Sanjaya said O monarch, after the night had passed away, all the kings belonging to the Pandava and Dhritarashtra hosts approached the grandsire.

Then all the Kshatriyas, having saluted that foremost of the Kurus, that hero prostrate on a hero's bed, that chief of all; Kshatriyas, stood near him.

Repairing there by thousands, maidens covered the son of Shantanu on all parts of his body, with pulverised sandal-wood. fieldpaddy, and garlands of flowers.

Women, old and children, and numerous other, spectators approached the son of Shantanu, like the Bhutas approaching the iising .luminary of the day.

Trumpeters, courtesans, mimes, actors and dancers and artisans, in crowds repaired to that venerable grandsire of the Kurus.

Desisting from fight and doffing their armours and laying aside their weapons, the Kurus and the Pandavas together, men

Approached the invincible Devavrata that subduer of foes. Then as in former days, they were friendly to one another, and addressed one another in agreeable words.

Then that assembly crowded with numerous Bharata kings, and ornamented by the presence of Bhishma, appeared beautiful like a conclave of the gods in the heavens.

And that assembly of kings paying their respects of the son of Ganga, appeared beautiful like that of the gods adoring their lord the venerable Grandsire (Brahma).

Then, O foremost of the Bharatas, Bhishma, having overcome his pain by his patience, and afflicted with many dares, breathed like a snake.

His body was burning with the pain caused by the arrow's struck therein, and he was being deprived of his senses in consequence of the weapons-cuts. Beholding those kings, he then said "Bring me water."

Thereat those Kshatriyas, O king, brought many excellent viands, and jars filled with cold water.

Thereupon Shantanu's son beholding water brought for him said "This day forward, O son, I will no longer use articles of human enjoyment.

I have passed away from the society of men, and am now lying on this bed of arrows. I am lying here expectant of the change in the sun and moon."

Having thus spoken, and censuring those kings with (cruel) words, Bhishma said, O Bharata I desire to see Arjuna."

Thereupon that mighty-armed hero Arjuna approaching and saluting the grandsire stood there with palms folded, and said “What shall I do."

Beholding that son of Pandu stand before him with folded palms, the virtuous-souled Bhishma highly pleased, said these words of Dhananjaya.

“My body is burning, and I am covered with your sorrows. All the vital parts of my body are suffering extreme pain and my mouth is becoming dry.

Afflicted as my body is with extreme pain, give me water, O Arjuna, to drink. It is you alone, O mighty bowman, that are capable of supplying me with proper drink now."

Thereupon the highly puissant Arjuna saying "yea" to Bhishma's words, mounted on his chariot. Then fixing the string to his mighty bow Gandiva, he began to stretch it.

Then hearing the twang of his bow and the slap of his arms that resembled the rumble of thunder, the troops and kings there, were inspired with terror.

Thereafter that foremost of car-warriors (Arjuna) circumambulating that prostrate chief of the Bharatas, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, viz., Bhishma,

And fixing on his bowstring an effulgent arrow inspired with aphorisms and identified with the Parjanya weapon, before the very eyes of all the people present,

Penetrated the earth a little to the right of the spot where Bhishma lay. Thereupon, there gushed out a jet of water pure and auspicious,

And cool and nectar-like an fraught with celestial fragrance and tastefulness. Then with that cool jet of water did the son of Pritha gratify.

That foremost of the Kurus, viz., Bhishma of god-like achievements and prowess. Then seeing that feat of Pritha son, that resembled that of Indra himself,

All the rulers of the earth present there, were filled with wonder. Then beholding that feat of Vibhatsu that indicated his superhuman prowess,

The Kurus began to shiver like kine afflicted with the chill of winter. Out of amazement the kings then began to waive their garments;

And the sound of drums and the blare of conchs on all sides became deafening. Then, O king, Shantanu's son, being greatly gratified, thus addressed Vibhatsu,

Applauding him before all the heroic rulers of earth. “O mighty-armed hero, this feat is not a marvel in respect to you, O delighter of the Kurus.

You have been spoken of by Narada as an ancient sage, O you of dazzling effulgence. Having the son of Vasudeva for your helpmate, you shall achieve great feats,

That even the lord of the celestial with his heavenly host dare not accomplish. Those that are conversant with the knowledge of every thing, regard you, O Arjuna, to be the foremost bowman among all the Kshatriyas.

Among all human wielders of bows, you are unrivaled; you are the foremost of all men. As man is the foremost of all created beings of this world, as Garuda is the chief of all winged creatures,

As the Ocean is the chief of all reservoirs of water, as the cow is the best of all quadruped animals, as the Himavat is the chief of all mountains, as the Brahmana is the foremost of all castes, so are you the foremost of all wielders of bows.

The son of Dhritarashtra paid no heed to the (salutary) counsel repeatedly offered by myself, by Vidura, Drona, Rama, Janardana and Sanjaya.

Raft of his reason, and like one senseless, Duryodhana then disregarded our words. Past all counsel, he shall have soon to lie on the field crushed by the might of Bhishma.”

Hearing these words of Bhishma, Duryodhana, the lord of the Kurus, became depressed at heart. Then the son of Shantanu, casting his eyes on him once more said "Hear me, O king, renounce your wrath.

You have seen, even now, O Duryodhana, how the intelligent Partha created that jet of water, cool and fraught with nectarious fragrance.

There is none in the universe who can achieve the self-same feat. The weapons of are which the presiding deities respectively are Agni, Varuna, Soma Vayu, Vishnu,

Indra, Pashupati, Paramesthi, Prajapati, Dhata, Tvashtra, Savita, and Vaivasvata,

Alll these weapons known to Dhananjaya only, as also to Krishna, the son of Devaki, and not to any one else.

This son of Pandu, O sire, is incapable of being defeated in battle, by the celestial and the Asuras united together. These are the superhuman feats achieved by this illustrious hero.

Therefore, O monarch, let peace be soon concluded with that truthful hero that ornament of the fled, accomplished in all modes of warfare.

As long as the mighty-armed Krishna is under his own control let, O sire, O foremost the Kurus, peace be made with this heroic sons of Pritha.

O son! Your alliance with Arjuna is must to be made unless he destroys your whole army by hitting hard through the arrows having bent knots.

As still, O king, these your uterine brothers and these myriad kings here survive the battle, let peace be concluded.

As long as Yudhishthira does not burn down your army with his eyes flashing the fire of wrath, let peace by concluded with him, O sire. As long as Nakula, Sahadeva, and Pandu's son Bhimasena, do not totally crush your army down, let peace be made with them.

It likes me best to see amity established between you and the heroic Pandavas. Let, O sire, peace by concluded with the Pandavas.

Let these words, O sinless one, uttered by me, be agreeable to you. This conclusion of peace do I consider to be beneficial to you and to your dynasty.

Renouncing your wrath, do you conclude peace with the sons of Pritha. Enough has already been accomplished by Phalguna. Let amity be established among you with the death of Bhishma. Let the rest (of the warriors) live! Relent, reient, O monarch!

Give half of your kingdom to the Pandavas. Let Yudhishthira repair to Indraprastha. Be not despised by the rulers of the earth for having brewed in testine broils. Do not, O foremost of the Kurus, attain a sinful notoriety.

With my passing away, let peace be enjoyed by the people; let these kings embrace one another out of friendship. Let father be reconciled to his son, let nephew be reconciled to his uncle; let brother he reconciled to his brother, O king.

If through perverted understanding, and possessed by folly, you do not listen to these reasonable words of mine, then-this I tell you for certain-you shall have to rue your folly hereinafter. Therefore let the war end here."

Having out of affection spoken these words of Duryodhana among all those kings, the son of Ganga remained silent; though his vital parts were then being consumed by those arrowwounds, he, overcoming his agony, kept himself tranquil.

Sanjaya said Hearing these salutary and peaceful words of counsel, fraught with virtue and worldly profit, your son refused to act up to them, like a dying man refusing to take medicine.