06.016
Sanjaya said:
O great king, your question is appropriate as you deserve, but you should not blame Duryodhana for this fault.
A person who suffers due to his own misdeeds should not blame others for the consequences.
O king, a man who engages in all blameworthy acts among men deserves to be punished, as he performs acts condemned by all the world.
The Pandavas, known for their deceit, insulted and waited for you, enduring the experience with their ministers for a long time in the forest.
I have directly seen, by the power of yoga, the horses, elephants, and heroes of immeasurable energy.
"Listen, O king, do not grieve. This was destined to happen."
Having paid respects to your father, I offer my salutations to the wise Vyasa, by whose grace I have obtained divine and unsurpassed knowledge.
O king, there is sight and hearing beyond the senses, as well as knowledge of others' minds, and of events from the past and future.
The great soul, by his boon, always has knowledge of arising and origin, movement in the sky, and detachment from weapons in battles.
Listen to my detailed narration of this extraordinary and most astonishing great war of the Bharatas, as it truly happened, which is hair-raising.
In those well-organized armies, Duryodhana, the great king, addressed Duhshasana.
Duhshasana, quickly have the chariots of Bhishma's protectors yoked and urge all the armies swiftly.
The long-anticipated meeting between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, along with their armies, has finally occurred after many years of contemplation.
I believe that in battle, there is no duty more important than protecting Bhishma. If he is well-guarded, he could defeat the sons of Pritha, the Somakas, and the Srinjayas.
The pure-hearted one said, "I will not kill Shikhandi, as it is known that he was once a woman; hence, he should be avoided by me in battle."
Therefore, it is my opinion that Bhishma should be especially protected. All my men should focus on the task of killing Shikhandi.
Thus, the warriors from the eastern, western, southern, and northern regions, all skilled in weapons and missiles, are to protect the grandfather.
An unprotected lion might indeed be killed by a wolf. Let us not allow the mighty lion to be killed by a jackal, as a peacock would.
Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas were stationed on the left wheel, while the protectors of Arjuna, including Shikhandi, were on the right.
Arjuna and Bhishma are protecting and avoiding, respectively, so that Dushasana does not kill Bhishma, the son of Ganga. Do accordingly.
As the night ended and dawn broke, a great clamor arose among the kings, shouting, "Prepare yourselves, prepare yourselves."
The battlefield resounded with the blaring of conches and beating of drums, the roaring of lions, O Bharata, and the neighing of horses along with the clattering of chariot wheels.
The tumultuous noise of the mighty elephants and the roaring warriors, accompanied by whistling, clapping, and shouting, resounded everywhere.
O King, at sunrise, the great armies of the Kurus and Pandavas were fully prepared and arose. Your sons and the Pandavas were also ready.
There, the serpents and chariots, adorned with gold, appear shining like clouds accompanied by lightning.
The chariots appeared like numerous cities, and there your father shone exceedingly like the full moon.
The warriors, equipped with bows, spears, swords, maces, javelins, and lances, stood ready in their respective shining armies.
O lord of men, elephants, chariots, foot soldiers, and horses stood in formations like traps, numbering in hundreds and thousands.
Flags of various kinds were seen raised high, shining in thousands, belonging to both one's own side and the enemy's.
The golden and gem-studded flags, shining like fire, radiantly adorned the kings' armies in thousands.
The bright banners of Indra, as if in the abodes of Indra, were seen by the heroes, eager for battle, fully armed among them.
The archers, with their varied weapons raised and fastened on their palms, the bull-eyed lords of men, went to the front of the army.
Shakuni, the son of Subala, Shalya, the king of Sindhu, Jayadratha, Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, along with Kamboja and Sudakshina, were present.
Śrutayudha, Kalinga, Jayatsena, the king Brihadbala, Kaushalya, Kritavarma, and Satyaki were present.
These ten valiant men, resembling tigers, with arms as strong as iron clubs, are the leaders of the armies, known for their sacrificial rituals and generosity in gifts.
These and many others, who are followers under Duryodhana's control, are kings and princes, wise and mighty.
The warriors, fully armed and appearing equal, were stationed in their respective ranks. They all wore black deer skins, carried banners, and adorned themselves with grass garlands.
Ten prosperous armies, consecrated for the realm of Brahma, were created for Duryodhana's cause and were strategically positioned after surrounding.
On the eleventh day, the great army of the Kauravas, sons of Dhritarashtra, was positioned at the forefront of all the armies, led by Bhishma, the son of Shantanu.
O great king, we saw Bhishma, adorned in white turban, riding a white horse, and wearing white armor, appearing like the risen moon.
The Kurus and Pandavas beheld Bhishma, standing in his radiant chariot with a golden banner, resembling a bright white cloud.
Upon seeing Bhishma at the forefront of the army, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, who were great archers led by Dhrishtadyumna, were filled with trepidation.
Upon seeing the great lion yawning, all the warriors led by Dhrishtadyumna were repeatedly filled with fear, just like small animals would be.
O Bharata, these eleven glorious armies of yours and the seven of the Pandavas are protected by great warriors.
At the end of an age, two oceans appear, filled with mad whirlpools and great alligators, resembling the tumultuous seas.
O king, we have neither seen nor heard of such a gathering of assembled armies before.
