Chapter 6

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these words of Karna, king Duryodhana. then saidthis unto Drona who was staying in the midst of the troops.’

“Duryodhana said, ‘For the superiority of the order of thy birth, for thenobility of thy parentage, for thy learning, years and intelligence, foralso thy prowess, skill, invincibility, knowledge of worldly matters,policy, and self-conquest, by reason also of thy ascetic austerities andthy gratitude, superior as thou art as regards every virtue, among thesekings there is none who can make so good a leader as thou. Protect thou,therefore, ourselves, like Vasava protecting the celestials. Having theefor our leader, we desire, O best of Brahmanas, to vanquish our foes. AsKapali amongst the Rudras, Pavaka among the Vasus, Kuvera among theYakshas, Vasava among the Maruts, Vasishtha among Brahmanas, the Sunamongst luminous bodies, Yama among the Pitris, Varuna among aquaticcreatures, as the Moon among the stars, and Usanas among the sons ofDiti, so art thou the foremost of all leaders of forces. Be thou,therefore, our leader. O sinless one, let these ten and one Akshauhinisof troops be obedient to thy word of command. Disposing these troops inbattle array, slay thou our foes, like Indra slaying the Danavas. Proceedthou art the head of us all, like Pavaka’s son (Kartikeya) at the head ofthe celestial forces. We will follow thee to battle, like bulls followinga bovine leader. A fierce and great bowman as thou art, beholding theestretching the bow at our head. Arjuna will not strike. Without doubt, Otiger among men, if thou becomest our leader, I will vanquishYudhishthira with all his followers and relatives in battle.’

“Sanjaya continued, ‘After Duryodhana had uttered these words, the kings(in the Kaurava army) all cried victory to Drona. And they delighted thyson by uttering a loud leonine shout. And the troops, filled with joy,and with Duryodhana at their head, desirous of winning great renown,began to glorify that best of Brahmanas. Then, O king, Drona addressedDuryodhana fin those words.'”