’"The goddess said,—­’Within a short time thou shalt conquer thy foes, O Pandava.  O invincible one, thou hast Narayana (again) for aiding thee.  Thou art incapable of being defeated by foes, even by the wielder of the thunderbolt himself.’

’"Having said this, the boon-giving goddess disappeared soon.  The son of Kunti, however, obtaining that boon, regarded himself as successful, and the son of Pritha then mounted his own excellent car.  And then Krishna and Arjuna, seated on the same car, blew their celestial conches.  The man that recites this hymn rising at dawn, hath no fear any time from Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Pisachas.  He can have no enemies; he hath no fear, from snakes and all animals that have fangs and teeth, as also from kings.  He is sure to be victorious in all disputes, and if bound, he is freed from his bonds.  He is sure to get over all difficulties, is freed from thieves, is ever victorious in battle and winneth the goddess of prosperity for ever.  With health and strength, he liveth for a hundred years.

“I have known all this through the grace of Vyasa endued with great wisdom.  Thy wicked sons, however, all entangled in the meshes of death, do not, from ignorance, know them to be Nara and Narayana.  Nor do they, entangled in the meshes of death, know that the hour of this kingdom hath arrived.  Dwaipayana and Narada, and Kanwa, and the sinless Rama, had all prevented thy son.  But he did not accept their words.  There where righteousness is, there are glory and beauty.  There where modesty is, there are prosperity and intelligence.  There where righteousness is, there is Krishna; and there where Krishna is, there is victory.”

SECTION XXIV

Dhritarashtra said,—­“There (on the field of battle) O Sanjaya, the warriors of which side first advanced to battle cheerfully?  Whose hearts were filled with confidence, and who were spiritless from melancholy?  In that battle which maketh the hearts of men tremble with fear, who were they that struck the first blow, mine or they belonging to the Pandavas?  Tell me all this, O Sanjaya.  Among whose troops did the flowery garlands and unguents emit fragrant odours?  And whose troops, roaring fiercely, uttered merciful words?”

Sanjaya said,—­“The combatants of both armies were cheerful then and the flowery garlands and perfumes of both troops emitted equal fragrance.  And, O bull of Bharata’s race, fierce was the collision that took place when the serried ranks arrayed for battle encountered each other.  And the sound of musical instruments, mingled with the blare of conches and the noise of drums, and the shouts of brave warriors roaring fiercely at one another, became very loud.  O bull of Bharata’s race, dreadful was the collision caused by the encounter of the combatants of both armies, filled with joy and staring at one another, and the elephants uttering obstreperous grunts.”