Yudhishthira
went through the lines of soldiers armed cap-a-pie and proceeded straight to where Bhishma
was and, bending low and touching his feet in salutation, said:"Grandsire,
permit us to begin the battle. We have dared to give battle to you, our unconquerable and
incomparable grandsire; we seek benediction before beginning the fight."
"Child," replied the grandsire, "born in the race of
Bharatas, you have acted worthily and according to our code of conduct. It gives me joy to
see this. Fight arid you will have victory. I am not a free agent.
I am bound by my obligation to the king and must fight on the side of
the Kauravas. But you will not be defeated."
After thus obtaining the permission and the blessings of the grandsire,
Yudhishthira went to Drona and circumambulated and bowed, according to form, to the
acharya, who also gave his blessings, saying:
