Our weapons
do not shine, our steeds are dispirited, and our fires, though fed with
fuel, do not blare up. All this is ominous. All our animals are setting
up a frightful howl, gazing towards the sun. The crows are perching on
our banners. All this is ominous. Yon vultures and kites on our right
portend a great danger. That jackal also, running through our ranks,
waileth dismally. Lo, it hath escaped unstruck. All this portends a
heavy calamity. The bristles also of ye all are on their ends. Surely,
this forebodes a great destruction of Kshatriyas in battle. Things
endued with light are all pale; beasts and birds look fierce; and there
are to be witnessed many terrific portents indicative of the destruction
of Kshatriyas. And these omens forebode great havoc among ourselves. O
king, thy ranks seem to be confounded by these blazing meteors, and thy
animals look dispirited and seem to be weeping. Vultures and kites are
wheeling all around thy troops. Thou shalt have to repent upon beholding
thy army afflicted by Partha's arrows. Indeed, our ranks seem to have
been already vanquished, for none is eager to go to fight. All our
warriors are of pale face, and almost deprived of their senses. Sending
the kine ahead we should stand here, ready to strike, with all our
warriors arrayed in order of battle.'"
SECTION XLVII
Vaisampayana said, "King Duryodhana then, on the field of battle said
unto Bhishma, and unto Drona--that tiger among warriors, and unto
Kripa--that mighty car-warrior, these words, 'Both myself and Karna had
said this unto the preceptors.
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