Then the despatch
by prince Duryodhana of Uluka as envoy to the Pandavas on the day previous
to the battle. Then the tale of charioteers of different classes. Then the
story of Amba. These all have been described in the fifth Parva called
Udyoga of the Bharata, abounding with incidents appertaining to war and
peace. O ye ascetics, the great Vyasa hath composed one hundred and eighty-
six sections in this Parva. The number of slokas also composed in this by
the great Rishi is six thousand, six hundred and ninety-eight.
"Then is recited the Bhishma Parva replete with wonderful incidents. In
this hath been narrated by Sanjaya the formation of the region known as
Jambu. Here hath been described the great depression of Yudhishthira's
army, and also a fierce fight for ten successive days. In this the high-
souled Vasudeva by reasons based on the philosophy of final release drove
away Arjuna's compunction springing from the latter's regard for his
kindred (whom he was on the eve of slaying). In this the magnanimous
Krishna, attentive to the welfare of Yudhishthira, seeing the loss
inflicted (on the Pandava army), descended swiftly from his chariot
himself and ran, with dauntless breast, his driving whip in hand, to
effect the death of Bhishma. In this, Krishna also smote with piercing
words Arjuna, the bearer of the Gandiva and the foremost in battle among
all wielders of weapons. In this, the foremost of bowmen, Arjuna, placing
Shikandin before him and piercing Bhishma with his sharpest arrows felled
him from his chariot.
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