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Mahabharata
Rathatiratha sankhyana Parva
Description of Rathas and Atirathas. Quarrel between Bhishma & Karna. Counting of Rathas and Atirathas. Words of Bhishma. Counting of Rathas and Atirathas.
Dhritarashtra said:
The slaying of Bhishma having been promised by Falguna in battle, what did my foolish sons, Duryodhana and others do?
I already see my father, the son of Ganga, slain in battle by the son of Pritha who has a firm grasp on his bow, having Vasudeva for his help-mate.
What also did, that great bowman Bhishma, that foremost among strikers, endued with unlimited wisdom, say after he had heard what the son of Pritha had said?
What did that oldest and foremost of the Kauravas, the son of Ganga, of great intelligence and prowess, do after obtaining the generalship?
Vaishampayana said:
Sanjaya then submitted to him every thing as had happened, what had been said by that oldest among the Kurus, Bhishma of immeas- urable energy.
Sanjaya said:
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, having obtained the generalship, said these words to Duryodhana infusing cheerfulness in him.
"Having bowed down to Kumara, the god of war, who has a lance in his hand, I shall today be your general, no doubt.
I am experienced in all matters relating to the army and in diverse artifices and in making the paid soldiers and unpaid ones (volunteers) do their own work.
In the matter of marching out troops in fighting and in declaring war I am as much an adept, O great king, as Brihaspati himself.
I am also conversant with the plans of attack and defense, adopted by gods, Gandharvas and human beings, and by means of them I shall deprive the sons of Pandu of their senses. Let your fears be gone.
I, who am so, shall fight observing the usual rules and protecting your army according to plans laid down in the holy books. Let your mind's fear be gone."
Duryodhana said:
No fear exists in me, O son of Ganga, from even the gods and Asuras united together, O you of long arm, I tell you this truly.
How much less reasons have I for fear when I have you as the commander of my armies and that foremost among men, Drona, who takes delight in war, being on my side.
You, the best among men, being on my side, victory will be mine and O foremost among the Kurus, kingship over the gods is surely not hard to get.
I desire to hear, O Kaurava, of the numbers of Rathis (car) warriors capable of fighting with a certain number of each of the four divisions together) and also the number of Atirathas (greater warrior than a Rathi) in our own army and in that of the enemies.
Our grandfather is familiar with ourselves as also with our enemies and I desire to hear all about it, along with these rulers of the earth.
Bhishma said:
O son of Gandhari. listen to the numbers of Rathi, O chief among kings, in your own army, hear O ruler of the earth, who are the Rathis and who the Atirathis.
There are thousands and tens of thousands and millions of Rathis in your army; listen to me, as I speak of them.
You, along with all your brothers Dushasana and others, are the foremost among car-warriors.
All of you are experienced in striking, cutting and piercing, and whether riding on chariots, or on the elephants you are experienced in the use of the mace, the swords and the shields.
You are also skillful drivers of elephants and chariots, you have mastered the science of weapons, and in the science of arrows you are the pupils of Drona and Kripa, the son of Sharadvata.
These will slay in battle the princes of Panchala, hard to be vanquished in battle, for the sons of Dhritarashtra, endued with intelligence, have been wronged by the Pandavas.
In the same way, I O foremost among the Bharatas, the commander of all your armies, shall slay your enemies after making the prowess of the Pandavas vain and useless.
It is not proper for me to describe my own qualifications; it is all known to you. The foremost of wielders of weapons, the king of the Bhojas, Kritavarman is an Atiratha (mightier car warrior).
He will make your object in fighting successful, no doubt for he is invincible among those familiar with the use of weapons and can hurl arms to a long distance and can hold firmly his weapons.
He will slay this army like the great Indra slaying the Danavas. In my opinion, the great bowman Shalya, the king of the Madras, is an Atiratha,
Who ever considers him an equal to Vasudeva in every battle; abandoning his own nephews (sister's sons) Shalya that Atiratha, has came over to your side.
These will fight in the battle with those great car warriors on the Pandavas side covering the enemies with arrows as ways covering the open. Bhurishravas, that master in the use of weapons, is also your will wisher.
The son of Somadatta, that mighty bowman, is a leader of the commanders of car warriors and he will effect a very great reduc- tion in the strength of the enemy.
In my opinion, O great king, the king of the Sindhus is twice a car warrior and that powerful and best among the car warriors will fight in the battle, O king.
Persecuted by the Pandavas, O king, in his attempt to carry away Draupadi, that slayer of hostile heroes will fight remembering that trouble.
After that defeat, severe austerities were practiced by him O king; he has obtained a boon, difficult to get, of fighting with the Pandavas in battle.
This foremost among the car warriors, therefore, remembering all this in battle, will fight with the Pandavas, my dear son, even careless of life which is hard to lay down.
Bhishma said:
In my opinion Sudakshina, of Kamboja, is equal to one Ratha and he will fight in the battle with the enemy desiring the success of your objects.
The prowess of this best among car warriors excited on your behalf, O best among kings, the Kurus in battle with see equal to that of Indra himself.
The best of car warriors under him are strikers with fierce force. The Kambojas, O great king, will cover like the land like a swarm of locusts.
Nil of Mahishmati clad in a blue coat of mail is a Ratha of your army and with the car warriors under him he will work havoc among the enemy.
My child, in former days, he was made an enemy by Sahadeva; and he will ever fight on your behalf, O you delighter of the Kuru race.
In my opinion Vindu and Anuvindu, the princes of Avanti, accomplished in battle and of firm strength and prowess are two of the best Rathas.
These two best among men will consume the army of enemy with maces, bearded darts, swords, muskets and long shafts hurled from their hands.
Desirous of war they will act in battle each like Yama like two sporting elephants moving in the midst of a herd, O king.
In my opinion, the five Trigarta brothers are Rathas and they were made enemies by the sons of Pritha while in the city of Virata.
In the battle, they will agitate the army of the son of Pritha like Makaras agitating the Ganga swollen with its waves.
They are Rathas, O chief among kings, at whose head is Satyaratha and they will fight in the battle remembering the former wrongs.
They were injured by Bhima's younger brother Arjuna, the son of Pandu, O king, when on a car drawn by white steeds, O Bharata, he went out to conquer all the quarters.
Having encountered many car warriors, chiefs of bowmen and leaders of Kshatriyas on the side of Parthas they will forsooth kill them
Your son Lakshmana and the son of Dushasana, both these foremost among men can never fly back from the battle.
The two young and delicate princes are of light hand and know all the details of fighting and are in every way fit to be leaders.
These two, O foremost among the Kurus, I am of opinion, are Rathas, and the heroes attached as they are to the duties of the Kshatriya will perform noble deeds.
That foremost among men, Dandadhara, O great king, is a Ratha and he will fight in your battle protected by his own army.
Brihadbala, too, O king, the prince of the Shalyas, is one of the best among car warriors and is a Ratha, in my opinion, of great impetuosity and prowess.
He will fight in the battle delighting his own friends, a wielder of terrible weapons as he is and a mighty bowman devoted to the good of the son of Dhritarashtra.
Kripa, the son of Sharadvata, O king, is the general of the commanders of the Rathas, and careless of his dear life he will consume your enemies.
The son of the great Rishi Gautama, or the preceptor Sharadvata, born on a clump of health, is invincible as the war god Kartikeya himself.
Destroying this army strong in numbers and furnished with diverse weapons and bows he will roll in the battle like blazing fire.
Bhishma said:
This Shakuni, your maternal uncle, is equal to a single Ratha, O ruler of men; and having brought about hostility with the Pandavas he will fight, there is no doubt of it.
His army when rushing to battle, is hard to vanquish; and furnished with plenty of weapons of all sorts they are of the velocity of the wind in battle.
That mighty bowman, the son of Drona (Ashvathama) surpasses all bowmen and is familiar with diverse modes of warfare and is of firm weapons; he is a Maharatha.
The arrows, shot by him from his bow as by the wielder of the Gandiva bow, proceed touching one another.
This best among the Rathas, this hero cannot be described by me; if this Maharatha wishes he can burn up the three worlds.
He has accumulated wrath and energy by his austerities while living in the hermitage. has been favored by Drona with celestial weapons.
He has however a great draw back owing to which, O foremost of the Bharata race, I do not consider him as a Ratha or an Atiratha, O best among the rulers of the earth.
He is excessively fond of life and that regenerate young man is always desirous of living but there is no body similar to him in the armies of both the parties.
By means of single of a single chariot can he slay even the army of the gods; and by the flaps of his bowstring striking against the leather fence on his left arm, that one, possessed of a powerful body, can rend asunder the mountains.
The heroic smiter, of fierce effulgence, has many accomplishments and he will wander about like death himself with rod in hand.
Having the shoulders of a lion and endued with great effulgence he will, like the fire that rages at the end of Yuga, extinguish the embers of this battle between the Bharatas.
His father, endued with great energy, is better then young persons though he is himself old and he will be the doer of great deeds in battle, of this I have no doubt.
Resembling the having its source in the dry grass and fuel in the shape of your army and fanned by the force of our weapons, our soldiers will surely consume those on the side of the son of Pandu in battle.
This foremost among men, the son of Bharadvaja, is the leader groups of car-leaders and will be the doer of fierce deeds.
The aged preceptor, the spiritual guide of all those who have undergone the ceremony of investiture on the head, will put an end to all the Srinjayas but Dhananjaya is dear to him.
The great bowman, remembering the blazing virtues acquired by the son of Pritha and his own relation towards him as a preceptor, will never, be able to kill him who accomplishes things without exertion.
This one (Drona) ever prides himself on the many accomplishments of the son of Pritha, O hero, and the son of Bharadvaja looks on him with greater affection than on his own son.
With the assistance of a single car he can slay the gods, the Gandharvas and the human beings united together, with the aid of his heavenly weapons.
That foremost of king, Pauravas, on your side, is a Maharatha, o king; such is my opinion; he is one of the foremost among car- warriors and will work havoc among the heroes on the enemies' side.
With his own large army affecting the army of his enemies he will consume the Panchalas as the course of fire does the dry grass.
Satyashravas that prince of great strength, is a Ratha on your side, O king and he will work havoc among the armies of the enemies like Death himself.
His soldiers, O chief among kings, clad in diverse kinds of amours and armed with diverse weapons, will roam about in the battle killing your enemies.
That great car warrior, Vrishasena, the son of Karna is one of the foremost of the car-warriors on your side; and that foremost among mighty persons will consume the army of your enemies.
Jalasandha, of great energy, is one of the foremost of the Rathas on your side. That scion of the race of Madhu, that slayer of hostile heroes, can even sacrifice his life in battle.
Conversant with the science of war, that one of long arms having the shoulders of an elephant will fight in battle scattering the hostile army, seated on a chariot.
The best among kings is Ratha in my opinion, O great king, and for your sake he will sacrifice his life a along his army in this greet battle.
This one is a mighty warrior and knows to fight according to diverse methods in battle; and O king, he will fight with your enemies casting fear aside.
Balhika, who never turns his back on the field of battle, is an Atiratha, O great king; such is my opinion and that hero is equal to the sun himself.
Having once reached the field, he will never turn back and he will slay the enemies in battle as continuously as the wind blows.
Satyavana, the leader of your armies, O great king, is Maharatha. A car-warrior himself, he is the doer of wonders in battle and works havoc among the enemies' charioteers.
He will certainly not be pained at the sight of battle and he will inspire those of the enemy's soldiers who stand in the way of his chariot with wonder.
Showing his strength against his enemies, a thing which is the duty of every good man, this best among men will be the doer of great deeds in your favour.
Alambusha, that chief of the Rakshashas of hard deeds, is a Maharatha and O king he will slay the enemies remembering the old enmity.
He is the best car warrior among all the Rakshasas, and being endued with the powers of illusion he will roam about in the field like an inveterate enemy.
The hero Bhagadatta, the ruler of the Pragjyotisha, endued with fame, is one of the foremost among the wielders of the hook of the elephant and is also skillful in fighting form the chariot.
In days of the old there took place a fight between him and the holder of Gandiva, for a number of days, O king, each being desirous of victory over the other.
O son of Gandhari, then did he, who thinks Indra to friend, conclude peace with that great souled son of Pandu.
This one of shoulders like those of elephants and skillful in battle will fight, O king, like Vasava on the back of the Airavata with the gods.
Bhishma said:
Achala and Vrishaka are two Rathas on your side who are hard to vanquish; both the brothers, united together, will destroy your enemies.
These two best among men are mighty, inveterate in their hatred and smiters (of enemies); they are the foremost among the Gandharis, young, handsome and endued with great strength.
But this one who is ever your dear friend, who vaunts of bravery in battle and who encourages you, O king in your dispute with the Pandavas,
This man vain and mean, Karna, the son of Vikartana, who is your adviser guide and friend, and who has been placed in too elevated a position by you,
This Karna is neither a Rathi nor an Atiratha in battle. Though ever generous he has been deprived of his celestial earrings. All this is owing to the curse of Rama (his preceptor) and the words of a Brahmana.
Owing to his being without his natural coat of mail he a Ratha in my opinion; and having once come across Falguna he will not escape him with life.
Then did Drona, the foremost among all wielders, of say as a rejoinder: "It is so; what you say is never false.
In each battle is he boastful and in each he is seen to be backward. Karna is kind and also becomes confounded; he is therefore in my opinion, to half a Ratha."
Hearing this, the son of Radha, expanding his eyes in wrath, said to Bhishma piercing him with his hook of words.
“O grandfather, at your pleasure, do you pierce me by your arrows of words; at every step do you thus treat me out of your aversion for me, though I have committed no sin.
I tolerate all his however for the sake of Duryodhana,; you deem me to be behind others (in fight) and a coward.
In my opinion you too are only half a Ratha, there is no doubt about this. O son of Ganga, I do not speak an untruth when I say that you are an enemy of the entire universe.
You are ever devoted to what is to the injury of the Kurus, But the king knows it not. Who else is there who would seek to sap the energy of these kings that are equal and create discord among them,
As you desire to do owing to your hatred towards these that are endued with accomplishments. Neither age, nor wealth, nor friends,
Can entitle a Kshatriya to be included in the category of Maharathas, O Kaurava. It is well-know a Kshatriya is superior by virtue of his strength and that the twice-born are superior by virtue of their learning.
It is also well-known that Vaishyas are superior by virtue of their wealth and that Sudras are superiors by virtue of their years. Speak for yourself then, as you please, your list of Rathas and Atirathas.
Actuated by desire and hatred and acting from ignorance you have enumerated the heroes. O Duryodhana of long arms, it is for you to judge properly. May you fare well.
Abandon this wicked Bhishma of unrighteous nature for, O ruler of men, discord once being in your own army it will be difficult to bring union again.
This remark applies to your main army, judge then about the subsidiary forces which have been raised from several sources.
This discord has entered among our warriors, already, O Bharata; in our very presence he saps our energies.
How vast is the difference between the task of estimating the might of Rathas and Bhishma of little intellect. I will meet the armies of the Pandavas.
Standing against me who are infallible they will be routed in ten directions, the Pandavas with the Panchalas, like bulls meeting with a tiger.
How vast is the difference between real fight, the clash of weapons, good advice, uttered in sweet sounding words on one side and Bhishma who is past the prime of life, of wicked soul and who is urged by fate.
Alone he even boasts to fight with the entire universe, and endued with false vision he does not regard any other man as a human being.
Certainly, it has been laid down in our holy books that the words of the aged should be listened to, but it does not apply to those who are very old for they are held to be boys.
Alone I shall slay the army of the sons of Pandu in a fair fight. The fame however of this will go to Bhishma, O best among kings.
By you, O ruler of men, has Bhishma been appointed the commander and all fame goes to the leader and never to an individual soldier.
O king, never shall I fight as long as the son of Ganga is alive. When Bhishma is killed I shall fight with all the car-warriors."
Bhishma said:
The great burden (the impending fight) vast as the ocean is ready to fall on me, a calamity which I had foreseen for a series of years,
Now is come that time, that fight the result of which makes our hairs stand on end. It is not my concern to create dispute among ourselves. It is for this that you now live, O you born of a Suta.
For though I am now aged and you but young I shall rend asunder your desire for battle and that of your own life, O you born of a Suta.
The weapons hurled at me by Rama the son of Jamadagni did not pain me, What can you do to me then?
Good men do not approve of this praise of one's own might. I speak thus (on this occasion) for I have lost my temper O vile one; the stain of your family.
In the election of a bridegroom by the daughters of Kashiraja, I, after defeating all the rulers of the earth united together, took away those girls by force.
Thousands of such kings, well known names too, along with their armies, were stopped in the battle by me alone.
Having come across yourself, an illustrated man, the Kurus have come upon a great disaster; try to mete out destruction and be a man.
In the battle, fight with son of Pritha, whom you are now challenging and I shall see how you escape out of that fight, O you of exceedingly wicked intelligence."
Then did the royal son of Dhritarashtra, endued with fame say to him, Look to me, O son of Ganga; the task which has devolved on you is great.
Think with your entire heart of my interests; both of you will do great deeds for me.
Again do I desire to hear about the best of the car-warriors of the enemy, those who are Atirathas in that side and those that can lead numbers of chariots.
O son of Kuru, I desire to hear of the strength and weakness of the enemies for the fight is to take place at the dawn of night."
Bhishma said:
These are the notable Rathas and Atirathas on your side, O ruler of men, and these, O king, are semi - Rathas; listen now to those of the Pandavas.
If you have now any curiosity to learn of the strength of the Pandavas, O ruler of men, then listen to the list of their Rathas along with these rulers of the earth.
The king, the son of Pandu and the delight of Kunti, is himself a mighty Ratha; and my dear son, he will roam about in the battle like fire itself; there in no doubt.
Bhimasena, O chief among kings, is held to be eight times a Ratha and in a fight with the mace or arrows he has no equal.
Filled with pride and endued with the strength of ten thousand elephants he is not human is energy; the two foremost among men, the sons of Madri, are two Rathas.
Like the Ashvins in beauty and endued also with energy these two will fight in the very van on their army remembering their hard sufferings.
They will roam about like so many Rudras, of that there is no doubt. All of them are great-souled and tall as the trunks of Shala trees.
Measuring a span more than other males, all the sons of Pandu, capable of killing lions, are endued with great strength.
All of them are devotees, my dear son, and Brahmaoharyya vows have been practised by all of them; endued with modesty, those foremost among men are of fierce strength as the tigers.
In impetuosity, in striking and crushing all of them are superhuman and by them by all the rulers of the earth had been vanquished at the time of the universal conquest.
No human being can bear their weapons, maces and arrows, none can even adjust the string at the time of using the bow, O son of Kuru.
In uplifting maces, in shooting arrows, in hitting the target, in eating and in sporting in the dust,
Even as children there was great difference between yourself and them. They, all of whom are endued with fierce strength, meeting this army,
Will destroy them in battle; let there therefore be no encounter with them. In the press of battle, each of them can alone slay the entire universe.
It was in your presence, O chief among kings, namely what happened in the Rajasuya. The sufferings of Draupadi and the harsh words at the game of vice,
Remembering these they will wander about in the battle like Rudra. Regarding Gudakesha (curling hair) of copper eyes having Narayana for his ally,
There is no brave car-warrior who can equal him in both the armies; nor is there any among the gods, human beings or serpents;
Nor even among Rakshasas and Yakshas, how can there then be any among men? Nor have I heard of any that has been or that will be.
O great king, the wise son of Pritha has a chariot which has Vasudeva for its driver and Dhananjaya as the soldier.
He has the celestial bow Gandiva and horses that have the speed of wind, celestial coat of mail which is impenetrable and great arrow holders which are inexhaustible;
Groups of arms presented by the great Indra and Rudra and Kuvera and Yama and Varuna and a mace which is fierce to look at,
And several foremost weapons for attack, the thunderbolt. Thousands of Danavas living in Hiranyapura,
Where slain by him riding on a single chariot. What car-warrior is there who can be equal to him? Endued with wrath, strong and of true prowess the one of long arms will slay,
Your army, protecting his own. Myself or the preceptor can advance against this Dhananjaya.
There is no third car-warrior, O chief among kings, in both these armies who can advance against him while he pours showers of arrows.
Showing arrows like clouds at the close of the hot season urged by mighty winds the son of Kunti, having Vasudeva for his ally, is waiting for battle. He is young and experienced while both of us are worn out.
Vaishampayana said:
Hearing these words of Bhishma and at the time recollecting with their trembling hearts the old might of the sons of Pandu they had themselves witnessed, the fleshly arms, of those kings pasted with sandal, hang down shorn of prowess.
Bhishma said:
O great king, all the five sons of Draupadi are Maharathas. The son of Virata, Uttara is also a mighty Ratha; such is my opinion.
Abhimanyu, of long arms, is a leader of commanders of groups of chariots and that slayer of enemies is equal in battle to the son of Pritha or Vasudeva,
Quick in the use of arms, capable of using diverse weapons, spirited and of firm vows, he will show forth his prowess today remembering the sufferings of his father.
The hero, Satyaki of the race of Madhu, is a leader of commanders of groups of chariots. He is wrathful among the heroes of the Vrishni race and has conquered fear.
In the same way, O king, Uttamaujas is a mighty Ratha is my opinion; and the powerful Yudhishthira too is a mighty Ratha.
Many thousand chariots, elephants and horses of these will fight, casting away all hopes of life, with the desire of securing the interests of the sons of Kunti.
United with the sons of Pandu, O chief among kings, O Bharata, they will sweep through your army like fire and wind challenging them.
The two, Virata and Drupada, are invincible and experienced in battle. They are great car-warriors and these two foremost among men are endued with great energy.
Though old in age they observe the duties of Kshatriya order and they will try, with all their might, to stay in the path walked over by heroes.
Owing to their relationship with the Pandavas, O chief among king, those two great bowmen will get an increase of their energy.
All men of long arms become heroes or cowards, O foremost among the Kurus, according to the cause for which they fight.
These two rulers, of the earth, of firm grasp on the bow, with a singleness of purpose, will try with all their might, casting off all desire for life, in slaying your troops, O chas- tiser of foes.
Each, at the head of their separate Akshauhini, will make fierce attempt and observing the duties of the relationship they will do great deeds.
The two heroes among men, the mighty bowmen, disregarding their lives, O Bharata, will perform great deeds making good the trust.
Bhishma said:
The son of the king of Panchala, that conqueror of enemy's cities, Shikhandin is one of the foremost of Rathas on the side of the son of Pritha, in my opinion, O Bharata.
He will fight in battle destroying what he was before (a woman) and earning great fame in your army, O Bharata.
His large army consists of the Panchalas and the Prabhadrakas and with the help of these groups of cars he will do great deeds.
Dhrishtadyumna, the leader of all the (Pandava) armies, O Bharata, that great car- warrior, the pupil of Drona, is also an Atiratha, in my opinion, O king.
He will fight in the battle destroying the enemies in the fight like the wrathful god, bearing the Pinaka at the time of the universal destruction.
Those, who are fond of fights, will speak of the chariot arrangement of his army resembling that of the very gods engaged in battle and as also the ocean in its numerical strength.
The son of Dhrishtadyumna, Kshatradharman, O chief among kings, is in my opinion only half a Ratha, O ruler of men, owing to his youth and want of training.
Dhrishtaketu, the king of the Chedis, the son of Shishupala, is a Maharatha and is also a mighty bowman; besides he is related to the Pandu king.
This hero, the king of the Chedis, along with his son, O Bharata, will do great deeds which can be done by Maharathas alone.
Kshatradharman, in my opinion, O king, is a conquerror of the enemies towns, and Kshatradeva, O chief of kings, is the best of Rathas among the Pandavas.
All those best among the Panchalas, namely Jayanta, Amitauja and the mighty car-warrior Satyajit are Maharathas and have great souls.
They will fight in the battle, my dear son, like infuriated elephants. The two powerful men, Aja and Bhoja, in the side of the Pandavas, are Maharathas.
The two powerful heroes will fight with all their might and the two, who are quick in arms, who can fight with diverse weapons, are skillful and of firm strength will mete out destruction.
The five brothers, the Kaikeyas, O chief among kings, are of great prowess. All of them are mighty car-warriors and all of them have blood-red banners.
Kashika, Sukumara, and the other ruler of men Nila and Suryadatta and Shankha and he who goes by the name of Madirashva,
All of these are mighty car-warriors and possessed of every accomplishment that goes towards making a good soldier, conversant with all sciences, and in my opinion large souled.
Vardhakshemi, O great king, in my opinion, is a Maharatha; that ruler of men can fight with diverse weapons and is the best of car-warriors in my opinion.
He is an ornament in battle and an admirer of Arjuna. Chekitana and Satyadhriti are two Maharathies, among the Pandavas and these two foremost of men are mighty car-warriors in my opinion.
Vyaghradatta, O king among kings, and Chandrasena, O Bharata, are in my opinion two Maharathas on the side of the Pandavas, there no doubt about it.
Senabindu, O chief among kings, and he who is named 'Krodhahanta who is equal to Vasudeva or Bhimasena, O lord,
Will fight with your soldiers with all his might in the battle. As you think myself Drona and Kripa,
So should also that best among car- warriors, who is proud of his velour in baitle should be thought by you. That best among men Kashya is endued with extreme quickness of hand and is worthy of praise.
Myself ought to be known as being equal to a single Ratha but this conqueror, of enemies' town who is very powerful in battle, should be regarded as equal to eight times a Ratha.
The youthful son of Drupada, Satyajit, is proud of velour in battle, and being equal to Dhrishtadyumna should be included among the Atirathas.
Being desirous of the fame of the sons of Pandu he will do great deeds. Here is another great Ratha, a hero who is their follower.
The king Pandya endued with great energy and foremost among the Pandavas. Of firm grasp on the bow is he a Maharatha on the side of the Pandavas.
Shrenimat, that foremost among the Kurus, and Vasudeva that ruler of the earth, both of these are Atirathas in my opinion and both are the conquerors of enemy's towns.
Bhishma said:
Rochamana, O great king, is a Maharatha on the side of the Pandavas and in the battle he will fight with the inimical hosts like a god, O Bharata.
The conqueror of enemies, Kuntibhoja, that great bowman, endued with great strength, the maternal uncle of Bhimasena too, is an Atiratha, in my opinion.
This hero is a great bowman, is skillful and experienced and can fight with diverse weapons; he is capable too, and in my opinion the foremost of Rathas.
He will fight, showing his prowess like Indra with the Danavas and those who are soldiers under him are well known names and are all well versed in the science of warfare.
For the sake of his nephew the hero will do great deeds in the battle for he is ever on the side of the Pandavas and devoted to their interests.
That lord of the Rakshasas, the son of Bhimasena, born of Hidimba, is endued with great powers of illusion and in my opinion is a commander of leaders of groups of chariots.
The one who has powers of illusions, will fight, my dear son, in battle for he is fond of weapons. Those Rakshasas, too, who follow him, are heroes.
These and many other lords of cities have been united together for the sake of the Pandavas headed by Vasudeva.
The great souled ones are the chief Rathas, and Atirathas, O king, on the side of the Pandava and these others are only half a Ratha, O ruler of men.
These will lead the terrible army of Yudhishthira, O ruler of men, protected by Kiritin (Arjuna) as by that hero namely the great Indra.
With them capable of powers of illusion, and actuated by desire for victory shall I fight in battle, O hero, desiring either victory or death in battle.
I shall fight against those two best among car-warriors, Vasudeva and Partha, wielding respectively the discus and the Gandiva, coming together as the Sun and Moon at the evening.
I shall advance also against these who are mighty car-warriors in the army of the son of Pandu along with their armies at the time of battle.
These are the more notable Rathas and Atirathas as has been described in due order by me to you, as also these others who are only half Rathas, O chief among the Kauravas.
Arjuna and Vasudeva and all those rulers of the earth that are on that side, I shall stand against, O Bharata.
But, O you of long arms, I shall not slay Shikhandin, the prince of Panchala even though I see him advancing against me ready to strike.
The word knows the fact that I desirous of doing what was agreeable to my father, abandoned a kingdom which I had obtained and observed the vow of Brahmacharya.
I installed Chitrangada in the lordship over the Kauravas and also installed the infant Vichitravirya as the heir presumptive,
Having proclaimed my religious vows among all the kings in the earth, "I shall never slay a woman or one that has been a woman."
That Shikhandin, O king, has formerly been a woman, perhaps you have heard of it; being originally a female he afterwards became a male and I shall not fight with him, O Bharata.
all other rulers of the earth, I shall slay, O foremost among the Bharatas, those whom I meet in battle, but not the son of Kunti, O ruler of men.
End of Rathatiratha sankhyana Parva
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