05.196
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
In the clear morning, as urged by Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana, the kings set out towards the Pandavas.
After bathing, all the pure ones, adorned with garlands and dressed in white, holding weapons and bearing flags, were ready to speak auspicious words, having offered oblations in the fire.
All are knowledgeable in the Vedas and are heroes. They all follow good conduct and vows, perform their duties, and possess marks of heroism.
In battles, the mighty ones, desiring to conquer other worlds, all had focused minds and were faithful to the supreme.
Vindānuvinda and Avanti, along with Kekaya and the Bahlika, all set out together, led by Bharadvaja.
Ashwatthama, the son of Shantanu, the Sindhu prince, Jayadratha, along with the southerners, westerners, and mountaineers, are the charioteers.
The King of Gandhara, Shakuni, along with all the people from the eastern and northern regions, including the Shakas, Kiratas, Yavanas, Shibis, and Vasatis, were present.
Accompanied by their own troops and surrounding the great chariot, all these great charioteers set out in the second army.
Kritavarma, along with his army and the mighty Trigartas, and King Duryodhana surrounded by his brothers.
Shala, Bhurishrava, Shalya, Kausalya, and Brihadbala were among those who followed behind the leaders of Dhartarashtra.
The great warriors, ready for battle, traveled by the even path and stood arrayed in the western half of Kurukshetra.
Duryodhana, however, set up a camp, O Bharata, that was as splendidly adorned as a second Hastinapura.
O King, even the skilled city dwellers do not recognize any distinction between the city and the camp.
The Kaurava king constructed numerous forts for the kings, numbering in the hundreds and thousands.
O king, leaving behind the circle of five yojanas, the army camps entered that battlefield in hundreds of groups.
There, the kings, each according to their own enthusiasm and strength, quickly entered the camps, which were abundant in resources by the thousands.
King Duryodhana, along with his armies and the noble ones, arranged for the best food and drink to be served to the guests from outside.
Among the elephants, horses, and men, as well as the artisans and other followers present there, were charioteers, bards, and panegyrists.
The Kaurava king properly observed all the merchants, courtesans, brothels, spectators, and people.
