by the power of his weapons, he by whom Srutayus hath been slain, as also Sudakshina, and king Srutayus too, he by whom both Srutayus and Achyutayus and myriads of Mlecchas also have been slain, how can I contend in battle with that invincible son of Pandu, that accomplished master of weapons, who is even like an all-consuming fire?  How also dost thou think me competent to fight with him today?  I am dependent on thee like a slave.  Protect my fame.’

“Drona said, ’Thou sayest truly, O thou of Kuru’s race, that Dhananjaya is irresistible.  I, however, will do that by which thou shalt be able to bear him.  Let all the bowmen in the world behold today the wonderful feat of the son of Kunti being held in check by thee in the very sight of Vasudeva.  This thy armour of gold, O king, I will tie on thy body in such a way that no weapon used by man will be able to strike thee in battle.  If even the three worlds with the Asuras and the celestials, the Yakshas, the Uragas, and the Rakshasas, together with all human beings, fight with thee today, thou needst still entertain no fear.  Neither Krishna, nor the son of Kunti, nor any other wielder of weapons in battle, will be able to pierce this armour of thine with arrows.  Cased in that coat of mail, quickly go thou today against angry Arjuna in battle.  He will not be able to bear thee.’

“Sanjaya said, ’Having said these words, Drona, that foremost of persons conversant with Brahma, touching water, and duly uttering certain Mantras, speedily tied that highly wonderful and bright armour on Duryodhana’s body for the victory of thy son in that dreadful battle and causing (by that act) all persons there to be filled with amazement.  And Drona said, ’Let the Vedas, and Brahman, and the Brahmanas, bless thee.  Let all the higher classes of reptiles be a source of blessings to thee, O Bharata!  Let Yayati and Nahusha, and Dhundhumara, and Bhagiratha, and the other royal sages, all do what is beneficial to thee.  Let blessings be to thee from creatures having but one leg, and from those that have many legs.  Let blessings be to thee, in this great battle from creatures that have no legs.  Let Swaha, and Swadha, and Sachi, also, all do what is beneficial to thee.  O sinless one, let Lakshmi and Arundhati too do what is beneficial to thee.  Let Asita, and Devala and Viswamitra, and Angiras, and Vasishtha, and Kasyapa, O king, do what is beneficial to thee.  Let Dhatri, and the lord of the worlds and the points of the compass and the regents of those points, and the six-faced Karttikeya, all give thee what is beneficial.  Let the divine Vivaswat benefit thee completely.  Let the four elephants, of the four quarters, the earth, the firmament, the planets, and he who is underneath the earth and holds her (on his head), O king, viz., Sesha, that foremost of snakes, give thee what is for thy benefit.  O son of Gandhari, formerly the Asura named Vritra, displaying his prowess in battle, had