e practice of morality and
duty who is ever peaceful and who has heard all mysteries, put questions
to me."

"'Vasudeva said, "King Yudhishthira the just, overcome with great shame
and fearful of (thy) curse, does not venture to approach thee. That lord
of earth, O monarch, having caused a great slaughter, ventures not to
approach thee from fear of (thy) curse. Having pierced with shafts those
that deserved his worship, those that were devoted to him, those that
were his preceptors, those that were his relatives and kinsmen and those
that were worthy of his highest regard, he ventures not to approach thee."

"'Bhishma said, "As the duty of the Brahmanas consists of the practice of
charity, study, and penances, so the duty of Kshatriyas is to cast away
their bodies, O Krishna, in battle. A Kshatriya should slay sires and
grandsires and brothers and preceptors and relatives and kinsmen that may
engage with him in unjust battle. This is their declared duty. That
Kshatriya, O Kesava, is said to be acquainted with his duty who slays in
battle his very preceptors if they happen to be sinful and covetous and
disregardful of restraints and vows. That Kshatriya is said to be
acquainted with his duty who slays in battle the person that from
covetousness disregards the eternal barriers of virtue.[160] That
Kshatriya is said to be acquainted with duty who in battle makes the
earth a lake of blood, having the hair of slain warriors for the grass
and straw floating on it, and having elephants for its rocks, and
standards for the trees on its banks. A Kshatriya, when challenged,
should always fight in battle, since Manu has said that a righteous
battle (in the case of a Kshatriya) leads to both heaven and fame on
earth."'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Bhishma had spoken thus, Dharma's son
Yudhishthira, with great humility, approached the Kuru hero and stood in
his sight. He seized the feet of Bhishma who in return gladdened him with
affectionate words. Smelling his head, Bhishma asked Yudhishthira to take
his seat. Then Ganga's son, that foremost of bowmen, addressed
Yudhishthira, saying, "Do not fear, O best of the Kurus! Ask me, O child,
without any anxiety."'"

SECTION LVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having bowed unto Hrishikesa, and saluted Bhishma,
and taken the permission of all the seniors assembled there, Yudhishthira
began to put questions unto Bhishma.'

"'Yudhishthira said, "Persons conversant with duty and morality