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like pieces of himself. His elephant-drivers, horsemen, charioteers, foot-soldiers came at once by thousands, as if governed by his thoughts. Possessing unshakeable determination, making the earth seem to be made only of warriors by his mighty heroes with weapons raised, he set out.
Greedy for undivided victory, his warriors said to each other, “I alone will conquer the enemy.” In that army even the kāhalā-player considered himself a warrior. All the pebbles too in Mt. Rohaņa share jewelship. At that time the sky seemed to be made of white lotuses, from the governors' umbrellas white as the moon. Bāhubali went inspecting the kings individually, esteeming them powerful just like his own arms. Bāhubali split the earth, as it were, with the great weight of the armies and the sky by the violent noise of the musical instruments, as he advanced along the road. He arrived at the boundary of his territory, even though distant, very soon. Certainly those eager for battle are swifter than the wind. Bāhubali placed his camp on the bank of the Gangā, not too near and not too far from the Lord of Bharata's camp.
Preparations of both armies for battle (299–363)
At dawn, the sons of Rşabha invited each other like guests to a battle-festival, sending the invitations by bards. Then Bāhubali appointed as general his son Sinharatha, devoted, approved by the kings, possessing the strength of a lion. The King himself placed a golden battle-fillet, that was like shining glory, on his head, just as on the head of the state-elephant. Delighted by the battle-instruction which he had received as if he had received the earth, he went to his own abode, after bowing to the King. After giving instructions to the other princes in regard to the battle, the King dismissed them. The master's instructions were a favor to them, eager for battle themselves.
Bharata also, like a chief ācārya, gave Sușeņa battle
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