And that hero of mighty energy discharged one and twenty
arrows into the hollow of a cow's horn hung up on a rope swaying to and
fro. In this manner, O sinless one, Arjuna showed his profound skill in
the use of sword, bow, and mace, walking over the lists in circles.
"And, O Bharata, when the exhibition had well-nigh ended, the excitement
of the spectators had cooled, and the sounds of instruments had died out
there was heard proceeding from the gate, the slapping of arms, betokening
might and strength, and even like unto the roar of the thunder. And, O
king, as soon as this sound was heard, the assembled multitude instantly
thought, 'Are the mountains splitting or is the earth itself rending
asunder, or is the welkin resounding with the roar of gathering clouds?'
And then all the spectators turned their eyes towards the gate. And Drona
stood, surrounded by the five brothers, the sons of Pritha, and looked
like the moon in conjunction with the five-starred constellation Hasta.
And Duryodhana, that slayer of foes, stood up in haste and was surrounded
by his century of haughty brothers with Aswatthaman amongst them. And that
prince, mace in hand, thus surrounded by his hundred brothers with
uplifted weapons appeared like Purandara in days of yore, encircled by the
celestial host on the occasion of the battle with the Danavas.'"
SECTION CXXXVIII
(Sambhava Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the spectators, with eyes expanded with
wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities, Karna, that hero
with his natural mail and face brightened with ear-rings, took up his bow
and girded on his sword, and then entered the spacious lists, like a
walking cliff.
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