Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/56

22 the Dwapara and the Kali yugas there happened at the encounter between the armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas. In that holy region, without ruggedness of any kind, were assembled Eighteen Akshauhinis of soldiers eager for battle. And, O Brahmanas, having come thereto, they were all slain on the spot. Thus the name of that region, O Brahmans, hath been explained, and the country described to you as a sacred and delightful one. I have mentioned the whole of what relateth to it as the region is celebrated throughout the three worlds."

The Rishis said:—"We have a desire to know, O son of Suta, what is implied by the term Akshauhini that hath been used by thee. Tell us in full what is the number of horse and foot, chariots and elephants, which compose an Akshauhini, for thou art fully informed."

Sauti said:—"One chariot, one elephant, five foot soldiers, and three horse, form one Patti; three pattis make one three  are called a Gulma; three gulmas, a Gana; three ganas, a Vahini; three vahinis together are called a Pritana; three pritanas form a Chamu; three chamus, one Anikini; and an Anikini taken ten times forms, as it is styled by those who know, an Akshauhini. O Ye best of Brahmans, arithmeticians have calculated that the number of chariots in an Akshauhini is twenty one thousand eight hundred and seventy. The measure of elephants must be fixed at the same number. O Ye pure, you must know that the number of foot soldiers is one hundred and nine thousand three hundred and fifty. The number of horse is  thousand six hundred and ten. These, O Brahmans, as fully explained by me, are the numbers of an Akshauhini as said by those acquainted with the principles of numbers. O best of Brahmans, according to this calculation were composed the eighteen Akshauhinis of the Kaurava and the Pandava army. Time, whose acts are wonderful, assembled them on that spot and having made the Kauravas the cause, destroyed them all. Bhisma acquainted with choice weapons, fought for ten days. Drona protected the Kaurava Vahinis for five days. Karna the desolator of hostile armies fought