A Prose English Translation of the Mahabharata (Translated Literally from the Original Sanskrit Text) - Bhishma Parva

Thus ends the first chapter the placing of soldiers in the :7amvukhanda rinimana of the Bhisma Parva. [...] the holy Rishi Vyasa the son of Satyavati that foremost of all men learned in the Vedas that grandfather of the Pandavas and the Kurus who knew the Past and the Present and the Future thus spoke in private to the king (I)hritarastra) the son of Vichitravirja who was then ditressed and afflicted with sorrow thinking of the evil propensities of his sons. [...] The shine of weapons of the water of the armours and of the standards looks like fire. [...] Three lunations meeting twice or thrice in one and the same fortnight and on the thirteenth day therefore from the first lunation according as it is the day of the full-moon or the nemoon the moon and the sun are devoured by Rahu. [...] are the instrument of the fame the achievments and virtue of the Bharata race.