“Yudhishthira said, ’O thou of great wisdom, do thou, desirous of my welfare, from day to day, consult my interests.  Do battle, however for the sake of the Kauravas.  Even this is always my prayer (to thee).’

“Bhishma said, ’O king, O son of Kuru’s race, what aid can I render thee in this?  I shall, of course, fight for (thy) foes.  Tell me what thou hast to say.’

“Yudhishthira said, ’Therefore, O Sire, I ask thee, I bow to thee, O grandsire, how shall we, in battle, vanquish thee that art invincible?  Tell me this that is for my benefit, if indeed, thou seest any good in it.”

“Bhishma said, ’I do not, O son of Kunti, see the person who, even if he were the chief of the celestials himself, can defeat me in battle when I fight.’

“Yudhishthira said, ’My salutations to thee, O grandsire.  Therefore, do I ask thee (this).  Tell us how thy own death may be compassed by foes in battle.’

“Bhishma said, ’I do not see the person, O sire, who can vanquish me in battle.  The time also of my death is not yet come to me once again.”

Sanjaya continued,—­“Then, O son of Kuru’s race, Yudhishthira, once more saluting him, accepted Bhishma’s words with a bend of his head.  And that mighty-armed one then proceeded towards the car of the preceptor ( Drona) through the midst of all the soldiers who were eyeing him, accompanied by his brothers.  Then saluting Drona and walking round him, the king spoke to that invincible warrior words that were for his own benefit.[311]

“Yudhishthira said, ’I ask thee, O invincible one, how I may fight without incurring sin, and how, with thy permission, O regenerate one, I may vanquish all my foes?[312]

“Drona said, ’If, having resolved to fight, thou hadst not come to me (thus), I would have cursed thee.  O king, for thy complete overthrow.  I am, however, gratified, O Yudhishthira, and honoured by thee, O sinless one.  I permit thee, fight and obtain victory.  I will also fulfil thy wish.  Say what thou hast to say.  Under these circumstances, battle excepted, what dost thou wish?  A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is not one’s slave.  This is quite true, O king!  Bound I have been with (their) wealth by the Kauravas!  It is for this that like a eunuch I shall fight for the sake of the Kauravas.  It is for this that like a eunuch I am uttering these words—­Battle excepted, what dost thou wish?  I shall fight for the sake of the Kauravas, but will pray for thy victory.’[313]

“Yudhishthira said, ’Pray for my victory, O regenerate one, and counsel what is for my good.  Fight, however, for the Kauravas.  This is the boon solicited by me.’

“Drona said, ’Victory, O king, is certain for thee that hast Hari for thy counsellor.  I (also) grant thee that thou wilt vanquish thy foes in battle.  Thither where righteousness is, thither is Krishna, and thither where Krishna is, thither is victory.  Go, fight, O son of Kunti!  Ask me, what shall I say unto thee?’