5

Dhrushtaket, the one to dread

King of Kashi and Purujit

Kuntibhoj ’n Saibya too

Chekitan, their force augment.

6

Uttamouj ’n Yudhamanyu

Abhimanyu so Vikranta

Draupadi’s offspring not to speak

Five-star generals all no less.

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7

For thy feel of our own strength

Roll-call heroes of ours O, revered.

8

Thou with Bhishm, Karn ’n Kripa

Make all four our Field Marshals,

Bhurisrav, Aswatham ’n Vikarn

Our Marshals, near Field Marshals.

9

With their lives on line for me

Adept at weaponry varied all

Abound valorous in our ranks

Past masters of group warfare.

10

Nurses Bhishma force our vast

Lot it’s Bhima’s tend their small.

11

Let’s close ranks in well laid files

Cover we flanks for Bhishma’s guard.

12

Words by these moved

Grandsire Bhishm,

Warrior verily unrivalled

War cry he gave with his conch.

13

Egged by Bhishma, geared Kauravs

War cries their rent, those high skies.

14

Krishna ’n Arjun, in their turn

From chariot of white stallions

Gave in kind they with kindred.

15

With Panchajanya, Lord Krishna

Broke sound barriers with Arjun

Who blew to hilt Devadatta

As blared Bhima, his Paundra.

16

Blew conch Yudhisthir full throated

Anantavijaya in tandem

With his siblings, Nakul ’n Sahadev,

Blew who Sughosh ’n Manipushpak.

17

King of Kashi, master archer

Sikhandi Marshal, their formidable

Saathyaki, Drushtadyumn ’n Virat

Warriors they all never vanquished,

18

Drupada as well Draupadi’s progeny

With their hero Abhimanyu

Blew, O monarch, at one go

Conchs of theirs to deafening sound.

19

Tumult that ensued shook the ground

Bewildered Kauravs, as skies roared.

20

When came time to join lines

So it happened O my Lord

With his Gandiv in harness

Hanumaan’s ensign in flutter

Arjun stared at Kauravs hard

And thus spoke to Lord Krishna.

21/22

Thus spoke Arjuna:

Pray posit chariot ours upfront

So that I can have a look

At those itching for this war.

23

Time I discern those backing

Duryodhan the evil minded.

24

Thus spoke Sanjaya:

Upfront Krishna took Arjun

In their chariot drawn by four.

25

Beseeched Krishna then Arjun

That he behold Bhishm ’n Dron

As well all those there gathered.

26

Espied Arjun his clansmen

Grandads, uncles, brothers and all

Teachers as well friends of note.

27

At the sight of

His kinsmen,

He in distress

Spoke worried.

28

Thus spoke Arjuna:

Disturb kinsfolk here gathered

Feel I parched, it nauseates too.

29

Horrify no end prospects war

Un-grips Gandiv, looks I’m sick.

30

Looks like it’s an illusion

Lord I envision bad omens all.

31

Crave I not for power or pelf




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