“Duryodhana said, ’Drona and thou, and Salya, and Kripa, and Drona’s son, and Kritavarman the son of Hridika, and Sudakshina the ruler of the Kamvojas, and Bhurisravas, and Vikarna, and Bhagadatta of exceeding prowess, are all regarded as mighty car-warriors.  All of these, again, are high-born, and prepared to throw away their lives in battle.  It is my opinion that these are a match for even the three worlds (united together).  Even all the warriors of the Pandava army (united together) cannot bear your prowess.  A doubt has arisen in my mind.  Explain it to me who enquireth of thee.  Who it is, relying on whom the Pandavas are vanquishing us repeatedly.’

“Bhishma said, ’Listen, O king, to the words that I will speak unto thee, O thou of Kuru’s race.  Frequently wert thou addressed by me to the same effect but thou didst not do what I said.  Let peace be made with the Pandavas, O best of the Bharatas.  I regard this to be beneficial both to the world and thee, O lord.  Enjoy this earth, O king, with thy brothers and be happy, gratifying all thy well-wishers and delighting thy kinsfolk.  Although I cried myself hoarse before this, thou didst not yet listen to me, O sire.  Thou hadst always disregarded the sons of Pandu.  The effect of all that hath now overtaken thee.  Listen also, O king, from me as I speak of it, O Lord, to the reason why the Pandavas, whose achievements tire them not, are unslayable.[385] There is not, was not, will not be, the being in all the worlds who would or will be able to vanquish the sons of Pandu who are all protected by the wielder of Saranga.  Listen truly, O thou that art conversant with morality, to that ancient history which was recited to me by sages of souls under control.  In days of yore, all the celestials and the Rishis, united together, waited reverentially on the Grandsire upon the mountains of Gandhamadana.  And the Lord of all creatures, seated at his case in their midst, beheld an excellent car stationed in the firmament, blazing with effulgence.  Having ascertained (everything about it) by meditation, joining his hands with restrained heart, Brahman, with delighted soul, made his salutations to the highest Divine Being.  And the Rishis and the celestials, beholding in the firmament (the form thus) displayed, all stood up with joined hands, their eyes fixed on that wonder of wonders.  Worshipping him duly, Brahma, the foremost of all conversant with Brahman, the Creator of the universe, acquainted with the highest morality, uttered these high words:  Thou art the Glory of the Universe for thy form.  Thou art the Lord of the Universe.  O thou whose protection extendeth through the whole Universe, O thou that hath the Universe for thy work, O thou that hath thy soul under control, Thou art the Supreme Master of the Universe.  Thou art Vasudeva.  Therefore, I seek refuge in Thee that art the soul of Yoga and the highest Divinity.  Victory to Thee that art the Supreme God of the Universe.