Dhritarashtra said: "Such an army, Sanjaya, possessed many virtues; it was manifold and excellent, arrayed according to the science of war, and could not be in vain. Our army was exceedingly strong, ever dear to us, obedient, free from misfortune, and had already shown its valor. It was neither too old nor too young, neither thin nor fat; it was agile, lithe, mostly elongated, with strong bodies and free of disease. It was equipped with armor and weapons, possessed of many kinds of arms, skilled in swordplay, in wrestling, and in fighting with maces; in prasas, rshtis, and tomaras, in iron parighas, in bhindipalas, shaktis, musalas, various bows, kanapas, diverse throwing weapons, and fist-fighting. It had direct experience in the martial sciences, was trained through exercise, and was fully accomplished in all the disciplines of wielding weapons. It was skilled in mounting, leaping down, advancing, vaulting, striking properly, attacking, and retreating. It had been tested many times in riding elephants, horses, and chariots, examined as was proper, and provided with wages. It had been gathered not through idle talk, not through flattery, not because of kinship, not by the strength of friendship, and not by taking in the low-born."