. The laying down of life, (in
battle) constitutes, in respect of heroes, their happy door of heaven.'
Thus addressed by their king, O subjugator of hostile towns, the warriors
of Mithila, gladdening their rulers, vanquished their foes in battle.
They that are of firm souls should take their stand in the van of battle.
The car-warriors should be placed in the midst of elephants. Behind the
car-warriors should stand the horsemen. Behind the last should be placed
the foot-soldiers all accoutred in mail. That king who forms his array in
this manner always succeeds in vanquishing his foes. Therefore, O
Yudhishthira, the array of battle should always be thus formed. Filled
with rage, heroes desire to win blessedness in heaven by fighting
fairly. Like Makaras agitating the ocean, they agitate the ranks of the
foe. Assuring one another, they should gladden those (amongst them) that
are cheerless. The victor should protect the land newly conquered (from
acts of aggression). He should not cause his troops to pursue too much
the routed foe. The onset is irresistible of persons that rally after the
rout and that, despairing of safety, assail their pursuers. For this
reason, O king, thou shouldst not cause thy troops to pursue too much the
routed foe. Warriors of courage do not wish to strike them that run away
with speed. That is another reason why the routed foe should not be
pursued hotly. Things that are immobile are devoured by those that are
mobile; creatures that are toothless are devoured by those that have
teeth; water is drunk by the thirsty; cowards are devoured by heroes.
Cowards sustain defeat though they have, like the victors, similar backs
and stomachs and arms and legs. They that are afflicted with fear bend
their heads and joining their hands stay before those that are possessed
of courage. This world rests on the arms of heroes like a son on those of
his sire. He, therefore, that is a hero deserves respect under every
circumstance. There is nothing higher in the three worlds than heroism.
The hero protects and cherishes all, and all things depend upon the
hero."'"

SECTION C

"'Yudhishthira said, "Tell me, O grandsire, how kings desirous of victory
should, O bull of Bharata's race, lead their troops to battle even by
offending slightly against the rules of righteousness!"

"'Bhishma said, "Some say that righteousness is made stable by truth;
some, by reasoning; some, by good behaviour; and some, by the
app