06.001
Core and Pancharatra: Facing east, gather the Pandavas and facing west, gather the Kauravas. Agree on the rules of engagement for a war.
Janamejaya spoke:
How did the valiant heroes, including the Kurus, Pandavas, and Somakas, the illustrious kings from various regions, engage in battle?
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
Listen, O lord of the earth, to how the heroes, the Kurus, Pandavas, and Somakas, fought in the sacred land of Kurukshetra.
The mighty Pandavas, along with the Somakas, descended onto the battlefield of Kurukshetra, advancing towards the Kauravas with the desire to win.
All those who were well-versed in the study of the Vedas and delighted in battle were hoping for victory or facing death in the war.
They approached the formidable army of Dhritarashtra and, facing east, they settled in the western part with their soldiers.
Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, properly arranged for thousands of camps to be set up outside the region of Samantapanchaka.
The earth was left desolate, inhabited only by children and the elderly, lacking horses, men, chariots, and elephants.
As long as the sun shines over the realm of Jambudvipa, the strength has returned, O noble king.
All the colors, situated together, form a vast circle spanning many leagues, traversing through regions, rivers, mountains, and forests.
King Yudhishthira, the best among men, commanded that the soldiers be provided with the finest food and drink.
Yudhishthira assigned various names to them. Thus, it is to be understood that this is the son of Pandu.
The Kaurava arranged all the tokens, signals, and ornaments when the time for battle arrived.
Upon seeing the top of the Pāṇḍavas' flag, the wise son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, accompanied by all the kings, strategically arranged his forces against the Pāṇḍavas.
He was surrounded by his brothers in the midst of a thousand elephants, with a white umbrella held over his head.
Upon seeing Duryodhana, all the Pandava soldiers, filled with joy, blew their great conches and beat the drums in unison, creating a sound that echoed thousands of times.
Then, upon seeing their own army filled with joy, the Pandavas and the mighty Vasudeva felt a surge of happiness.
Then, Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, the great warriors, joyfully blew their divine conches from their chariot, inspiring the troops.
Upon hearing the sound of the conches Pāñcajanya and Devadatta, the warriors, along with their vehicles, were so terrified that they involuntarily discharged excrement and urine.
The army of Dhritarashtra trembled just like other animals would upon hearing the roar of a lion.
The dust from the earth rose up, obscuring everything from view. The sun was hidden, shrouded by the dust stirred up by the army.
Here, the cloud rained flesh and blood, drenching all the armies, and it appeared as if something wonderful had happened.
Then, the wind arose, pulling down gravel, destroying the armies and scattering the dust.
O King, both armies, filled with great joy, stood ready for battle in Kurukshetra, resembling the turbulent ocean.
There was a marvelous encounter between the two armies, reminiscent of the meeting of two oceans at the end of an era.
The Kauravas, having gathered their army, left the entire earth desolate, with only the young and the elderly remaining.
Then the Kurus, Pandavas, and Somakas reached an agreement and set the rules for the battles, O best of the Bharatas.
Once the battle is over, we should have mutual affection as before, appropriately, and ensure that there is no deception again.
In the battle, we engage through words, and our counteraction is solely verbal. Once someone has left the battlefield, they should not be harmed in any manner.
O Bhārata, a charioteer should engage with another charioteer, an elephant rider with another elephant rider, a horseman with another horseman, and a foot soldier with another foot soldier.
One should act according to appropriateness, strength, enthusiasm, and age, after consultation, and should not attack in a trusting or confused manner.
One who is joined with another, careless, turned away, weaponless, and without armor should not be killed in any way.
One should not strike in any way during births, burdens, weaponry, or the sounds of drums and conches.
After making the agreement, the Kurus, Pandavas, and Somakas were filled with great wonder as they looked at each other.
After settling down, the great souls, who were like bulls among men, became joyful and cheerful-minded along with their soldiers.
