the Pandavas also, through messengers on fleet horses, forbade their orders, ceased to fight, the kings of both armies, putting off their armour, all repaired to Bhishma.  Desisting from the fight, thousands of (other) warriors then, proceeded towards the high-souled Bhishma like the celestials towards the Lord of all creatures.  Approaching Bhishma who was then, O bull of Bharata’s race, lying (on his bed of arrows), the Pandavas and the Kurus stood there, having offered him their salutations.  Then Santanu’s son Bhishma of righteous soul addressed the Pandavas and the Kurus who having reverenced him thus, stood before him.  And he said,—­Welcome to you, ye highly blessed ones!  Welcome to you, ye mighty car-warriors!  Gratified am I with your sight, ye that are the equals of the very gods.—­Thus addressing them with his head hanging down, he once more said,—­’My head is hanging down greatly.  Let a pillow be given to me!—­The kings (standing there) then fetched many excellent pillows that were very soft and made of very delicate fabrics.  The grandsire, however, desired them not.  That tiger among men then said unto those kings with a laugh,—­These, ye kings, do not become a hero’s bed.—­Beholding them that foremost of men, that mightiest of car-warriors in all the worlds, viz., the mighty-armed Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, he said,—­O Dhananjaya, O thou of mighty arms, my head hangeth down, O sire!  Give me a pillow such as thou regardest to be fit!—­’”

SECTION CXXII

“Sanjaya said,—­’Stringing then his large bow and reverentially saluting the grandsire, Arjuna, with eyes filled with tears, said these words, O foremost one among the Kurus, O thou that art the first among all wielders of weapons, command me, O invincible one, for I am thy slave!  What shall I do, O grandsire!—­Unto him Santanu’s son said,—­My head, O sire, hangeth down!—­O foremost one among the Kuru’s O Phalguni, get me a pillow!  Indeed, give me one without delay O hero, that would become my bed!  Thou O Partha, art competent, thou art the foremost of all wielders of bows!  Thou art conversant with the duties of Kshatriyas and thou art endued with intelligence and goodness!—­Then Phalguni, saying,—­So be it—­desired to do Bhishma’s bidding.  Taking up Gandiva and a number of straight shafts, and inspiring them with mantras, and obtaining the permission of that illustrious and mighty car-warrior of Bharata’s race, Arjuna then, with three keen shafts endued with great force, supported Bhishma’s head.  Then that chief of the Bharatas, viz., Bhishma of virtuous soul, conversant with the truths of religion, seeing that Arjuna, having divined his thought, had achieved that feat, became highly gratified.  And after that pillow had thus been given to him, he applauded Dhananjaya.  And casting his eyes upon all the Bharatas there, he addressed Kunti’s son Arjuna, that foremost of all warriors, that enhancer