भगवद्गीता पर्व — सेनाओं का वर्णन

Sanjaya said When the night passed away loud was the noise made by the kings by their all shouting "Array, array".

O descendant of Bharata, the blowing of conchs, the sounds of drums, the neighing of horses, the clatter of car-wheels, the roaring of rushing elephants and the shouts of heroes, clapping of armpits and the cries of the warriors made everywhere a tremendous noise.

O king, rising at sunrise, the large armies of the Kurus and the Pandavas made all their arrangements complete.

When the sun rose, the fearful weapons of offence and defence and the armours of your sons and those of the sons of Pandu became fully visible.

The elephants and chariots adorned and decked with gold looked like resplendent clouds charged with lightning.

The line of chariots standing in countless number looked like so many cities, your father (Bhishma) standing there looked as brilliant as full moon.

Then the warriors armed with bows, swords, scimitars, maces, javelins, lances, and shining weapons of various kinds took up their respective positions.

O king, elephants, foot soldiers, carwarriors and horseman stood there by hundred and thousands like a net work,

Thousands of brilliant standards of various forms were seen belonging both to ourselves and to the enemy.

Thousands of bright and beautiful fire-like blazing banners, decked with gold and gems were gazed at by the heroic warriors clad in armour, each one of whom longed for battle.

Many foremost of men, with bull-like large eyes, with quivers and with finger protectors stood at the head of their respective troops.

The son of Subala, Shakuni, Shalya, Jayadratha, the two princes of Avanti, Vinda and Anuvinda, the Kaikeya brothers, the ruler of Kamboja, Sudakshina, Shrutayudha, the ruler of Kalingas, king Jayatsena, Brihadbala, the ruler of Koshala and Kritavarman of the Satvata race, these ten foremost of men possessing great bravery and arms like maces, these (ten) performers of sacrifices with large Dakshinas stood each at the head of one Akshauhini soldiers.

These and many other kings and princes all great car-warriors, skillful in policy obedient to the commands of Duryodhana, clad in armour cased in black deer-skins, endued with great strength, accomplished in war, ready for Duryodhana's sake to go the abode of Brahma, stood there at the head of ten Akshauhinis of soldiers.

The eleventh great division of the Kuru army stood in advance (of all others) at the head of these troops stood the son of Shantanu Bhishma.

O king, with his white head dress, with his white armour, we saw greatly powerful Bhishma look like the rising moon.

Bhishma was rode on a fantastic chariot made-up of silver. His Tala marked flag was of golden colour and waving with the wind in sky. He was seen as sun god covered within the cluster of white clouds by Kauravas,

The great bowmen amongst the Srinjayas, Dhrishtadyumna and others looked like so may little animals when they see before them a great yawning lion.

All the warriors headed by Dhrishtadyumna trembled (when they saw him) O kings; these are the eleven great divisions of your army. The seven divisions of the Pandava army were also protected by foremost of men. The two armies facing each other looked like two mighty oceans at the end of Yuga, oceans agitated by fearful by fearful Makaras Makaras and huge crocodiles. O king, we never be fore saw or heard of two such armies meeting each other as these two armies of the Kurus.