow and steeds, all of the same blue colour.

Chitra advanced to battle, with car-fence and standard and bow, all set with various kinds of gems and with excellent steeds and beautiful banners and banner-staffs.

Excellent steeds that resembled in colour the hue of the Puskara flower, bore Hemavarna the son of Rochamana.

Metted chargers of gentle appearance, possessed of vertebral columns erect like reedstalks, having white tests and endued with the colour of the hen's eggs, bore Dandaketu.

The heroic Sarangadvaja endowed with the wealth of energy, the ruler of the Pandyas, mounted on chargers of the colour of the moon-beams and clad in coats of mail set with lapises, rushed at Drona stretching his bow of superior make. His dominions having been on invaded and his relatives having escaped, his sire had been slain, O monarch, in battle by Krishna; securing weapons then from Bhishma, Drona and Rama and Kripa, he became, in the use of weapons, equal to Rukmi, Karna, Arjuna and Achyuta. He then became intent on destroying the city of Dvaraka and subjugating the whole world. But his wise friends out of a desire to do good to him. prevented him from that course. Abandoning all thoughts of revenge, he is now ruling his own dominions.

Steeds of the hue of the Atarusha flower bore one thousand and forty thousand foremost car-warrior who followed that king of the Pandya.

Charges of various hues and appearance and stature and face, born the heroic Ghatotkacha, the device on whose banner was a car-wheel.

Setting at naught the opinions of the assembled Bharatas, that prince who alone out of his reverence for Yudhishthira had sided with him abandoning all his cherished hopes. That mighty-armed Brihanta of red eyes was borne by huge-bodied, greatly powerful steeds, as he sat in his chariot.

Excellent steeds of the gold followed behind the virtuous Yudhishthira, that foremost of kings, as he advanced on his car.

Hosts of the Prabhadrakas of divine appearance, proceeded to battle, on superior chargers of various beautiful colours,

All of them possessing golden standards, full of energy and accompanied by Bhimasena, appeared, O monarch, like the celestials, headed by Indra.

Dhrishtadyumna liked that assembled host very much. But the son of Bharadvaja, excelled the rest of the warriors in splendour.

O monarch, his standard, with a black decr skin fluttering from its top and bearing the beautiful waterpot and made of the finest gold, appeared exceedingly beautiful.

The standard of Bhimasena bearing the device of a mighty lion in silver, with two eyes of the lapis lazuli, appeared highly resplendent.

The standard of Yudhishthira endued with great energy bearing he emblem of the golden moon surrounded by the pianets, looked exceedingly charming.

Two. prodigious Mridangas of celestial make called Nanda and Upanandaka were tied to it. Struck by mechanical arrangements, they emitted melodies that enhanced the joy of all.

For striking terror into the hearts of the enemy, we saw that tall and fierce standard of Nakula, mounted on his car, that bore the device of Sharabha having golden back.

On the standard of Sahadeva, was seen a charming swan of irrepressible might made of silver, decked with bells and banners and capable of enhancing the grief of the enemy.

The standards of the five sons of Draupadi bore as their device the beautiful images of Dharma, Maruta, Shakra and of the twin Ashvins of high-soul.

On the car of the youthful Abhimanyu, O monarch, there was a standard of best make, bearing the device of a golden peacock, which was as radiant as molten gold.

O monarch, the device of a vulture enhanced the beauty of the standard of Ghatotkacha; his steeds had the power of ranging everywhere at will, like those of Ravana in days of yore.

In the hands of Yudhishthira was the bow called Mahendra of celestial make; the celestial Vyavya was, o king, in the hands of Bhimasena.

For preserving the triune world Brahma had created a bow; that bow of celestial make and ever indestructible, was in the hands of Phalguna.

The Vaishnava bow was wielded by Nakula and the bow Ashvina by Sahadeva; the Paulastya of terrible appearance and celestial make, was held by Ghatotkacha.

O_Bharata, these five jewels of bows, namely the Rudra and Agneya, the Kauberya, the Yamya and the Girisha were held by the five sons of Draupadi.

That foremost of bows of best make called Rudra which the son of Rohini had obtained, that bow was given, out of delight, to the highsouled son of Subhadra, by Rama.

These and many other standards, decked with gold, of heroic warriors were seen there, that enhanced the grief of the foes.

Then, O monarch, the host led by Drona, which abounded in myriad's of standards and which numbered not a single coward, looked like images painted on canvas.

Then in that battle we heard, O monarch, the names and lineage of various heroic warriors, as they rushed at Drona, like to what is heard at a Svayamvara.