Having saluted the Supreme Deity (Narayana), and the highest of all male beings (Nara) and also the goddess of Learning (Sarasvati), let us cry success!

Janamejaya said How did those great warriors, the Kurus, the Pandavas and the Somakas and the other illustrious kings who assembled from various countries fight?

Vaishampayana said ruler of carth, hear how those great warriors, the Kurus, the Pandavas and the Somakas foughton the holy field of Kurukshetra.

Arriving at Kurukshetra, the powerful Pandavas, accompanied with the Somakas, advanced against the Kurus with the desire of victory.

Learned in the Vedas, they all took great delight in battle. Being eager to secure success in the battle, they with their soldiers advanced to the fight.

Coming near the army of Dhritarashtra's son those invincible heroes encamped with their troops on the Western part (of the field), their faces turned towards the East.

The son of Kunti Yudhishthira ordered tents to be pitched duly be thousands beyond the region called Samantapanchaka.

The whole earth appeared to be empty, having been destitute of men and horses, and of chariots and elephants. Only the children and the old remained (in their houses).

O foremost of kings, from all parts of Jambudvipa over which the sun shines was collected that great force.

Men of all races assembled there, and they occupied an area extending many Yojanas over fields, rivers, hills and woods.

That foremost of men, king Yudhishthira ordered to be supplied to them in excellent edibles and other things of enjoyment.

Yudhishthira fixed various appellation so that by uttering them they might be known to others that they belong to the Pandava force.

That Kuru prince also fixed names and emblems for all of them, so that they might be recognised at the time of battle.

Seeing (from a distance) the top of the flatstaff of Pritha's son, the illustrious son of Dhritarashtra with a white umbrella held over his head stood surrounded by his one hundred brothers in the midst of a thousand elephants and began with all the kings to array his troops against the Pandavas.

Seeing the Duryodhana, the Panchalas, who ever liked fighting, were filled with delight, They blew their loud-sounding conchs and sweet sounding cymbals.

Seeing the (Panchala) troops in great delight, the Pandavas and the greatly effulgent Vasudeva (Krishna) were filled with joy.

Those lion of men, Vasudeva and Arjuna who were seated on one car felt the greatest joy and both blew their celestial conchs.

Having heard the loud sound of the conchs of those two heroes, the soldiers passed urine and excrete.

As animals are afflicted with fear in hearing the voice of the roaring lion, so were that force on hearing those sounds.

A fearful dust arose and every thing became invisible. The sun, becoming suddenly shrouded by it appeared as if it had set.

A black clouds of flesh and blood showered a down pour over that vast assemblage of troops. Every thing appeared to be wonderful.

A fearful wind blow carrying over the earth innumerable stones and afflicting thousands and thousands of soldiers.

O king, both armies stood for battle in the field of Kurukshetra like two agitated oceans.

That great battle of the two enemies was exceedingly wonderful, like two oceans at the end of the Yuga.

The whole earth was empty for only the children and the old remained in their houses, others having joined the Kuru armies.

O best of the Bharata race, then the Kurus, the Pandavas and the Somakas made certain agreements and settled some rules regarding the different kinds of fight.

(Such as) men equally situated should only fight with one another with all fairness. If having fought with fairness, the combatants withdraw, that would be preferred.

Those who engaged in a battle of words should be fought against with only words. those that left the fight should never be killed.

A car-warrior should fight only with a car warrior. He who rode on an elephant should fight only with another such combatant. O descendant of Bharata, a horse man must fight with a horse man and a foot-soldier with a footsoldier.

Always being led by consideration of fitness, willingness, bravery and strength, one should strike another after having challenged him. None should strike another who is confiding or who is panic-stricken.

One fighting with another, one seeking refuge, one retreating, one whose weapon is broken and one who is not clad in armour should never be struck.

Charioteers, animals, men engaged in carrying weapons, those who play on drums and those who blow conchs should never be smitten.

Having made these agreements, the Kurus, the Pandavas and the Somakas, staring at one another were filled with surprise.

Having thus placed their troops those foremost of men, those illustrious heroes were filled with delight, their appearance indicating joy.