After Dharmaraja instructed his brothers to devise a means of freeing themselves from all taint of unrighteousness, each looked upon the other, silently weighing his own judgment and awaiting the resolve of the rest, until Arjuna, discerning the gravity of the moment, gently entered the discourse and spoke with measured humility, asking what truly constituted goodness, justice, and righteousness, and by what discernment such eternal principles might be known.
At that moment, the remembrance of Narayana, of Vidura the embodiment of virtue, and of Kunti the noble queen of Pandu arose among them, recalling how they had clearly spoken of duty and dispelled all doubt, and Arjuna further reflected that when Sri Krishna himself had commanded them to take up war, there was little reason to wander into hesitation or seek alternate paths, for the words of Partha infused the gathering with renewed ardour, and Dharmaraja too gathered his scattered thoughts and urged them to proceed resolutely.
He declared that Vasudeva was the very embodiment of all dharmas, and that when such a being determined one’s duty, there was no place for fearful deviation from his command, and thus he proclaimed the commencement of the preparations for the fierce battle, asking who among them possessed the strength of sinews, the clarity of intellect, and the mastery of strategy to command the force of seven Akshouhinis and stand worthy before the grand sire Bhishma in martial excellence.
He further questioned who could restrain the towering fire of Bhishma’s arrows and serve as the true source of their resistance, declaring that such a great warrior alone should be anointed as commander in chief, whereupon Sahadeva spoke respectfully, proposing that King Virata of Matsya, with his vast retinue of kin and warriors, might be suited for the exalted position.
Nakula then added that one endowed with a large and well-trained force, renowned fame, strength, courage, and skill in diplomacy as well as mastery of sword and bow, and who bore a long-standing resentment against Bhishma and Drona, namely King Drupada, their steadfast ally, might rightly be considered for that most honoured status.
Arjuna then spoke with firm conviction, declaring that Dhrishtadyumna, born of ritual fire for the sole purpose of destroying Dronacharya, whose chariot, horses, bow, arrows, sword, shield, and Armor were all graced by Agni himself, whose form blazed like fire, whose sinews and hands were mighty, and whose intellect was keen and disciplined, was alone worthy of such responsibility, for none other could bear the swiftness and fury of Bhishma, and he further observed that Shikhandi, fierce and courageous, of unimaginable strength and destined as the cause of Bhishma’s fall, was eminently fit for command.
Dharmaraja then, indicating Sri Krishna to his brothers, proclaimed that this supreme person knew the depths and heights of all beings, moving and unmoving alike, and that his words would be the very foundation of their victory, declaring that whomever this great one chose would undoubtedly become the commander of the seven Akshouhini forces.
Sri Krishna, responding to Dharmaraja, affirmed that Dhrishtadyumna was indeed eligible to take charge as commander in chief and instructed that he be anointed in the assembly hall in the presence of all, and he then explained that each Akshouhini consisted of twenty-one thousand chariots, twenty-one thousand elephants, sixty-five thousand six hundred ten horses, and one hundred nine thousand three hundred fifty foot soldiers, this being known as the fourfold army.
He further declared that Dhrishtadyumna was proficient in the war strategies of gods, Gandharvas, Kimpurushas, and other celestial beings, adept at formulating plans suited to each moment, and foremost among champions, adding that all the kings who had come in support were wise, intellectual, and blazing with majesty and valour, yet the righteous conduct of war demanded that all services be placed under the command of a single chief.
Upon hearing Krishna’s words, Dharmaraja entrusted him with the selection of commanders for each Akshouhini, aligned in symbolism and scale with his guidance, whereupon Vasudeva declared that he himself would identify and appoint them without regard to the size of their forces, instructing that all seven be anointed with their specific duties and codes of conduct proclaimed.
Sri Krishna then pronounced the names of the commanders, Drupada, the mountain of courage, Virata of transcendent intelligence, Satyaki, whose presence struck fear into enemies, Sahadeva, the valiant son of Jarasandha, Chekitana, the most courageous among the Yadavas, Dhrishtaketu, the glorious and mighty son of Shishupala, and Shikhandi, ever enthusiastic and skilled in battle, declaring them all strategists of renown, devoted to Dharmaraja, famous for heroic exploits, adventurous in spirit, and fit to lead the Akshouhinis.
Having thus appointed the seven commanders, Krishna assured Dharmaraja that the Kaurava forces were devoid of true strength while the Pandava armies were filled with potential, urging them to march forward without doubt, declaring that God himself would stand at the front of their forces, that the brothers could not be defeated even by celestials, and that to destroy the Kauravas would be no burden to them, likening it to an elephant crushing lotuses in a pond, after which he departed to his dwelling.
Freed from apprehension, Dharmaraja and his brothers forged a firm and satisfying strategy. They retired to rest, sleeping peacefully, and at the break of dawn Yudhishthira, having completed the prescribed rituals, assembled with his brothers in the halls of counsel and merit along with Sri Krishna, sons, kin, and allies, and formally announced the decision to wage war.
Addressing ministers, priests, and vassal lords, he declared that the appointment of the commander in chief and the Akshouhini leaders had been made according to the guidance of Vasudeva, praised their past deeds, wished them success, and in accordance with tradition, prepared them, announcing their march against the Kauravas toward Kurukshetra, the ordained field of battle.
He instructed Arjuna to protect the commander-in-chief and all commanders at all times, as eyelids guard the eyes; scrutinize matters; advise them when asked, as a guru would; receive their counsel in turn; and weld their collective strength into a formidable force impenetrable to the Kaurava warriors.
With the plan unanimously approved, Dharmaraja, filled with joy, prepared himself in body and mind for every challenge and ordered the war bugles to be sounded, their thunder spreading in all directions, filling hearts with fear, confidence, faith, and destiny, as oceans seemed to surge beyond their bounds, winds swept fiercely as warnings of resistance, and cries of victory with the beating of great drums resembled mountains trembling beneath the thunderbolt of Indra.
For a moment, nature itself appeared suspended before the grandeur of the assembled forces, as fate began to shape the balance between righteousness and evil, revealing an intelligent strategy, a finely designed selection, unity of expression, and harmony of action, all illuminated by the guidance of Vasudeva, whose assurance that God stood at the forefront of their armies emboldened every heart to stake all for victory, content with nothing less.
