And with the sounds of
trumpets and drums and the noise of many voices, that vast concourse
appeared like an agitated ocean.
"At last, Drona accompanied by his son, dressed in white (attire), with a
white sacred thread, white locks, white beard, white garlands, and white
sandal-paste rubbed over his body, entered the lists. It seemed as if the
Moon himself accompanied by the planet Mars appeared in an unclouded sky.
On entering Bharadwaja performed timely worship and caused Brahmanas
versed in mantras to celebrate the auspicious rites. And after auspicious
and sweet-sounding musical instruments had been struck up as a
propitiatory ceremony, some persons entered, equipped with various arms.
And then having girded up their loins, those mighty warriors, those
foremost ones of Bharata's race (the princes) entered, furnished with
finger-protectors (gauntlet), and bows, and quivers. And with Yudhishthira
at their head, the valiant princes entered in order of age and began to
show wonderful skill with their weapons. Some of the spectators lowered
their heads, apprehending fall of arrows while others fearlessly gazed on
with wonder. And riding swiftly on horses and managing them 'dexterously'
the princes began to hit marks with shafts engraved with their respective
names. And seeing the prowess of the princes armed with bows and arrows,
the spectators thought that they were beholding the city of the Gandharvas,
became filled with amazement.
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