Vaishampayana said : O Janamejaya! What is the need to collect a pile of scriptures? Gita should be duly listened, recited, read, taught, understood and retained properly as it has emanated directly from the lotus lips of god Padmanabha himself.

Gita consists of all scriptures (viz. the vital essence of all scriptures is embedded within Gita). God Sri Hari is in the form of all gods. Ganga holds within her all holy places and Manu (His Manusmriti) holds within it, all Vedas.

A man enjoys freedom from the cycle of rebirth when the four names bearing "Ga" i.e. Gita, Gayatri, Govinda and Ganga are duly retained by him in his heart and mind.

God Krishna has chanted six hundred twenty hymns, Arjuna has chanted fifty seven hymns, Sanjaya has chanted sixty seven and a single hymn has been chanted by Dhritarashtra in this Gita. It is stated the dimension/ expansion of Gita.

God Krishna churned Gita, the sole essence of the nectar in form of Bharata and the vital essence so extracted has been inserted in the mouth (in mind and savvy through ears) of Arjuna by him.

Sanjaya said Seeing Dhananjaya (Arjuna) take up once again his Gandiva and arrows, the great carwarriors (of the Pandava army) sent up a tremendous shout.

Those heroes, the Pandavas, and the Somakas, and those that followed them, blew their sea-born conchs in great delight.

Drums and Peshis and Krakachas and cowhorns were beat and blown together and the uproar made was very loud.

O ruler of men, then there came the celestial, the Gandharvas, the Pitris, the Siddhas and the Charanas with the desire of witnessing (the battle).

The highly blessed Rishis came there in a body with Shatakratu (Indra) at their head, so that they might see the great slaughter.

O king, seeing the two armies, which resembled two oceans, ready for the battle and marching continually forward, the brave king Yudhishthira, Dharmaraja, put off his Armour and cast aside his excellent weapons. Then soon alighting from his chariot, he proceeded with joined hands, and with restrained speech towards the direction where the hostile host stood loO king at the grand father and facing the east.

Seeing him proceed, the son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, soon alighted from his car and followed him accompanied by all his brothers.

The lord Vasudeva also followed him. The chief kings also (of Yudhisthira's army) followed him in great anxiety.

Arjuna said O king, what is this you are doing that abandoning us you proceed on foot, face eastwards to the enemy's army.

Bhima said O great king, where are you going, O ruler of earth, putting aside your Armour and weapons, you go towards the enemy's warriors clad in Armour, thus abandoning your brothers,

Nakula said O descendant of Bharata, you are my eldest brother. Fear troubles my heart on account of your this proceeding (towards the enemy); Tell us where you are going.

Sahadeva said o kin, when these hostile troops, both numerous and terrible, stand here to fight with us, where do you go to their directions?

Sanjaya said O descendant of Kuru, though he was thus addressed by his brothers, yet he continued to proceed without uttering a word.

To them then the high-souled and the greatly wise Vasudeva thus smilingly spoke "His intention is known to me".

Having (first) paid his respects to all the Gurus, such as Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Shalya, he will fight with the enemy.

It is heard in the old history that he, who, having paid his respects to the reverend preceptors and relatives, according to the Shastras, fights with those that are his superiors, is certain to win victory in battle. This is my opinion. When Krishna was saying this, a loud uproar of “Alas" and "Oh" rose in the ranks of the troops remained quiet. Seeing Yudhishthira, the heroic warriors of Dhritarashtra's son thus talked amongst themselves. “This fellow is an infamous wretch of his race. It is apparent that this king is coming in terror to Bhishma.

Yudhishthira with his brothers has become a sceker after Bhishma's protection. When Dhananjaya is protector and the sons of Pandu, Vrikodara (Bhima), Nakula and Sahadeva, why does this Pandavas (Yudhishthira) come (to Bhishma) in fear. Though celebrated in the world, this one could never have been born in the Kshatriya order, for he is weak and his heart is filled with fear of battle”. Then those warriors all praised the Kurus.

Becoming greatly pleased, all of them waved their garments with cheerful hearts, 0 king, all the warriors then blamed Yudhishthira with his brothers along with Keshava (Krishna), O king, then the Kuru army crying shame to Yudhishthira again became quiet. What will this king say? What will Bhishma say in reply?

What will Bhima who is ever boastful of his prowess in battle and what Krishna and Arjuna say? What has Yudhishthira to say? O great king, the curiosity of both the armies in respect of Yudhishthira was great. (In the mean time) the king entered the hostile army full of arrows and darts. He then quickly proceeded towards Bhishma, surrounded by his brothers. Seizing his feet with his two hands, the king (Yudhishthira), the son of Pandu, then thus spoke to Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, who was then ready for battle.

Yudhishthira said O invincible one, I bow to you. We shall fight with you. Grant us your permission; give us your blessings.

Bhishma said Oruler of earth, O great king, O descendant of Bharata, if you had not come to me in this battle, I would have cursed you for bringing about your defeat.

O son, I am pleased with you. O son of Pandu, fight and obtain victory. Whatever else you have desired to obtain, get them all in this battle.

O son of Pritha, ask for a boon which you desire to get. O great king, if it so happens, then defeat will not be yours.

O king, a man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is no one's slave. This is very true. I am bound to the Kurus by wealth.

O descendant of Kuru, it is for this I am, like a eunuch, uttering these words that I am bound to the Kurus by wealth. Except battle, What do you desire?

Yudhishthira said O greatly wise one, desiring my welfare from day to day look after my interest. Fight for the sake of the Kurus, this is my prayer.

Bhishma said O king, O descendant of Kuru, what can I do for you. I shall of course fight on behalf of your enemies. Tell me what can I do for you?

Yudhishthira said O sire, I bow to you. I ask you (tell us) how we shall be able to vanquish you who are invincible. Tell me this, it is for my benefit, if you see any good in it.

Bhishma said O son of Kunti, I do not see the person who, even if he be the lord of the celestial-can defeat me in battle when I fight.

Yudhishthira said O grandfather, I bow to you. I ask you, tell us how your death might be caused by your enemy.

Bhishma said O sire, I do not find the man who can defeat me in battle. The time for my death is not yet come. (On some future occasion) come to me.

Sanjaya said O descendant of Kuru, Yudhishthira then once more saluted him and accepted his words with bent head.

That mighty-armed hero surrounded by his brother then went towards the chariot of the preceptor (Drona) through the fines of soldiers who all looked at him.

Then bowing down to Drona and walking round him, he spoke these words to that invincible hero, words beneficial to him.

Yudhishthira said "O invincible hero, I ask you, (tell me) how I may fight without incurring any sin, and how, O Brahmana, with your permission I may vanquish all my enemies".

Drona said O king, if having resolved to fight, you filled to have come to me, I would have cursed you for bringing about your defeat.

O Yudhishthira, O sinless one, I am now pleased and honoured by you. I give you permission. Fight and win victory.

I shall also fulfill your desire. Tell me what you have to say. Battle excepted tell me what you desire to get.

A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is the slave of none. O king, this is a great truth. I am bound to the Kurus by their wealth.

It is for this like a cunuch I am telling you the following-“Battle excepted what do you wish to get” I shall fight on behalf of the Kurus; but I shall pray for your victory. O Brahmana, pray for my victory and advise me what is good to me. Fight for the Kurus. This is the boon I ask from you.

Yudhishthira said O king, victory is certain to you-who have Krishna as your counselor. I wish that you will defeat your enemy in this battle.

Drona said Where there is righteousness there is Krishna. Where there is Krishna, victory is certain to be there. O son of Kunti, go and fight. Ask me, what shall I speak to you?

Yudhishthira said O foremost of Brahmanas, I ask you, hear what I have to say. How shall we in battle defeat you who are invincible?

Drona said As long as I fight, so long victory cannot be yours. O king, therefore with the help of your brothers try to kill me soon.

Yudhishthira said O mighty-armed one, tell us the means of your death. O preceptor, prostrating myself to your feet I ask you this. I bow to you.

arms Drona said O son, I cannot see such an antagonist who may kill me when I stand in battle, when I fight with my anger excited and when I scatter incessantly shower of arrows.

O king, except when I shall be prepared for death, having abandoned my and withdrawing myself from all surrounding sights, none will be able to kill me. What I tell you in true.

I tell you also that having heard something very disagreeable from some creditable source, I will abandon my arms in the battle.

Sanjaya said O king, having heard these words of the wise son of Bharadvaja and also having honoured the preceptor, he (Yudhishthira) went towards the son of Sharadvata (Kripa).

Bowing down to Kripa and walking round him, O king, Yudhishthira, accomplished in speech, thus spoke to that greatly brave warrior.

Yudhishthira said "O preceptor, with your permission I will fight without incurring sin. O sinless one, if I get your permission, I shall (certainly) defeat my enemy.

Kripa said "If having resolved to fight, you failed to have come to me, I would have cursed you, O king, for bringing about your defeat.

A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is the slave of none. O king, this is the truth. I am bound to the Kurus by wealth.

O king, I must fight for them. I therefore speck like a eunuch in telling you, “Battle excepted, what do you desire to get?"

Yudhishthira said O preceptor, I ask you therefore, listen to me.

Sanjaya said Saying this, the king became greatly agitated. Being deprived of his sense, he stood silent. knowing however what he desired to say, the son of Gautama (Kripa) thus spoke to him, "O king, I am incapable of being killed. Fight and win victory.

I am pleased by your coming. O king, rising every day (from my bed), I shall pray for your victory. I truly speak this to you.

O king, having heard these words of Gautama (Kripa) and after having paid him due respect, the king went to the place where the Madra king was.

Bowing to Shalya and walking round him, the king spoke to that invincible warrior these words beneficial to him.

Yudhishthira said O invincible hero, if I fight with your perinission, I will not incur sin. With your permission I shall defeat my enemies.

Shalya said If having resolved to fight, O king, you failed to have come to me, I would have then cursed you for brining about your defeat.

I am very much pleased with you. I am much honoured by you. Let it be as you desire, I give you permission, fight and win victory.

O hero, speck, what do you want? What shall I give you. O king, battle excepted, what do you desire to get?

A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is the slave of none, O king, this is the truth. I am bound to the Kurus by wealth.

O nephew, it is for this I am speaking to you like a eunuch. I shall do as you desire. Battle excepted, what do you wise to get?

Yudhishthira said O king, think daily of what is beneficial to me. Fight as you please with the focs. This is the boon I ask from you.

Shalya said O fire of kings, in the present circumstances what help can I render to you? I shall of course fight on behalf of your enemy, for I have been made one of their party by the Kurus with their wealth.

Yudhishthira said O Shalya, this was the boon I asked during the preparations for this battle. The prowess of the Suta's son (Karna) should be weakened by you in battle.

Shalya said O Yudhishthira, O son of Kunti, your this desire will be fulfilled. Go, fight as you please. I shall pray for your victory.

Sanjaya said Having received the permission of his maternal uncle (Shalya) the king of the Madra, the son of Kunti (Yudhishthira), surrounded by his brothers, came out of the vast (Kuru) army.

Vasudeva (Krishna) then went to Radha's son (Karna) on the field of battle for the sake of the Pandavas, the eldest brother of Gada, then thus spoke to Karna.

"O Karna, I have heard that from the hatred you bear for Bhishma you will not fight. O son of Radha, come to our side, so long Bhishma is not killed.

O son of Radha, when Bhishma will be killed, you may come back and fight on Duryodhana's side, if you have no particular lcaning for any party.

Karna said O Keshava, I shall not do anything that is disagreeable to Dhritarashtra's son (Duryodhana), I am ever devoted to him, know, that my life has been cast off for him.

Sanjaya said Having heard these words, Krishna stopped. O descendant of Bharata, he then returned to the Pandavas headed by Yudhishthira.

Then, in the midst of all the warriors the eldest Pandava thus loudly exclaimed "He, who will choose us, will be considered by us as our ally".

Thereupon Yuyutsu thus spoke with a cheerful heart to the son of Kunti, Dharamraja Yudhishthira.

I shall fight under you in this battle. O sinless one. I shall fight on your side, if you accept me.

Yudhishthira said Come, come, all of us will fight with your foolish brothers. O Yuyutsu, both Vasudeva and all of us say.

I accept you, O mighty-armed hero, fight for my cause. It appears the thread of Dhritarashtra's line, as well as his funeral cake, will rest on you.

O prince, O effulgent one, accept us that accept you; the wrathful and foolish Duryodhana will not live.

Sanjaya said Then abandoning the Kurus, your son, Yuyutsu, went over to the army of the Pandavas with the best of drums and cymbals.

Those foremost of men then all ascended their respective chariots. They placed their troops in battle-array,

They ordered thousands of drums and cymbals to be played. Those foremost of men themselves also sent up lion-like roars.

¡Seeing those foremost of men, the Pandavas, seated on their cars, the kings with Dhrishtadyumna and other once more sent up shouts of joy.

Seeing the nobleness of the Pandavas, who had paid due honour to those that deserved it, all the kings highly praised them.

They talked amongst themselves about the friendship, compassion and kindness kinsmen displayed on every occasion by those high-minded men.

"Excellent", Excellent" were the words shouted everywhere. Eulogistic hymns for those illustrious men were chanted by all. The minds and hearts of every one were attracted towards them.

Both the Aryas and the Mlecchas that saw or heard of this conduct of the Pandavas all wept with their voice choked with tears.

to Those greatly powerful also ordered hundreds and hundreds of large drums and Pushkaras to be sounded and thousands and thousands of conchs all as white as the milk of the cows to be loudly blown.