it with a thick net-work of arrows and confounding the very sense (of those that followed Drona).  Incessantly placing his arrows on the bow-string and quickly shooting them, none could notice any lapse of time between these two acts of the renowned son of Kunti.  Neither (four cardinal) directions, nor the firmament above, nor the earth, O king, could any longer be distinguished, for everything then became one dense mass of arrows.  Indeed, O king, when the wielder of Gandiva caused that thick darkness by means of his arrows, nothing could be seen in that battle.  Just then the sun also set, enveloped with a dusty cloud.  Neither friend nor foe could any longer be distinguished.  Then Drona and Duryodhana and others caused the withdrawal of their troops.  And ascertaining the foe to be inspired with fear and unwilling to continue the fight, Vibhatsu also slowly caused his troops to be withdrawn.  Then the Pandavas and the Srinjayas and the Panchalas, filled with joy, praised Partha with delightful speeches like the Rishis praising the Sun.  Having vanquished his foes thus, Dhananjaya then, filled with joy, retired to his tent, proceeding in the rear of the whole army, with Kesava as his companion.  And stationed on his beautiful car decked with the costliest specimens of sapphires and rubies and gold and silver and diamonds and corals and crystals, the son of Pandu looked resplendent like the moon in the firmament bespangled with stars.’”

SECTION XVII

“Sanjaya said, ’The troops of both the armies, having proceeded to their tents, duly took up their quarters, O king, according to the divisions and the sub-divisions to which they belonged.  Having withdrawn the troops, Drona, in great cheerlessness of mind, beholding Duryodhana, said these words in shame:  ’I told thee before that when Dhananjaya is by Yudhishthira, he is incapable of being seized in battle by the very gods.  Although all of you fell upon him in battle, yet Partha frustrated all your attempts.  Do not doubt what I say, Krishna and Pandu’s son (Arjuna) are invincible.  If, however, Arjuna of white steeds can, by any means, be withdrawn (from Yudhishthira’s side), then Yudhishthira, O king, shall soon come under thy control.  Let some one challenging him (Arjuna) in battle draw him away to some other part of the field.  The son of Kunti will not return without vanquishing him.  Meanwhile, when Arjuna will not be by, O monarch, I will seize king Yudhishthira the just, penetrating through the Pandava host in the very sight of Dhrishtadyumna.  Thus, O monarch, I will, without doubt, bring Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, along with his followers, under control.  If that son of Pandu stays even for a moment before me in battle, I will bring him a captive from the field.  That feat will be more advantageous than victory (over the Pandava army).’