’It was thus that the intelligent Kaurava arrayed his force.  Between the two sides, the total number was eighteen Akshauhinis.  Of this, the Pandava force consisted of seven Akshauhinis, while the Kaurava force consisted of ten Akshauhinis and one more.  Five times fifty men constitute a Patti.  Three Pattis make a Senamukha or Gulma.  Three Gulmas make a Gana.  In Duryodhana’s army, there were thousands and hundred of such Ganas consisting of warriors capable of smiting (the foe) and longing for battle.  And the mighty-armed king Duryodhana, selecting from among them brave and intelligent warriors, made them the leaders of his troops.  And placing an Akshauhini of troops under each of those best of men, viz., Kripa, Drona, Salya, Jayadratha, the king of the Sindhus, Sudakshina the ruler of the Kamvojas, Kritavarman, Drona’s son (Aswatthaman), Karna, Bhurisravas, Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and the mighty Vahlika, the king used to bring them daily before him and at all hours, and speak to them.  And he repeatedly offered them worship before his very eyes.  And thus appointed, all warriors, with all their followers, became desirous of doing what was most agreeable to the king.’”

SECTION CLVII

“Vaisampayana said, Dhritarashtra’s son, accompanied by all the kings, then addressed Bhishma, son of Santanu, and with joined hands said these words, ’Without a commander, even a mighty army is routed in battle like a swarm of ants.  The intelligence of two persons can never agree.  Different commanders, again, are jealous of one another as regards their prowess.  O thou of great wisdom, it is heard (by us) that (once on a time) the Brahmanas, raising a standard of Kusa grass, encountered in battle the Kshatriyas of the Haihaya clan endued with immeasurable energy.  O grandsire, the Vaisyas and the Sudras followed the Brahmanas, so that all the three orders were on one side, while those bulls among the Kshatriyas were alone on the other.  In the battles, however, that ensued, the three orders repeatedly broke, while the Kshatriyas, though alone, vanquished large army that was opposed to them.  Then those best of Brahmanas enquired of the Kshatriyas themselves (as to the cause of this).  O grandsire, those that were virtuous among the Kshatriyas returned the true answer to the enquirers, saying, ’In battle we obey the orders of one person endued with great intelligence, while ye are disunited from one another and act according to your individual understanding.’  The Brahmanas then appointed one amongst themselves as their commander, who was brave and conversant with the ways of policy.  And they then succeeded in vanquishing the Kshatriyas.  Thus people always conquer their foes in battle who appoint a skilled, brave, and sinless commander, observing the good of the forces under him.  As regards thee, thou art equal to Usanas himself, and always seekest my good.  Incapable of being slain, thou art, again devoted