SECTION LVIII

“Vaisampayana said, ’After Kripa had thus been taken away, the invincible Drona of red steeds, taking up his bow to which he had already stringed an arrow, rushed towards Arjuna of white steeds.  And beholding at no great distance from him the preceptor advancing on his golden car, Arjuna that foremost of victorious warriors, addressing Uttara, said, ’Blessed be thou, O friend, carry me before that warrior on whose high banner-top is seen a golden altar resembling a long flame of fire and decked with numerous flags placed around, and whose car is drawn by steeds that are red and large, exceedingly handsome and highly-trained, of face pleasant and of quiet mien, and like unto corals in colour and with faces of coppery hue, for that warrior is Drona with whom I desire to fight.  Of long arms and endued with mighty energy possessed of strength and beauty of person, celebrated over all the worlds for his prowess, resembling Usanas himself in intelligence and Vrihaspati in knowledge of morality, he is conversant with the four Vedas and devoted to the practice of Brahmacharya virtues.  O friend, the use of the celestial weapons together with the mysteries of their withdrawal and the entire-science of weapons, always reside in him.  Forgiveness, self-control, truth, abstention from injury, rectitude of conduct,—­these and countless other virtues always dwell in that regenerate one.  I desire to fight with that highly-blessed one on the field.  Therefore, take me before the preceptor and carry me thither, O Uttara.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Thus addressed by Arjuna, Virata’s son urged his steeds decked with gold towards the car of Bharadwaja’s son.  And Drona also rushed towards the impetuously advancing Partha, the son of Pandu,—­that foremost of car-warriors,—­like an infuriate elephant rushing towards an infuriate compeer.  And the son of Bharadwaja then blew his conch whose blare resembled that of a hundred trumpets.  And at that sound the whole army become agitated like the sea in a tempest.  And beholding those excellent steeds red in hue mingling in battle with Arjuna’s steeds of swan-like whiteness endued with the speed of the mind, all the spectators were filled with wonder.  And seeing on the field of battle those car-warriors—­the preceptor Drona and his disciple Partha—­both endued with prowess, both invincible, both well-trained, both possessed of great energy and great strength, engaged with each other, that mighty host of the Bharatas began to tremble frequently.  And that mighty car-warrior Partha, possessed of great prowess and filled with joy upon reaching Drona’s car on his own, saluted the preceptor.  And that slayer of hostile heroes, the mighty armed son of Kunti, then addressed Drona in an humble and sweet tone, saying, ’Having completed our exile in the woods, we are now desirous of avenging our wrongs.  Even invincible in battle, it doth not behove thee to be