शल्य पर्व — अश्वत्थामा दुर्योधन से शल्य को सेनापति बनाने को कहते हैं और दुर्योधन वैसा ही अनुरोध करता है

Sanjaya said On that table-land at the foot of the Himavat, those heroes, O king, joyous at the prospect of battle and assembled together, passed the night.

Indeed, Shalya and Chitrasena and the powerful car warrior Shakuni and Ashvatthaman and Kripa and Kritavarman of the Satwata race and the energetic Sushena and Arishtasena and Dhritasena and Jayatsena and all those kings passed the night there.

After the heroic Karna has been killed in battle, your sons, filled with fear by the Pandavas desirous of victory, did not obtain peace anywhere else than on the Himavat.

All of them then, O king, who were bent on fighting, duly worshipped the king and said to him, in the presence of Shalya, these words.

It becomes you to fight with the enemy, after having made some body the commander, protected by whom in battle we will defeat the enemies.

Then Duryodhana, without descending from his car, went to that foremost of carwarriors, that hero conversant with all the rules of battle, Ashvatthaman, who resembled the Destroyer himself in battle.

Having beautiful limbs, well-covered head, a neck adorned with three lines like those in a conch-shell, sweet speech, eyes resembling the petals of a full-blown lotus and tiger-like face, the dignity of Meru, resembling the full of Mahadeva in neck, eyes, tread and voice, having huge, inassive and well-joined arms, having broad and well-formed chest, equal unto Garuda in speed and might, effulgent like the Sun, intelligent like Ushanas himself, beautiful like the Moon, having a body that seemed to be made of a number of golden lotuses, well-made joints, well-formed thighs and waist and hips, beautiful feet, beautiful fingers and beautiful nails, he seemed to have been made by Brahma with great care after remembering one after another all the beautiful and good attributes of creation.

Gifted with auspicious marks and clever in every act, he was an ocean of learning. Speedily vanquishing his enemies, he was incapable of being forcibly defeated by foes.

He knew, in full, the science of war consisting of four padas and ten Angas. He knew also thc four Vedas with all their branches and the Akhyanas as the fifth.

Possessed of great ascetic merit, Drona, himself not born of woman, having worshipped the three-eyed deity with care and penances, beget him upon a wife not born of woman.

Approaching him of incomparable deeds, he who is unrivalled in beauty on earth, he who has mastered all branches of learning, that occan of qualities, the faultless Ashvatthaman, your son said to him these words-. "O preceptor's son, you are today our highest refuge? Tell us, therefore, who should be the commander of my army now, placing whom at our head, all of us, united together, may defeat the Pandavas?"

(Thus addressed) the son of Drona replied-"Let Shalya become the commander of our army. In birth, in prowess, in energy, in fame, in beauty and in every other accomplishment, he is superior.

Out of gratitude, he has joined us, having abandoned the sons of his own sister. Having a large army of his own, that mighty-armed one is like the second celestial generalissimo.

Making that king the commander of our army, O best of kings, we will be able to gain victory, like the celestials after making the invincible Skanda their commander.”

On Drona's son saying these words all the kings stood, surrounding Shalya and cried victory to him. Determined for fighting, the felt great joy.

Then Duryodhana, come down from his car, folded his hands and addressing Shalya, equal to Drona and Bhishma in battle, who was on his car, said these words.

"O You attached to friends, that time has arrived when intelligent men examine persons in the guise of friends as to whether they are true friends or not.

Brave as you are do you become our commander-in-chief. When you will go to battle, the Pandavas, with their friends, will lose heart and the Panchalas will be depressed."

Hearing the words of Duryodhana, Shalya, the king of Madra, foremost of orators, said following words before the kings, O king!

Shalya answered-"I will, O king of the Kurus, do what you desire me to do. My life, my kingdom, my wealth and everything else are at your disposal."

Duryodhana said I wish you to accept the general-ship of my army. O maternal uncle, O foremost of warriors, protect us, even as Skanda protected the celestials in battle.

O foremost of kings, install yourself in the command as Pavakas's son Kartikeya was placed in the command of the celestial army. O hero, kill our foes in battle like Indra the Danavas.