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Pancharatra-Core: Asked by Duryodhana, Bhishma describes the army of Vauravas.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Sanjaya, when Arjuna had vowed to kill Bhishma, what actions did my foolish sons, including Duryodhana, take?
I see that Bhishma, the son of Ganga and my father, has been killed in battle by Arjuna, who was aided by Krishna and wielded a strong bow.
Upon hearing the words of Partha, the wise and great archer Bhishma, the best among warriors, responded thoughtfully. What did he say?
After becoming the commander of the Kauravas, what actions did the wise and valiant son of Ganga take?
Vaishampayana spoke:
Then Sanjaya conveyed all the details to him, exactly as narrated by the venerable Bhishma, the elder of the Kuru dynasty, who possessed immeasurable splendor.
Sanjaya said:
Upon assuming command, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, addressed King Duryodhana with words that seemed to cheer him.
After saluting the prince and the general who holds a spear, I shall undoubtedly become your commander today.
I am skilled in military duties and various formations, and I can execute tasks with both paid and unpaid personnel.
O great king, you are as knowledgeable in journeys, battles, and achieving peace as Bṛhaspati himself.
I will use formations and great undertakings, both divine and human, to confuse the Pandavas. Let your anxiety be relieved.
O king, I will truly fight while protecting your army. Let your mental anguish be relieved properly according to the scriptures.
Duryodhana spoke:
O son of Ganga, I have no fear even among gods and demons. This is the truth I tell you, O mighty-armed one.
What then, when you, the invincible, are positioned as the general, and Drona, the tiger among men, stands rejoicing in battle?
With you both, the greatest of men, standing firm, my victory is assured, O best of the Kurus, even the divine kingdom is within reach.
O Kaurava, I wish to know the complete number of chariots of both the enemies and ourselves, as well as the great charioteers.
The grandfather is indeed skilled in understanding both others and himself. I wish to listen along with all the kings of the earth.
Bhishma spoke:
O King, listen in Gandhara to the count of chariots in your own army; which chariots and great charioteers, O protector of the earth.
Here, in your army, there are numerous thousands, tens of millions, and hundreds of millions of chariots; however, listen to my chief directive.
You are at the forefront with the grand chariot, accompanied by all your brothers, including Duhshasana and others, numbering a hundred.
All are equipped with weapons, skilled in cutting and piercing, adept on chariots and elephants, and proficient in mace and sword-shield combat.
The controllers and attackers, skilled in weaponry and bearers of burden, are students of Drona, Kripa, and Sharadvata, proficient in archery.
The proud sons of Dhritarashtra, having committed sins, will be slain by the Pandavas in the battle against the arrogant Panchalas.
Then, O best of the Bharatas, I, your commander of all armies, will destroy the enemies by humiliating the Pandavas. However, I am not worthy of speaking about my own qualities, as you already know them.
Kritavarma, the mighty chariot-warrior of the Bhojas, is the best among fighters and will undoubtedly secure your victory in battle.
Mahendra, who is invincible and skilled in weaponry, will destroy your enemies from afar with his mighty weapons, just as he would vanquish demons.
The king of Madra, Śalya, known for his great archery skills, is regarded by me as an exceptional chariot-warrior. He constantly challenges Vāsudeva in every battle.
Shalya, having forsaken his own nephews, will engage in battle against Krishna, the wielder of the discus and mace, as the finest of charioteers.
Bhūriśravāḥ, a skilled warrior, is like an ocean with waves and speed, overwhelming the enemies, and he is your beneficial friend.
Saumadatti, a renowned archer and commander of chariot divisions, will inflict significant losses on the enemy forces.
Sindhuraja, the great king, is considered to have a chariot twice as powerful. O king, the valiant best of chariots will engage in battle.
Before the abduction of Draupadi, he, afflicted by the Pandavas, remembering that affliction, will fight as the destroyer of enemy heroes.
By undertaking severe penance, O king, a boon that was very difficult to obtain was granted to fight against the Pandavas in battle.
This valiant warrior, a tiger among charioteers, recalling the old enmity, will engage in battle with the Pandavas, dear father, even at the cost of his life, which is so hard to forsake.
