05.049
Dhritarashtra spoke:
What did King Dharmaputra, the Pāṇḍava, say? Upon hearing, these numerous armies have gathered by the adversary.
What is Yudhishthira, who is preparing for battle, hoping to achieve with such fervor? Whose face among the sons of his brothers does he look at with concern?
Who indeed restrains this person, calms them or fights again? Deceived and angered by fools, the one who knows and follows dharma.
Sanjaya said:
The Panchalas, together with the Pandavas, gaze upon the king's face. Yudhishthira's well-being is your responsibility, and he provides guidance to everyone.
The chariots of the Pandavas and the Panchalas, though separated, come together to welcome Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, as he approaches.
The Panchalas welcome the son of Kunti, who is of blazing energy, as darkness welcomes the rising sun, and as a mass of energy rises.
The cowherds and protectors, along with the Panchalas, Kekayas, and Matsyas, joyfully greet Yudhishthira, the Pandava.
The Brahmin women, princesses, and daughters of the people, who were playing, gathered to see the armed Arjuna.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Sanjaya, tell me by whom the Pandavas have engaged us in battle. It seems that under the leadership of Dhrishtadyumna, the general, the Somakas are acting as if they are weaklings.
Vaishampayana spoke:
Gāvalgaṇi, when questioned in the Kuru assembly, sighed deeply and pondered for a long time. Then, inexplicably and by fate, confusion overcame the charioteer.
In the royal court, a man announced that Sanjaya had fainted and fallen to the ground, unable to speak due to his lack of awareness and diminished consciousness.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Sanjaya certainly saw the sons of Kunti, who were great warriors. His mind was greatly agitated by these tiger-like men.
Vaishampayana said:
Sanjaya, after regaining his composure, addressed King Dhritarashtra in the Kuru assembly.
I have witnessed, O King, the sons of Kunti, the great warriors, who have become emaciated due to their confinement in the abode of the Matsya king. Listen, O great king, to those by whom the Pandavas were engaged.
A truly righteous person never abandons the truth, not due to anger, fear, desire, wealth, or logical arguments.
O great king, the Pandavas were engaged by Ajatashatru, who is the standard in righteousness and the best among the upholders of dharma.
The Pandavas, led by Bhimasena, who was unmatched in strength and had brought all the kings under his control, engaged in their mission.
Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, became a refuge for those who escaped from the lac house, from Hiḍimbā, and from the man-eater.
Then, where the king of Sindhu abducted Draupadi, Vrikodara (Bhima), the son of Kunti, became their protector.
He who gathered all the Pāṇḍavas at Vāraṇāvata and saved them from the burning house, was engaged by him.
The ones who were overcome by anger and killed, entered the dangerous and terrible Gandhamadana mountain, wandering for the affection of Krishna.
Bhimasena, whose strength equaled that of ten thousand elephants and was concentrated in his arms, led your Pandavas into battle.
Krishna's second, who had once conquered and satisfied Agni, defeated the hero Indra in battle.
He who directly pleased Lord Shiva, the great god, the trident-holder, by engaging in battle, the god of gods, the husband of Uma.
The archer who brought all the guardians of the world under his control, with his victory in battle, the Pandavas engaged.
Nakul, the skilled warrior, who brought the western regions filled with barbarians under control, was stationed there.
The Pāṇḍavas, led by the handsome and heroic son of Mādrī, a great archer, engaged in action, O descendant of Kuru.
Sahadeva, who conquered Kashi, Anga, Magadha, and Kalinga in battle, engaged your Pandavas.
By the strength of whom, there are four men on earth who are comparable: Ashwatthama, Dhrishtaketu, Pradyumna, and Rukmi.
With Sahadeva, your Pandavas were engaged by the younger hero, the joy of Madri.
The daughter of Kashi, once known as Sati, undertook severe penance with the desire for Bhishma's death, even beyond her own death, O best of the Bharatas.
The daughter of the Panchala was born by divine will, and then he became a male again. O tiger among men, you know the qualities and faults of both women and men.
The Panchala warrior, known for his arrogance in battle, approached the Kalingas. Your Kuru warriors, under the leadership of Shikhandi, engaged him with their prepared weapons.
The Pandavas, indeed, engaged the man whom a Yaksha had transformed at the time of Bhishma's death, with the great archer and the fierce one.
The five Kekaya brothers, who were great archers and princes, well-armored and heroic, joined the battle with them.
The battle with the Vṛṣṇi hero Yuyudhāna, who is long-armed, quick in weapons, steadfast, and truly valiant, is yours.
Virata, who was the refuge for the great-souled Pandavas at the time of battle, engaged with the Pandavas.
The king of Kāśi, a great charioteer in Varanasi, became their warrior and led them to the place.
The Pandavas, invincible in battle and like the touch of serpents, were engaged by the great souls, the sons of Draupadi.
The Pandavas, led by Abhimanyu, who was like Krishna in valor and equal to Yudhishthira in restraint, engaged in battle.
Dhṛṣṭaketu, who is unmatched in valor and greatly renowned, along with the intolerable and angry Śiśupāla, the great chariot-warrior, engaged the Pāṇḍavas under the leadership of the king of Cedi.
Vasudeva, who is to the Pandavas what Indra is to the gods, engaged the Pandavas.
In this way, O best of the Bharatas, Śarabha, the brother of the Cedi king, along with Karakarṣa, was residing and interacting with them.
Jarāsandha, Sahadeva, and Jayatsena, both of them; Drupada, greatly powerful, surrounded by great strength, stood selflessly for the sake of the Pāṇḍavas, ready to fight.
Dharmaraja is supported by many kings from the east and north, who have come in hundreds with their vehicles.
