As the immortals desirous of defeating the Asuras in battle made Kartikeya their leader, so, do you, O Duryodhana, soon elect this one (Drona) as the leader of your army.
एवं दुर्योधनाचार्यमाशु सेनापतिं कुरु। जिगीषन्तोऽसुरान् संख्ये कार्तिकेयमिवामराः॥