viz., the son of Santanu, hath been overthrown, who even now lieth on the ground like the Sun himself dropped (from the firmament), the Kuru kings are scarcely competent to bear Dhananjaya, like trees incapable of bearing the mountain-wind.  I shall, however, now protect, as that high-souled one did, this helpless Kuru host of cheerless mien, whose foremost warriors have already been slain by the foe.  Let this burden now devolve on me.  I see that this universe is transient, since that foremost of heroes hath been slain in battle.  Why shall I then cherish any fear of battle?  Coursing, therefore, on the field I shall despatch those bulls of Kuru’s race (viz., the Pandavas) to Yama’s abode by means of my straight shafts.  Regarding fame as the highest object in the world, I shall slay them in battle, or, slain by the foe, shall sleep on the field.  Yudhishthira is possessed of firmness, intelligence, virtue, and might.  Vrikodara is equal to a hundred elephant in prowess, Arjuna is young and is the son of the chief of the celestials.  The Pandava host, therefore, is not capable of being easily defeated by the very celestials.  That force in which are the twins, each resembling Yama himself, that force in which are Satyaki and the son of Devaki, that force is like the jaws of Death.  No coward, approaching it, can come back with life.  The wise oppose swelling ascetic power with ascetic austerities, so should force be opposed by force.  Verily, my mind is firmly fixed upon opposing the foe and protecting my own party, O charioteer, I shall today certainly resist the might of the enemy, and vanquish him by repairing only to the field of battle.  I will not tolerate this intestine feud.  When the troops are broken, he that cometh (for aiding) in the endeavour to rally is a friend.  I shall either achieve this righteous feat worthy of an honest man, or casting off my life shall follow Bhishma.  I shall either slay all my foes united together, or slain by them proceed to the regions reserved for heroes.  O charioteer, I know that even this is what I should do, when women and children cry for help, or when Duryodhana’s prowess sustains a check.  Therefore, I shall today conquer the foe.  Reckless of my very life in this terrible battle, I shall protect the Kurus and slay the sons of Pandu.  Slaying in battle all my foes banded together, I shall bestow (undisputed) sovereignty on Dhritarashtra’s son.  Let my armour, beautiful, made of gold, bright, and radiant with jewels and gems, be donned; and my head-gear, of effulgence equal to that of the sun; and my bows and arrows that resemble fire, poison, or snakes.  Let also sixteen quivers be tied (to my car) at the proper places, and let a number of excellent bows be procured.  Let also shafts, and darts and heavy maces, and my conch, variegated with gold, be got ready.  Bring also my variegated, beautiful, and excellent standard, made of gold, possessed of the effulgence of the lotus, and bearing the device of