Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, received them (duly) in battle. Thereupon king Duryodhana. with all efforts, assailed the Pandavas excited as he was with rage and solicitous of protecting Drona's life. Then ensued the battle between the troops of the Kurus and the Pandavas whose animals were exhausted as they challenged one another furiously. Deprived of sleep and fatigued in battle, O mighty monarch.