Chapter 8
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Who are deserving of worship? Who are they unto whomone may bow? Who are they, O Bharata, unto whom thou wouldst bend thyhead?
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Who are deserving of worship? Who are they unto whomone may bow? Who are they, O Bharata, unto whom thou wouldst bend thyhead?
“Bhishma said, ‘Led into a spacious apartment, Gautama was introduced tothe king of the Rakshasas.
Dhritarashtra said,–“Beholding our ten and one Akshauhinis arrayed inorder of battle, how did Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, make hiscounter-array with his forces smaller in number?
“Arjuna said, ‘The time, O Karna, hath now come for making good thyloquacious boast in the midst of the assembly, viz., that there is noneequal to thee in fight.
Vaisampayana said,–“During the course of this gambling, certain to bringabout utter ruin (on Yudhishthira), Vidura, that dispeller of all doubts,(addressing Dhritarashtra) said, ‘O great king,
“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing, O sire, these words of Radha’s son who delightedin battle, Shalya once more addressed Karna, citing an example, “I amborn in the race of men who performed great sacrifices, who neverretreated from battle, who were kings whose coronal locks underwent thesacred bath.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O the best of Bharata’s race and the foremost ofgreat men, I wish to know what the fruits are of good deed. Do thouenlighten me on this point.'”
“Bhishma said, ‘There, under that banian, for the protection of hisguest, the prince of birds had kindled and kept up a fire with high andblazing flames.[496] On one side of the fire, the bird slept trustfully.
Dhritarashtra said,–“When the Sun rose, O Sanjaya, of my army led byBhishma and the Pandava army led by Bhima, which first cheerfullyapproached the other, desirous of fight?
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having defeated Vikartana’s son, Arjuna said untothe son of Virata, ‘Take me towards that division where yonder device ofa golden palmyra is seen.