hath been favoured by Drona with (the gift of all) celestial weapons.  There is, however, O bull of Bharata’s race, one great defect in him, in consequence of which, O best of kings, I do not regard him either as a Ratha or a Maharatha.  This regenerate man is exceedingly fond of living, life being very dear to him.  Amongst the warriors of both armies there is no one who can be regarded as his peer.  On even a single car he can annihilate the very army of the celestials.  Possessed of a strong frame, he can split the very mountains by the flaps of his bow-string, striking against the leathern fence on his left arm.  Endued with innumerable qualities, this smiter of fierce effulgence will wander (over the field of battle), incapable of being withstood like Yama himself, mace in hand.  Resembling the fire at the end of the Yuga as regards his fury, possessed of leonine neck, and endued with great lustre, Aswatthaman will extinguish the embers of this battle between the Bharata’s.  His father (Drona) is endued with great energy, and though aged, is still superior to many young men.  He will achieve great feats in battle.  I have no doubt of this.  Staying immovably (on the field), he will consume Yudhishthira’s troops.  The Pandava army will play the part of the dry grass and fuel in which that fire will originate, while the impetus of his own weapons will be the wind for fanning it into a (mighty) flame.  This bull among men, is a leader of bands of car-warriors.  The son of Bharadwaja will achieve fierce feats for thy good!  The preceptor of all Kshatriyas of royal lineage, the venerable preceptor, will exterminate the Srinjayas.  Dhananjaya, however, is dear to him.  This mighty bowman, therefore, remembering his own celebrated and highly meritorious services as preceptor, will never be able to slay Partha who is capable of achieving great feats without any trouble.  O hero, Drona always boasteth of the numerous accomplishments of Partha.  Indeed, Bharadwaja looketh on him with greater affection than on his own son.  Endued with great prowess, he can, on a single car, beat in battle, by means of his celestial weapons, all the gods, Gandharvas, and human beings united together.  That tiger among kings, is, O monarch, one of thy Maharathas.  Capable of breaking the car-ranks of hostile heroes, he, in my judgment, is one of thy foremost of car-warriors.  Afflicting the ranks of the enemy at the head of his own large force, he will consume the Panchalas like fire consuming a heap of dry grass.  Possessed of true fame, prince Vrihadvala is equal to single Ratha.  He, O monarch, will roam amid thy enemy’s troops like Death himself.  His troops, O king of kings, accoutred in various kinds of mail and armed with diverse kinds of weapons, will wander on the field, slaying all the warriors opposed to them.  Vrishasena, the son of Karna, is one of thy foremost of car-warriors and is a Maharatha.  That foremost of mighty men will consume the troops of thy enemy.  Endued with great energy, Jalasandha,