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Bhagawan Mahavir ]
( 467
There were 19 kings on this side including Cheda. Each had as large an army with him as each king on the opposite side. Thus the whole army of Cheda was as follows:
57 thousand elephants, 57 thousand horses, 57 thousand chariots; and 57 crores of infantry. Cheda now took his position in the battle-field. Kaunika arranged his army in the form of a Garuda while Cheda arranged his army in the form of a Shakata ( cart ).
The war began. It was a war which was fought in acco. rdance with moral laws. The warriors choose their pairs. The charioteer faced the charioteer, the cavalier faced the cavalier the archer stood before the archer and the sword-man before the sword-man of the enemy's army. All Indian wars in ancient times, were governed by the laws of religion; and both the parties had to conduct themselves according to these rules. This war was also conducted on the same lines. The war began very fiercely; but the last three days were specially fatal for both the sides. During this period of three days, each devoted soldier fought to the best of his ability. While the cowards were flying from the battle field, the brave and dauntless warriors were fighting courageously thinking in their mind that, “if they won, they would enjoy the pleasure of victory, and if they died they would go straight to heaven. During these three da ys 18000000 soldiers were killed on both sides. The ten brothers of kaunika also met their death in this battle. His heart began to tremble when he heard this news. He then invoked the Indras, who were his friends in some previous birth, and with their help, he drove back the army of Cheda from the battle field. Kaunika was victorious; but even then
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