whole universe!  Of false vision he regardeth none else as a man.  It is true the scriptures teach that the words of the old should be listened to.  That, however, doth not refer to those that are very old, for these, in my judgment, become children again.  Alone I will exterminate the army of the Pandavas!  The fame, however, of such a feat will attach to Bhishma, O tiger among kings, for this Bhishma, O monarch, hath been made by thee the commander of thy forces, and the renown always attacheth to the leader and not to those that fight under him.  I will not, therefore, O king, fight as long as Ganga’s son liveth!  After Bhishma, however, hath been laid low, I will fight with all the Maharathas of the enemy united together!’

“Bhishma said, ’This burden, vast as the ocean, in the matter of Duryodhana’s battle (with the Pandavas), is about to be taken up by me.  I have thought of it for many years.  Now that the hour is come for that terrible encounter, dissensions amongst ourselves should not be created by me.  It is for this, Suta’s son, that thou livest!  Else, superannuated though I am and young in years thou art, I would quell thy desire for battle and crush thy hope of life! (Thy preceptor) Rama, the son of Jamadagni, shooting his great weapons, could not cause me the slightest pain.  What canst thou, therefore, do to me?  They that are good, do not approve self-praise.  Infamous wretch of thy race, know that I indulge in little boast because I am enraged.  Vanquishing on a single car all the assembled Kshatriyas of the world at the Swayamvara of the daughters of the ruler of Kasi, I abducted those maidens.  Alone, I stopped on the field of battle the rush of countless kings with their soldiers!  Obtaining thee as embodiment of strife, a great calamity is ready to overtake the Kurus!  Strive then for slaying our antagonists.  Be a man, fight with that Partha, whom thou so often challengest.  O thou of wicked understanding, I desire to see thee come out of that encounter with thy life!’

“King Duryodhana then said unto Bhishma, of great prowess, ’Cast thy eyes on me, O Ganga’s son!  Great is the business that is at hand!  Think earnestly as how I may be most benefited!  Both of you will render me great services!  I desire now to bear of the best car-warriors among the enemy, that is, of those that are Atirathas among them and of those that are leaders of car-division.  O Kaurava, I desire to hear of the strength and weakness of my foes, since when this night will dawn, our great battle will take place.’”

SECTION CLXX