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58. THE PANDAVA

GENERALISSIMO GOVINDA reached Upaplavya and told the
Pandavas what had happened in Hastinapura. "I spoke urging
what was right and what was also good for them. But, it was all
in vain. There is now no way out except the fourth, that is, the
last alternative of war. The foolish Duryodhana would not listen
to the advice tendered to him by the elders in the assembly.
We must now prepare for war without delay. Kurukshetra is
waiting for the holocaust." "There is no longer any hope of
peace," said Yudhishthira, addressing his brothers, and issued
orders for marshalling their forces in, battle array. They formed
the army in seven divisions and appointed Drupada, Virata,
Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandin, Satyaki, Chekitana and Bhimasena
at the head of each division. They then considered who should
be appointed Generalissimo. Addressing Sahadeva,
Yudhishthira said: "We should select one of these seven to be
Supreme Commander. He should be one capable of successfully
facing the great Bhishma, who can burn enemies to ashes. He
should be one who knows how to dispose his forces as
circumstances require from time to time. Who do you think is
most fitted for this responsibility?" In the olden days, it was the
practice to ascertain the views of younger people first, before
consulting elders. This instilled enthusiasm and self-confidence
in the younger folk. If the elders were consulted first, it would
not be possible for others to speak with freedom, and even
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honest differences of opinion might savor of disrespect. "Let us

take as our Supreme Commander the king of Virata who helped
us when we lived in disguise and with whose support we now
demand our share of the kingdom," replied Sahadeva. "It seems
to me best to make Drupada the Generalissimo, for, in point of
age, wisdom, courage, birth and strength, he is supreme," said
Nakula. "Drupada, the father of Draupadi, has learnt archery
from Bharadwaja, and has for long been waiting for an
encounter with Drona. He is much respected by all kings, and is
supporting us, as if we were his own sons. He should lead our
army against Drona and Bhishma." Dharmaputra then asked
Dhananjaya for his opinion. "I think, Dhrishtadyumna should be
our chief in the battlefield. The hero who has his senses under
control and who has been born to bring about Drona's end.
Dhrishtadyumna alone can withstand the arrows of Bhishma
whose skill in archery made even the great Parasurama hold
back. He is the only man fitted to be our commander. I can
think of no one else," replied Arjuna. Bhimasena said: "O king,
what Arjuna says is true, but the rishis and elders have said that
Sikhandin has come into the world to kill Bhishma. My
inclination would be to give the command to Sikhandin whose
radiant face is like that of Parasurama. I do not think any one
else can defeat Bhishma." Yudhishthira finally asked Kesava for
his opinion. "The warriors mentioned are, each one of them,
worthy of selection," said Krishna. "Any one of them would fill
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the Kauravas with fear. All things considered, I would endorse

Arjuna's choice. Anoint Dhrishtadyumna, therefore, as your
Supreme Commander." Accordingly, Dhrishtadyumna,
Drupada's illustrious son, who led Draupadi at the swayamvara
and gave her away to Arjuna, who for thirteen long years was
brooding over the insult that his sister had to suffer in
Duryodhana's court, and who was waiting for an opportunity to
avenge the wrong, was anointed Supreme Commander of the
Pandava army. The lion-roar of warriors, the blowing of conchs
and shells and the trumpeting of elephants rent the air, With
warlike cheers which made the sky ring, the Pandava army
entered Kurukshetra in martial array.