CHAPTER I, 24
the Sughosha and Mampushpaka. And the king of Kfiri, too, who has an excellent bow, and Sikhzn- ^in, the master of a great car, and Dhnsh&dyumna, Vira/a, and the unconquered Sityaki, and Drupada, and the sons of Draupadt, and the son of Subhadrd, of mighty arms, blew conchs severally from all sides, king of the earth ! That tumultuous din rent the hearts of all (the people) of Dhntarish^ra's (party), causing reverberations throughout heaven and earth. Then seeing (the people of) Dhrz- tardsh/ra's party regularly marshalled, the son of Pdtfflfu, whose standard is the ape, raised his bow after the discharge of missiles had commenced, and O king of the earth! spake these words to H>zshi- kesa ; * undegraded one ! station my chariot between the two armies, while I observe those, who stand here desirous to engage in battle, and with whom, in the labours of this struggle, I must do battle. I will observe those who are assembled here and who are about to engage in battle, wishing to do service in battle 2 to the evil-minded son of Sangaya said: Thus addressed by Gud&kesa 3 , O descendant of Hharata 4 ! Hrahikesa stationed that excellent cha- riot between the two armies, in front of Bhishma and Drowa and of all the kings of the earth, and I I. e, to join in the fight.
- In the original, several derivatives from the root yudh, mean-
ing * to fight/ occur with the same frequency as ' battle ' here. II (loncrally interpreted 'lord of sleep/ i.e. not indolent. Ntla- k;i;///*a also suggests, that it may mean 4 of thick hair/
The son of Dushyanta and Sakuntala", after whom India is called
MMratavarsha/ and from whom both PaWavas and Kauravas wore descended.
