ssistant of the Adhyaryu. Of this sacrifice, Dhritarashtra's son will be
installed as the performer, while this vast army will be his wife. O thou
of mighty arms, when the nocturnal rites of sacrifice will begin, the
mighty Ghatotkacha will play the part of the slayer of (devoted) victims.
The mighty Dhrishtadyumna, who sprang into life from the sacrificial
fire, having for its mouth the rites celebrated with mantras, will, O
Krishna, be the Dakshina of that sacrifice. For those harsh words, O
Krishna, that I said before unto the sons of Pandu for the gratification
of Dhritarashtra's son,--for that wicked conduct of mine,--I am consumed
with repentance. When O Krishna, thou wilt behold me slain by Arjuna,
then will the Punachiti of this sacrifice commence. When the (second) son
of Pandu will drink the blood of the loudly roaring Dussasana, then will
the Soma-drinking of this sacrifice have taken place! When the two
princes of Panchala (Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin) will overthrow Drona
and Bhishma, then, O Janardana, will this sacrifice be suspended for an
interval. When mighty Bhimasena will slay Duryodhana, then, O Madhava,
will this sacrifice of Dhritarashtra's son be concluded. When the wives
of Dhritarashtra's sons and grandsons assembled together, deprived, O
Kesava, of their husbands and sons and without protectors, will indulge
in lamentations with Gandhari in their midst, on the field of battle
haunted by dogs and vultures and other carnivorous birds, then, O
Janardana, will the final bath of this sacrifice take place.

"'"I pray to thee, O bull of the Kshatriya race, let not the Kshatriyas,
old in learning and old in years, perish miserably, O Janardana, for thy
sake. Oh, let this swelling host of Kshatriyas perish by means of weapons
on that most sacred of all spots in the three worlds, viz. Kurukshetra, O
Kesava. O thou of eyes like lotus-leaves, accomplish on this spot what
thou hast in thy mind, so that, O thou of Vrishni's race, the whole
Kshatriya order may attain to heaven. As long, O Janardana, as the hills
and the rivers will last, so long will the fame of these achievements
last. The Brahmanas will recite this great war of the Bharatas. The fame,
O thou of Vrishni's race, that they achieve in battles is the wealth that
Kshatriyas own. O Kesava, bring Kunti's son (Arjuna) before me for
battle, keeping for ever this our discourse a secret, O chastiser of
foes."'"

SECTION CXLII

"Sanjaya said, 'H