Vaishampayana said Hearing this, the son of Kunti (Yudhishthira) summoned all his brothers. Having summoned (them), O best of the Bharata race, he spoke these words.

Yudhishthira said The spies, whom I have in the army of the son of Dhritarashtra, brought me this news when the night has passed away.

'Duryodhana asked the son of Ganga of high vows, "O lord! in what time can you annihilate the army of the sons of Pandu?"

And the wicked son of Dhritarashtra was answered, "In a month." And in that same time Drona also has promised.

And we have heard that the son of Gautama has promised the same in double that time, and the son of Drona has promised (the same) in ten nights, acquainted as he is with mighty weapons.

Then Karna, who knows (the use of) celestial weapons, being asked in the army of the Kurus, has pledged himself to slay us with our armies in five days.

On this account, I also desire, to hear your words, O Arjuna, in what time you are able to destroy our enemies, O Falguna.'

Thus addressed Dhananjaya, with thick hair, looking towards Vasudeva, spoke these words.

All these high-minded heroes accomplished in arms, and capable of fighting in desire ways, and they can, no doubt O great king, slay us.

But let your mind be free from anxiety; I say truly that I can with the aid of Vasudeva, root out, on a single car,

The three words with all their celestial and all things movable, and all beings that were, or are to b, in the twinkling of an eye; such is what I think.

That terrible and mighty weapon which the lord of all gods bestowed on me in the combat are hand-to-hand, with (Mahadeva in the guise of) a hunter, even that (weapon) is with me.

That (weapon) which the lord of all gods uses when he annihilates all forms of existence, even that O best among men, is with me.

The son of Ganga does not know the (weapon), nor Drona, nor the son of Gautama, neither also the son of Drona; O king, whence, then, can the son of Suta (know)?

It is not, however, proper to annihilate in a battle, by means of celestial weapons ordinary men. We will by artless fighting vanquish our foes.

Again, these foremost among men are your allies, O king. They are all acquainted with celestial weapons, and all of them, are desirous of battle.

All of them have performed sacrificial rites in company with their wives, after they had become versed respectively in Vedas, and have never been conquered. They can destroy the army of even the gods in battle, O son of Pandu.

And Shikhandin, Yuyudhana, and Dhrishtadyumna, of Prishata's race, and Bhimasena, and these twins, Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas,

And both of them viz., Virata and Drupada, who are equal to Bhishma and Drona (respective) in battle, and the powerful Shankha and the son of Hidimba of great strength,

And his son Anjanaparva, of great strength and prowess, and the descendant of Shini's race, well versed in fighting, and who is your ally,

And the powerful Abhimanyu, and the five sons of Draupadi are also at your service. And you to are alone capable of annihilating even the three words.

O you of effulgence equal to Shakra (Indra), that person on whom you cast a look of anger, surely meets with death for it has been seen and so I know, O Kaurava.