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38
BHAGAVADGÎTA.
Draupadi—all masters of great cars. And now, O best of Brahmanas ! learn who are most distinguished among us, and are leaders of my army. I will name them to you, in order that you may know them well. Yourself, and Bhishma, and Karna, and Kripa the victor of (many) battles; A svatthaman, and Vikarna, and also the son of Somadatta, and many other brave men, who have given up their lives for me, who fight with various weapons, (and are) all dexterous in battle. Thus our army which is protected by Bhishma is unlimited; while this army of theirs which is protected by Bhima is very limited. And therefore do ye all, occupying respectively the positions assigned to you, protect Bhishma : only.'
Then his powerful grandsire, Bhishma, the oldest of the Kauravas, roaring aloud like a lion, blew his conch, (thereby) affording delight to Duryodhana. And then all at once, conchs, and kettledrums, and tabors, and trumpets were played upon; and there was a tumultuous din. Then, too, Madhava and the son of Pându (Arguna), seated in a grand chariot to which white steeds were yoked, blew their heavenly conchs. Hrishikesa' blew the Paskaganya', and Dhanangaya the Devadatta, and Bhima, (the doer) of fearful deeds, blew the great conch Paundra. King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti", blew the Anan
The original word means, according to Sridhara, the ways of entrance into a Vyüha or phalanx.' · Who, as generalissimo, remained in the centre of the army.
Literally, according to the commentators, lord of the senses of perception.'
• Schlegel renders the names of these conchs by Gigantea, Theodotes, Arundinea, Triumphatrix, Dulcisona, and Gemmiflorca respectively.
• So called, par excellence, apparently.
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