Chapter 171
“Bhishma said, ‘All the five sons of Draupadi, O monarch, are Maharathas.Virata’s son Uttara is, in my judgment, one of the foremost of Rathas.The mighty-armed Abhimanyu is a leader of leaders of car-divisions.
Chapter 172
“Bhishma said, ‘That subjugator of hostile cities, Sikhandin, the son ofthe king of the Panchalas, is, O king, in my judgment, one of theforemost of Yudhishthira’s Rathas.
Chapter 173
“Bhishma said, ‘O great king, Rochamana is another Maharatha of thePandavas. He will, O Bharata, contend in battle against hostile warriors,like a second god.
Chapter 174
“Duryodhana said, ‘For what reason, O chief of the Bharatas, wilt thounot slay Sikhandin even if thou beholdest him approach thee as a foe witharms upraised?
Chapter 175
“Bhishma said, ‘Then, O chief of the Bharatas, approaching my mother,that daughter of the Dasa clan, and saluting that parent of heroes, Isaid these words,–Having vanquished all the kings, these daughters ofthe ruler of Kasi, having beauty alone for their dowry, have beenabducted by me for the sake of Vichitravirya!–
Chapter 176
“Bhishma said, ‘I then placed the matter before (my mother) Kali,otherwise called Gandhavati, as also all our counsellors, and also beforeour special and ordinary priests and then permitted, O king, the eldestof those maidens, Amva, to depart.
Chapter 177
“Bhishma said, ‘Issuing out of the city, Amva reflected sorrowfully inthis strain. ‘There is not in the whole world a young woman in such amiserable plight as I! Alas, destitute of friends, I am rejected by Salwaalso!
Chapter 178
“Bhishma said, ‘Those virtuous ascetics then set themselves about theirusual avocations, thinking all the while as to what they should do forthat maiden.
Chapter 179
“Akritavrana said, ‘Of these two afflictions of thine, for which, Oblessed lady, dost thou seek a remedy?
Chapter 180
“Bhishma said, ‘O lord, repeatedly urged by that maiden to slay Bhishma,Rama replied unto that weeping girl, saying, ‘O daughter of Kasi, O thouof the fairest complexion, I do not, on any account, take up arms nowexcept for the sake of those that are conversant with the Vedas.