’After the two sons of Madri had thus expressed their individual opinions, Vasava’s son, Savyasachin, who was equal to Vasava himself, said these words, ’This celestial person of the hue of fire and endued with mighty arms, who sprang into life through the power of ascetic penances and the gratification of sages; who issued from the sacrificial fire-hole armed with bow and sword, accoutred in armour of steel, mounted on a car unto which were yoked excellent steeds of the best breed, and the clatter of whose car-wheels was as deep as the roar of mighty masses of clouds; this hero endued with that energy and strength and resembling the very lion in his frame of body and prowess, and possessed of leonine shoulders, arms, chest, and voice like the lion’s roar; this hero of great effulgence; this warrior of handsome brows, fine teeth, round cheeks, long arms, of stout make, excellent thighs, large expansive eyes, excellent legs, and strong frame; this prince who is incapable of being penetrated by weapons of any kind, and who looks like an elephant with rent temples; this Dhrishtadyumna, truthful in speech, and with passions under control, was born for the destruction of Drona.  It is this Dhrishtadyumna, I think, that will be able to bear Bhishma’s arrows which strike with the vehemence of the thunderbolt and look like snakes with blazing mouths, which resemble the messengers of Yama in speed, and fall like flames of fire (consuming everything they touch), and which were borne before by Rama alone in battle.  I do not, O king, see the man except Dhrishtadyumna, who is able to withstand Bhishma of great vows.  This is just what I think.  Endued with great lightness of hand and conversant with all the modes of warfare, accoutred in coat of mail that is incapable of being penetrated by weapons, this handsome hero, resembling the leader of a herd of elephants, is according to my opinion, fit to be our generalissimo.’

“Bhima then said, ’That son of Drupada, Sikhandin, who is born for the destruction of Bhishma, as is said, ’O king, by the sages and Siddhas assembled together, whose form on the field of battle, while displaying celestial weapons, will be seen by men to resemble that of the illustrious Rama himself, I see not, O king, the person who is able to pierce with weapons that Sikhandin, when he is stationed for battle on his car, accoutred in mail.  Except the heroic Sikhandin, there is no other warrior who is able to slay Bhishma in single combat.  It is for this, O king, that I think Sikhandin is fit to be our generalissimo.’

“Yudhishthira said, ’O sire, the strength and weakness, might and feebleness, of everything in the universe, and the intentions of every person here, are well-known to virtuous Kesava.  Skilled or unskilled in weapons, old or young, let him be the leader of my forces, who may be indicated by Krishna of Dasarha’s race.  Even he is the root of our success or defeat.  In him are our lives, our kingdom, our prosperity and adversity, our happiness and misery.  Even he is the Ordainer and Creator.  In him is established the fruition of our desires.  Let him, therefore, be the leader of our host, who may be named by Krishna.  Let that foremost of speakers say, for the night approacheth.  Having selected our leader, worshipped our weapons with offerings of flowers and perfumes, we will, at day-break, under Krishna’s orders march to the field of battle!’