The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 4 VIRATA PARVA

 

The Mahabharata

of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa

BOOK 4

VIRATA PARVA

Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text

by

Kisari Mohan Ganguli

[1883-1896]

Scanned at sacred-texts.com, 2003. Proofed at Distributed Proofing,

Juliet Sutherland, Project Manager. Additional proofing and formatting at

sacred-texts.com, by J. B. Hare.

SECTION I

(Pandava-Pravesa Parva)

OM! Having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara, the most exalted of male

beings, and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered.

Janamejaya said, "How did my great-grandfathers, afflicted with the fear

of Duryodhana, pass their days undiscovered in the city of Virata? And, O

Brahman, how did the highly blessed Draupadi, stricken with woe, devoted

to her lords, and ever adoring the Deity[1], spend her days unrecognised?"

Vaisampayana said, "Listen, O lord of men, how thy great grandfathers

passed the period of unrecognition in the city of Virata. Having in this

way obtained boons from the god of Justice, that best of virtuous men,

Yudhishthira, returned to the asylum and related unto the Brahmanas all

that had happened. And having related everything unto them, Yudhishthira

restored to that regenerate Brahmana, who had followed him the churning

staff and the fire-sticks he had lost. And, O Bharata, the son of the god

of Justice, the royal Yudhishthira of high soul then called together all

his younger brothers and addressed them, saying, 'Exiled from our

kingdom, we have passed twelve years. The thirteenth year, hard to spend,

hath now come. Do thou therefore, O Arjuna, the son of Kunti, select some

spot where we may pass our days undiscovered by our enemies.'"

Arjuna replied, "Even by virtue of Dharma's boon, we shall, O lord of

men, range about undiscovered by men. Still, for purposes of residence, I

shall mention some spots that are both delightful and secluded. Do thou

select some one of them. Surrounding the kingdom of the Kurus, are, many

countries beautiful and abounding in corn, such as Panchala, Chedi,

Matsya, Surasena, Pattachchara, Dasarna, Navarashtra, Malla, Salva,

Yugandhara, Saurashtra, Avanti, and the spacious Kuntirashtra. Which of

these, O king, wouldst thou choose, and where, O foremost of monarchs,

shall we spend this year?"

Yudhishthira said "O them of mighty arms, it is even so. What that

adorable Lord of all creatures hath said must become true. Surely, after

consulting together, we must select some delightful, auspicious, and

agreeable region for our abode, where we may live free from fear. The

aged Virata, king of the Matsyas, is virtuous and powerful and

charitable, and is liked by all. And he is also attached to the Pandavas.

Even in the city of Virata, O child, we shall, O Bharata, spend this

year, entering his service. Tell me, ye sons of the Kuru race, in what

capacities ye will severally present yourselves before the king of the

Matsyas!"

Arjuna said, "O god among men, what service wilt thou take in Virata's

kingdom? O righteous one, in what capacity wilt thou reside in the city

of Virata? Thou art mild, and charitable, and modest, and virtuous, and

firm in promise. What wilt thou, O king, afflicted as thou art with

calamity, do? A king is qualified to bear trouble like an ordinary

person. How wilt thou overcome this great calamity that has overtaken

thee?"

Yudhishthira replied, "Ye sons of the Kuru race, ye bulls among men, hear

what I shall do on appearing before king Virata. Presenting myself as a

Brahmana, Kanka by name, skilled in dice and fond of play, I shall become

a courtier of that high-souled king. And moving upon chess-boards

beautiful pawns made of ivory, of blue and yellow and red and white hue,

by throws of black and red dice. I shall entertain the king with his

courtiers and friends. And while I shall continue to thus delight the

king, nobody will succeed in discovering me. And should the monarch ask

me, I shall say, 'Formerly I was the bosom friend of Yudhishthira.' I

tell you that it is thus that I shall pass my days (in the city of

Virata). What office wilt thou, O Vrikodara, fill in the city of Virata?"

SECTION II

Bhima said, "I intend to present myself before the lord of Virata as a

cook bearing the name of Vallabha. I am skilled in culinary art, and I

shall prepare curries for the king, and excelling all those skilful cooks

that had hitherto dressed his food I shall gratify the monarch. And I

shall carry mighty loads of wood. And witnessing that mighty feat, the

monarch will be pleased. And, O Bharata, beholding such superhuman feats

of mine, the servants of the royal household will honour me as a king.

And I shall have entire control over all kinds of viands and drinks. And

commanded to subdue powerful elephants and mighty bulls, I will do as

bidden. And if any combatants will fight with me in the lists, then will

I vanquish them, and thereby entertain the monarch. But I shall not take

the life of any of them. I shall only bring them down in such way that

they may not be killed. And on being asked as regards my antecedent I

shall say that--Formerly I was the wrestler and cook of Yudhishthira.

Thus shall I, O king, maintain myself."

Yudhishthira said, "And what office will be performed by that mighty

descendant of the Kurus, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, that foremost of

men possessed of long arms, invincible in fight, and before whom, while

he was staying with Krishna, the divine Agni himself desirous of

consuming the forest of Khandava had formerly appeared in the guise of a

Brahmana? What office will be performed by that best of warriors, Arjuna,

who proceeded to that forest and gratified Agni, vanquishing on a single

car and slaying huge Nagas and Rakshasas, and who married the sister of

Vasuki himself, the king of the Nagas? Even as the sun is the foremost of

all heat-giving bodies, as the Brahmana is the best of all bipeds, as the

cobra is the foremost of all serpents, as Fire is the first of all things

possessed of energy, as the thunderbolt is the foremost of all weapons,

as the humped bull is the foremost of all animals of the bovine breed, as

the ocean is the foremost of all watery expanses, as clouds charged with

rain are the foremost of all clouds, as Ananta is the first of all Nagas,

as Airavata is the foremost of all elephants, as the son is the foremost

of all beloved objects, and lastly, as the wife is the best of all

friends, so, O Vrikodara, is the youthful Gudakesa, the foremost of all

bowmen. And O Bharata, what office will be performed by Vibhatsu, the

wielder of Gandiva, whose car is drawn by white horses, and who is not

inferior to Indra or Vasudeva Himself? What office will be performed by

Arjuna who, dwelling for five years in the abode of the thousand-eyed

Deity (Indra) shining in celestial lustre, acquired by his own energy the

science of superhuman arms with all celestial weapons, and whom I regard

as the tenth Rudra, the thirteenth Aditya, the ninth Vasu, and the tenth

Graha, whose arms, symmetrical and long, have the skin hardened by

constant strokes of the bowstring and cicatrices which resemble those on

the humps of bulls,--that foremost of warriors who is as Himavat among

mountains, the ocean among expanses of water, Sakra among the celestial,

Havya-vaha (fire) among the Vasus, the tiger among beasts, and Garuda

among feathery tribes!"

Arjuna replied, "O lord of the Earth, I will declare myself as one of the

neuter sex. O monarch, it is, indeed difficult to hide the marks of the

bowstring on my arms. I will, however, cover both my cicatrized arms with

bangles. Wearing brilliant rings on my ears and conch-bangles on my

wrists and causing a braid to hang down from my head, I shall, O king,

appear as one of the third sex, Brihannala by name. And living as a

female I shall (always) entertain the king and the inmates of the inner

apartments by reciting stories. And, O king, I shall also instruct the

women of Virata's palace in singing and delightful modes of dancing and

in musical instruments of diverse kinds. And I shall also recite the

various excellent acts of men and thus conceal myself, O son of Kunti, by

feigning disguise. And, O Bharata should the king enquire, I will say

that, I lived as a waiting maid of Draupadi in Yudhishthira's palace.

And, O foremost of kings, concealing myself by this means, as fire is

concealed by ashes, I shall pass my days agreeably in the palace of

Virata."

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, Arjuna, that best of men and

foremost of virtuous persons, became silent. Then the king addressed

another brother of his."[2]

SECTION III

Yudhishthira said, "Tender, possessed of a graceful presence, and

deserving of every luxury as thou art, what office wilt thou, O heroic

Nakula, discharge while living in the dominions of that king? Tell me all

about it!"

Nakula said, "Under the name of Granthika, I shall become the keeper of

the horses of king Virata. I have a thorough knowledge (of this work) and

am skilful in tending horses. Besides, the task is agreeable to me, and I

possess great skill in training and treating horses; and horses are ever

dear to me as they are to thee, O king of the Kurus. At my hands even

colts and mares become docile; these never become vicious in bearing a

rider or drawing a car.[3] And those persons in the city of Virata that

may enquire of me, I shall, O bull of the Bharata race, say,--Formerly I

was employed by Yudhishthira in the charge of his horses. Thus disguised,

O king, I shall spend my days delightfully in the city of Virata. No one

will be able to discover me as I will gratify the monarch thus![4]

Yudhishthira said, "How wilt thou, O Sahadeva, bear thyself before that

king? And what, O child, is that which thou wilt do in order to live in

disguise."

Sahadeva replied, "I will become a keeper of the kine of Virata's king. I

am skilled in milking kine and taking their history as well as in taming

their fierceness. Passing under the name of Tantripal, I shall perform my

duties deftly. Let thy heart's fever be dispelled. Formerly I was

frequently employed to look after thy kine, and, O Lord of earth, I have

a particular knowledge of that work. And, O monarch, I am well-acquainted

with the nature of kine, as also with their auspicious marks and other

matters relating to them. I can also discriminate bulls with auspicious

marks, the scent of whose urine may make even the barren being forth

child. Even thus will I live, and I always take delight in work of this

kind. Indeed, no one will then be able to recognise me, and I will

moreover gratify the monarch,"

Yudhishthira said, "This is our beloved wife dearer to us than our lives.

Verily, she deserveth to be cherished by us like a mother, and regarded

like an elder sister. Unacquainted as she is with any kind of womanly

work, what office will Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, perform?

Delicate and young, she is a princess of great repute. Devoted to her

lords, and eminently virtuous, also, how will she live? Since her birth,

she hath enjoyed only garlands and perfume? and ornaments and costly

robes."

Draupadi replied, "There is a class of persons called Sairindhris,[5] who

enter the services of other. Other females, however (that are

respectable) do not do so. Of this class there are some. I shall give

myself out as a Sairindhri, skilled in dressing hair. And, O Bharata, on

being questioned by the king, I shall say that I served as a waiting

woman of Draupadi in Yudhishthira's household. I shall thus pass my days

in disguise. And I shall serve the famous Sudeshna, the wife of the king.

Surely, obtaining me she will cherish me (duly). Do not grieve so, O

king."

"Yudhishthira said, "O Krishna, thou speakest well. But O fair girl, thou

wert born in a respectable family. Chaste as thou art, and always engaged

in observing virtuous vows, thou knowest not what is sin. Do thou,

therefore, conduct thyself in such a way that sinful men of evil hearts

may not be gladdened by gazing at thee."

SECTION IV

Yudhishthira said, "Ye have already said what offices ye will

respectively perform. I also, according to the measure of my sense, have

said what office I will perform. Let our priest, accompanied by

charioteers and cooks, repair to the abode of Drupada, and there maintain

our Agnihotra fires. And let Indrasena and the others, taking with then

the empty cars, speedily proceeded to Dwaravati. Even this is my wish.

And let all these maid-servants of Draupadi go to the Panchalas, with our

charioteers and cooks. And let all of them say,--We do not know where the

Pandavas have gone leaving us at the lake of Dwaitavana."

Vaisampayana said, "Having thus taken counsel of one another and told one

another the offices they would discharge, the Pandavas sought Dhaumya's

advice. And Dhaumya also gave them advice in the following words, saying,

Ye sons of Pandu, the arrangements ye have made regarding the Brahmanas,

yours friends, cars, weapons, and the (sacred) fires, are excellent. But

it behoveth thee, O Yudhishthira, and Arjuna specially, to make provision

for the protection of Draupadi. Ye king, ye are well-acquainted with the

characters of men. Yet whatever may be your knowledge, friends may from

affection be permitted to repeat what is already known. Even this is

subservient to the eternal interests of virtue, pleasure, and profit. I

shall, therefore speak to you something. Mark ye. To dwell with a king

is, alas, difficult. I shall tell you, ye princes, how ye may reside in

the royal household, avoiding every fault. Ye Kauravas, honourably or

otherwise, ye will have to pass this year in the king's palace,

undiscovered by those that know you. Then in the fourteenth year, ye will

live happy. O son of Pandu, in this world, that cherisher and protector

of all beings, the king, who is a deity in an embodied form, is as a

great fire sanctified with all the mantras. [6] One should present

himself before the king, after having obtained his permission at the

gate. No one should keep contact with royal secrets. Nor should one

desire a seat which another may covet. He who doth not, regarding himself

to be a favourite, occupy (the king's) car, or coach, or seat, or

vehicle, or elephant, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household.

He that sits not upon a seat the occupation of which is calculated raise

alarm in the minds of malicious people, is alone worthy of dwelling in a

royal household. No one should, unasked offer counsel (to a king). Paying

homage in season unto the king, one should silently and respectfully sit

beside the king, for kings take umbrage at babblers, and disgrace laying

counsellors. A wise person should not contact friendship with the king's

wife, nor with the inmates of the inner apartments, nor with those that

are objects of royal displeasure. One about the king should do even the

most unimportant acts and with the king's knowledge. Behaving thus with a

sovereign, one doth not come by harm. Even if an individual attain the

highest office, he should, as long as he is not asked or commanded,

consider himself as born-blind, having regard to the king's dignity, for

O repressers of foes, the rulers of men do not forgive even their sons

and grandsons and brothers when they happen to tamper with their dignity.

Kings should be served with regardful care, even as Agni and other god;

and he that is disloyal to his sovereign, is certainly destroyed by him.

Renouncing anger, and pride, and negligence, it behoveth a man to follow

the course directed by the monarch. After carefully deliberating on all

things, a person should set forth before the king those topics that are

both profitable and pleasant; but should a subject be profitable without

being pleasant, he should still communicate it, despite its

disagreeableness. It behoveth a man to be well-disposed towards the king

in all his interests, and not to indulge in speech that is alike

unpleasant and profitless. Always thinking--I am not liked by the

king--one should banish negligence, and be intent on bringing about what

is agreeable and advantageous to him. He that swerveth not from his

place, he that is not friendly to those that are hostile to the king, he

that striveth not to do wrong to the king, is alone worthy to dwell in a

royal household. A learned man should sit either on the king's right or

the left; he should not sit behind him for that is the place appointed

for armed guards, and to sit before him is always interdicted. Let none,

when the king is engaged in doing anything (in respect of his servants)

come forward pressing himself zealously before others, for even if the

aggrieved be very poor, such conduct would still be inexcusable.[7] It

behoveth no man to reveal to others any lie the king may have told

inasmuch as the king bears ill will to those that report his falsehoods.

Kings also always disregard persons that regard themselves as learned. No

man should be proud thinking--I am brave, or, I am intelligent, but a

person obtains the good graces of a king and enjoys the good things of

life, by behaving agreeably to the wishes of the king. And, O Bharata,

obtaining things agreeable, and wealth also which is so hard to acquire,

a person should always do what is profitable as well as pleasant to the

king. What man that is respected by the wise can even think of doing

mischief to one whose ire is great impediment and whose favour is

productive of mighty fruits? No one should move his lips, arms and

thighs, before the king. A person should speak and spit before the king

only mildly. In the presence of even laughable objects, a man should not

break out into loud laughter, like a maniac; nor should one show

(unreasonable) gravity by containing himself, to the utmost. One should

smile modestly, to show his interest (in what is before him). He that is

ever mindful of the king's welfare, and is neither exhilarated by reward

nor depressed by disgrace, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal

household. That learned courtier who always pleaseth the king and his son

with agreeable speeches, succeedeth in dwelling in a royal household as a

favourite. The favourite courtier who, having lost the royal favour for

just reason, does not speak evil of the king, regains prosperity. The man

who serveth the king or liveth in his domains, if sagacious, should speak

in praise of the king, both in his presence and absence. The courtier who

attempts to obtain his end by employing force on the king, cannot keep

his place long and incurs also the risk of death. None should, for the

purpose of self-interest, open communications with the king's enemies.[8]

Nor should one distinguish himself above the king in matters requiring

ability and talents. He that is always cheerful and strong, brave and

truthful, and mild, and of subdued senses, and who followeth his master

like his shadow, is alone worthy to dwell in a royal household. He that

on being entrusted with a work, cometh forward, saying,--I will do

this--is alone worthy of living in a royal household. He that on being

entrusted with a task, either within the king's dominion or out of it,

never feareth to undertake it, is alone fit to reside in a royal

household. He that living away from his home, doth no remember his dear

ones, and who undergoeth (present) misery in expectation of (future)

happiness, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. One should

not dress like the king, nor should one indulge, in laughter in the

king's presence nor should one disclose royal secrets. By acting thus one

may win royal favour. Commissioned to a task, one should not touch bribes

for by such appropriation one becometh liable to fetters or death. The

robes, ornaments, cars, and other things which the king may be pleased to

bestow should always be used, for by this, one winneth the royal favour.

Ye children, controlling your minds, do ye spend this year, ye sons of

Pandu, behaving in this way. Regaining your own kingdom, ye may live as

ye please."

Yudhishthira said, "We have been well taught by thee. Blessed be thou.

There is none that could say so to us, save our mother Kunti and Vidura

of great wisdom. It behoveth thee to do all that is necessary now for our

departure, and for enabling us to come safely through this woe, as well

as for our victory over the foe."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, Dhaumya, that

best of Brahmanas, performed according to the ordinance the rites

ordained in respect of departure. And lighting up their fires, he

offered, with mantras, oblations on them for the prosperity and success

of the Pandavas, as for their reconquest of the whole world. And walking

round those fires and round the Brahmanas of ascetic wealth, the six set

out, placing Yajnaseni in their front. And when those heroes had

departed, Dhaumya, that best of ascetics, taking their sacred fires, set

out for the Panchalas. And Indrasena, and others already mentioned, went

to the Yadavas, and looking after the horses and the cars of the Pandavas

passed their time happily and in privacy."

SECTION V

Vaisampayana said, "Girding their waists with swords, and equipped with

finger-protectors made of iguana skins and with various weapons, those

heroes proceeded in the direction of the river Yamuna. And those bowmen

desirous of (speedily) recovering their kingdom, hitherto living in

inaccessible hills and forest fastnesses, now terminated their

forest-life and proceeded to the southern bank of that river. And those

mighty warriors endued with great strength and hitherto leading the lives

of hunters by killing the deer of the forest, passed through Yakrilloma

and Surasena, leaving behind, on their right, the country of the

Panchalas, and on their left, that of the Dasarnas. And those bowmen,

looking wan and wearing beards and equipped with swords, entered Matsya's

dominions leaving the forest, giving themselves out as hunters. And on

arriving at that country, Krishna addressed Yudhishthira, saying, 'We see

footpaths here, and various fields. From this it appears that Virata's

metropolis is still at a distance. Pass we here what part of the night is

still left, for great is my fatigue."

Yudhishthira answered, "O Dhananjaya of Bharata's race, do thou take up

Panchali and carry her. Just on emerging from this forest, we arrive at

the city."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thereupon like the leader of a herd of

elephants, Arjuna speedily took up Draupadi, and on coming to the

vicinity of the city, let her down. And on reaching the city, Ruru's son

(Yudhishthira), addressed Arjuna, saying, 'Where shall we deposit our

weapons, before entering the city? If, O child, we enter it with our

weapons about us, we shall thereby surely excite the alarm of the

citizens. Further, the tremendous bow, the Gandiva, is known to all men,

so that people will, without doubt, recognise us soon. And if even one of

us is discovered, we shall, according to promise, have to pass another

twelve years in the forest.'"

Arjuna said, "Hard by yon cemetery and near that inaccessible peak is a

mighty Sami tree, throwing-about its gigantic branches and difficult to

ascend. Nor is there any human being, who, I think, O Pandu's son, will

espy us depositing our arms at that place. That tree is in the midst of

an out-of-the way forest abounding in beasts and snakes, and is in the

vicinity of a dreary cemetery. Stowing away our weapons on the Sami tree,

let us, O Bharata, go to the city, and live there, free from anxiety!"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having O bull of the Bharata race spoken thus to

king Yudhishthira the just, Arjuna prepared to deposit the weapons (on

the tree). And that bull among the Kurus, then loosened the string of the

large and dreadful Gandiva, ever producing thundering twang and always

destructive of hostile hosts, and with which he had conquered, on a

single car, gods and men and Nagas and swelling provinces. And the

warlike Yudhishthira, that represser of foes, unfastened the undecaying

string of that bow with which he had defended the field of Kurukshstra.

And the illustrious Bhimasena unstrung that bow by means of which that

sinless one had vanquished in fight the Panchals and the lord of Sindhu,

and with which, during his career of conquest, he had, single-handed,

opposed innumerable foes, and hearing whose twang which was like unto the

roar of the thunder or the splitting of a mountain, enemies always fly

(in panic) from the field of battle. And that son of Pandu of coppery

complexion and mild speech who is endued with great prowess in the field,

and is called Nakula in consequence of his unexampled beauty in the

family, then unfastened the string of that bow with which he had

conquered all the regions of the west. And the heroic Sahadeva also,

possessed of a mild disposition, then united the string of that bow with

which he had subjugated the countries of the south. And with their bows,

they put together their long and flashing swords, their precious quivers,

and their arrows sharp as razors. And Nakula ascended the tree, and

deposited on it the bows and the other weapons. And he tied them fast on

those parts of the tree which he thought would not break, and where the

rain would not penetrate. And the Pandavas hung up a corpse (on the

tree), knowing that people smelling the stench of the corpse would

say--here sure, is a dead body, and avoid the tree from a distance. And

on being asked by the shepherds and cowherds regarding the corpse, those

repressers of foes said unto them, 'This is our mother, aged one hundred

and eighty years. We have hung up her dead body, in accordance with the

custom observed by our forefathers.' And then those resisters of foes

approached the city. And for purposes of non-discovery Yudhisthira kept

these (five) names for himself and his brothers respectively, viz., Jaya,

Jayanta, Vijaya, Jayatsena, and Jayatvala. Then they entered the great

city, with the view to passing the thirteenth year undiscovered in that

kingdom, agreeably to the promise (to Duryodhana)."

SECTION VI

Vaisampayana said, "And while Yudhishthira was on his way to the

delightful city of Virata, he began to praise mentally the Divine Durga,

the Supreme Goddess of the Universe, born on the womb of Yasoda, and fond

of the boons bestowed on her by Narayana, sprung from the race of cowherd

Nanda, and the giver of prosperity, the enhancer (of the glory) of (the

worshipper's) family, the terrifier of Kansa, and the destroyer of

Asuras,--and saluted the Goddess--her who ascended the skies when dashed

(by Kansa) on a stony platform, who is the sister of Vasudeva, one who is

always decked in celestial garlands and attired in celestial robes,--who

is armed with scimitar and shield, and always rescues the worshipper sunk

in sin, like a cow in the mire, who in the hours of distress calls upon

that eternal giver of blessings for relieving him of their burdens. And

the king, desirous with his brothers of obtaining a sight of the Goddess,

invoked her and began to praise her by reciting various names derived

from (approved) hymns. And Yudhishthira said, 'Salutations to thee, O

giver of boons. O thou that art identical with Krishna, O maiden, O thou

that hast observed the vow of Brahmacharya, O thou of body bright as the

newly-risen Sun, O thou efface beautiful as the full moon. Salutations to

thee, O thou of four hands and four faces, O thou of fair round hips and

deep bosom, O thou that wearest bangles made of emeralds and sapphires, O

thou that bearest excellent bracelets on thy upper arm. Thou shinest, O

Goddess, as Padma, the consort of Narayana. O thou that rangest the

etherial regions, thy true form and thy Brahmacharya are both of the

purest kind. Sable as the black clouds, thy face is beautiful as that of

Sankarshana. Thou bearest two large arms long as a couple of poles raised

in honour of Indra. In thy (six) other arms thou bearest a vessel, a

lotus, a bell, a noose, a bow, a large discus, and various other weapons.

Thou art the only female in the universe that possesses! the attribute of

purity. Thou art decked with a pair of well-made ears graced with

excellent rings. O Goddess, thou shinest with a face that challengeth the

moon in beauty. With an excellent diadem and beautiful braid with robes

made of the bodies of snakes, and with also the brilliant girdle round

thy hips, thou shinest like the Mandara mountain encircled with snakes.

Thou shinest also with peacock-plumes standing erect on thy head, and

thou hast sanctified the celestial regions by adopting the vow of

perpetual maiden-hood. It is for this, O thou that hast slain the

Mahishasura, [9] that thou art praised and worshipped by the gods for the

protection of the three worlds. O thou foremost of all deities, extend to

me thy grace, show me thy mercy, and be thou the source of blessings to

me. Thou art Jaya and Vijaya, and it is thou that givest victory in

battle. Grant me victory, O Goddess, and give me boons also at this hour

of distress. Thy eternal abode is on Vindhya--that foremost of mountains.

O Kali, O Kali, thou art the great Kali, ever fond of wine and meat and

animal sacrifice. Capable of going everywhere at will, and bestowing

boons on thy devotees, thou art ever followed in thy journeys by Brahma

and the other gods. By them that call upon thee for the relief of their

burdens, and by them also that bow to thee at daybreak on Earth, there is

nothing that cannot be attained in respect either of offspring or wealth.

And because thou rescuest people from difficulties whether when they are

afflicted in the wilderness or sinking in the great ocean, it is for this

that thou art called Durga[10] by all. Thou art the sole refuge of men

when attacked by robbers or while afflicted in crossing streams and seas

or in wilderness and; forests. Those men that remember thee are never

prostrated, O great Goddess. Thou art Fame, thou art Prosperity, thou art

Steadiness, thou art Success; thou art the Wife, thou art men's

Offspring, thou art Knowledge, and thou art the Intellect. Thou art the

two Twilights, the Night Sleep, Light--both solar and lunar, Beauty,

Forgiveness, Mercy, and every other thing. Thou dispellest, worshipped by

the devotees their fetters, ignorance, loss of children and loss of

wealth, disease, death, and fear. I, who have been deprived of my

kingdom, seek thy protection. And as I bow to thee with bended head, O

Supreme Goddess, grant me protection, O thou of eyes like lotus leaves.

And be thou as boon-giving Truth unto us that are acting according to

Truth. And, O Durga, kind as thou art unto all that seek thy protection,

and affectionate unto all thy devotees, grant me protection!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus praised by the son of Pandu, the Goddess

showed herself unto him. And approaching the king, she addressed him in

these words, 'O mighty armed king, listen, O Lord, to these words of

mine. Having vanquished and slain the ranks of the Kauravas through my

grace, victory in battle will soon be thine. Thou shalt again lord it

over the entire Earth, having made thy dominions destitute of thorns.

And, O king, thou shalt also, with thy brothers, obtain great happiness.

And through my grace, joy and health will be thine. And they also in the

world who will recite my attributes and achievements will be freed from

their sins, and gratified. I will bestow upon them kingdom, long life,

beauty of person, and offspring. And they, O king, who will invoke me,

after thy manner, in exile or in the city, in the midst of battle or of

dangers from foes, in forests or in inaccessible deserts, in seas or

mountain fastnesses, there is nothing that they will not obtain in this

world. And ye sons of Pandu, he will achieve success in every business of

his that will listen to, or himself recite with devotion, this excellent

hymn. And through my grace neither the Kuru's spies, nor those that dwell

in the country of the Matsyas, will succeed in recognising you all as

long as ye reside in Virata's city!' And having said these words unto

Yudhishthira, that chastiser of foes, and having arranged for the

protection of the sons of Pandu, the Goddess disappeared there and then."

SECTION VII

Vaisampayana said, "Then tying up in his cloth dice made of gold and set

with lapis lazuli, and holding them below his arm-pit, king

Yudhishthira,--that illustrious lord of men--that high-souled perpetuator

of the Kuru race, regarded by kings, irrepressible in might, and like

unto a snake of virulent poison,--that bull among men, endued with

strength and beauty and prowess, and possessed of greatness, and

resembling in form a celestial though now like unto the sun enveloped in

dense clouds, or fire covered with ashes, first made his appearance when

the famous king Virata was seated in his court. And beholding with his

followers that son of Pandu in his court, looking like the moon hid in

clouds and possessed of a face beautiful as the full moon, king Virata

addressed his counsellors and the twice-born ones and the charioteers and

the Vaisyas and others, saying, "Enquire ye who it is, so like a king

that looketh on my court for the first time. He cannot be a Brahmana.

Methinks he is a man of men, and a lord of earth. He hath neither slaves,

nor cars, nor elephants with him, yet he shineth like the very Indra. The

marks on his person indicate him to be one whose coronal locks have

undergone the sacred investiture. Even this is my belief. He approacheth

me without any hesitation, even as an elephant in rut approacheth an

assemblage of lotuses!'

"And as the king was indulging in these thoughts, that bull among men,

Yudhishthira, came before Virata and addressed him, saying, 'O great

king, know me for a Brahmana who, having lost his all hath come to thee

for the means of subsistence. I desire, O sinless one, to live here

beside thee acting under thy commands,[11] O lord. The king then,

well-pleased, replied unto him saying, 'Thou art welcome. Do thou then

accept the appointment thou seekest!' And having appointed the lion among

kings in the post he had prayed for, king Virata addressed him with a

glad heart, saying, 'O child, I ask thee from affection, from the

dominions of what king dost thou come hither? Tell me also truly what is

thy name and family, and what thou hast a knowledge of.'"

Yudhishthira said, "My name is Kanka, and I am a Brahmana belonging to

the family known by the name of Vaiyaghra. I am skilled in casting dice,

and formerly I was a friend of Yudhishthira."

Virata replied, "I will grant thee whatever boon thou mayst desire. Do

thou rule the Matsyas.--I shall remain in submission to thee. Even

cunning gamblers are liked by me. Thou, on the other hand, art like a

god, and deservest a kingdom."

Yudhishthira said, "My first prayer, O lord of earth, is that I may not

be involved in any dispute (on account of dice) with low people. Further,

a person defeated by me (at dice) shall not be permitted to retain the

wealth (won by me). Let this boon be granted to me through thy grace."

Virata replied, "I shall certainly slay him who may happen to displease

thee, and should be one of the twice-born ones, I shall banish him from

my dominions. Let the assembled subjects listen! Kanka is as much lord of

this realm as I myself, Thou (Kanka) shalt be my friend and shalt ride

the same vehicles as I. And there shall also be at thy disposal apparel

in plenty, and various kinds of viands and drinks. And thou shalt look

into my affairs, both internal and external. And for thee all my doors

shall be open. When men out of employ or of strained circumstances will

apply to thee, do thou at all hours bring their words unto me, and I will

surely give them whatever they desire. No fear shall be thine as long as

thou residest with me."

Vaisampayana said, "Having thus obtained an interview with Virata's king,

and received from him boons, that heroic bull among men, began to live

happily, highly regarded by all. Nor could any one discover him as he

lived there."

SECTION VIII

Vaisampayana said, "Then another endued with the dreadful strength and

blazing in beauty, approached king Virata, with the playful gait of the

lion. And holding in hand a cooking ladle and a spoon, as also an

unsheathed sword of sable hue and without a spot on the blade, he came in

the guise of a cook illumining all around him by his splendour like the

sun discovering the whole world. And attired in black and possessed of

the strength of the king of mountains, he approached the king of the

Matsyas and stood before him. And beholding that king-like person before

him, Virata addressed his assembled subjects saying, 'Who is that youth,

that bull among men, with shoulders broad like those of a lion, and so

exceedingly beautiful? That person, never seen before, is like the sun.

Revolving the matter in my mind, I cannot ascertain who he is, nor can I

with even serious thoughts guess the intention of that bull among men (in

coming here). Beholding him, it seems to me that he is either the king of

the Gandharvas, or Purandara himself. Do ye ascertain who it is that

standeth before my eyes. Let him have quickly what he seeks.' Thus

commanded by king Virata, his swift-footed messengers went up to the son

of Kunti and informed that younger brother of Yudhishthira of everything

the king had said. Then the high-souled son of Pandu, approaching Virata,

addressed him in words that were not unsuited to his object, saying, 'O

foremost of kings, I am a cook, Vallava by name. I am skilled in dressing

dishes. Do thou employ me in the kitchen!'"

Virata said, "I do not believe, O Vallava, that cooking is thy office.

Thou resemblest the deity of a thousand eyes; and in grace and beauty and

prowess, thou shinest among these all as a king!"

Bhima replied, "O king of kings, I am thy cook and servant in the first

place. It is not curries only of which I have knowledge, O monarch,

although king Yudhishthira always used in days gone by to taste my

dishes. O lord of earth, I am also a wrestler. Nor is there one that is

equal to me in strength. And engaging in fight with lions and elephants,

I shall, O sinless one, always contribute to thy entertainment."

Virata said, "I will even grant thee boons. Thou wilt do what thou

wishest, as thou describest thyself skilled in it. I do not, however,

think, that this office is worthy of thee, for thou deservest this

(entire) earth girt round by the sea. But do as thou likest. Be thou the

superintendent of my kitchen, and thou art placed at the head of those

who have been appointed there before by me."

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus appointed in the kitchen, Bhima soon became

the favourite of king Virata. And, O king, he continued to live there

unrecognised by the other servants of Virata as also by other people!"

SECTION IX

Vaisampayana said, "Binding her black, soft, fine, long and faultless

tresses with crisped ends into a knotted braid, Draupadi of black eyes

and sweet smiles, throwing it upon her right shoulders, concealed it by

her cloth. And she wore a single piece of a black and dirty though costly

cloth. And dressing herself as a Sairindhri, she began to wander hither

and thither in seeming affliction. And beholding her wandering, men and

women came to her hastily and addressed her, saying, 'Who are you? And

what do you seek?' And she replied, 'I am a king's Sairindhri. I desire

to serve any one that will maintain me.' But beholding her beauty and

dress, and hearing also her speech that was so sweet, the people could

not take her for a maid-servant in search of subsistence. And it came to

pass that while looking this way and that from the terrace, Virata's

beloved queen, daughter of the king of Kekaya, saw Draupadi. And

beholding her forlorn and clad in a single piece of cloth, the queen

addressed her saying, 'O beautiful one, who are you, and what do you

seek?' Thereupon, Draupadi answered her, saying, 'O foremost of queen, I

am Sairindhri. I will serve anybody that will maintain me.' Then Sudeshna

said, 'What you say (regarding your profession) can never be compatible

with so much beauty. (On the contrary) you might well be the mistress of

servants both, male and female. Your heels are not prominent, and your

thighs touch each other. And your intelligence is great, and your navel

deep, and your words solemn. And your great toes, and bust and hips, and

back and sides, and toe-nails, and palms are all well-developed. And your

palms, soles, and face are ruddy. And your speech is sweet even as the

voice of the swan. And your hair is beautiful, and your bust shapely, and

you are possessed of the highest grace. And your hips and bust are plump.

And like a Kashmerean mare you are furnished with every auspicious mark.

And your eye-lashes are (beautiful) bent, and your nether-lip is like the

ruddy ground. And your waist is slender, and your neck bears lines that

resemble those of the conch. And your veins are scarcely visible. Indeed,

your countenance is like the full moon, and your eyes resemble the leaves

of the autumnal lotus, and your body is fragrant as the lotus itself.

Verily, in beauty you resemble Sri herself, whose seat is the autumnal

lotus. Tell me, O beautiful damsel, who thou art. Thou canst never be a

maidservant. Art thou a Yakshi, a Goddess, a Gandharvi, or an Apsara? Art

thou the daughter of a celestial, or art thou a female Naga? Art thou the

guardian goddess of some city, a Vidyadhari, or a Kinnari,--or art thou

Rohini herself? Or art thou Alamvusha, or Misrakesi, Pundarika, or

Malini, or the queen of Indra, or of Varuna? Or, art thou the spouse of

Viswakarma, or of the creative Lord himself? Of these goddesses who art

renowned in the celestial regions, who art thou, O graceful one?'

"Draupadi replied, 'O auspicious lady, I am neither a goddess nor a

Gandharvi, nor a Yakshi, nor a Rakshasi. I am a maid-servant of the

Sairindhri class. I tell thee this truly. I know to dress the hair to

pound (fragrant substances) for preparing unguents, and also to make

beautiful and variegated garlands. O beauteous lady, of jasmines and

lotuses and blue lilies and Champakas. Formerly I served Krishna's

favourite queen Satyabhama, and also Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas

and the foremost beauty of the Kuru race. I wander about alone, earning

good food and dress; and as long as I get these, I continue to live in

the place where they are obtainable. Draupadi herself called me Malini

(maker of garlands).'

"Hearing this, Sudeshna said, 'I would keep thee upon my head itself, if

the doubt did not cross my mind that the king himself would be attracted

towards thee with his whole heart. Attracted by thy beauty, the females

of the royal household and my maids are looking at thee. What male person

then is there that can resist thy attraction? Surely, O thou of

well-rounded hips, O damsel of exquisite charms, beholding thy form of

superhuman beauty, king Virata is sure to forsake me, and will turn to

thee with his whole heart. O thou of faultless limbs, O thou that art

endued with large eyes casting quick glances, he upon whom thou wilt look

with desire is sure to be stricken. O thou of sweet smiles, O thou that

possessest a faultless form, he that will behold thee constantly, will

surely catch the flame. Even as a person that climbs up a tree for

compassing his own destruction, even as the crab conceives for her own

ruin, I may, O thou of sweet smiles, bring destruction upon myself by

harbouring thee.'

"Draupadi replied, 'O fair lady, neither Virata nor any other person will

be able to have me, for my five youthful husbands, who are Gandharvas and

sons of a Gandharva king of exceeding power, always protect me. None can

do me a wrong. It is the wish of my Gandharva husbands that I should

serve only such persons as will not give me to touch food already

partaken of by another, or tell me to wash their feet. Any man that

attempts to have me like any common woman, meeteth with death that very

night. No one can succeed in having me, for, O beautiful lady, O thou of

sweet smiles, those beloved Gandharvas, possessed of great energy and

mighty strength always protect me secretly.'

"Sudeshna said, 'O thou that bringest delight to the heart, if it is as

thou sayest, I will take thee into my household. Thou shalt not have to

touch food that hath been partaken of by another, or to wash another's

feet.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Virata's wife, O Janamejaya,

Krishna (Draupadi) ever devoted to her lords, began to live in that city.

Nor could anyone ascertain who in reality she was!'"

SECTION X

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then clad in a cowherd's dress, and speaking the

dialect of cowherds, Sahadeva came to the cowpen of Virata's city. And

beholding that bull among men, who was shining in splendour, the king was

struck with amazement. And he directed his men to summon Sahadeva. And

when the latter came, the king addressed him, saying, 'To whom dost thou

belong? And whence dost thou come? And what work dost thou seek? I have

never seen thee before. O bull among men, tell me truly about thee.'

'Having come before the king that afflicter of foes, Sahadeva answered in

accents deep as the roar of the cloud, 'I am a Vaisya, Arishtanemi by

name. I was employed as a cowherd in the service of those bulls of the

Kuru race, the sons of Pandu. O foremost of men, I intend now to live

beside thee, for I do not know where those lions among kings, the sons of

Pritha, are. I cannot live without service, and, O king, I do not like to

enter into the service of anyone else save thee.'

"Hearing these words, Virata said, 'Thou must either be a Brahmana or a

Kshatriya. Thou lookest as if thou wert the lord of the entire earth

surrounded by the sea. Tell me truly, O thou that mowest down thy foes.

The office of a Vaisya is not fit for thee. Tell me from the dominions of

what king thou comest, and what thou knowest, and in what capacity thou

wouldst remain with us, and also what pay thou wouldst accept.'

"Sahadeva answered, 'Yudhishthira, the eldest of the five sons of Pandu,

had one division of kine numbering eight hundred and ten thousand, and

another, ten thousand, and another, again, twenty thousand, and so on. I

was employed in keeping those cattle. People used to call me Tantripala.

I know the present, the past, and the future of all kine living within

ten Yojanas, and whose tale has been taken. My merits were known to that

illustrious one, and the Kuru king Yudhishthira was well-pleased with me.

I am also acquainted with the means which aid kine in multiplying within

a short time, and by which they may enjoy immunity from disease. Also

these arts are known to me. I can also single out bulls having auspicious

marks for which they are worshipped by men, and by smelling whose urine,

the barren may conceive.'

"Virata said, 'I have a hundred thousand kine divided into distinct

herds. All those together with their keepers, I place in thy charge.

Henceforth my beasts will be in thy keep.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O king, undiscovered by that monarch,

that lord of men, Sahadeva, maintained by Virata, began to live happily.

Nor did anyone else (besides his brothers) recognise him.'"

SECTION XI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Next appeared at the gate of the ramparts another

person of enormous size and exquisite beauty decked in the ornaments of

women, and wearing large ear-rings and beautiful conch-bracelets overlaid

with gold. And that mighty-armed individual with long and abundant hair

floating about his neck, resembled an elephant in gait. And shaking the

very earth with his tread, he approached Virata and stood in his court.

And beholding the son of the great Indra, shining with exquisite lustre

and having the gait of a mighty elephant,--that grinder of foes having

his true form concealed in disguise, entering the council-hall and

advancing towards the monarch, the king addressed all his courtiers,

saying, 'Whence doth this person come? I have never heard of him before.'

And when the men present spoke of the newcomer as one unknown to them,

the king wonderingly said, 'Possessed of great strength, thou art like

unto a celestial, and young and of darkish hue, thou resemblest the

leader of a herd of elephants. Wearing conch-bracelets overlaid with

gold, a braid, and ear-rings, thou shinest yet like one amongst those

that riding on chariots wander about equipped with mail and bow and

arrows and decked with garlands and fine hair. I am old and desirous of

relinquishing my burden. Be thou like my son, or rule thou like myself

all the Matsyas. It seemeth to me that such a person as thou can never be

of the neuter sex.'

"Arjuna said, 'I sing, dance, and play on instruments. I am proficient in

dance and skilled in song. O lord of men, assign me unto (the princess)

Uttara. I shall be dancing-master to the royal maiden. As to how I have

come by this form, what will it avail thee to hear the account which will

only augment my pain? Know me, O king of men, to be Vrihannala, a son or

daughter without father or mother.'

"Virata said, 'O Vrihannala, I give thee what thou desirest. Instruct my

daughter, and those like her, in dancing. To me, however, this office

seemeth unworthy of thee. Thou deserves! (the dominion of) the entire

earth girt round by the ocean.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The king of the Matsyas then tested Vrihannala

in dancing, music, and other fine arts, and consulting with his various

ministers forthwith caused him to be examined by women. And learning that

this impotency was of a permanent nature, he sent him to the maiden's

apartments. And there the mighty Arjuna began giving lessons in singing

and instrumental music to the daughter of Virata, her friends, and her

waiting-maids, and soon won their good graces. And in this manner the

self-possessed Arjuna lived there in disguise, partaking of pleasures in

their company, and unknown to the people within or without the palace.'"

SECTION XII

"Vaisampayana said, 'After a while, another powerful son of Pandu was

seen making towards king Virata in haste. And as he advanced, he seemed

to everyone like solar orb emerged from the clouds. And he began to

observe the horses around. And seeing this, the king of the Matsyas said

to his followers, 'I wonder whence this man, possessed of the effulgence

of a celestial, cometh. He looks intently at my steeds. Verily, he must

be proficient in horse-lore. Let him be ushered into my presence quickly.

He is a warrior and looks like a god!' And that destroyer of foes then

went up to the king and accosted him, saying, 'Victory to thee, O king,

and blest be ye.' As a trainer of horses, I have always been highly

esteemed by kings. I will be a clever keeper of thy horses.'

"Virata said, 'I will give thee vehicles, wealth, and spacious quarters.

Thou shalt be the manager of my horses. But first tell me whence thou

comest, who thou art, and how also thou happenest to come here. Tell us

also all the arts thou art master of.' Nakula replied, 'O mower of

enemies, know that Yudhishthira is the eldest brother of the five sons of

Pandu. I was formerly employed by him to keep his horses. I am acquainted

with the temper of steeds, and know perfectly the art of breaking them. I

know also how to correct vicious horses, and all the methods of treating

their diseases. No animal in my hands becometh weak or ill. Not to speak

of horses, even mares in my hands will never be found to be vicious.

People called me Granthika by name and so did Yudhishthira, the son of

Pandu.'

"Virata said, 'Whatever horses I have, I consign to thy care even from

today. And all the keepers of my horses and all my charioteers will from

today be subordinate to thee. If this suits thee, say what remuneration

is desired by thee. But, O thou that resemblest a celestial, the office

of equerry is not worthy of thee. For thou lookest like a king and I

esteem thee much. The appearance here hath pleased me as much as if

Yudhishthira himself were here. Oh, how does that blameless son of Pandu

dwell and divert himself in the forest, now destitute of servants as he

is.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'That youth, like unto a chief of the

Gandharvas, was treated thus respectfully by the delighted king Virata.

And he conducted himself there in such a manner as to make himself dear

and agreeable to all in the palace. And no one recognised him while

living under Virata's protection. And it was in this manner then the sons

of Pandu, the very sight of whom had never been fruitless, continued to

live in the country of the Matsyas. And true to their pledge those lords

of the earth bounded by her belt of seas passed their days of incognito

with great composure notwithstanding their poignant sufferings.'"

SECTION XIII

(Samayapalana Parva)

"Janamejaya said, 'While living thus disguised in the city of the

Matsyas, what did those descendants of the Kuru race endued with great

prowess, do, O regenerate one!'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hear, O king, what those descendants of Kuru did

while they dwelt thus in disguise in the city of the Matsyas, worshipping

the king thereof. By the grace of the sage Trinavindu and of the

high-souled lord of justice, the Pandavas continued to live unrecognised

by others in the city of Virata. O lord of men, Yudhishthira, as courtier

made himself agreeable to Virata and his sons as also to all the Matsyas.

An adept in the mysteries of dice, the son of Pandu caused them to play

at dice according to his pleasure and made them sit together in the

dice-hall like a row of birds bound in a string. And that tiger among

men, king Yudhishthira the Just, unknown to the monarch, distributed

among his brothers, in due proportion, the wealth he won from Virata. And

Bhimasena on his part, sold to Yudhishthira for price, meat and viands of

various kinds which he obtained from the king. And Arjuna distributed

among all his brothers the proceeds of worn-out cloths which he earned in

the inner apartments of the palace. And Sahadeva, too, who was disguised

as a cowherd gave milk, curds and clarified butter to his brothers. And

Nakula also shared with his brothers the wealth the king gave him,

satisfied with his management of the horses. And Draupadi, herself in a

pitiable condition, looked after all those brothers and behaved in such a

way as to remain unrecognized. And thus ministering unto one another's

wants, those mighty warriors lived in the capital of Virata as hidden

from view, as if they were once more in their mother's womb. And those

lords of men, the sons of Pandu, apprehensive of danger from the son of

Dhritarashtra, continued to dwell there in concealment, watching over

their wife Draupadi. And after three months had passed away, in the

fourth, the grand festival in honour of the divine Brahma which was

celebrated with pomp in the country of the Matsyas, came off. And there

came athletes from all quarters by thousands, like hosts of celestials to

the abode of Brahma or of Siva to witness that festival. And they were

endued with huge bodies and great prowess, like the demons called

Kalakhanjas. And elated with their prowess and proud of their strength,

they were highly honoured by the king. And their shoulders and waists and

necks were like those of lions, and their bodies were very clean, and

their hearts were quite at ease. And they had many a time won success in

the lists in the presence of kings. And amongst them there was one who

towered above the rest and challenged them all to a combat. And there was

none that dared to approach him as he proudly stalked in the arena. And

when all the athletes stood sad and dispirited, the king of the Matsyas

made him fight with his cook. And urged by the king, Bhima made up his

mind reluctantly, for he could not openly disobey the royal behest. And

that tiger among men then having worshipped the king, entered the

spacious arena, pacing with the careless steps of a tiger. And the son of

Kunti then girded up his loins to the great delight of the spectators.

And Bhima then summoned to the combat that athlete known by the name of

Jimuta who was like unto the Asura Vritra whose prowess was widely known.

And both of them were possessed of great courage, and both were endued

with terrible prowess. And they were like a couple of infuriate and

huge-bodied elephants, each sixty years old. And those brave tigers among

men then cheerfully engaged in a wrestling combat, desirous of

vanquishing each other. And terrible was the encounter that took place

between them, like the clash of the thunderbolt against the stony

mountain-breast. And both of them were exceedingly powerful and extremely

delighted at each other's strength. And desirous of vanquishing each

other, each stood eager to take advantage of his adversary's lapse. And

both were greatly delighted and both looked like infuriate elephants of

prodigious size. And various were the modes of attack and defence that

they exhibited with their clenched fists.[12] And each dashed against the

other and flung his adversary to a distance. And each cast the other down

and pressed him close to the ground. And each got up again and squeezed

the other in his arms. And each threw the other violently off his place

by boxing him on the breast. And each caught the other by the legs and

whirling him round threw him down on the ground. And they slapped each

other with their palms that struck as hard as the thunderbolt. And they

also struck each other with their outstretched fingers, and stretching

them out like spears thrust the nails into each other's body. And they

gave each other violent kicks. And they struck knee and head against

head, producing the crash of one stone against another. And in this

manner that furious combat between those warriors raged on without

weapons, sustained mainly by the power of their arms and their physical

and mental energy, to the infinite delight of the concourse of

spectators. And all people, O king, took deep interest in that encounter

of those powerful wrestlers who fought like Indra and the Asura Vritra.

And they cheered both of them with loud acclamations of applause. And the

broad-chested and long-armed experts in wrestling then pulled and pressed

and whirled and hurled down each other and struck each other with their

knees, expressing all the while their scorn for each other in loud

voices. And they began to fight with their bare arms in this way, which

were like spiked maces of iron. And at last the powerful and mighty-armed

Bhima, the slayer of his foes, shouting aloud seized the vociferous

athlete by the arms even as the lion seizes the elephant, and taking him

up from the ground and holding him aloft, began to whirl him round, to

the great astonishment of the assembled athletes and the people of

Matsya. And having whirled him round and round a hundred times till he

was insensible, the strong-armed Vrikodara dashed him to death on the

ground. And when the brave and renowned Jimuta was thus killed, Virata

and his friends were filled with great delight. And in the exuberance of

his joy, the noble-minded king rewarded Vallava then and there with the

liberality of Kuvera. And killing numerous athletes and many other men

possessed of great bodily strength, he pleased the king very much. And

when no one could be found there to encounter him in the lists, the king

made him fight with tigers and lions and elephants. And the king also

made him battle with furious and powerful lions in the harem for the

pleasure of the ladies. And Arjuna, too, pleased the king and all the

ladies of the inner apartments by singing and dancing. And Nakula pleased

Virata, that best of kings, by showing him fleet and well-trained steeds

that followed him wherever he went. And the king, gratified with him,

rewarded him with ample presents. And beholding around Sahadeva a herd of

well-trained bullocks, Virata that bull among men, bestowed upon him also

wealth of diverse kinds. And, O king, Draupadi distressed to see all

those warriors suffer pain, sighed incessantly. And it was in this way

that those eminent persons lived there in disguise, rendering services

unto king Virata.'"

SECTION XIV

(Kichaka-badha Parva)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Living in such disguise, those mighty warriors, the

sons of Pritha, passed ten months in Matsya's city. And, O monarch,

although herself deserving to be waited upon by others, the daughter of

Yajnasena, O Janamejaya, passed her days in extreme misery, waiting upon

Sudeshna. And residing thus in Sudeshna's apartments, the princess of

Panchala pleased that lady as also the other females of the inner

apartments. And it came to pass that as the year was about to expire, the

redoubtable Kichaka, the Commander of Virata's forces, chanced to behold

the daughter of Drupada. And beholding that lady endued with the

splendour of a daughter of the celestials, treading the earth like a

goddess, Kichaka, afflicted with the shafts of Kama, desired to possess

her. And burning with desire's flame, Virata's general came to Sudeshna

(his sister) and smilingly addressed her in these words, 'This beauteous

lady had never before been seen by me in king Virata's abode. This damsel

maddens me with her beauty, even as a new wine maddens one with its

fragrance. Tell me, who is this graceful and captivating lady possessed

of the beauty of a goddess, and whose she is, and whence she hath come.

Surely, grinding my heart she hath reduced me to subjection. It seems to

me that (save her) there is no other medicine for my illness. O, this

fair hand-maid of thine seemeth to me to be possessed of the beauty of a

goddess. Surely, one like her is ill suited to serve thee. Let her rule

over me and whatever is mine. O, let her grace my spacious and beautiful

palace, decked with various ornaments of gold, full of viands and drinks

in profusion, with excellent plates, and containing every kind of plenty,

besides elephants and horses and cars in myriads. And having consulted

with Sudeshna thus, Kichaka went to princess Draupadi, and like a jackal

in the forest accosting a lioness, spoke unto Krishna these words in a

winning voice, 'Who and whose art thou, O beautiful one? And O thou of

beautiful face, whence hast thou come to the city of Virata? Tell me all

this, O fair lady. Thy beauty and gracefulness are of the very first

order and the comeliness of thy features is unparalleled. With its

loveliness thy face shineth ever like the resplendent moon. O thou of

fair eye-brows, thy eyes are beautiful and large like lotus-petals. Thy

speech also, O thou of beautiful limbs, resembles the notes of the

cuckoo. O thou of fair hips, never before in this world have I beheld a

woman possessed of beauty like thine, O thou of faultless features. Art

thou Lakshmi herself having her abode in the midst of lotuses or, art

thou, O slender-waisted one, she who is called Bhuti[13]. Or, which

amongst these--Hri, Sri, Kirti and Kanti,--art thou, O thou of beautiful

face? Or possessed of beauty like Rati's, art thou, she who sporteth in

the embraces of the God of love? O thou that possessest the fairest of

eye-brows, thou shinest beautifully even like the lovely light of the

moon. Who is there in the whole world that will not succumb to the

influence of desire beholding thy face? Endued with unrivalled beauty and

celestial grace of the most attractive kind, that face of thine is even

like the full moon, its celestial effulgence resembling his radiant face,

its smile resembling his soft-light, and its eye-lashes looking like the

spokes on his disc? Both thy bosoms, so beautiful and well-developed and

endued with unrivalled gracefulness and deep and well-rounded and without

any space between them, are certainly worthy of being decked with

garlands of gold. Resembling in shape the beautiful buds of the lotus,

these thy breast, O thou of fair eye-brows, are even as the whips of Kama

that are urging me forward, O thou of sweet smiles, O damsel of slender

waist, beholding that waist of thine marked with four wrinkles and

measuring but a span, and slightly stooping forward because of the weight

of thy breasts, and also looking on those graceful hips of thine broad as

the banks of a river, the incurable fever of desire, O beauteous lady,

afflicteth me sore. The flaming fire of desire, fierce as a forest

conflagration, and fanned by the hope my heart cherisheth of a union with

thee is consuming me intensely. O thou of exceeding beauty quench thou

that flaming fire kindled by Manmatha. Union with thee is a rain-charged

cloud, and the surrender of thy person is the shower that the cloud may

drop. O thou of face resembling the moon, the fierce and maddening shafts

of Manmatha whetted and sharpened by the desire of a union with thee,

piercing this heart of mine in their impetuous course, have penetrated

into its core. O black-eyed lady, those impetuous and cruel shafts are

maddening me beyond endurance. It behoveth thee to relieve me from this

plight by surrendering thyself to me and favouring me with thy embraces.

Decked in beautiful garlands and robes and adorned with every ornament,

sport thou, O sweet damsel, with me to thy fill. O thou of the gait of an

elephant in rut, deserving as thou art of happiness though deprived of it

now, it behoveth thee not to dwell here in misery. Let unrivalled weal be

thine. Drinking various kinds of charming and delicious and ambrosial

wines, and sporting at thy pleasure in the enjoyment of diverse objects

of delight, do thou, O blessed lady, attain auspicious prosperity. This

beauty of thine and this prime of thy youth, O sweet lady, are now

without their use. For, O beauteous and chaste damsel, endued with such

loveliness, thou dost not shine, like a graceful garland lying unused and

unworn. I will forsake all my old wives. Let them, O thou of sweet

smiles, become thy slaves. And I also, O fair damsel, will stay by thee

as thy slave, ever obedient to thee, O thou of the most handsome face.'

Hearing these words of his, Draupadi replied, 'In desiring me, a female

servant of low extraction, employed in the despicable office of dressing

hair, O Suta's son, thou desirest one that deserves not that honour.

Then, again, I am the wife of others. Therefore, good betide thee, this

conduct of thine is not proper. Do thou remember the precept of morality,

viz., that persons should take delight only in their wedded wives. Thou

shouldst not, therefore, by any means bend thy heart to adultery. Surely

abstaining from improper acts is ever the study of those that are good.

Overcome by ignorance sinful men under the influence of desire come by

either extreme infamy or dreadful calamity.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the Sairindhri, the wicked

Kichaka losing control over his senses and overcome by lust, although

aware of the numerous evils of fornication, evils condemned by everybody

and sometimes leading to the destruction of life itself,--then spoke unto

Draupadi, 'It behoveth thee not, O beauteous lady, O thou of graceful

features, thus to disregard me who am, O thou of sweet smiles, under the

power of Manmatha on thy account. If now, O timid one, thou disregardest

me who am under thy influence and who speak to thee so fair, thou wilt, O

black-eyed damsel, have to repent for it afterwards. O thou of graceful

eye-brows, the real lord of this entire kingdom, O slender-waisted lady,

is myself. It is me depending upon whom the people of this realm live. In

energy and prowess I am unrivalled on earth. There is no other man on

earth who rivals me in beauty of person, in youth, in prosperity, and in

the possession of excellent objects of enjoyment. Why it is, O auspicious

lady, that having it in thy power to enjoy here every object of desire

and every luxury and comfort without its equal, thou preferest servitude.

Becoming the mistress of this kingdom which I shall confer on thee, O

thou of fair face, accept me, and enjoy, O beauteous one, all excellent

objects of desire.' Addressed in these accursed words by Kichaka, that

chaste daughter of Drupada answered him thus reprovingly, 'Do not, O son

of a Suta, act so foolishly and do not throw away thy life. Know that I

am protected by my five husbands. Thou canst not have me. I have

Gandharvas for my husbands. Enraged they will slay thee. Therefore, do

thou not bring destruction on thyself. Thou intendest to tread along a

path that is incapable of being trod by men. Thou, O wicked one, art even

like a foolish child that standing on one shore of the ocean intends to

cross over to the other. Even if thou enterest into the interior of the

earth, or soarest into the sky, or rushest to the other shore of the

ocean, still thou wilt have no escape from the hands of those sky-ranging

offspring of gods, capable of grinding all foes. Why dost thou today, O

Kichaka, solicit me so persistently even as a sick person wisheth for the

night that will put a stop to his existence? Why dost thou desire me,

even like an infant lying on its mother's lap wishing to catch the moon?

For thee that thus solicitest their beloved wife, there is no refuge

either on earth or in sky. O Kichaka, hast thou no sense which leads thee

to seek thy good and by which thy life may be saved?'"

SECTION XV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Rejected thus by the princess, Kichaka, afflicted

with maddening lust and forgetting all sense of propriety, addressed

Sudeshna saying, 'Do thou, Kekaya's daughter, so act that thy Sairindhri

may come into my arms. Do thou, O Sudeshna, adopt the means by which the

damsel of the gait of an elephant may accept me; I am dying of absorbing

desire.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing his profuse lamentations, that gentle

lady, the intelligent queen of Virata, was touched with pity. And having

taken counsel with her own self and reflected on Kichaka's purpose and on

the anxiety of Krishna, Sudeshna addressed the Suta's son in these words,

'Do thou, on the occasion of some festival, procure viands and wines for

me. I shall then send my Sairindhri to thee on the pretence of bringing

wine. And when she will repair thither do thou in solitude, free from

interruption, humour her as thou likest. Thus soothed, she may incline

her mind to thee.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, he went out of his sister's

apartments. And he soon procured wines well-filtered and worthy of a

king. And employing skilled cooks, he prepared many and various kinds of

choice viands and delicious drinks and many and various kinds of meat of

different degrees of excellence. And when all this had been done, that

gentle lady Sudeshna, as previously counselled by Kichaka, desired her

Sairindhri to repair to Kichaka's abode, saying, 'Get up, O Sairindhri

and repair to Kichaka's abode to bring wine, for, O beauteous lady, I am

afflicted with thirst.' Thereupon the Sairindhri replied, 'O princess, I

shall not be able to repair to Kichaka's apartments. Thou thyself

knowest, O queen, how shameless he is. O thou of faultless limbs, O

beauteous lady, in thy palace I shall not be able to lead a lustful life,

becoming faithless to my husbands. Thou rememberest, O gentle lady, O

beautiful one, the conditions I had set down before entering thy house. O

thou of tresses ending in graceful curls, the foolish Kichaka afflicted

by the god of desire, will, on seeing me, offer me insult. Therefore, I

will not go to his quarters. Thou hast, O princess, many maids under

thee. Do thou, good betide thee, send one of them. For, surely, Kichaka

will insult me.' Sudeshna said, 'Sent by me, from my abode, surely he

will not harm thee.' And having said this, she handed over a golden

vessel furnished with a cover. And filled with apprehension, and weeping,

Draupadi mentally prayed for the protection of the gods, and set out for

Kichaka's abode for fetching wine. And she said, 'As I do not know

another person save my husbands, by virtue of that Truth let Kichaka not

be able to overpower me although I may approach his presence.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And that helpless damsel then adored Surya for

a moment. And Surya, having considered all that she urged, commanded a

Rakshasa to protect her invisibly. And from that time the Rakshasa began

to attend upon that blameless lady under any circumstances. And beholding

Krishna in his presence like a frightened doe, the Suta rose up from his

seat, and felt the joy that is felt by a person wishing to cross to the

other shore, when he obtains a boat.'"

SECTION XVI

"Kichaka said, 'O thou of tresses ending in beautiful curls, thou art

welcome. Surely, the night that is gone hath brought me an auspicious

day, for I have got thee today as the mistress of my house. Do what is

agreeable to me. Let golden chains, and conchs and bright ear-rings made

of gold, manufactured in various countries, and beautiful rubies and

gems, and silken robes and deer-skins, be brought for thee. I have also

an excellent bed prepared for thee. Come, sitting upon it do thou drink

with me the wine prepared from the honey flower.' Hearing these words,

Draupadi said, 'I have been sent to thee by the princess for taking away

wine. Do thou speedily bring me wine, for she told me that she is

exceedingly thirsty.' And this, Kichaka said, 'O gentle lady, others will

carry what the princess wants.' And saying this, the Suta's son caught

hold of Draupadi's right arm. And at this, Draupadi exclaimed, 'As I have

never, from intoxication of the senses, been unfaithful to my husbands

even at heart, by that Truth, O wretch, I shall behold thee dragged and

lying powerless on the ground.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Seeing that large-eyed lady reproving him in

that strain, Kichaka suddenly seized her by the end of her upper garment

as she attempted to run away. And seized with violence by Kichaka, the

beautiful princess, unable to tolerate it, and with frame trembling with

wrath, and breathing quickly, dashed him to the ground. And dashed to the

ground thus, the sinful wretch tumbled down like a tree whose roots had

been cut. And having thrown Kichaka down on the ground when the latter

had seized her, she, trembling all over rushed to the court, where king

Yudhishthira was, for protection. And while she was running with all her

speed, Kichaka (who followed her), seizing her by the hair, and bringing

her down on the ground, kicked her in the very presence of the king.

Thereupon, O Bharata, the Rakshasa that had been appointed by Surya to

protect Draupadi, gave Kichaka a shove with a force mighty as that of the

wind. And overpowered by the force of Rakshasa, Kichaka reeled and fell

down senseless on the ground, even like an uprooted tree. And both

Yudhishthira and Bhimasena who were seated there, beheld with wrathful

eyes that outrage on Krishna by Kichaka. And desirous of compassing the

destruction of the wicked Kichaka, the illustrious Bhima gnashed his

teeth in rage. And his forehead was covered with sweat, and terrible

wrinkles appeared thereon. And a smoky exhalation shot forth from his

eyes, and his eye-lashes stood on end. And that slayer of hostile heroes

pressed his forehead with his hands. And impelled by rage, he was on the

point of starting up with speed. Thereat king Yudhishthira, apprehensive

of discovery, squeezed his thumbs and commanded Bhima to forbear. And

Bhima who then looked like an infuriate elephant eyeing a large tree, was

thus forbidden by his elder brother. And the latter said, 'Lookest thou,

O cook, for trees for fuel. If thou art in need of faggots, then go out

and fell trees.' And the weeping Draupadi of fair hips, approaching the

entrance of the court, and seeing her melancholy lords, desirous yet of

keeping up the disguise duty-bound by their pledge, with eyes burning in

fire, spoke these words unto the king of the Matsyas, 'Alas, the son of a

Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved wife of those whose foe can

never sleep in peace even if four kingdoms intervene between him and

them. Alas, the son of a Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved

wife of those truthful personages, who are devoted to Brahmanas and who

always give away without asking any thing in gift. Alas! the son of a

Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved wife of those, the sounds of

whose kettle-drums and the twangs of whose bow-strings are ceaselessly

heard. Alas, the son of a Suta hath kicked today the proud and beloved

wife of those who are possessed of abundant energy and might, and who are

liberal in gifts and proud of their dignity. Alas, the son of a Suta hath

kicked today the proud and beloved wife of those who, if they had not

been fettered by the ties of duty, could destroy this entire world.

Where, alas, are those mighty warriors today who, though living in

disguise, have always granted protection unto those that solicit it? Oh,

why do those heroes today, endued as they are with strength and possessed

of immeasurable energy, quietly suffer, like eunuchs, their dear and

chaste wife to be thus insulted by a Suta's son? Oh, where is that wrath

of theirs, that prowess, and that energy, when they quietly bear their

wife to be thus insulted by a wicked wretch? What can I (a weak woman) do

when Virata, deficient in virtue, coolly suffereth my innocent self to be

thus wronged by a wretch? Thou dost not, O king, act like a king towards

this Kichaka. Thy behaviour is like that of a robber, and doth not shine

in a court. That I should thus be insulted in thy very presence, O

Matsya, is highly improper. Oh, let all the courtiers here look at this

violence of Kichaka. Kichaka is ignorant of duty and morality, and Matsya

also is equally so. These courtiers also that wait upon such a king are

destitute of virtue.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'With these and other words of the same kind the

beautiful Krishna with tearful eyes rebuked the king of the Matsyas. And

hearing her, Virata said, 'I do not know what your dispute has been out

of our sight. Not knowing the true cause how can I show my

discrimination?' Then the courtiers, having learnt every thing, applauded

Krishna, and they all exclaimed, 'Well done!' 'Well done!' and censured

Kichaka. And the courtiers said, 'That person who owneth this large-eyed

lady having every limb of hers endued with beauty for his wife,

possesseth what is of exceeding value and hath no occasion to indulge in

any grief. Surely, such a damsel of transcendent beauty and limbs

perfectly faultless is rare among men. Indeed, it seems to us that she is

a goddess.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And while the courtiers, having beheld Krishna

(under such circumstances), were applauding her thus, Yudhishthira's

forehead, from ire, became covered with sweat. And that bull of the Kuru

race then addressed that princess, his beloved spouse, saying, 'Stay not

here, O Sairindhri; but retire to the apartments of Sudeshna. The wives

of heroes bear affliction for the sake of their husbands, and undergoing

toil in ministering unto their lords, they at last attain to region where

their husbands may go. Thy Gandharva husbands, effulgent as the sun, do

not, I imagine, consider this as an occasion for manifesting their wrath,

inasmuch as they do not rush to thy aid. O Sairindhri, thou art ignorant

of the timeliness of things, and it is for this that thou weepest as an

actress, besides interrupting the play of dice in Matsya's court. Retire,

O Sairindhri; the Gandharvas will do what is agreeable to thee. And they

will surely display thy woe and take the life of him that hath wronged

thee.' Hearing these words the Sairindhri replied, 'They of whom I am the

wedded wife are, I ween, extremely kind. And as the eldest of them all is

addicted to dice, they are liable to be oppressed by all.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And having said this, the fair-hipped Krishna

with dishevelled hair and eyes red in anger, ran towards the apartments

of Sudhesna. And in consequence of having wept long her face looked

beautiful like the lunar disc in the firmament, emerged from the clouds.

And beholding her in that condition, Sudeshna asked, 'Who, O beauteous

lady, hath insulted thee? Why, O amiable damsel, dost thou weep? Who,

gentle one, hath done thee wrong? Whence is this thy grief?' Thus

addressed, Draupadi said, 'As I went to bring wine for thee, Kichaka

struck me in the court in the very presence of the king, as if in the

midst of a solitary wood.' Hearing this, Sudeshna said, 'O thou of

tresses ending in beautiful curls, as Kichaka, maddened by lust hath

insulted thee that art incapable of being possessed by him, I shall cause

him to be slain if thou wishest it.' Thereupon Draupadi answered, 'Even

others will slay him,--even they whom he hath wronged, I think it is

clear that he will have to go to the abode of Yama this very day!'"

SECTION XVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus insulted by the Suta's son, that illustrious

princess, the beautiful Krishna, eagerly wishing for the destruction of

Virata's general, went to her quarters. And Drupada's daughter of dark

hue and slender waist then performed her ablutions. And washing her body

and cloths with water Krishna began to ponder weepingly on the means of

dispelling her grief. And she reflected, saying, 'What am I to do?

Whither shall I go? How can my purpose be effected?' And while she was

thinking thus, she remembered Bhima and said to herself, 'There is none

else, save Bhima, that can today accomplish the purpose on which my heart

is set!' And afflicted with great grief, the large-eyed and intelligent

Krishna possessed of powerful protectors then rose up at night, and

leaving her bed speedily proceeded towards the quarters of Bhimasena,

desirous of beholding her lord. And possessed of great intelligence, the

daughter of Drupada entered her husband's quarters, saying, 'How canst

thou sleep while that wretched commander of Virata's forces, who is my

foe, yet liveth, having perpetrated today that (foul act)?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the chamber where Bhima slept, breathing

hard like a lion, being filled with the beauty of Drupada's daughter and

of the high-souled Bhima, blazed forth in splendour. And Krishna of sweet

smiles, finding Bhimasena in the cooking apartments, approached him with

the eagerness of a three-year old cow brought up in the woods,

approaching a powerful bull, in her first season, or of a she-crane

living by the water-side approaching her mate in the pairing season. And

the Princess of Panchala then embraced the second son of Pandu, even as a

creeper embraces a huge and mighty Sala on the banks of the Gomati. And

embracing him with her arms, Krishna of faultless features awaked him as

a lioness awaketh a sleeping lion in a trackless forest. And embracing

Bhimasena even as a she-elephant embraceth her mighty mate, the faultless

Panchali addressed him in voice sweet as the sound of a stringed

instrument emitting Gandhara note. And she said, 'Arise, arise! Why dost

thou, O Bhimasena, lie down as one dead? Surely, he that is not dead,

never suffereth a wicked wretch that hath disgraced his wife, to live.'

And awakened by the princess, Bhima of mighty arms, then rose up, and sat

upon his couch overlaid with a rich bed. And he of the Kuru race then

addressed the princess--his beloved wife, saying, 'For what purpose hast

thou come hither in such a hurry? Thy colour is gone and thou lookest

lean and pale. Tell me everything in detail. I must know the truth.

Whether it be pleasurable or painful, agreeable, or disagreeable, tell me

all. Having heard everything, I shall apply the remedy. I alone, O

Krishna, am entitled to thy confidence in all things, for it is I who

deliver thee from perils again and again! Tell me quickly what is thy

wish, and what is the purpose that is in thy view, and return thou to thy

bed before others awake.'"

SECTION XVIII

"Draupadi said, 'What grief hath she not who hath Yudhishthira for her

husband? Knowing all my griefs, why dost thou ask me? The Pratikamin

dragged me to the court in the midst of an assembly of courtiers, calling

me a slave. That grief, O Bharata, consumeth me. What other princess,

save Draupadi, would live having suffered such intense misery? Who else,

save myself, could bear such second insult as the wicked Saindhava

offered me while residing in the forest? Who else of my position, save

myself, could live, having been kicked by Kichaka in the very sight of

the wicked king of the Matsyas? Of what value is life, O Bharata, when

thou, O son of Kunti, dost not think me miserable, although I am

afflicted with such woes? That vile and wicked wretch, O Bharata, known

by the name of Kichaka, who is the brother-in-law of king Virata and the

commander of his forces, every day, O tiger among men, addresses me who

am residing in the palace as a Sairindhri, saying, 'Do thou become my

wife.'--Thus solicited, O slayer of foes, by that wretch deserving to be

slain, my heart is bursting like a fruit ripened in season. Censure thou

that elder brother of thine addicted to execrable dice, through whose act

alone I have been afflicted with such woe. Who else, save him that is a

desperate gambler, would play, giving up kingdom and everything including

even myself, in order to lead a life in the woods? If he had gambled

morning and evening for many years together, staking nishkas by thousand

and other kinds of substantial wealth, still his silver, and gold, and

robes, and vehicles, and teams, and goats, and sheep, and multitudes of

steeds and mares and mules would not have sustained any diminution. But

now deprived of prosperity by the rivalry of dice, he sits dumb like a

fool, reflecting on his own misdeeds. Alas, he who, while sojourning, was

followed by ten thousand elephants adorned with golden garlands now

supports himself by casting dice. That Yudhishthira who at Indraprastha

was adored by kings of incomparable prowess by hundreds of thousands,

that mighty monarch in whose kitchen a hundred thousand maid-servants,

plate in hand, used every day to feed numerous guests day and night, that

best of liberal men, who gave (every day) a thousand nishkas, alas, even

he overwhelmed with woe in consequence of gambling which is the root of

all evil, now supporteth himself by casting dice. Bards and encomiasts by

thousands decked with ear-rings set with brilliant gems, and gifted with

melodious voice, used to pay him homage morning and evening. Alas, that

Yudhishthira, who was daily waited upon by a thousand sages of ascetic

merit, versed in the Vedas and having every desire gratified, as his

courtiers,--that Yudhishthira who maintained eighty-eight thousands of

domestic Snatakas with thirty maid-servants assigned unto each, as also

ten thousand yatis not accepting anything in gift and with vital seed

drawn up,--alas, even that mighty king now liveth in such guise. That

Yudhishthira who is without malice, who is full of kindness, and who

giveth every creature his due, who hath all these excellent attributes,

alas--even he now liveth in such guise. Possessed of firmness and

unbaffled prowess, with heart disposed to give every creature his due,

king Yudhishthira, moved by compassion, constantly maintained in his

kingdom the blind, the old, the helpless, the parentless and all others

in his dominions in such distress. Alas, that Yudhishthira becoming a

dependant and a servant of Matsya, a caster of dice in his court, now

calls himself Kanka. He unto whom while residing at Indraprastha, all the

rulers of earth used to pay timely tribute,--alas, even he now begs for

subsistence at another's hands. He to whom the kings of the earth were in

subjection,--alas, even that king having lost his liberty, liveth in

subjection to others. Having dazzled the entire earth like the sun by his

energy, that Yudhishthira, alas, is now a courtier of king Virata. O

Pandu's son, that Pandava who was respectfully waited upon in court by

kings and sages, behold him now waiting upon another. Alas, beholding

Yudhishthira a courtier sitting beside another and breathing adulatory

speeches to the other, who can help being afflicted with grief? And

beholding the highly wise and virtuous Yudhishthira, undeserving as he is

of serving others, actually serving another for sustenance, who can help

being afflicted with grief? And, O hero, that Bharata who was worshipped

in court by the entire earth, do thou now behold him worshipping another.

Why then, O Bharata, dost thou not regard me as one afflicted with

diverse miseries, like one forlorn and immersed in a sea of sorrow?'"

SECTION XIX

"Draupadi said, 'This O Bharata, that I am going to tell thee is another

great grief of mine. Thou shouldst not blame me, for I tell thee this

from sadness of heart. Who is there whose grief is not enhanced at sight

of thee, O bull of the Bharata race, engaged in the ignoble office of a

cook, so entirely beneath thee and calling thyself as one of Vallava

caste? What can be sadder than this, that people should know thee as

Virata's cook, Vallava by name, and therefore one that is sunk in

servitude? Alas, when thy work of the kitchen is over, thou humbly

sittest beside Virata, calling thyself as Vallava the cook, then

despondency seizeth my heart. When the king of kings in joy maketh thee

fight with elephants, and the women of the inner apartments (of the

palace) laugh all the while, then I am sorely distressed. When thou

fightest in the inner apartments with lions, tigers, and buffaloes, the

princess Kaikeyi looking on, then I almost swoon away. And when Kaikeyi

and those maidservants, leaving their seats, come to assist me and find

that instead of suffering any injury in limbs mine is only a swoon, the

princess speaks unto her women, saying, 'Surely, it is from affection and

the duty begot of intercourse that this lady of sweet smiles grieveth for

the exceedingly powerful cook when he fights with the beasts. Sairindhri

is possessed of great beauty and Vallava also is eminently handsome. The

heart of woman is hard to know, and they, I fancy, are deserving of each

other. It is, therefore, likely that the Sairindhri invariably weepeth

(at such times) on account of her connection with her lover. And then,

they both have entered this royal family at the same time. And speaking

such words she always upbraideth me. And beholding me wroth at this, she

suspects me to be attached to thee.' When she speaketh thus, great is the

grief that I feel. Indeed, on beholding thee, O Bhima of terrible

prowess, afflicted with such calamity, sunk as I already am in grief on

account of Yudhishthira. I do not desire to live. That youth who on a

single car had vanquished all celestials and men, is now, alas, the

dancing master of king Virata's daughter. That Pritha's son of

immeasurable soul, who had gratified Agni in the forest of Khandava, is

now living in the inner apartments (of a palace) like fire hid in a well.

Alas, the bull among men, Dhananjaya, who was ever the terror of foes, is

now living in a guise that is despaired by all. Alas, he whose mace-like

arms have been cicatrized in consequence of the strokes of his

bow-string, alas that Dhananjaya is passing the days in grief covering

his wrists with bracelets of conchs. Alas, that Dhananjaya the twang of

whose bow-string and the sound of whose leathern fences made every foe

tremble, now entertains only gladdened women with his songs. Oh, that

Dhananjaya whose head was formerly decked with a diadem of solar

splendour, is now wearing braids ending in unsightly curls. O Bhima,

beholding that terrible bowman, Arjuna, now wearing braids and in the

midst of women, my heart is stricken with woe. That high-souled hero who

is master of all the celestial weapons, and who is the repository of all

the sciences, now weareth ear-rings (like one of the fair sex). That

youth whom kings of incomparable prowess could not overpower in fight,

even as the waters of the mighty ocean cannot overleap the continents, is

now the dancing-master of king Virata's daughters and waits upon them in

disguise. O Bhima, that Arjuna the clatter of whose car-wheels caused the

entire earth with her mountains and forests, her mobile and immobile

things to tremble, and whose birth dispelled all the sorrows of Kunti,

that exalted hero, that younger brother of thine, O Bhimasena, now maketh

me weep for him. Beholding him coming towards me, decked in golden

ear-rings and other ornaments, and wearing on the wrists bracelets of

conchs, my heart is afflicted with despondency. And Dhananjaya who hath

not a bowman equal unto him on earth in prowess, now passeth his days in

singing, surrounded by women. Beholding that son of Pritha who in virtue,

heroism and truth, was the most admired in the world, now living in the

guise of a woman, my heart is afflicted with sorrow. When I behold, the

godlike Partha in the music-hall like an elephant with rent temples

surrounded by she-elephants in the midst of females, waiting before

Virata the king of the Matsyas, then I lose all sense of directions.

Surely, my mother-in-law doth not know Dhananjaya to be afflicted with

such extreme distress. Nor doth she know that descendant of the Kuru

race, Ajatasatru, addicted to disastrous dice, to be sunk in misery. O

Bharata, beholding the youngest of you all, Sahadeva, superintending the

kine, in the guise of a cowherd, I grow pale. Always thinking of

Sahadeva's plight, I cannot, O Bhimasena, obtain sleep,--what to speak

you of the rest? I do not know, O mighty-armed one, what sin Sahadeva may

have committed for which that hero of unbaffled prowess suffereth such

misery. O foremost of the Bharatas, beholding that beloved brother of

thine, that bull among men, employed by Matsya in looking after his kine,

I am filled with woe. Seeing that hero of proud disposition gratifying

Virata, by living at the head of his cowherds, attired in robes dyed in

red. I am attacked with fever. My mother-in-law always applauds the

heroic Sahadeva as one possessed of nobility, excellent behaviour, and

rectitude of conduct. Ardently attached to her sons, the weeping Kunti

stood, embracing Sahadeva while he was about to set out (with us) for the

great forest. And she addressed me saying, "Sahadeva is bashful and

sweet-speeched, and virtuous. He is also my favourite child. Therefore, O

Yajnaseni, tend him in the forest day and night. Delicate and brave,

devoted to the king, and always worshipping his elder brother, do thou, O

Panchali, feed him thyself.' O Pandava, beholding that foremost of

warriors, Sahadeva, engaged in tending kine, and sleeping at night on

calf-skins, how can I bear to live? He again who is crowned with the

three attributes of beauty, arms, and intelligence, is now the

superintendent of Virata's steeds. Behold the change brought on by time.

Granthika (Nakula), at sight of whom hostile hosts fled from the field of

battle, now traineth horses in the presence of the king, driving them

with the speed. Alas, I now see that handsome youth wait upon the

gorgeously decked and excellent Virata, the king of the Matsyas, and

display horses before him. O son of Pritha, afflicted as I am with all

these hundred kinds of misery on account of Yudhishthira, why dost thou,

O chastiser of foes, yet deem me happy? Listen now to me, O son of Kunti,

as I tell thee of other woes far surpassing these. What can be sadder to

me than miseries so various as these should emaciate me while ye are

alive.'"

SECTION XX

"Draupadi said, 'Alas, on account of that desperate gambler, I am now

under Sudeshna's command, living in the palace in the guise of a

Sairindhri. And, O chastiser of foes, behold the plight of poignant woe

which I, a princess, am now in. I am living in expectation of the close

of this stated period.[14] The extreme of misery, therefore, is mine.

Success of purpose, victory, and defeat, as regards mortals, are

transitory. It is in this belief that I am living in expectation of the

return of prosperity to my husbands. Prosperity and adversity revolve

like a wheel. It is in this belief that I am living in expectation of the

return of prosperity to my husbands. That cause which bringeth on

victory, may bring defeat as well. I live in this hope. Why dost thou

not, O Bhimasena, regard me as one dead? I have heard that persons that

give may beg: that they who slay may be slain; and that they who

over-throw others may themselves be overthrown by foes. Nothing is

difficult for Destiny and none can over-ride Destiny. It is for this that

I am awaiting the return of favourable fortune. As a tank once dried, is

filled up once again, so hoping for a change for the better, I await the

return of prosperity. When one's business that hath been well-provided

for is seen to be frustrated, a truly wise person should never strive for

bringing back good fortune. Plunged as I am an sorrow, asked or unasked

by thee to explain the purpose of these words spoken by me, I shall tell

thee everything. Queen of the sons of Pandu and daughter of Drupada, who

else, save myself, would wish to live, having fallen into such a plight?

O represser of foes, the misery, therefore, that hath overtaken me, hath

really humiliated the entire Kuru race, the Panchalas, and the sons of

Pandu. Surrounded by numerous brothers and father-in-law and sons, what

other woman having such cause for joy, save myself, would be afflicted

with such woe? Surely, I must, in my childhood, have committed act highly

offensive to Dhatri through whose displeasure, O bull of the Bharata

race, I have been visited with such consequences. Mark, O son of Pandu,

the pallour that hath come over my complexion which not even a life in

the woods fraught as it was with extreme misery, could bring about. Thou,

O Pritha's son, knowest what happiness, O Bhima, was formerly mine. Even,

I, who was such have now sunk into servitude. Sorely distressed, I can

find no rest. That the mighty-armed and terrible bowman, Dhananjaya the

son of Pritha, should now live like a fire that hath been put out, maketh

me think of all this as attributable to Destiny. Surely, O son of Pritha,

it is impossible for men to understand the destinies of creatures (in

this world). I, therefore, think this downfall of yours as something that

could not be averted by forethought. Alas, she who hath you all, that

resemble Indra himself to attend to her comforts--even she, so chaste and

exalted, hath now to attend to the comforts of others, that are to her

far inferior in rank. Behold, O Pandava, my plight. It is what I do not

deserve. You are alive, yet behold this inversion of order that time hath

brought. She who had the whole Earth to the verge of the sea under her

control, is now under the control of Sudeshna and living in fear of her.

She who had dependants to walk both before and behind her, alas, now

herself walketh before and behind Sudeshna. This, O Kaunteya, is another

grief of mine that is intolerable. O, listen to it. She who had never,

save for Kunti, pounded unguents even for her own use, now, good betide

thee, poundeth sandal (for others). O Kaunteya, behold these hands of

mine which were not so before. Saying this she showed him her hands

marked with corns. And she continued, she who had never feared Kunti

herself nor thee and thy brothers, now standeth in fear before Virata as

a slave, anxious of what that king of kings may say unto her regarding

the proper preparation of the unguents, for Matsya liketh not sandal

pounded by others.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Relating her woes thus, O Bharata, unto

Bhimasena, Krishna began to weep silently, casting her eyes on Bhima. And

then, with words choked in tears, and sighing repeatedly, she addressed

Bhima in these words, powerfully stirring his heart, 'Signal, O Bhima,

must have been my offence of old unto the gods, for, unfortunate as I am.

I am yet alive, when, O Pandava, I should die.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then that slayer of hostile heroes, Vrikodara,

covering his face with those delicate hands of his wife marked with

corns, began to weep. And that mighty son of Kunti, holding the hands of

Draupadi in his, shed copious tears. And afflicted with great woe, he

spoke these words.'"

SECTION XXI

"Bhima said, 'Fie on the might of my arms and fie on the Gandiva of

Falguni, inasmuch as thy hands, red before, now become covered with

corns. I would have caused a carnage in Virata's court but for the fact

that Kunti's son eyed me (by way of forbidding it), or like a mighty

elephant. I would, without ado, have crushed the head of Kichaka

intoxicated with the pride of sovereignty. When, O Krishna, I beheld thee

kicked by Kichaka, I conceived at that instant a wholesale slaughter of

the Matsyas. Yudhishthira, however, forbade me by a glance, and, O

beauteous lady, understanding his intention I have kept quiet. That we

have been deprived of our kingdom, that I have not yet slain the Kurus,

that I have not yet taken the heads of Suyodhana and Karna, and Suvala's

son Sakuni, and the wicked Duhsasana, these acts and omissions, O lady,

are consuming every limb of mine. The thought of those abides in my heart

like a javelin implanted in it. O thou of graceful hips, do not sacrifice

virtue, and, O noble-hearted lady, subdue thy wrath. If king Yudhishthira

hear from thee such rebukes, he will surely put an end to his life. If

also Dhananjaya and the twins hear thee speak thus, even they will

renounce life. And if these, O slender-waisted maiden, give up life. I

also shall not be able to bear my own. In olden days Sarjati's daughter,

the beautiful Sukanya, followed into the forest Chyavana of Bhrigu's

race, whose mind was under complete control, and over whom, while engaged

in ascetic meditation, the ants had built a hill. Thou mayst have heard

that Indrasena also who in beauty was like unto Narayani herself,

followed her husband aged a thousand years. Thou mayst have heard that

Janaka's daughter Sita, the princess of Videha, followed her lord while

living in dense woods. And that lady of graceful hips, Rama's beloved

wife, afflicted with calamities and persecuted by the Rakshasas, at

length regained the company of Rama. Lopamudra also, O timid one, endued

with youth and beauty, followed Agastya, renouncing all the objects of

enjoyment unattainable by men. And the intelligent and faultless Savitri

also followed the heroic Satyavan, the son of Dyumatsena, alone into the

world of Yama. Even like these chaste and beautiful ladies that I have

named, thou, O blessed girl, bloomest with every virtue. Do thou spend a

short while more that is measured by even a half month. And when the

thirteenth year is complete, thou wilt (again) become the Queen regnant

of a king.' Hearing these words, Draupadi said, 'Unable, O Bhima, to bear

my griefs, it is from grief alone that I have shed these tears. I do not

censure Yudhishthira. Nor is there any use in dwelling on the past. O

Bhima of mighty strength, come quickly forward to the work of the hour. O

Bhima, Kaikeyi, jealous of my beauty, always pains me by her endeavours

to prevent the king from taking a fancy to me. And understanding this

disposition of hers, the wicked-souled Kichaka of immoral ways constantly

solicits me himself. Angry with him for this, but then suppressing my

wrath I answer that wretch deprived of sense by lust, saying, 'O Kichaka,

protect thyself. I am the beloved queen and wife of five Gandharvas.

Those heroes in wrath will slay thee that art so rash.' Thus addressed,

Kichaka of wicked soul replied unto me, saying, 'I have not the least

fear of the Gandharvas, O Sairindhri of sweet smiles. I will slay hundred

thousand Gandharvas, encountering them in battle. Therefore, O timid one,

do thou consent.' Hearing all this, I again addressed the lust-afflicted

Suta, saying, 'Thou art no match for those illustrious Gandharvas. Of

respectable percentage and good disposition, I ever adhere to virtue and

never wish for the death of any one. It is for this that thou I vest, O

Kichaka!' At this, that wight of wicked soul burst out into a loud

laughter. And it came to pass that Kaikeyi previously urged by Kichaka,

and moved by affection for her brother, and desirous of doing him a good

turn, despatched me to him, saying 'Do thou, O Sairindhri, fetch wine

from Kichaka's quarter's!' On beholding me the Suta's son at first

addressed me in sweet words, and when that failed, he became exceedingly

enraged, and intended to use violence. Understanding the purpose of the

wicked Kichaka, I speedily rushed towards the place where the king was.

Felling me on the ground the wretch then kicked me in the very presence

of the king himself and before the eyes of Kanka and many others,

including charioteers, and royal favourites, and elephant-riders, and

citizens. I rebuked the king and Kanka again and again. The king,

however, neither prevented Kichaka, nor inflicted any chastisement on

him. The principal ally of king Virata in war, the cruel Kichaka reft of

virtue is loved by both the king and the queen. O exalted one, brave,

proud, sinful, adulterous, and engrossed in all objects of enjoyment, he

earneth immense wealth (from the king), and robs the possessions of

others even if they cry in distress. And he never walketh in the path of

virtue, nor doth he any virtuous act. Of wicked soul, and vicious

disposition, haughty and villainous, and always afflicted by the shafts

of Kama, though repulsed repeatedly, if he sees me again, he will outrage

me. I shall then surely renounce my life. Although striving to acquire

virtue (on my death) your highly meritorious acts will come to naught. Ye

that are now obeying your pledge, ye will lose your wife. By protecting,

one's wife one's offspring are protected, and by protecting one's

offspring, one's own self is protected. And it is because one begets

one's own self in one's wife that the wife is called Jaya[15] by the

wise. The husband also should be protected by the wife, thinking,--How

else will he take his birth in my womb?--I have heard it from Brahmanas

expounding the duties of the several orders that a Kshatriya hath no

other duty than subduing enemies. Alas, Kichaka kicked me in the very

presence of Yudhishthira the Just, and also of thyself, O Bhimasena of

mighty strength. It was thou, O Bhima, that didst deliver me from the

terrible Jatasura. It was thou also that with thy brothers didst vanquish

Jayadratha. Do thou now slay this wretch also who hath insulted me.

Presuming upon his being a favourite of the king, Kichaka, O Bharata,

hath enhanced my woe. Do thou, therefore, smash this lustful wight even

like an earthen pot dashed upon a stone. If, O Bharata, tomorrow's sun

sheds his rays upon him who is the source of many griefs of mine, I

shall, surely, mixing poison (with some drink), drink it up,--for I never

shall yield to Kichaka. Far better it were, O Bhima, that I should die

before thee.'

"Vaisampayana Continued, 'Having said this, Krishna, hiding her face in

Bhima's breast began to weep. And Bhima, embracing her, consoled her to

the best of his power. And having abundantly consoled that

slender-waisted daughter of Drupada by means of words fraught with grave

reason and sense, he wiped with his hands her face flooded with tears.

And thinking of Kichaka and licking with his tongue the corners of his

mouth, Bhima, filled with wrath thus spake to that distressed lady.'"

SECTION XXII

"Bhima said, 'I will, O timid one, do even as thou sayest. I will

presently slay Kichaka with all his friends. O Yajnaseni of sweet smiles,

tomorrow evening, renouncing sorrow and grief, manage to have a meeting

with Kichaka. The dancing-hall that the king of the Matsya hath caused to

be erected is used by the girls for dancing during the day. They repair,

however, to their homes at night. There in that hall, is an excellent and

well-placed wooden bed-stead. Even there I will make him see the spirits

of his deceased grandsires. But, O beautiful one, when thou holdest

converse with him, thou must manage it so that others may not espy thee."

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having thus conversed with others, and shed

tears in grief, they waited for the dawn of that night with painful

impatience. And when the night had passed away, Kichaka, rising in the

morning, went to the palace, and accosted Draupadi saying, 'Throwing thee

down in the court I kicked thee in the presence of the king. Attacked by

mighty self, thou couldst not obtain protection. This Virata is in name

only the king of the Matsyas. Commanding the forces of this realm it is

I, who am the real lord of the Matsyas. Do thou, O timid one, accept me

cheerfully. I shall become thy slave. And, O thou of graceful hips, I

will immediately give thee a hundred nishkas, and engage a hundred male

and a hundred female servants (to tend thee), and will also bestow on

thee cars yoked with she-mules. O timid lady, let our union take place.'

Draupadi replied, 'O Kichaka, know even this is my condition. Neither thy

friends nor thy brothers should know thy union with me. I am a terror of

detection by those illustrious Gandharvas. Promise me this, and I yield

to thee.' Hearing this Kichaka said, 'I will, O thou of graceful hips, do

even as thou sayest. Afflicted by the god of love, I will, O beauteous

damsel, alone repair to thy abode for union with thee, O thou of thighs

round and tapering like the trunks of the plantain,--so that those

Gandharvas, effulgent as the sun, may not come to know of this act of

thine.' Draupadi said, 'Do thou, when it is dark, go to the dancing-hall

erected by the king of the Matsyas where the girls dance during the day,

repairing to their respective homes at night. The Gandharvas do not know

that place. We shall then without doubt, escape all censure.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Reflecting on the subject of her conversation

with Kichaka, that half a day seemed to Krishna as long as a whole month.

And the stupid Kichaka also, not knowing that it was Death that had

assumed the form of a Sairindhri, returning home experienced the greatest

delight. And deprived of sense by lust, Kichaka became speedily engaged

in embellishing his person with unguents and garlands and ornaments. And

while he was doing all this, thinking of that damsel of large eyes, the

day seemed to him to be without an end. And the beauty of Kichaka, who

was about to forsake his beauty for ever, seemed to heighten, like the

wick of a burning lamp about to expire. And reposing the fullest

confidence in Draupadi, Kichaka, deprived of his senses by lust and

absorbed in the contemplation of expected meeting, did not even perceive

that the day had departed. Meanwhile, the beautiful Draupadi approaching

her husband Bhima of the Kuru race, stood before him in the kitchen. And

that lady with tresses ending in beautiful curls then spake unto him,

saying, 'O chastiser of foes, even as thou hadst directed, I have given

Kichaka to understand that our meeting will take place in the

dancing-hall. Alone will he come at night to the empty hall. Slay him

there, O thou of mighty arms. Do thou, O son of Kunti, repair to that

dancing-hall, and take the life, O Pandava, of Kichaka, that son of a

Suta intoxicated with vanity. From vanity alone, that son of a Suta

slights the Gandharvas. O best of smiters, lift him up from the earth

even as Krishna had lifted up the Naga (Kaliya) from the Yamuna. O

Pandava, afflicted as I am with grief, wipe thou my tears, and blessed be

thou, protect thy own honour and that of thy race.'

"Bhima said, 'Welcome, O beauteous lady, Except the glad tidings thou

bringest me, I need, O thou of exceeding beauty, no other aid whatever.

The delight that I feel, O thou of great beauty, on hearing from thee

about my coming encounter with Kichaka, is equal to what I felt in

slaying Hidimva. I swear unto thee by Truth, by my brothers, and by

morality, that I will slay Kichaka even as the lord of the celestials

slew Vritra. Whether secretly or openly, I will crush Kichaka, and if the

Matsyas fight for him, then I will slay them too. And slaying Duryodhana

afterwards, I shall win back the earth. Let Yudhishthira, the son of

Kunti, continue to pay homage unto the king of Matsya.' Hearing these

words of Bhima, Draupadi said, 'In order that, O lord, thou mayst not

have to renounce the truth already pledged to me, do thou, O hero, slay

Kichaka in secret.' Bhima assuring her said, 'Even today I shall slay

Kichaka together with his friends unknown to others during the darkness

of the night. I shall, O faultless lady, crush, even as an elephant

crusheth a vela fruit, [16] the head of the wicked Kichaka who wisheth

for what is unattainable by him!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Repairing first to the place of assignation at

night, Bhima sat down, disguising himself. And he waited there in

expectation of Kichaka, like a lion lying in wait for a deer. And

Kichaka, having embellished his person as he chose, came to the

dancing-hall at the appointed time in the hope of meeting Panchali. And

thinking of the assignation, he entered the chamber. And having entered

that hall enveloped in deep gloom, that wretch of wicked soul came upon

Bhima of incomparable prowess, who had come a little before and who was

waiting in a corner. And as an insect approacheth towards a flaming fire,

or a puny animal towards a lion, Kichaka approached Bhima, lying down in

a bed and burning in anger at the thought of the insult offered to

Krishna, as if he were the Suta's Death. And having approached Bhima,

Kichaka possessed by lust, and his heart and soul filled with ecstacy

smilingly said, 'O thou of pencilled eye-brows, to thee I have already

given many and various kinds of wealth from the stores earned by me, as

well as hundred maids and many fine robes, and also a mansion with an

inner apartment adorned with beauteous and lovely and youthful maid

servants and embellished by every kind of sports and amusements And

having set all those apart for thee, I have speedily come hither. And all

on a sudden, women have begun to praise me, saying, 'There is not in this

world any other person like unto thee in beauty and dress!' Hearing this,

Bhima said, 'It is well that thou art handsome, and it is well thou

praisest thyself. I think, however, that thou hadst never before this

such pleasurable touch! Thou hast an acute touch, and knowest the ways of

gallantry. Skilled in the art of love-making, thou art a favourite with

women. There is none like thee in this world!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, that son of Kunti, the

mighty-armed Bhima of terrible prowess, suddenly rose up, and laughingly

said, 'Thy sister, O wretch, shall today behold thee dragged by me to the

ground, like a mighty elephant, huge as a mountain, dragged to the ground

by a lion. Thyself slain Sairindhri will live in peace, and we, her

husbands, will also live in peace.' Saying this, the mighty Bhima seized

Kichaka by the hairs of his head, which were adorned with garlands. And

thus seized with force by the hair, that foremost of mighty persons,

Kichaka, quickly freed his hair and grasped the arms of Bhima. And then

between those lions among men, fired with wrath, between that chief of

the Kichaka clan, and that best of men, there ensued a hand-to-hand

encounter, like that between two powerful elephants for a female elephant

in the season of spring, or like that which happened in days of yore

between those lions among monkeys, the brothers Vali and Sugriva. And

both equally infuriate and both eager for victory, both those combatants

raised their arms resembling snakes furnished with five hoods, and

attacked each other with their nails and teeth, wrought up to frenzy of

wrath. Impetuously assailed by the powerful Kichaka in that encounter,

the resolute Bhima did not waver a single step. And locked in each

other's embraces and dragging each other, they fought on like two mighty

bulls. And having nails and teeth for their weapons, the encounter

between them was fierce and terrible like that of two furious tigers. And

felling each other in fury, they encountered each other like a couple of

elephants with rent temples. And the mighty Bhima then seized Kichaka,

and Kichaka, that foremost of strong persons threw Bhima down with

violence. And as those mighty combatants fought on, the crash of their

arms produced a loud noise that resembled the clatter of splitting

bamboos. Then Vrikodara throwing Kichaka down by main force within the

room, began to toss him about furiously even as a hurricane tosseth a

tree. And attacked thus in battle by the powerful Bhima, Kichaka grew

weak and began to tremble. For all that, however, he tugged at the

Pandava to the best of his power. And attacking Bhima, and making him

wave a little, the mighty Kichaka struck him with his knees and brought

him down to the ground. And overthrown by the powerful Kichaka, Bhima

quickly rose up like Yama himself with mace in hand. And thus that

powerful Suta and the Pandava, intoxicated with strength and challenging

each other, grappled with each other at midnight in that solitary place.

And as they roared at each other in wrath, that excellent and strong

edifice began to shake every moment. And slapped on the chest by the

mighty Bhima, Kichaka fired with wrath moved not a single pace. And

bearing for a moment only that onslaught incapable of being born on

earth, the Suta, overpowered by Bhima's might, became enfeebled. And

seeing him waning weak, Bhima endued with great strength forcibly drew

Kichaka towards his breast, and began to press hard. And breathing hard

again and again in wrath, that best of victors, Vrikodara, forcibly

seized Kichaka by the hair. And having seized Kichaka, the mighty 'Bhima

began to roar like a hungry tiger that hath killed a large animal. And

finding him exceedingly exhausted, Vrikodara bound him fast with his

arms, as one binds a beast with a cord. And then Bhima began for a long

while, to whirl the senseless Kichaka, who began to roar frightfully like

a broken trumpet.[17] And in order to pacify Krishna's wrath Vrikodara

grasped Kichaka's throat with his arms and began to squeeze it. And

assailing with his knees the waist of that worst of the Kichakas, all the

limbs of whose body had been broken into fragments and whose eye-lids

were closed, Vrikodara slew him, as one would slay a beast. And beholding

Kichaka entirely motionless, the son of Pandu began to roll him about on

the ground. And Bhima then said, 'Slaying this wretch who intended to

violate our wife,--this thorn in the side of Sairindhri, I am freed from

the debt I owed to my brothers, and have attained perfect peace.' And

having said this, that foremost of men, with eyes red in wrath,

relinquished his hold of Kichaka, whose dress and ornaments had been

thrown off his person, whose eyes were rolling, and whose body was yet

trembling. And that foremost of mighty persons, squeezing his own hands,

and biting his lips in rage, again attacked his adversary and thrust his

arms and legs and neck and head into his body like the wielder of the

Pinaka reducing into shapeless mass the deer, which form sacrifice had

assumed in order to escape his ire. And having; crushed all his limbs,

and reduced him into a ball of flesh, the mighty Bhimasena showed him

unto Krishna. And endued with mighty energy that hero then addressed

Draupadi, that foremost of all women, saying, 'Come princess of Panchala,

and see what hath become of that lustful wretch!' And saying this, Bhima

of terrible prowess began to press with his feet the body of that wicked

wight. And lighting a torch then and showing Draupadi the body of

Kichaka, that hero addressed her, saying, 'O thou of tresses ending in

beautiful curls, those that solicit thee, endued as thou art with an

excellent disposition and every virtue, will be slain by me even as this

Kichaka hath been, O timid one.' And having accomplished that difficult

task so highly agreeable to Krishna--having indeed slain Kichaka and

thereby pacified his wrath, Bhima bade farewell to Krishna, the daughter

of Drupada, and quickly went back to the kitchen. And Draupadi also, that

best of women, having caused Kichaka to be slain had her grief removed

and experienced the greatest delight. And addressing the keepers of the

dancing-hall, she said, 'Come ye and behold Kichaka who had violated

after other people's wives lieth down here, slain by my Gandharva

husbands.' And hearing these words the guards of the dancing hall soon

came by thousands to that spot, torches in hand. And repairing to that

room, they beheld the lifeless Kichaka thrown on the ground, drenched

with blood. And beholding him without arms and legs, they were filled

with grief. And as they gazed at Kichaka, they were struck with

amazement. And seeing that superhuman act, viz., the overthrow of

Kichaka, they said, 'Where is his neck, and where are his legs?' And

beholding him in this plight they all concluded that he had been killed

by a Gandharva.'"

SECTION XXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the relatives of Kichaka, arriving at that

place, beheld him there and began to wail aloud, surrounding him on all

sides. And beholding Kichaka with every limb mangled, and lying like a

tortoise dragged to dry ground from the water, all of them were overcome

with exceeding fright, and the bristles of their bodies stood on end. And

seeing him crushed all over by Bhima, like a Danava by Indra, they

proceeded to take him outside, for performing his funeral obsequies. And

then those persons of the Suta clan thus assembled together espied

Krishna of faultless limbs hard by, who stood reclining on a pillar. And

all the Kichakas assembled there, exclaimed, 'Let this unchaste woman be

slain for whom Kichaka hath himself lost his life. Or, without slaying

her here, let us cremate her with him that had lusted after her,--for it

behoveth us to accomplish in every way what is agreeable to that deceased

son of Suta.' And then they addressed Virata, saying, 'It is for her sake

that Kichaka hath lost his life. Let him, therefore, be cremated along

with her. It behoveth thee to grant this permission.' Thus addressed by

them, king Virata, O monarch, knowing fully well the prowess of the Suta

gave his assent to Sairindhri being burnt along with the Suta's son. And

at this, the Kichakas approaching the frightened and stupefied Krishna of

lotus-like eyes, seized her with violence. And binding that damsel of

slender-waist and placing her upon the bier, they set out with great

energy towards the cemetary. And, O king, while thus forcibly carried

towards the cemetary by those sons of the Suta tribe, the blameless and

chaste Krishna living under the protections of her lords, then wailed

aloud for the help of her husbands, saying, 'Oh, let Jaya, and Jayanta,

and Vijaya and Jayatsena, and Jayadvala listen to my words. The Sutas are

taking me away. Let those illustrious Gandharvas endued with speed of

hand, the clatter of whose cars is loud and the twang of whose bowstrings

in the midst of the mighty conflict are heard like the roar of thunder,

listen to my words,--the Sutas are taking me away!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing those sorrowful words and lamentations

of Krishna, Bhima, without a moment's reflection started up from his bed

and said, 'I have heard, O Sairindhri the words thou hast spoken. Thou

hast, therefore, O timid lady, no more fear at the hands of the Sutas.

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this, the mighty-armed Bhima

desirous of slaying the Kichakas, began to swell his body. And carefully

changing his attire, he went out of the palace by a wrong egress. And

climbing over a wall by the aid of a tree, he proceeded towards the

cemetary whither the Kichakas had gone. And having leapt over the wall,

and gone out of the excellent city, Bhima impetuously rushed to where the

Sutas were. And, O monarch, proceeding towards the funeral pyre he beheld

a large tree, tall as palmyra-palm, with gigantic shoulders and withered

top. And that slayer of foes grasping with his arms that tree measuring

ten Vyamas, uprooted it, even like an elephant, and placed it upon his

shoulders. And taking up that tree with trunk and branches and measuring

ten Vyamas, that mighty hero rushed towards the Sutas, like Yama himself,

mace in hand. And by the impetus of his rush[18] banians and peepals and

Kinsukas falling down on the earth lay in clusters. And beholding that

Gandharva approach them like a lion in fury, all the Sutas trembling with

fear and greatly distressed, became panic-struck. And they addressed each

other, saying, 'Lo, the powerful Gandharva cometh hither, filled with

rage, and with an upraised tree in hand. Let Sairindhri, therefore, from

whom this danger of ours hath arisen, be set free.' And beholding the

tree that had been uprooted by Bhimasena, they set Draupadi free and ran

breathlessly towards the city And seeing them run away, Bhima, that

mighty son of the Wind-god, despatched, O foremost of kings, by means of

that tree, a hundred and five of them unto the abode of Yama, like the

wielder of the thunderbolt slaying the Danavas. And setting Draupadi free

from her bonds, he then, O king, comforted her. And that mighty-armed and

irrepressible Vrikodara, the son of Pandu, then addressed the distressed

princess of Panchala with face bathed in tears, saying, 'Thus, O timid

one, are they slain that wrong thee without cause. Return, O Krishna, to

the city. Thou hast no longer any fear; I myself will go to the Virata's

kitchen by another route.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'It was thus, O Bharata, that a hundred and five

of those Kichakas were slain. And their corpses lay on the ground, making

the place look like a great forest overspread with uprooted trees after a

hurricane. Thus fell those hundred and five Kichakas. And including

Virata's general slain before, the slaughtered Sutas numbered one hundred

and six. And beholding that exceedingly wonderful feat, men and women

that assembled together, were filled with astonishment. And the power of

speech, O Bharata, was suspended in every one.'"

SECTION XXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'And beholding the Sutas slain, the citizens went to

the king, and represented unto him what had happened, saying, 'O king,

those mighty sons of the Sutas have all been slain by the Gandharvas.

Indeed, they lie scattered on the earth like huge peaks of mountains

riven by thunder. Sairindhri also, having been set free, returneth to thy

palace in the city. Alas, O king, if Sairindhri cometh, thy entire

kingdom will be endangered. Sairindhri is endued with great beauty; the

Gandharvas also here exceedingly powerful. Men again, without doubt, are

naturally sexual. Devise, therefore, O king, without delay, such means

that in consequence of wrongs done to Sairindhri, thy kingdom may not

meet with destruction.' Hearing those words of theirs, Virata, that lord

of hosts, said unto them, 'Do ye perform the last rites of the Sutas. Let

all the Kichakas be burnt, in one blazing pyre with gems and fragrant

unguents in profusion.' And filled with fear, the king then addressed his

queen Sudeshna, saying, 'When Sairindhri comes back, do thou tell her

these words from me, 'Blessed be thou, O fair-faced Sairindhri. Go thou

whithersoever thou likest. The king hath been alarmed, O thou of graceful

hips, at the defeat already experienced at the hands of the Gandharvas.

Protected as thou art by the Gandharvas, I dare not personally say all

this to thee. A woman, however, cannot offend, and it is for this that I

tell thee all this through a woman.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus delivered by Bhimasena after the slaughter

of the Sutas, the intelligent and youthful Krishna relieved from all her

fears, washed her limbs and clothes in water, and proceeded towards the

city, like a doe frightened by a tiger. And beholding her, the citizens,

O king, afflicted with the fear of the Gandharvas fled in all directions.

And some of them went so far as to shut their eyes. And then, O king at

the gate of the kitchen, the princess of Panchala saw Bhimasena staying,

like an infuriate elephant of gigantic proportions. And looking upon him

with wonder-expanded eyes, Draupadi, by means of words intelligible to

them alone, said, 'I bow unto that prince of the Gandharvas, who hath

rescued me.' At these words of her, Bhima said, 'Hearing these words of

hers in obedience to whom those persons were hitherto living in the city,

they will henceforth range here, regarding themselves as freed from the

debt.'[19]

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then she beheld the mighty-armed Dhananjaya, in

the dancing-hall instructing king Virata's daughters in dancing. And

issuing with Arjuna from the dancing-hall, all those damsels came to

Krishna who had arrived there, and who had been persecuted so sorely, all

innocent though she was. And they said, 'By good luck also it is, O

Sairindhri, that thou hast been delivered from thy dangers. By good luck

it is that thou hast returned safe. And by good luck also it is that

those Sutas have been slain that had wronged thee, innocent though thou

art.' Hearing this, Virhannala said, 'How hast thou, O Sairindhri, been

delivered? And how have those sinful wretches been slain? I wish to learn

all this from thee exactly as it occurred.' Sairindhri replied, 'O

blessed Vrihannala, always passing thy days happily in the apartments of

the girls, what concern hast thou with Sairindhri's fate to say? Thou

hast no grief to bear that Sairindhri hath to bear! It is for this, that

thou askest me thus, distressed as I am in ridicule.' Thereat Vrihannala

said, 'O blessed one, Vrihannala also hath unparalleled sorrows of her

own. She hath become as low as a brute. Thou dost not, O girl, understand

this. I have lived with thee, and thou, too hast lived with us. When,

therefore, thou art afflicted with misery, who is it that will not, O

thou of beautiful hips, feel it? But no one can completely read another's

heart. Therefore it is, O amiable one, that thou knowest not my heart!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Draupadi, accompanied by those girls

entered the royal abode, desirous of appearing before Sudeshna. And when

she came before the queen, Virata's wife addressed her at the command of

the king, saying, 'Do thou, O Sairindhri, speedily go whithersoever thou

likest. The king, good betide thee, hath been filled with fear at this

discomfiture at the hands of the Gandharvas. Thou art, O thou of graceful

eye-brows, young and unparalleled on earth in beauty. Thou art, besides,

an object of desire with men. The Gandharvas again, are exceedingly

wrathful.' Thereat Sairindhri said, 'O beauteous lady, let the king

suffer me to live here for only thirteen days more. Without doubt, the

Gandharvas also will be highly obliged at this. They will then convey me

hence and do what would be agreeable to Virata. Without doubt, the king,

by doing this, with his friends, will reap great benefit.'"

SECTION XXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'At the slaughter of Kichaka and brothers, people, O

king, thinking of this terrible feat, were filled with surprise. And in

the city and the provinces it was generally bruited about that for

bravery the king's Vallava and Kichaka were both mighty warriors. The

wicked Kichaka, however, had been an oppressor of men and a dishonourer

of other people's wives. And it was for this that wicked of sinful soul

had been slain by the Gandharvas. And it was thus, O king, that people

began to speak, from province to province of the invincible Kichaka, that

slayer of hostile ranks.

'Meanwhile, the spies employed by Dhritarashtra's son, having searched

various villages and towns and kingdoms and done all that they had been

commanded to do and completed their examination, in the manner directed,

of the countries indicated in their orders, returned to Nagarupa,

gratified with at least one thing that they had learnt.[20] And seeing

Dhritarashtra's son king Duryodhana of the Kuru race seated in his court

with Drona and Karna and Kripa, with the high-souled Bhishma, his own

brothers, and those great warriors--the Trigartas, they addressed him,

saying, 'O lord of men, great hath been the care always bestowed by us in

the search after the sons of Pandu in that mighty forest. Searched have

we through the solitary wilderness abounding with deer and other animals

and overgrown with trees and creepers of diverse kind. Searched have we

also in arbours of matted woods and plants and creepers of every species,

but we have failed in discovering that track by which Pritha's son of

irrepressible energy may have gone. Searched have we in these and other

places for their foot-prints. Searched have we closely, O king, on

mountain tops and in inaccessible fastnesses, in various kingdoms and

provinces teeming with people, in encampments and cities. No trace have

yet been found of the sons of Pandu. Good betide thee, O bull among men,

it seems that they have perished without leaving a mark behind. O

foremost of warriors, although we followed in the track of those

warriors, yet, O best of men, we soon lost their footprints and do not

know their present residence. O lord of men, for some time we followed in

the wake of their charioteers. And making our inquiries duly, we truly

ascertained what we desired to know. O slayer of foes, the charioteers

reached Dwaravati without the sons of Pritha among them. O king, neither

the sons of Pandu, nor the chaste Krishna, are in that city of Yadavas. O

bull of the Bharata race, we have not been able to discover either their

track or their present abode. Salutations to thee, they are gone for

good. We are acquainted with the disposition of the sons of Pandu and

know something of the feats achieved by them. It behoveth thee,

therefore, O lord of men, to give us instructions, O monarch, as to what

we should next do in the search after the sons of Pandu. O hero, listen

also to these agreeable words of ours, promising great good to thee. King

Matsya's commander, Kichaka of wicked soul, by whom the Trigartas, O

monarch, were repeatedly vanquished and slain with mighty force, now

lieth low on the ground with all his brothers, slain, O monarch, by

invisible Gandharvas during the hours of darkness, O thou of unfading

glory. Having heard this delightful news about the discomfiture of our

enemies, we have been exceedingly gratified, O Kauravya. Do thou now

ordain what should next be done.'"

SECTION XXVI

(Go-harana Parva)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having listened to these words of his spies, king

Duryodhana reflected inwardly for some time and then addressed his

courtiers, saying, 'It is difficult to ascertain the course of events

definitely. Discern ye all, therefore, whither the sons of Pandu have

gone, of this thirteenth year which they are to pass undiscovered by us

all, the greater part hath already expired. What remains is by much the

smaller. If, indeed, the sons of Pandu can pass undiscovered what remains

of this year, devoted to the vow of truth as they are, they will then

have fulfilled their pledge. They will then return like mighty elephants

with temporal juice trickling down, or like snakes of virulent poison.

Filled with wrath, they will, without doubt, be inflicters of terrible

chastisement on the Kurus. It behoveth ye, therefore, to make such

efforts without loss of time as may induce the sons of Pandu, acquainted

as they are with the proprieties of time, and staying as they now are in

painful disguise, to re-enter the woods suppressing their rage. Indeed,

adopt ye such means as may remove all causes of quarrel and anxiety from

the kingdom, making it tranquil and foeless and incapable of sustaining a

diminution of territory.' Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Kama said,

'Let other spies, abler and more cunning, and capable of accomplishing

their object, quickly go hence, O Bharata. Let them, well-disguised,

wander through swelling kingdoms and populous provinces, prying into

assemblies of the learned and delightful retreats of provinces. In the

inner apartments of palaces, in shrines and holy spots, in mines and

diverse other regions, the sons of Pandu should be searched after with

well-directed eagerness. Let the sons of Pandu who are living in disguise

be searched after by well-skilled spies in large numbers, devoted to

their work, themselves well-disguised, and all well-acquainted with the

objects of their search. Let the search be made on the banks of rivers,

in holy regions, in villages and towns, in retreats of ascetics, in

delightful mountains and mountain-caves.' When Karna ceased, Duryodhana's

second brother Dussasana, wedded to a sinful disposition, then addressed

his eldest brother and said, 'O monarch, O lord of men, let those spies

only in whom we have confidence, receiving their rewards in advance, once

more go after the search. This and what else hath been said by Karna have

our fullest approval. Let all the spies engage themselves in the search

according to the directions already given. Let these and others engage in

the search from province to province according to approved rules. It is

my belief, however, that the track the Pandavas have followed or their

present abode or occupation will not be discovered. Perhaps, they are

closely concealed; perhaps, they have gone to the other side of the

ocean. Or, perhaps, proud as they are of their strength and Courage, they

have been devoured by wild beasts; or perhaps, having been overtaken by

some unusual danger, they have perished for eternity. Therefore, O prince

of the Kuru race, dispelling all anxieties from thy heart, achieve what

thou wilt, always acting according to thy energy.'"

SECTION XXVII

"Vaisampayana said, "Endued with mighty energy and possessed of great

discernment, Drona then said, 'Persons like the sons of Pandu never

perish nor undergo discomfiture. Brave and skilled in every science,

intelligent and with senses under control, virtuous and grateful and

obedient to the virtuous Yudhishthira, ever following in the wake of

their eldest brother who is conversant with the conclusions of policy and

virtue and profit, who is attached to them as a father, and who strictly

adhereth to virtue and is firm in truth,--persons like them that are thus

devoted to their illustrious and royal brother, who gifted with great

intelligence, never injureth any body and who in his turn himself obeyeth

his younger brothers, never perish in this way. Why, then, should not

(Yudhishthira) the son of Pritha possessing a knowledge of policy, be

able to restore the prosperity of his brothers who are so obedient and

devoted and high-souled? It is for this that they are carefully waiting

for the arrival of their opportunity. Men such as these never perish.

This is what I see by my intellect. Do, therefore, quickly and without

loss of time, what should now be done, after proper reflection. And let

also the abode which the sons of Pandu with souls under control as

regards every purpose of life, are to occupy, be now settled. Heroic and

sinless and possessed of ascetic merit, the Pandavas are difficult to be

discovered (within the period of non-discovery). Intelligent and

possessed of every virtue, devoted to truth and versed in the principles

of policy, endued with purity and holiness, and the embodiment of

immeasurable energy, the son of Pritha is capable of consuming (his foes)

by a glance alone of his eyes. Knowing all this, do what is proper. Let

us, therefore, once more search after them, sending Brahmanas and

Charanas, ascetics crowned with success, and others of this kind who may

have a knowledge of those heroes!'"

SECTION XXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then that grandsire of the Bharatas, Bhishma the son

of Sutanu, conversant with the Vedas, acquainted with the proprieties of

time and place, and possessing a knowledge of every duty of morality,

after the conclusion of Drona's speech, applauded the words of the

preceptor and spake unto the Bharatas for their benefit these words

consistent with virtue, expressive of his attachment to the virtuous

Yudhishthira, rarely spoken by men that are dishonest, and always meeting

with the approbation of the honest. And the words that Bhishma spake were

thoroughly impartial and worshipped by the wise. And the grandsire of the

Kurus said, 'The words that the regenerate Drona acquainted with the

truth of every affair hath uttered, are approved by me. I have no

hesitation in saying so. Endued with every auspicious mark, observant of

virtuous vows, possessed of Vedic lore, devoted to religious observances,

conversant with various sciences, obedient to the counsels of the aged,

adhering to the vow of truth, acquainted with the proprieties of time,

observant of the pledge they have given (in respect of their exile), pure

in their behaviour, ever adhering to the duties of the Kshatria order,

always obedient to Kesava, high-souled, possessed of great strength, and

ever-bearing the burthens of the wise, those heroic ones can never wither

under misfortune. Aided by their own energy, sons of Pandu who are now

leading a life of concealment in obedience to virtue, will surely never

perish. It is even this that my mind surmiseth. Therefore, O Bharata, I

am for employing the aid of honest counsel in our behaviour towards the

sons of Pandu. It would not be the policy of any wise man to cause them

to be discovered now by means of spies,[21] what we should do unto the

sons of Pandu, I shall say, reflecting with the aid of the intellect.

Know that I shall say nothing from ill will to thee. People like me

should never give such counsels to him that is dishonest, for only

counsels (like those I would give) should be offered unto them that are

honest. Counsels, however, that are evil, should under no circumstances

be offered. He, O child, that is devoted to truth and obedient to the

aged, he, indeed, that is wise, while speaking in the midst of an

assembly, should under all circumstances speak the truth, if the

acquisition of virtue be an object with him. I should, therefore, say

that I think differently from all those people here, in respect of the

abode of Yudhishthira the just in this the thirteenth year of his exile.

The ruler, O child, of the city or the province where king Yudhishthira

resides cannot have any misfortune. Charitable and liberal and humble and

modest must the people be of the country where king Yudhishthira resides.

Agreeable in speech, with passions under control, observant of truth,

cheerful, healthy, pure in conduct, and skilful in work must the people

be of the country where king Yudhishthira resides. The people of the

place, where Yudhishthira is, cannot be envious or malicious, or vain, or

proud, but must all adhere to their respective duties. Indeed, in the

place where Yudhishthira resides, Vedic hymns will be chanted all around,

sacrifices will be performed, the last full libations will always be

poured, [22] and gifts to Brahmanas will always be in profusion. There

the clouds, without doubt, pour abundant rain, and furnished with good

harvest the country will ever be without fear. There the paddy will not

be without grain, fruits will not be bereft of juice, floral garlands

will not be without fragrance, and the conversation of men will always be

full of agreeable words. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the

breezes will be delicious, the meetings of men will always be friendly,

and cause of fear there will be none. There kine will be plentiful,

without any of them being lean-fleshed or weak, and milk and curds and

butter will all be savoury and nutritious. There where king Yudhishthira

resides, every kind of corn will be full of nutrition and every edible

full of flavour. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the objects of

all the senses, viz.,--taste, touch, smell, and hearing, will be endued

with excellent attributes. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the

sights and scenes will be gladdening. And the regenerate ones of that

place will be virtuous and steady in observing their respective duties.

Indeed, in the country where the sons of Pandu may have taken up their

abode during this thirteenth year of their exile, the people will be

contented and cheerful, pure in conduct and without misery of any kind.

Devoted to gods and guests and the worship of these with their whole

soul, they will be fond of giving away, and filled with great energy,

they will all be observant of eternal virtue. There where king

Yudhishthira resides, the people, eschewing all that is evil, will be

desirous of achieving only what is good. Always observant of sacrifices

and pure vows, and hating untruth in speech, the people of the place

where king Yudhishthira may reside will always be desirous of obtaining

what is good, auspicious and beneficial. There where Yudhishthira

resides, the people will certainly be desirous of achieving what is good,

and their hearts will always incline towards virtue, and their vows being

agreeable they themselves are ever-engaged in the acquisition of

religious merit. O child, that son of Pritha in whom are intelligence and

charity, the highest tranquillity and undoubted forgiveness, modesty and

prosperity, and fame and great energy and a love for all creatures, is

incapable of being found out (now that he hath concealed himself) even by

Brahmanas, let alone ordinary persons. The wise Yudhishthira is living in

close disguise in regions whose characteristics I have described.

Regarding his excellent mode of life, I dare not say anything more.

Reflecting well upon all this, do without loss of time what thou mayst

think to be beneficial, O prince of the Kuru race, if indeed, thou hast

any faith in me.'"

SECTION XXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Saradwata's son, Kripa said, 'What the aged

Bhishma hath said concerning the Pandavas is reasonable, suited to the

occasion, consistent with virtue and profit, agreeable to the ear,

fraught with sound reason, and worthy of him. Listen also to what I would

say on this subject. It behoveth thee to ascertain the track they have

followed and their abode also by means of spies,[23] and to adopt that

policy which may bring about thy welfare. O child, he that is solicitous

of his welfare should not disregard even an ordinary foe. What shall I

say, then, O child, of the Pandavas who are thorough masters of all

weapons in battle. When, therefore, the time cometh for the reappearance

of the high-souled Pandavas, who, having entered the forest,[24] are now

passing their days in close disguise, thou shouldst ascertain thy

strength both in thy own kingdom and in those of other kings. Without

doubt, the return of the Pandavas is at hand. When their promised term of

exile is over, the illustrious and mighty sons of Pritha, endued with

immeasurable prowess, will come hither bursting with energy. Do thou,

therefore, in order to conclude an advantageous treaty with them, have

recourse to sound policy and address thyself to increase thy forces and

improve the treasury. O child, ascertaining all these, reckon thou thy

own strength in respect of all thy allies weak and strong.[25]

Ascertaining the efficiency, and weakness, and indifference of thy

forces, as also who amongst them are well-affected and who are

disaffected, we should either fight the foe or make treaty with him.

Having recourse to the arts of conciliation, disunion, chastisement,

bribery, presents and fair behaviour, attack thy foes and subdue the weak

by might, and win over thy allies and troops and by soft speeches. When

thou hast (by these means) strengthened thy army and filled thy treasury,

entire success will be thine. When thou hast done all this, thou wilt be

able to fight with powerful enemies that may present themselves, let

alone the sons of Pandu deficient in troops animals of their own. By

adopting all these expedients according to the customs of thy order, thou

wilt, O foremost of men, attain enduring happiness in due time!'"

SECTION XXX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Discomfited before, O monarch, many a time and oft

by Matsya's Suta Kichaka aided by the Matsyas and the Salyas, the mighty

king of the Trigartas, Susarman, who owned innumerable cars, regarding

the opportunity to be a favourable one, then spoke the following words

without losing a moment. And, O monarch, forcibly vanquished along with

his relatives by the mighty Kichaka, king Susarman, eyeing Karna in

askance, spoke these words unto Duryodhana, 'My kingdom hath many a time

been forcibly invaded by the king of the Matsyas. The mighty Kichaka was

that king's generalissimo. Crooked and wrathful and of wicked soul, of

prowess famed over all the world, sinful in deeds and highly cruel, that

wretch, however, hath been slain by the Gandharvas, Kichaka being dead,

king Virata, shorn of pride and his refuge gone, will, I imagine, lose

all courage I think, we ought now to invade that kingdom, if it pleases

thee, O sinless one, as also the illustrious Karna and all the Kauravas.

The accident that hath happened is, I imagine, a favourable one for us.

Let us, therefore, repair to Virata's kingdom abounding in corn. We will

appropriate his gems and other wealth of diverse kinds, and let us go to

share with each other as regards his villages and kingdom. Or, invading

his city by force, let us carry off by thousands his excellent kine of

various species. Uniting, O king, the forces of the Kauravas and the

Trigartas, let us lift his cattle in droves. Or, uniting our forces well,

we will check his power by forcing him to sue for peace. Or, destroying

his entire host, we will bring Matsya under subjection. Having brought

him under subjection by just means, we will live in our kingdom happily,

while thy power also will, without doubt, be enhanced.' Hearing these

words of Susarman, Karna addressed the king, saying, 'Susarman hath

spoken well; the opportunity is favourable and promises to be profitable

to us. Therefore, if it pleases thee, O sinless one, let us, drawing up

our forces in battle array and marshalling them in divisions, speedily

set out. Or, let the expedition be managed as Saradwata's son Kripa, the

preceptor Drona, and the wise and aged grandsire of the Kurus may think.

Consulting with each other, let us, O lord of earth, speedily set out to

attain our end. What business have we with the sons of Pandu, destitute

as they are of wealth, might, and prowess? They have either disappeared

for good or have gone to the abode of Yama? We will, O king, repair

without anxiety to Virata's city, and plunder his cattle and other wealth

of diverse kinds.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Accepting these words of Karna, the son of

Surya, king Duryodhana speedily commanded his brother Dussasana, born

immediately after him and always obedient to his wishes, saying,

'Consulting with the elders, array without delay, our forces. We will,

with all the Kauravas go to the appointed place. Let also the mighty

warrior, king Susarman, accompanied by a sufficient force with vehicles

and animals, set out with the Trigartas for the dominions of Matsyas. And

let Susarman proceed first, carefully concealing his intention. Following

in their wake, we will set out the day after in close array, for the

prosperous dominions of king Matsya. Let the Trigartas, however, suddenly

repair to the city of Virata, and coming upon the cowherds, seize that

immense wealth (of kine). We also marching in two divisions, will seize

thousands of excellent kine furnished with auspicious marks.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Lord of earth, those warriors, the

Trigartas, accompanied by their infantry of terrible prowess, marched

towards the south-eastern direction, intending to wage hostilities with

Virata from the desire of seizing his kine. And Susarman set out on the

seventh day of the dark fortnight for seizing the kine. And then, O king,

on the eighth day following of the dark fortnight, the Kauravas also

accompanied by all their troops, began to seize the kine by thousands."

SECTION XXXI

"Vaisampayana said, 'O mighty king, entering into king Virata's service,

and dwelling in disguise in his excellent city, the high-souled Pandavas

of immeasurable prowess, completed the promised period of non-discovery.

And after Kichaka had been slain, that slayer of hostile heroes, the

mighty king Virata began to rest his hopes on the sons of Kunti. And it

was on the expiry of the thirteenth year of their exile, O Bharata, that

Susarman seized Virata's cattle by thousands. And when the cattle had

been seized, the herdsman of Virata came with great speed to the city,

and saw his sovereign, the king of Matsyas, seated on the throne in the

midst of wise councillors, and those bulls among men, the sons of Pandu,

and surrounded by brave warriors decked with ear-rings and bracelets. And

appearing before that enhancer of his dominion--King Virata seated in

court--the herdsman bowed down unto him, and addressed him, saying, 'O

foremost of kings, defeating and humiliating us in battle along with our

friends the Trigartas are seizing thy cattle by hundreds and by

thousands. Do thou, therefore, speedily rescue them. Oh, see that they

are not lost to thee.' Hearing these words, the king arrayed for battle

the Matsya force abounding in cars and elephants and horses and infantry

and standards. And kings and princes speedily put on, each in its proper

place,[26] their shining and beautiful armour worthy of being worn by

heroes. And Virata's beloved brother, Satanika, put on a coat of mail

made of adamantine steel, adorned with burnished gold. And Madirakshya,

next in birth to Satanika, put on a strong coat of mail plated with

gold[27] and capable of resisting every weapon. And the coat of mail that

the king himself of the Matsyas put on was invulnerable and decked with a

hundred suns, a hundred circles, a hundred spots, and a hundred eyes. And

the coat of mail that Suryadatta[28] put on was bright as the sun, plated

with gold, and broad as a hundred lotuses of the fragrant (Kahlara)

species. And the coat of mail that Virata's eldest son, the heroic

Sanksha, put on was impenetrable and made of burnished steel, and decked

with a hundred eyes of gold. And it was thus that those god-like and

mighty warriors by hundreds, furnished with weapons, and eager for

battle, each donned his corselet. And then they yoked unto their

excellent cars of white-hue steeds equipped in mail. And then was

hoisted--Matsya's glorious standard on his excellent car decked with gold

and resembling the sun or the moon in its effulgence. And other Kshatriya

warriors also raised on their respective cars gold-decked standards of

various shapes and devices. And king Matsya then addressed his brother

Satanika born immediately after him, saying, 'Kanka and Vallava and

Tantripala and Damagranthi of great energy will, as it appears to me

fight, without doubt. Give thou unto them cars furnished with banners and

let them case their persons in beautiful coats of mail that should be

both invulnerable and easy to wear. And let them also have weapons.

Bearing such martial forms and possessed of arms resembling the trunk of

mighty elephants, I can never persuade myself that they cannot fight.'

Hearing these words of the king, Satanika, O monarch, immediately ordered

cars for those sons of Pritha, viz., the royal Yudhishthira, and Bhima,

and Nakula, and Sahadeva, and commanded by the king, the charioteers,

with cheerful hearts and keeping loyalty in view, very soon got cars

ready (for the Pandavas). And those repressers of foes then donned those

beautiful coats of mail, invulnerable and easy to wear, that Virata had

ordered for those heroes of spotless fame. And mounted on cars yoked with

good steeds, those smiters of hostile ranks, those foremost of men, the

sons of Pritha, set out with cheerful hearts. Indeed, those mighty

warriors skilled in fight, those bulls of the Kuru race and sons of

Pandu, those four heroic brothers possessed of prowess incapable of being

baffled, mounting on cars decked with gold, together set out, following

Virata's wake. And infuriate elephants of terrible mien, full sixty years

of age, with shapely tusks and rent temples and juice trickling down and

looking (on that account) like cloud pouring rain and mounted by trained

warriors skilled in fight, followed the king like unto moving hills. And

the principal warriors of Matsya who cheerfully followed the king had

eight thousand cars, a thousand elephants and sixty thousand horses. And,

O bull among the Bharatas, that force of Virata, O king, as it marched

forth marking the footprints of the cattle looked exceedingly beautiful.

And on its march that foremost of armies owned by Virata, crowded with

soldiers armed with strong weapons, and abounding in elephants, horses

and cars, looked really splendid.'"

SECTION XXXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Marching out of the city, those heroic smiters the

Matsyas, arrayed in order of battle, overtook the Trigartas when the sun

had passed the meridian. And both excited to fury and both desirous of

having the king, the mighty Trigartas and the Matsyas, irrepressible in

battle, sent up loud roars. And then the terrible and infuriate elephants

ridden over by the skilful combatants of both sides were urged on with

spiked clubs and hooks. And the encounter, O king, that took place when

the sun was low in the horizon, between the infantry and cavalry and

chariots and elephants of both parties, was like unto that of old between

the gods and the Asuras, terrible and fierce and sufficient for making

one's hair stand on end and calculated to increase the population of

Yama's kingdom. And as the combatants rushed against one another, smiting

and slashing, thick clouds of dust began to rise, so that nothing could

be discovered. And covered with the dust raised by the contending armies,

birds began to drop down on the earth. And the sun himself disappeared

behind the thick cloud of arrows shot, and the firmament looked bright as

if with myriads of the fireflies. And shifting their bows, the staves of

which were decked with gold, from one hand to another, those heroes began

to strike each other down, discharging their arrows right and left. And

cars encountered cars, and foot-soldiers fought with foot-soldiers, and

horse-men with horsemen, and elephants with mighty elephants. And they

furiously encountered one another with swords and axes, bearded darts and

javelins, and iron clubs. And although, O king, those mighty-armed

warriors furiously assailed one another in that conflict, yet neither

party succeeded in prevailing over the other. And severed heads, some

with beautiful noses, some with upper lips deeply gashed, some decked

with ear-rings, and some divided with wounds about the well-trimmed hair

were seen rolling on the ground covered with dust. And soon the field of

battle was overspread with the limbs of Kshatriya warriors, cut off by

means of arrows and lying like trunks of Sala trees. And scattered over

with heads decked in ear-rings, and sandal-besmeared arms looking like

the bodies of snakes, the field of battle became exceedingly beautiful.

And as cars encountered cars, and horsemen encountered horsemen, and

foot-soldiers fought with foot-soldiers, and elephants met with

elephants, the frightful dust soon became drenched with torrents of

blood. And some amongst the combatants began to swoon away, and the

warriors began to fight reckless of consideration of humanity, friendship

and relationship. And both their course and sight obstructed by the

arrowy shower, vultures began to alight on the ground. But although those

strong-armed combatants furiously fought with one another, yet the heroes

of neither party succeeded in routing their antagonists. And Satanika

having slain a full hundred of the enemy and Visalaksha full four

hundred, both those mighty warriors penetrated into the heart of the

great Trigarta host. And having entered into the thick of the Trigarta

host, those famous and mighty heroes began to deprive their antagonists

of their senses by causing a closer conflict to set in--a conflict, in

which the combatants seized one another by the hair and tore one another

with their nails.[29] And eyeing the point where the cars of the

Trigartas had been mustered in strong numbers, those heroes at last

directed their attack towards it. And that foremost of car-warriors, king

Virata also, with Suryadatta in his van and Madiraksha in his rear,

having destroyed in that conflict five hundred cars, eight hundred

horses, and five warriors on great cars, displayed various skilful

manoeuvres on his car on that field of battle. And at last the king came

upon the ruler of the Trigartas mounted on a golden chariot. And those

high-souled and powerful warriors, desirous of fighting, rushed roaring

against each like two bulls in a cow-pen. Then that bull among men,

irrepressible in battle, Susarman, the king of the Trigartas, challenged

Matsya to a single combat on car. Then those warriors excited to fury

rushed against each other on their cars and began to shower their arrows

upon each other like clouds pouring torrents of rain.[30] And enraged

with each other, those fierce warriors, both skilled in weapons, both

wielding swords and darts and maces, then moved about (on the field of

battle) assailing each other with whetted arrows. Then king Virata

pierced Susarman with ten shafts and each of his four horses also with

five shafts. And Susarman also, irresistible in battle and conversant

with fatal weapons, pierced king of Matsya with fifty whetted shafts. And

then, O mighty monarch, in consequence of the dust on the field of

battle, the soldiers of both Susarman and Matsya's king could not

distinguish one another.'"

SECTION XXXIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O Bharata, when the world was enveloped in

dust and the gloom of night, the warriors of both sides, without breaking

the order of battle, desisted for a while.[31] And then, dispelling the

darkness the moon arose illumining the night and gladdening the hearts of

the Kshatriya warriors. And when everything became visible, the battle

once more began. And it raged on so furiously that the combatants could

not distinguish one another. And then Trigarta's lord, Susarman with his

younger brother, and accompanied by all his cars, rushed towards the king

of Matsya. And descending from their cars, those bulls among Kshatriyas,

the (royal) brothers, mace in hand, rushed furiously towards the cars of

the foe. And the hostile hosts fiercely assailed each other with maces

and swords and scimitars, battle-axes and bearded darts with keen edges

and points of excellent temper. And king Susarman, the lord of the

Trigartas having by his energy oppressed and defeated the whole army of

the Matsyas, impetuously rushed towards Virata himself endued with great

energy. And the two brothers having severally slain Virata's two steeds

and his charioteer, as also those soldiers that protected his rear, took

him captive alive, when deprived of his car. Then afflicting him sorely,

like a lustful man afflicting a defenceless damsel, Susarman placed

Virata on his own car, and speedily rushed out of the field. And when the

powerful Virata, deprived of his car, was taken captive, the Matsyas,

harrassed solely by the Trigartas, began to flee in fear in all

directions. And beholding them panic-stricken, Kunti's son, Yudhishthira,

addressed that subduer of foes, the mighty-armed Bhima, saying, 'The king

of the Matsyas hath been taken by the Trigartas. Do thou, O mighty-armed

one, rescue him, so that he may not fall under the power of the enemy. As

we have lived happily in Virata's city, having every desire of ours

gratified, it behoveth thee, O Bhimasena, to discharge that debt (by

liberating the king).' Thereat Bhimasena replied, 'I will liberate him, O

king, at thy command. Mark the feat I achieve (today) in battling with

the foe, relying solely on the might of my arms. Do thou, O king, stay

aside, along with our brothers and witness my prowess today. Uprooting

this mighty tree of huge trunk looking like a mace, I will rout the

enemy.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding Bhima casting his eyes on that tree

like a mad elephant, the heroic king Yudhishthira the just spake unto his

brother, saying, 'Do not, O Bhima, commit such a rash act. Let the tree

stand there. Thou must not achieve such feats in a super-human manner by

means of that tree, for if thou dost, the people, O Bharata, will

recognise thee and say, This is Bhima. Take thou, therefore, some human

weapon such as a bow (and arrows), or a dart, or a sword, or a

battle-axe. And taking therefore, O Bhima, some weapon that is human,

liberate thou the king without giving anybody the means of knowing thee

truly. The twins endued with great strength will defend thy wheels.

Fighting together, O child, liberate the king of the Matsyas!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the mighty Bhimasena endued

with great speed, quickly took up an excellent bow and impetuously shot

from it a shower of arrows, thick as the downpour of a rain-charged

cloud. And Bhima then rushed furiously towards Susarman of terrible

deeds, and assuring Virata with the words--O good king![32] said unto the

lord of the Trigartas,--Stay! Stay! Seeing Bhima like unto Yama himself

in his rear, saying, Stay! Stay! Do thou witness this mighty feat,--this

combat that is at hand!--the bull among warriors, Susarman, seriously

considered (the situation), and taking up his bow turned back, along with

his brothers. Within the twinkling of an eye, Bhima destroyed those cars

that sought to oppose him. And soon again hundreds of thousands of cars

and elephants and horses and horsemen and brave and fierce bowmen were

overthrown by Bhima in the very sight of Virata. And the hostile infantry

also began to be slaughtered by the illustrious Bhima, mace in hand. And

beholding that terrible onslaught, Susarman, irrepressible in fight,

thought within himself, 'My brother seems to have already succumbed in

the midst of his mighty host. Is my army going to be annihilated?' And

drawing his bow-string to his ear Susarman then turned back and began to

shoot keen-edged shafts incessantly. And seeing the Pandavas return to

the charge on their car, the Matsya warriors of mighty host, urging on

their steeds, shot excellent weapons for grinding the Trigarta soldiers.

And Virata's son also, exceedingly exasperated began to perform

prodigious fears of valour. And Kunti's son Yudhishthira slew a thousand

(of the foe), and Bhima showed the abode of Yama unto seven thousand. And

Nakula sent seven hundred (to their last account) by means of his shafts.

And powerful Sahadeva also, commanded by Yudhishthira, slew three hundred

brave warriors. And having slain such numbers, that fierce and mighty

warrior, Yudhishthira, with weapons upraised, rushed against Susarman.

And rushing impetuously at Susarman, that foremost of car-warriors, king

Yudhishthira, assailed him with vollies of shafts. And Susarman also, in

great rage, quickly pierced Yudhishthira with nine arrows, and each of

his four steeds with four arrows. Then, O king, Kunti's son Bhima of

quick movements, approaching Susarman crushed his steeds. And having

slain also those soldiers that protected his rear, he dragged from the

car his antagonist's charioteer to the ground. And seeing the king of

Trigarta's car without a driver, the defender of his car-wheels, the

famous and brave Madiraksha speedily came to his aid. And thereat,

leaping down from Susarman's car, and securing the latter's mace the

powerful Virata ran in pursuit of him. And though old, he moved on the

field, mace in hand, even like a lusty youth. And beholding Susarman flee

Bhima addressed him, saying, 'Desist, O Prince! This flight of thine is

not proper! With this prowess of thine, how couldst thou wish to carry

off the cattle by force? How also, forsaking thy follower, dost thou

droop so amidst foes? Thus addressed by Pritha's son, the mighty

Susarman, that lord of countless cars saying unto Bhima, Stay!

Stay!--suddenly turned round and rushed at him. Then Bhima, the son of

Pandu, leaping down from his car, as he alone could do,[33] rushed

forward with great coolness, desirous of taking Susarman's life. And

desirous of seizing Trigarta's king advancing towards him, the mighty

Bhimasena rushed impetuously towards him, even like a lion rushing at a

small deer. And advancing impetuously, the mighty-armed Bhima seized

Susarman by the hair, and lifting him up in wrath, dashed him down on the

ground. And as he lay crying in agony, the mighty-armed Bhima kicked him

at the head, and placing his knee on his breast dealt him severe blows.

And sorely afflicted with that kicking, the king of Trigartas became

senseless. And when the king of the Trigartas deprived of his car, had

been seized thus, the whole Trigarta army stricken with panic, broke and

fled in all directions, and the mighty sons of Pandu, endued with modesty

and observant of vows and relying on the might of their own arms, after

having vanquished Susarman, and rescued the kine as well as other kinds

of wealth and having thus dispelled Virata's anxiety, stood together

before that monarch. And Bhimasena then said, 'This wretch given to

wicked deeds doth not deserve to escape me with life. But what can I do?

The king is so lenient!' And then taking Susarman by the neck as he was

lying on the ground insensible and covered with dust, and binding him

fast, Pritha's son Vrikodara placed him on his car, and went to where

Yudhishthira was staying in the midst of the field. And Bhima then showed

Susarman unto the monarch. And beholding Susarman in that plight, that

tiger among men king Yudhishthira smilingly addressed Bhima--that

ornament of battle,--saying, 'Let this worst of men be set free.' Thus

addressed, Bhima spoke unto the mighty Susarman, saying, 'If, O wretch,

thou wishest to live, listen to those words of mine. Thou must say in

every court and assembly of men,--I am a slave. On this condition only I

will grant thee thy life. Verily, this is the law about the vanquished.'

Thereupon his elder brother affectionately addressed Bhima, saying, 'If

thou regardest us as an authority, liberate this wicked wight. He hath

already become king Virata's slave. And turning then to Susarman, he

said, 'Thou art freed. Go thou a free man, and never act again in this

way.'"

SECTION XXXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira Susarman was

overwhelmed with shame and hung down his head. And liberated (from

slavery), he went to king Virata, and having saluted the monarch, took

his departure. And the Pandavas also replying on the might of their own

arms, and endued with modesty and observant of vows, having slain their

enemies and liberated Susarman, passed that night happily on the field of

battle. And Virata gratified those mighty warriors, the sons of Kunti,

possessed of super-human prowess with wealth and honour. And Virata said,

"All these gems of mine are now as much mine as yours. Do ye according to

your pleasure live here happily. And ye smiter of foes in battle, I will

bestow on you damsels decked with ornaments, wealth in plenty, and other

things that ye may like. Delivered from perils today by your prowess, I

am now crowned with victory. Do ye all become the lords of the Matsyas.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And when the king of the Matsyas had addressed

them thus, those descendants of the Kurus with Yudhishthira at their

head, joining their hands, severally replied unto him saying, 'We are

well-pleased with all that thou sayest, O monarch. We, however, have been

much gratified that thou hast today been freed from thy foes.' Thus

answered, that foremost of kings, Virata the lord of the Matsyas, again

addressed Yudhishthira, saying, 'Come, we will install thee in

sovereignty of the Matsyas. And we will also bestow on thee things that

are rare on earth and are objects of desire, for thou deservest

everything at our hands. O foremost of Brahmanas of the Vaiyaghra order I

will bestow on thee gems and kine and gold and rubies and pearls. I bow

unto thee. It is owing to thee that I once more behold today my sons and

kingdom. Afflicted and threatened as I had been with disaster and danger,

it is through thy prowess that I have not succumbed to the foe.' Then

Yudhishthira again addressed the Matsyas, saying, 'Well-pleased are we

with the delightful words that thou hast spoken. Mayst thou be ever

happy, always practising humanity towards all creatures. Let messengers

now, at thy command, speedily repair into the city, in order to

communicate the glad tidings to our friends, and proclaim thy victory.

Hearing these words of him, king Matsya ordered the messengers, saying,'

'Do ye repair to the city and proclaim my victory in battle. And let

damsels and courtesons, decked in ornaments, come out of the city with

every kind of musical instruments.' Hearing this command uttered by the

king of the Matsyas, the men, laying the mandate on their head, all

departed with cheerful hearts. And having repaired to the city that very

night, they proclaimed at the hour of sunrise the victory of the king

about the city-gates.'"

SECTION XXXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'When the king of the Matsyas, anxious of recovering

the kine, had set out in pursuit of the Trigartas, Duryodhana with his

counsellors invaded the dominions of Virata. And Bhishma and Drona, and

Karna, and Kripa acquainted with the best of weapons, Aswatthaman, and

Suvala's son, and Dussasana, O lord of men, and Vivingsati and Vikarna

and Chitrasena endued with great energy, and Durmukha and Dussaha,--these

and many other great warriors, coming upon the Matsya dominion speedily

drove off the cowherds of king Virata and forcibly took away the kine.

And the Kauravas, surrounding all sides with a multitude of cars, seized

sixty thousands of kine. And loud was the yell of woe set up by the

cowherds smitten by those warriors in that terrible conflict. And the

chief of the cowherds, greatly affrighted speedily mounted on a chariot

and set out for the city, bewailing in affliction. And entering the city

of the king, he proceeded to the place, and speedily alighting from the

chariot, got in for relating (what had happened). And beholding the proud

son of Matsya, named Bhuminjaya, he told him everything about the seizure

of the royal kine. And he said, the Kauravas are taking away sixty

thousand kine. Rise, therefore, O enhancer of the kingdom's glory, for

brining back thy cattle. O prince, if thou art desirous of achieving (the

kingdom's) good set out thyself without loss of time. Indeed, the king of

the Matsyas left thee in the empty city. The king (thy father) boasteth

of thee in court, saying, 'My son, equal unto me, is a hero and is the

supporter of (the glory of) my race. My son is a warrior skilled in

arrows and weapons and is always possessed of great courage.'--Oh, let

the words of that lord of men be true! O chief of herd-owners, bring thou

back the kine after vanquishing the Kurus, and consume thou their troops

with the terrific energy of thy arrows. Do thou like a leader of

elephants rushing at a herd, pierce the ranks of the foe with straight

arrows of golden wings, discharged from thy bow. Thy bow is even like a

Vina. Its two ends represent the ivory pillows; its string, the main

chord; its staff, the finger-board; and the arrows shot from it musical

notes. Do thou strike in the midst of the foe that Vina of musical

sound.[34] Let thy steeds, O lord, of silvery hue, be yoked unto thy car,

and let thy standard be hoisted, bearing the emblem of the golden lion.

Let thy keen-edged arrows endued with wings of gold, shot by thy strong

arms, obstruct the path of those kings and eclipse the very sun.

Vanquishing all the Kurus in battle like unto the wielder of the

thunderbolt defeating the Asuras, return thou again to the city having

achieved great renown. Son of Matsya's king, thou art the sole refuge of

this kingdom, as that foremost of virtuous warriors, Arjuna is of the

sons of Pandu. Even like Arjuna of his brothers, thou art, without doubt,

the refuge of those dwelling within these dominions. Indeed, we, the

subject of this realm, have our protector in thee.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the cowherd in the presence

of the females, in words breathing courage, the prince indulging in

self-commendation within the female apartments, spoke these words.'"

SECTION XXXVI

"Uttara said, 'Firm as I am in the use of the bow, I would set out this

very day in the track of the kine if only some one skilled in the

management of horses becomes my charioteer. I do not, however, know the

man who may be my charioteer. Look ye, therefore, without delay, for a

charioteer for me that am prepared for starting. My own charioteer was

slain in the great battle that was fought from day to day for a whole

month or at least for eight and twenty nights. As soon as I get another

person conversant with the management of the steeds. I will immediately

set out, hoisting high my own standard. Penetrating into the midst of the

hostile army abounding with elephants and horses and chariots, I will

bring back the kine, having vanquished the Kurus who are feeble in

strength and weak in weapons. Like a second wielder of the thunderbolt

terrifying the Danavas, I will bring back the kine this very moment,

affrighting in battle Duryodhana and Bhishma and Karna and Kripa and

Drona with his son, and other mighty bowmen assembled for fight. Finding

none (to oppose), the Kurus are taking away the kine. What can I do when

I am not there? The assembled Kurus shall witness my prowess today. And

they shall say unto one another, 'Is it Arjuna himself who is opposing

us?' "Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard these words spoken by the

prince, Arjuna fully acquainted with the import of everything, after a

little while cheerfully spake in private unto his dear wife of faultless

beauty, Krishna, the princess of Panchala, Drupada's daughter of slender

make, sprung from the (sacrificial) fire and endued with the virtues of

truthfulness and honesty and ever attentive to the good of her husbands.

And the hero said, 'Do thou, O beauteous one, at my request say unto

Uttara without delay, 'This Vrihannala was formerly the accomplished

resolute charioteer of Pandu's son (Arjuna). Tried in many a great

battle, even he will be thy charioteer.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words uttered by the prince over

and over again in the midst of the women, Panchali could not quietly bear

those allusions to Vibhatsu. And bashfully stepping out from among the

women, the poor princess of Panchala gently spake unto him these words,

'The handsome youth, looking like a mighty elephant and known by the name

of Vrihannala, was formerly the charioteer of Arjuna. A disciple of that

illustrious warrior, and inferior to none in use of the bow, he was known

to me while I was living with the Pandavas. It was by him that the reins

were held of Arjuna's excellent steeds when Agni consumed the forest of

Khandava. It was with him as charioteer that Partha conquered all

creatures at Khandava-prastha. In fact, there is no charioteer equal unto

him.'

"Uttara said, 'Thou knowest, O Sairindhri, this youth. Thou knowest, what

this one of the neuter sex may or may not be, I cannot, however, O

blessed one, myself request Vrihannala to hold the reins of my horses.'

"Draupadi said, 'Vrihannala, O hero, will without doubt, obey the words

of thy younger sister[35]--that damsel of graceful hips. If he consents

to be thy charioteer, thou wilt, without doubt, return, having vanquished

the Kurus and rescued thy kine.'

"Thus addressed by the Sairindhri, Uttara spake unto his sister, 'Go

thyself, O thou of faultless beauty, and bring Vrihannala hither?' And

despatched by her brother, she hastily repaired to the dancing-hall where

that strong-armed son of Pandu was staying in disguise.'"

SECTION XXXVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus despatched by her elder brother, the far-famed

daughter of king Matsya, adorned with a golden necklace, ever obedient to

her brother and possessed of a waist slender as that of the wasp,[36]

endued with the splendour of Lakshmi herself,[37] decked with the plumes

of the peacock of slender make and graceful limbs, her hips encircled by

a zone of pearls, her eye-lashes slightly curved, and her form endued

with every grace, hastily repaired to the dancing-hall like a flash of

lightning rushing towards a mass of dark clouds.[38] And the faultless

and auspicious daughter of Virata, of fine teeth and slender-waist, of

thighs close unto each other and each like the trunk of an elephant, her

person embellished with an excellent garland, sought the son of Pritha

like a she-elephant seeking her mate. And like unto a precious gem or the

very embodiment of prosperity of Indra, of exceeding beauty and large

eyes, that charming and adored and celebrated damsel saluted Arjuna. And

saluted by her, Partha asked that maiden of close thighs and golden

complexion, saying 'What brings thee hither, a damsel decked in a

necklace of gold? Why art thou in such a hurry, O gazelle-eyed maiden?

Why is thy face, O beauteous lady, so cheerless? Tell me all this without

delay!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding, O king, his friend, the princess of

large-eyes (in that plight), her friend (Arjuna) cheerfully enquired of

her (in these words) the cause of her arrival there and then. And having

approached that bull among men, the princess, standing in the midst of

her female attendants, the displaying proper modesty[39], addressed him,

saying, 'The kine of this realm, O Vrihannala, are being driven away by

the Kurus, and it is to conquer them that my brother will set out bow in

hand. Not long ago his own charioteer was slain in battle, and there is

none equal unto the one slain that can act as my brother's charioteer.

And unto him striving to obtain a charioteer, Sairindhri,

O Vrihannala, hath spoken about thy skill in the management of steeds.

Thou wert formerly the favourite charioteer of Arjuna, and it was with

thee that that bull among the sons of Pandu had alone subjugated the

whole earth. Do thou, therefore, O Vrihannala, act as the charioteer of

my brother. (By this time) our kine have surely been driven away by the

Kurus to a great distance. Requested by me if thou dost not act up to my

words, I who am asking this service of thee out of affection, will give

up my life!' Thus addressed by this friend of graceful hips, that

oppressor of foes, endued with immeasurable prowess, went into the

prince's presence. And like unto a she-elephant running after her young

one, the princess possessed of large eyes followed that hero advancing

with hasty steps like unto an elephant with rent temples. And beholding

him from a distance, the prince himself said, 'With thee as his

charioteer, Dhananjaya the son of Kunti had gratified Agni at the

Khandava forest and subjugated the whole world! The Sairindhri hath

spoken of thee to me. She knoweth the Pandavas. Do thou, therefore, O

Vrihannala, hold, as thou didst, the reins of my steeds, desirous as I am

of righting with the Kurus and rescuing my bovine wealth. Thou wert

formerly the beloved charioteer of Arjuna and it was with thee that that

bull among the sons of Pandu had alone subjugated the whole earth!' Thus

addressed, Vrihannala replied unto the prince, saying, 'What ability have

I to act as a charioteer in the field of battle? If it is song or dance

of musical instruments or such other things, I can entertain thee

therewith, but where is my skill for becoming a charioteer?'

"Uttara said, 'O Vrihannala, be thou a singer or a dancer, hold thou (for

the present), without loss of time, the reins of my excellent steeds,

mounting upon my car!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Although that oppressor of foes, the son of

Pandu, was acquainted with everything, yet in the presence of Uttara, he

began to make many mistakes for the sake of fun. And when he sought to

put the coat of mail on his body by raising it upwards, the large-eyed

maidens, beholding it, burst out into a loud laughter. And seeing him

quite ignorant of putting on armour, Uttara himself equipped Vrihannala

with a costly coat of mail. And casing his own person in an excellent

armour of solar effulgence, and hoisting his standard bearing the figure

of a lion, the prince caused Vrihannala to become his charioteer. And

with Vrihannala to hold his reins, the hero set out, taking with him many

costly bows and a large number of beautiful arrows. And his friend,

Uttara and her maidens then said unto Vrihannala, 'Do thou, O Vrihannala,

bring for our dolls (when thou comest back) various kinds of good and

fine cloths after vanquishing the Kurus assembled for battle of whom

Bhishma and Drona are foremost!' Thus addressed, Partha the son of Pandu,

in a voice deep as the roar of the clouds, smilingly said unto that bevy

of fair maidens. If, thus 'Uttara can vanquish those mighty warriors in

battle, I will certainly bring excellent and beautiful cloths.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said these words, the heroic Arjuna

urged the steeds towards the Kuru army over which floated innumerable

flags. Just, however, as they were starting elderly dames and maidens,

and Brahmanas of rigid vows, beholding Uttara seated on his excellent car

with Vrihannala as charioteer and under that great banner hoisted on

high, walked round the car to bless the hero. And the women said, 'Let

the victory that Arjuna treading like a bull had achieved of old on the

occasion of burning the forest of Khandava, be thine, O Vrihannala, when

thou encounterest the Kurus today with prince Uttara.'"

SECTION XXXVIII

'Vaisampayana said, 'Having issued forth from the city, the dauntless son

of Virata addressed his charioteer, saying, 'Proceed whither the Kurus

are. Defeating the assembled Kurus who have come hither from desire of

victory, and quickly rescuing my kine from them. I will return to the

capital.' At these words of the prince, the son of Pandu urged those

excellent steeds. And endued with the speed of the wind and decked with

necklaces of gold, those steeds, urged by that lion among men, seemed to

fly through the air. And they had not proceeded far when those smiters of

foes, Dhananjaya and the son of Matsya, sighted the army of the powerful

Kurus. And proceeding towards the cemetary, they came upon the Kurus and

beheld their army arrayed in order of battle.[40] And that large army of

theirs looked like the vast sea or a forest of innumerable trees moving

through the sky. And then was seen, O best among the Kurus, the dust

raised by that moving army which reached the sky and obstructed the sight

of all creatures. And beholding that mighty host abounding in elephants,

horses and chariots, and protected by Karna and Duryodhana and Kripa and

Santanu's son, and that intelligent and great bowman Drona, with his son

(Aswatthaman), the son of Virata, agitated with fear and the bristles on

his body standing on their ends, thus spake unto Partha, 'I dare not

fight with the Kurus. See, the bristles on my body have stood on their

ends. I am incapable of battling with this countless host of the Kurus,

abounding in the heroic warriors, that are extremely fierce and difficult

of being vanquished even by the celestials. I do not venture to penetrate

into the army of the Bharatas consisting of terrible bowmen and abounding

in horses and elephants and cars and footsoldiers and banners. My mind is

too much perturbed by the very sight of the foe on the field of battle on

which stand Drona and Bhishma, and Kripa, and Karna, and Vivingsati, and

Aswatthaman and Vikarna, and Saumadatti, and Vahlika, and the heroic king

Duryodhana also--that foremost of car-warriors, and many other splendid

bowmen, all skilled in battle. My hairs have stood on their ends, and I

am fainting with fear at the very sight of these smiters, the Kurus

arrayed in order of battle.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And the low-minded and foolish Uttara out of

folly alone, began to bewail (his fate) in the presence of the

high-spirited (Arjuna) disguised (as his charioteer) in these words, 'My

father hath gone out to meet the Trigartas taking with him his whole

army, leaving me in the empty city. There are no troops to assist me.

Alone and a mere boy who has not undergone much exercise in arms, I am

unable to encounter these innumerable warriors and all skilled in

weapons. Do thou, therefore, O Vrihannala, cease to advance!'

"Vrihannala said, 'Why dost thou look so pale through fear and enhance

the joy of thy foes? As yet thou hast done nothing on the field of battle

with the enemy. It was thou that hadst ordered me, saying, Take me

towards the Kauravas. I will, therefore, take thee, thither where those

innumerable flags are. I will certainly take thee, O mighty-armed one,

into the midst of the hostile Kurus, prepared to fight as they are for

the kine like hawks for meat. I would do this, even if I regarded them to

have come hither for battling for a much higher stake such as the

sovereignty of the earth. Having, at the time of setting out, talked

before both men and women so highly of thy manliness, why wouldst thou

desist from the fight? If thou shouldst return home without recapturing

the kine, brave men and even women, when they meet together, will laugh

at thee (in derision). As regards myself, I cannot return to the city

without having rescued the kine, applauded as I have been so highly by

the Sairindhri in respect of my skill in driving cars. It is for those

praises by the Sairindhri and for those words of thine also (that I have

come). Why should I not, therefore, give battle to the Kurus? (As regards

thyself), be thou still.'

"Uttara said, 'Let the Kurus rob the Matsyas off all their wealth. Let

men and women, O Vrihannala, laugh at me. Let my kine perish, let the

city be a desert. Let me stand exposed before my father. Still there is

no need of battle.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, that much affrighted prince decked

in ear-ring jumped down from his car, and throwing down his bow and

arrows began to flee, sacrificing honour and pride. Vrihannala, however,

exclaimed, 'This is not the practice of the brave, this flight of a

Kshatriya from the field of battle. Even death in battle is better than

flight from fear.' Having said this, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, coming

down from that excellent car ran after that prince thus running away, his

own long braid and pure red garments fluttering in the air. And some

soldiers, not knowing that it was Arjuna who was thus running with his

braid fluttering in the air, burst out into laughter at the sight. And

beholding him thus running, the Kurus began to argue, 'Who is this

person, thus disguised like fire concealed in ashes? He is partly a man

and partly a woman. Although bearing a neuter form, he yet resembleth

Arjuna. His are the same head and neck, and his the same arms like unto a

couple of maces. And this one's gait also is like unto his. He can be

none else than Dhananjaya. As Indra is among the celestials, so

Dhananjaya is among men. Who else in this world than Dhananjaya, would

alone come against us? Virata left a single son of his in the empty city.

He hath come out from childishness and not from true heroism. It is

Uttara who must have come out of the city, having, without doubt, made as

a charioteer Arjuna, the son of Pritha, now living in disguise. It seems

that he is now flying away in panic at sight of our army. And without

doubt Dhananjaya runneth after him to bring him back.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding the disguised son of Pandu, the

Kauravas, O Bharata, began to indulge in these surmises, but they could

not come to any definite conclusion. Meanwhile, Dhananjaya, hastily

pursuing the retreating Uttara, seized him by the hair within a hundred

steps. And seized by Arjuna, the son of Virata began to lament most

woefully like one in great affliction, and said, 'Listen, O good

Vrihannala, O thou of handsome waist. Turn thou quickly the course of the

car. He that liveth meeteth with prosperity. I will give thee a hundred

coins of pure gold and eight lapis lazuli of great brightness set with

gold, and one chariot furnished with a golden flag-staff and drawn by

excellent steeds, and also ten elephants of infuriate prowess. Do thou, O

Vrihannala, set me free.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, that tiger among men laughingly

dragged Uttara who was almost deprived of his senses and who was uttering

these words of lamentation towards the car. And the son of Pritha then

addressed the affrighted prince who had nearly lost his senses, saying,

'If, O chastiser of foes, thou dost not venture to fight with enemy, come

thou and hold the reins of the steeds as I fight with the foe. Protected

by the might of my arms, penetrate thou yon formidable and invincible

array of cars guarded by heroic and mighty warriors. Fear not, O

chastiser of foes, thou art a Kshatriya and the foremost of royal

princess. Why dost thou, O tiger among men, succumb in the midst of the

foe? I shall surely fight with the Kurus and recover the kine,

penetrating into this formidable and inaccessible array of cars. Be thou

my charioteer, O best of men, I will fight with the Kurus.' Thus speaking

unto Uttara, the son of Virata, Vibhatsu, heretofore unconquered in

battle, for a while comforted him. And then the son of Pritha, that

foremost of smiters, raised on the car that fainting and reluctant prince

stricken with fear!'"

SECTION XXXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Beholding that bull among men seated on the car in

the habit of a person of the third sex, driving toward the Sami tree,

having taken (the flying) Uttara up, all the great car-warriors of the

Kurus with Bhishma and Drona at their head, became affrighted at heart,

suspecting the comer to be Dhananjaya. And seeing them so dispirited and

marking also the many wonderful portents, that foremost of all wielders

of arms, the preceptor Drona, son of Bharadwaja, said, 'Violent and hot

are the winds that below, showering gravels in profusion. The sky also is

overcast with a gloom of ashy hue. The clouds present the strange sight

of being dry and waterless. Our weapons also of various kinds are coming

out of their cases. The jackals are yelling hideously affrighted at the

conflagrations on all sides.[41] The horses too are shedding tears, and

our banners are trembling though moved by none. Such being the

inauspicious indications seen, a great danger is at hand. Stay ye with

vigilance, Protect ye your own selves and array the troops in order of

battle. Stand ye, expecting a terrible slaughter, and guard ye well the

kine. This mighty bowman, this foremost of all wielders of weapons, this

hero that hath come in the habit of a person of the third sex, is the son

of Pritha. There is no doubt of this.' Then addressing Bhishma, the

preceptor continued, 'O offspring of the Ganges, apparelled as a woman,

this is Kiriti called after a tree, the son of the enemy of the

mountains, and having on his banner the sign of devastator of the gardens

of Lanka's lord. Vanquishing us he will surely take away the kine today!

[42] This chastiser of foes is the valiant son of Pritha surnamed

Savyasachin. He doth not desist from conflict even with the gods and

demons combined. Put to great hardship in the forest he cometh in wrath.

Taught by even Indra himself, he is like unto Indra in battle. Therefore,

ye Kauravas, I do not see any hero who can withstand him. It is said that

the lord Mahadeva himself, disguised in the attire of a hunter, was

gratified by this son of Pritha in battle on the mountains of Himavat.'

Hearing these words, Karna said, 'You always censure us by speaking on

the virtues of Falguna, Arjuna, however, is not equal to even a full

sixteenth part of myself or Duryodhana!' And Duryodhana said, 'If this be

Partha, O Radheya, then my purpose hath already been fulfilled, for then,

O king, if traced out, the Pandavas shall have to wander for twelve years

again. Or, if this one be any other person in a eunuch's garb, I will

soon prostrate him on the earth with keen-edged arrows.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The son of Dhritarashtra, O chastiser of foes,

having said this, Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Drona's son all

applauded his manliness!'"

SECTION XL

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having reached that Sami tree, and having

ascertained Virata's son to be exceedingly delicate and inexperienced in

battle, Partha addressed him, saying, 'Enjoined by me, O Uttara, quickly

take down (from this tree) some bows that are there. For these bows of

thine are unable to bear my strength, my heavy weight when I shall grind

down horses and elephants, and the stretch of my arms when I seek to

vanquish the foe. Therefore, O Bhuminjaya, climb thou up this tree of

thick foliage, for in this tree are tied the bows and arrows and banners

and excellent coats of mail of the heroic sons of Pandu, viz.,

Yudhishthira and Bhima and Vibhatsu and the twins. There also is that bow

of great energy, the Gandiva of Arjuna, which singly is equal to many

thousands of other bows and which is capable of extending the limits of a

kingdom. Large like a palmyra tree, able to bear the greatest stress, the

largest of all weapons, capable of obstructing the foe, handsome, and

smooth, and broad, without a knot, and adorned with gold, it is stiff and

beautiful in make and beareth the heaviest weight. And the other bows

also that are there, of Yudhishthira and Bhima and Vibhatsu and the

twins, are equally mighty and tough.'"

SECTION XLI

"Uttara said, 'It hath been heard by us that a corpse is tied in this

tree. How can I, therefore, being a prince by birth, touch it with my

hands? Born in the Kshatriya order, and the son of a great king, and

always observant of mantras and vows, it is not becoming of me to touch

it. Why shouldst thou, O Vrihannala, make me a polluted and unclean

bearer of corpses, by compelling me to come in contact with a corpse?'

"Vrihannala said, 'Thou shalt, O king of kings, remain clean and

unpolluted. Do not fear, there are only bows in this tree and not

corpses. Heir to the king of the Matsyas, and born in a noble family, why

should I, O prince, make thee do such a reproachable deed?'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Partha, Virata's son, decked in

ear-rings, alighted from the car, and climbed up that Sami tree

reluctantly. And staying on the car, Dhananjaya, that slayer of enemies,

said, unto him, 'Speedily bring thou down those bows from the top of the

tree. And cutting off their wrappings first and then the ropes with which

they were tied, the prince beheld the Gandiva there along with four other

bows. And as they were united, the splendour of those bows radiant as the

sun, began to shine with great effulgence like unto that of the planets

about the time of their rising. And beholding the forms of those bows, so

like unto sighing snakes, he become afflicted with fear and in a moment

the bristles of his body stood on their ends. And touching those large

bows of great splendour, Virata's son, O king, thus spake unto Arjuna!'"

SECTION XLII

"Uttara said, 'To what warrior of fame doth this excellent bow belong, on

which are a hundred golden bosses and which hath such radiant ends? Whose

is this excellent bow of good sides and easy hold, on the staff of which

shine golden elephants of such brightness? Whose is this excellent bow,

adorned with three scores of Indragoapkas [43] of pure gold, placed on

the back of the staff at proper intervals? Whose is this excellent bow,

furnished with three golden suns of great effulgence, blazing forth with

such brilliancy? Whose is this beautiful bow which is variegated with

gold and gems, and on which are golden insects set with beautiful stones?

Whose are these arrows furnished with wing around, numbering a thousand,

having golden heads, and cased in golden quivers? Who owneth these large

shafts, so thick, furnished with vulturine wings whetted on stone,

yellowish in hue, sharp-pointed, well-tempered, and entirely made of

iron? Whose is this sable quiver, [44] bearing five images of tigers,

which holdeth shafts intermixed with boar-eared arrows altogether

numbering ten? Whose are these seven hundred arrows, long and thick,

capable of drinking (the enemy's) blood, and looking like the

crescent-shaped moon? [45] Whose are these gold-crested arrows whetted on

stones, the lower halves of which are well-furnished with wings of the

hue of parrots' feather and the upper halves, of well-tempered steels?

[46] Whose is this excellent sword irresistible, and terrible to

adversaries, with the mark of a toad on it, and pointed like a toad's

head? [47] Cased in variegated sheath of tiger-skin, whose is this large

sword of excellent blade and variegated with gold and furnished with

tinkling bells? Whose is this handsome scimitar of polished blade and

golden hilt? Manufactured in the country of the Nishadas, irresistible,

incapable of being broken, whose is this sword of polished blade in a

scabbard of cow-skin? Whose is this beautiful and long sword, sable in

hue as the sky, mounted with gold, well-tempered, and cased in a sheath

of goat-skin? Who owneth this heavy, well-tempered, and broad sword, just

longer than the breadth of thirty fingers, polished by constant clash

with other's weapons and kept in a case of gold, bright as fire? Whose is

this beautiful scimitar of sable blade covered with golden bosses,

capable of cutting through the bodies of adversaries, whose touch is as

fatal as that of a venomous snake which is irresistible and exciteth the

terror of foes? Asked by me, O Vrihannala, do thou answer me truly. Great

is my wonder at the sight of all these excellent objects.'"

SECTION XLIII

"Vrihannala said, 'That about which thou hath first enquired is Arjuna's

bow, of world-wide fame, called Gandiva, capable of devastating hostile

hosts. Embellished with gold, this Gandiva, the highest and largest of

all weapons belonged to Arjuna. Alone equal unto a hundred thousand

weapons, and always capable of extending the confines of kingdoms, it is

with this that Partha vanquisheth in battle both men and celestials.

Worshipped ever by the gods, the Danavas and the Gandharvas and

variegated with excellent colours, this large and smooth bow is without a

knot or stain anywhere. Shiva held it first for a thousand years.

Afterwards Prajapati held it for five hundred and three years. After that

Sakra, for five and eighty years. And then Soma held it for five hundred

years. And after that Varuna held it for a hundred years. And finally

Partha, surnamed Swetavahana,[48] hath held it for five and sixty

years.[49] Endued with great energy and of high celestial origin, this is

the best of all bows. Adored among gods and men, it hath a handsome form.

Partha obtained this beautiful bow from Varuna. This other bow of

handsome sides and golden handle is Bhima's with which that son of

Pritha, that chastiser of foes, had conquered the whole of the eastern

regions. This other excellent bow of beautiful shape, adorned with images

of Indragopakas, belongeth, O Virata's son, to king Yudhishthira. This

other weapon with golden suns of blazing splendour shedding a dazzling

effulgence around, belongeth to Nakula. And this bow adorned with golden

images of insects and set also with gems and stones, belongeth to that

son of Madri who is called Sahadeva. These winged arrows, thousand in

number, sharp as razors and destructive as the poison of snakes, belong,

O Virata's son, to Arjuna. When shooting them in battle against foes,

these swift arrows blaze forth more brilliantly and become inexhaustible.

And these long and thick shafts resembling the lunar crescent in shape,

keen-edged and capable of thinning the enemy's ranks, belong to Bhima.

And this quiver bearing five images of tigers, full of yellowish shafts

whetted on stone and furnished with golden wings belong to Nakula. This

is the quiver of the intelligent son of Madri, with which he had

conquered in battle the whole of the western regions. And these arrows,

all effulgent as, the sun, painted all over with various colours, and

capable of destroying enemies by thousands are those of Sahadeva. And

these short and well-tempered and thick shafts, furnished with long

feathers and golden heads, and consisting of three knots, belong to king

Yudhishthira. And this sword with blade long and carved with the image of

a toad and head shaped as a toad's mouth, strong and irresistible

belongeth to Arjuna. Cased in a sheath of tiger-skin, of long blade,

handsome and irresistible, and terrible to adversaries, this sword

belongeth to Bhimasena. Of excellent blade and cased in a well-painted

sheath, and furnished with a golden hilt, this handsome sword belongeth

to the wise Kaurava--Yudhishthira the just. And this sword of strong

blade, irresistible and intended for various excellent modes of fight and

cased in a sheath of goat-skin, belongeth to Nakula. And this huge

scimitar, cased in a sheath of cow-skin, strong and irresistible

belongeth to Sahadeva.'"

SECTION XLIV

"Uttara said, 'Indeed, these weapons adorned with gold, belonging to the

light-handed and high-souled Partha, look exceedingly beautiful. But

where are that Arjuna, the son of Pritha, and Yudhishthira of the Kuru

race, and Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Bhimasena, the sons of Pandu? Having

lost their kingdom at dice, the high-souled Pandavas, capable of

destroying all foes, are no longer heard of. Where also is Draupadi, the

princess of Panchala, famed as the gem among women, who followed the sons

of Pandu after their defeat at dice to the forest?'

"Arjuna said, 'I am Arjuna, called also Partha. Thy father's courtier is

Yudhishthira and thy father's cook Vallava is Bhimasena, the groom of

horses is Nakula, and Sahadeva is in the cow-pen. And know thou that the

Sairindhri is Draupadi, for whose sake the Kichakas have been slain.'

"Uttara said, 'I would believe all this if thou canst enumerate the ten

names of Partha, previously heard by me!'

"Arjuna said, 'I will, O son of Virata, tell thee my ten names. Listen

thou and compare them with what thou hadst heard before. Listen to them

with close attention and concentrated mind. They are Arjuna, Falguna,

Jishnu, Kiritin, Swetavahana, Vibhatsu, Vijaya, Krishna, Savyasachin and

Dhananjaya."

"Uttara said, 'Tell me truly why art thou called Vijaya, and why

Swetavahana. Why art thou named Krishna and why Arjuna and Falguna and

Jishnu and Kiritin and Vibhatsu, and for what art thou Dhananjaya and

Savyasachin? I have heard before about the origin of the several names of

that hero, and can put faith in thy words if thou canst tell me all about

them.'

"Arjuna said, 'They called me Dhananjaya because I lived in the midst of

wealth, having subjugated all the countries and taking away their

treasures. They called me Vijaya because when I go out to battle with

invincible kings, I never return (from the field) without vanquishing

them. I am called Swetavahana because when battling with the foe, white

horses decked in golden armour are always yoked unto my car. They call me

Falguna because I was born on the breast of the Himavat on a day when the

constellation Uttara Falguna was on the ascendent. I am named Kiritin

from a diadem, resplendent like the sun, having been placed of old on my

head by Indra during my encounter with the powerful Danavas. I am known

as Vibhatsu among gods and men, for my never having committed a

detestable deed on the battle-field. And since both of my hands are

capable of drawing the Gandiva, I am known as Savyasachin among gods and

men. They call me Arjuna because my complexion is very rare within the

four boundaries of the earth and because also my acts are always

stainless. I am known among human beings and celestials by the name of

Jishnu, because I am unapproachable and incapable of being kept down, and

a tamer of adversaries and son of the slayer of Paka. And Krishna, my

tenth appellation, was given to me by my father out of affection towards

his black-skinned boy of great purity.'

"Vaisampayana continued, "The son of Virata then, approaching nearer

saluted Partha and said, 'My name is Bhuminjaya, and I am also called

Uttara. It is by good luck, O Partha, that I behold thee. Thou art

welcome, O Dhananjaya. O thou with red eyes, and arms that are mighty and

each like unto the trunk of an elephant, it behoveth thee to pardon what

I said unto thee from ignorance. And as wonderful and difficult have been

the feats achieved by thee before, my fears have been dispelled, and

indeed the love I bear to thee is great.'"

SECTION XLV

"Uttara said, 'O hero, mounting on this large car with myself as driver,

which division of the (hostile) army wouldst thou penetrate? Commanded by

thee, I would drive thee thither?'

"Arjuna said, 'I am pleased with thee, O tiger among men. Thou hast no

cause of fear. I will rout all thy foes in battle, O great warrior, And,

O thou of mighty arms, be at thy ease. Accomplishing great and terrible

feats in the melee, I will fight with thy foes. Tie quickly all those

quivers to my car, and take (from among those) a sword of polished blade

and adorned with gold.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Uttara cast off

all inactivity. And he speedily alighted from the tree, bringing with him

Arjuna's weapons. Then Arjuna addressed him, saying, 'Yes, I will fight

with the Kurus and recover thy kine. Protected by me, the top of this car

will be to thee as a citadel. The passages and alleys and other divisions

of this car will be the streets and edifices of that fortified city.

These my arms will be its ramparts and gateways. This treble pole and my

quiver will constitute defensive works inaccessible to the foe. This my

banner--single and grand--will it not alone be equal unto those of thy

city? This my bow-string will constitute the catapults and cannons for

vomiting forth missiles on the besiezing ghost. My excited wrath will

make that fortress formidable, and the clatter of my car-wheels--will it

not resemble the kettle-drums of thy capital? Ridden by myself wielding

the Gandiva, this car will be incapable of being vanquished by the

hostile host, O son of Virata, let thy fear be dispelled.'

"Uttara said, 'I am no longer afraid of these. I know thy steadiness in

battle, which is even like unto that of Kesava or Indra himself. But

reflecting on this, I am continually bewildered. Foolish as I am, I am

incapable of arriving at certain conclusion. By what distressful

circumstances could a person of such handsome limbs and auspicious signs

become deprived of manhood! Indeed, thou seemest to me to be Mahadeva, or

Indra, or the chief of the Gandharvas, dwelling in the guise only of one

of the third sex.'

"Arjuna said, 'I tell thee truly that I am only observing this vow for a

whole year agreeable to the behest of my elder brother. O thou of mighty

arms, I am not truly one of the neuter sex, but I have adopted this vow

of eunuchism from subservience to another's will and from desire of

religious merit. O prince, know me now to have completed my vow.'

"Uttara said, 'Thou hast conferred a great favour on me today, for I now

find that my suspicion was not altogether unfounded. Indeed, such a

person as thou, O best of men, cannot be of the neuter sex. I have now an

ally in battle. I can now fight with the celestials themselves. My fears

have been dispelled. What shall I do? Command me now. Trained in driving

cars by a learned preceptor I will, O bull among men, hold the reins of

thy horses that are capable of breaking the ranks of hostile cars. Know

me, O bull among men, to be as competent a charioteer as Daruka of

Vasudeva, or Matali of Sakra. The horse that is yoked unto the right-hand

pole (of thy car) and whose hoofs as they light on the ground are

scarcely visible when running, is like unto Sugriva of Krishna. This

other handsome horse, the foremost of his race, that is yoked unto the

left pole, is, I regard, equal in speed to Meghapushpa. This (third)

beautiful horse, clad in golden mail, yoked unto the rear-pole on the

left, is, I regard, Sivya equal in speed to but superior in strength. And

this (fourth) horse, yoked to the rear-pole on the right, is regarded as

superior to Valahaka in speed and strength. This car is worthy of bearing

on the field of battle a bowman like thee, and thou also art worthy of

fighting on this car. This is what I think!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Arjuna, endued with great energy, took off

the bracelets from his arms and wore on his hands a pair of beautiful

gloves embroidered with gold. And he then tied his black and curling

locks with a piece of white cloth. And seated on that excellent car with

face turned to the east, the mighty-armed hero, purifying his body and

concentrating his soul, recalled to his mind all his weapons. And all the

weapons came, and addressing the royal son of Partha, said, 'We are here,

O illustrious one. We are thy servants, O son of Indra.' And bowing unto

them, Partha received them unto his hands and replied unto them, saying,

'Dwell ye all in my memory.' And obtaining all his weapons, the hero

looked cheerful. And quickly stringing his bow, the Gandiva, he twanged

it. And the twang of that bow was as loud as the collision of two mighty

bulls. And dreadful was the sound that filled the earth, and violent was

the wind that blew on all sides. And thick was the shower of fallen

meteors [50] and all sides were enveloped in gloom. And the birds began

to totter in the skies and large trees began to shake. [51] And loud as

the burst of the thunder, the Kurus knew from that sound that it was

Arjuna that drew with his hands the string of his best of bows from his

car. And Uttara said, 'Thou, O best of Pandavas, art alone. These mighty

car-warriors are many. How wilt thou vanquish in battle all these that

are skilled in every kind of weapon? Thou, O son of Kunti, art without a

follower, while the Kauravas have many. It is for this, O thou of mighty

arms, that I stay beside thee, stricken with fear.' Bursting out into

loud laughter, Partha said unto him, 'Be not afraid, O hero, what

friendly follower had I while fighting with the mighty Gandharvas on the

occasion of the Ghoshayatra? Who was my ally while engaged in the

terrific conflict at Khandava against so many celestials and Danavas? Who

was my ally when I fought, on behalf of the lord of the celestials

against the mighty Nivatakavachas and the Paulomas! And who was my ally,

O child, while I encountered in battle innumerable kings at the

Swayamvara to the princess of Panchala? Trained in arms by the preceptor

Drona, by Sakra, and Vaisravana, and Yama, and Varuna, and Agni, and

Kripa, and Krishna of Madhu's race, and by the wielder of the Pinaka

(Siva), why shall I not fight with these? Drive thou my car speedily, and

let thy heart's fever be dispelled.'"

SECTION XLVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Making Uttara his charioteer, and circumambulating

the Sami tree, the son of Pandu set out taking all his weapons with him.

And that mighty car-warrior set out with Uttara as the driver of his car,

having taken down that banner with the lion's figure and deposited it at

the foot of the Sami tree. And he hoisted on that car his own golden

banner bearing the figure of an ape with a lion's tail, which was a

celestial illusion contrived by Viswakarman himself. For, as soon,

indeed, as he had thought of that gift of Agni, than the latter, knowing

his wish, ordered those superhuman creatures (that usually sat there) to

take their place in that banner. And furnished with a beautiful flag of

handsome make, with quivers attached to it, and adored with gold, that

excellent flag-staff of celestial beauty than quickly fell from the

firmament on his car. [52] And beholding that banner arrived on his car,

the hero circumambulated it (respectively). And then the ape-bannered

Vibhatsu, the son of Kunti, called also Swetavahana, with fingers cased

in leathern fences of the Iguana skin, and taking up his bow and arrows

set out in a northernly direction. And that grinder of foes, possessed of

great strength, then forcibly blew his large conch-shell, of thundering

sound, capable of making the bristles of foes to stand on their ends. And

at the sound of that conch, those steeds endued with swiftness dropped

down on the ground on their knees. And Uttara also, greatly affrighted,

sat down on the car. And thereupon the son of Kunti took the reins

himself and raising the steeds, placed them in their proper positions.

And embracing Uttara, he encouraged him also, saying, 'Fear not, O

foremost of princes, thou art, O chastiser of foes, a Kshatriya by birth.

Why, O tiger among men, dost thou become so dispirited in the midst of

foes? Thou must have heard before the blare of many conchs and the note

of many trumpets, and the roar also of many elephants in the midst of

ranks arrayed for battled. Why art thou, therefore, so dispirited and

agitated and terrified by the blare of this conch, as if thou wert an

ordinary person?'

"Uttara said, 'Heard have I the blare of many a conch and many a trumpet

and the roar of many an elephant stationed in the battle-array, but never

have I heard before the blare of such conch. Nor have I ever seen a

banner like this. Never before have I heard also the twang of a bow such

as this. Truly, sir, with the blare of this conch, the twang of this bow,

the superhuman cries of the creatures stationed on this banner, and the

battle of this car, my mind is greatly bewildered. My perception of the

directions also is confused, and my heart is painfully afflicted. The

whole firmament seemeth to me to have been covered by this banner, and

everything seemeth to be hidden from my view! My ears also have been

deafened by the twang of the Gandiva![53]

"Arjuna said, 'Firmly stand thou on the car, pressing thy feet on it, and

tightly catch hold of the bridles, for I will blow the conch again.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Arjuna then blew his conch again, that conch which

filled foes with grief and enhanced the joy of friends. And the sound was

so loud that it seemed to split hills and mountains, and pierce

mountain-caves and the cardinal points. And Uttara once again sat down on

the car, clinging to it in fear. And with the blare of the conch and the

rattle of the car-wheels, and the twang of the Gandiva, the earth itself

seemed to tremble. And beholding Uttara's fight, Dhananjaya began to

comfort him again.'

"Meanwhile, Drona said, 'From the rattle of the car, and from the manner

in which the clouds have enveloped the sky and the earth itself trembles,

this warrior can be none else than Savyasachin. Our weapons do not shine,

our steeds are dispirited, and our fires, though fed with fuel, do not

blare up. All this is ominous. All our animals are setting up a frightful

howl, gazing towards the sun. The crows are perching on our banners. All

this is ominous. Yon vultures and kites on our right portend a great

danger. That jackal also, running through our ranks, waileth dismally.

Lo, it hath escaped unstruck. All this portends a heavy calamity. The

bristles also of ye all are on their ends. Surely, this forebodes a great

destruction of Kshatriyas in battle. Things endued with light are all

pale; beasts and birds look fierce; and there are to be witnessed many

terrific portents indicative of the destruction of Kshatriyas. And these

omens forebode great havoc among ourselves. O king, thy ranks seem to be

confounded by these blazing meteors, and thy animals look dispirited and

seem to be weeping. Vultures and kites are wheeling all around thy

troops. Thou shalt have to repent upon beholding thy army afflicted by

Partha's arrows. Indeed, our ranks seem to have been already vanquished,

for none is eager to go to fight. All our warriors are of pale face, and

almost deprived of their senses. Sending the kine ahead we should stand

here, ready to strike, with all our warriors arrayed in order of battle."

SECTION XLVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'King Duryodhana then, on the field of battle said

unto Bhishma, and unto Drona--that tiger among warriors, and unto

Kripa--that mighty car-warrior, these words, 'Both myself and Kama had

said this unto the preceptors[54] I refer to the subject again, for I am

not satisfied with having said it once. Even this was the pledge of the

sons of Pandu that if defeated (at dice) they would reside to our

knowledge in countries and woods for twelve years, and one more year

unknown to us. That thirteenth year, instead of being over, is yet

running. Vibhatsu, therefore, who is still to live undiscovered hath

appeared before us. And if Vibhatsu hath come before the term of exile is

at end, the Pandavas shall have to pass another twelve years in the

woods. Whether it is due to forgetfulness (on their part) induced by

desire of dominion, or whether it is a mistake of ours, it behoveth

Bhishma to calculate the shortness or excess (of the promised period).

When an object of desire may or may not be attained, a doubt necessarily

attaches to one of the alternatives, and what is decided in one way often

ends differently. [55] Even moralists are puzzled in judging of their own

acts. [56] As regards ourselves, we have come hither to fight with the

Matsyas and to seize their kine stationed towards the north. If,

meanwhile, it is Arjuna that hath come, what fault can attach to us? We

have come hither to fight against the Matsyas on behalf of the Trigartas;

and as numerous were the acts represented unto us of the oppressions

committed by the Matsyas. it was for this that we promised aid to the

Trigartas who were overcome with fear. And it was agreed between us that

they should first seize, on the afternoon of the seventh lunar day, the

enormous wealth of kine that the Matsyas have, and that we should, at

sunrise of the eighteen day of the moon, seize these kine when the king

of the Matsyas would be pursuing those first seized. It may be that the

Trigartas are now bringing a way the kine, or being defeated, are coming

towards us for negotiating with the king of the Matsyas. Or, it may be,

that having driven the Trigartas off, the king of the Matsyas, at the

head of this people and his whole army of fierce warriors, appeareth on

the scene and advanceth to make night-attacks upon us. It may be that

some one leader among them, endued with mighty energy, is advancing for

vanquishing us, or, it may be that the king himself of the Matsyas is

come. But be it the king of the Matsyas or Vibhatsu, we must all fight

him. Even this hath been our pledge. Why are all these of foremost

car-warriors,--Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Vikarna and Drona's

son,--now sitting on their cars, panic-stricken? At present there is

nothing better than fighting. Therefore, make up your minds. If, for the

cattle we have seized, an encounter takes place with the divine wielder

himself of the thunderbolt or even with Yama, who is there that will be

liable to reach Hastinapura? Pierced by the shafts (of the foe), how will

the foot-soldiers, in flying through the deep forest with their backs on

the field, escape with life, when escape for the cavalry is doubtful?

Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Karna said, 'Disregarding the

preceptor, make all arrangements. He knoweth well the intentions of the

Pandavas and striketh terror in our hearts. I see that his affection for

Arjuna is very great. Seeing him only coming, he chanteth his praises.

Make ye such arrangements that our troops may not break. Everything is in

confusion for Drona's having only heard the neigh of (Arjuna's) steeds.

Make ye such arrangements that these troops, come to a distant land in

this hot season and in the midst of this mighty forest, may not fall into

confusion and be subjugated by the foe. The Pandavas are always the

special favourites of the preceptor. The selfish Pandavas have stationed

Drona amongst us. Indeed, he betrayeth himself by his speech. Who would

ever extol a person upon hearing the neigh only of his steeds? Horses

always neigh, whether walking or standing, the winds blow at all times;

and Indra also always showereth rain. The roar of the clouds may

frequently be heard. What hath Partha to do with these, and why is he to

be praised for these? All this (on Drona's part), therefore, is due only

to either the desire of doing good to Arjuna or to his wrath and hatred

towards us. Preceptors are wise, and sinless, and very kind to all

creatures. They, however, should never be consulted at times of peril. It

is in luxurious palaces, and assemblies and pleasure-gardens, that

learned men, capable of making speeches, seem to be in their place.

Performing many wonderful things, in the assembly, it is there that

learned men find their place, or even there where sacrificial utensils

and their proper placing and washing are needed. In a knowledge of the

lapses of others, in studying the characters of men, in the science of

horses and elephants and cars, in treating the diseases of asses and

camels and goats and sheeps and kine, in planning buildings and gateways,

and in pointing out the defects of food and drink, the learned are truly

in their own sphere. Disregarding learned men that extol the heroism of

the foe, make ye such arrangements that the foe may be destroyed. Placing

the kine securely, array the troops in order of battle. Place guards in

proper places so that we may fight the foe.'"

SECTION XLVIII

"Karna said, 'I behold all these blessed ones, looking as if alarmed and

panic-struck and unresolved and unwilling to fight. If he that is come is

the king of the Matsyas or Vibhatsu, even I will resist him as the banks

resist the swelling sea. Shot from my bow these straight and flying

arrows, like gliding snakes, are all sure of aim. Discharged by my light

hands, these keen-edged arrows furnished with golden wings shall cover

Partha all over, like locusts shrouding a tree. Strongly pressed by these

winged arrows, the bow-string will cause these my leathern fences to

produce sounds that will be heard to resemble those of a couple of

kettle-drums. Having been engaged in ascetic austerities for the (last)

eight and five years, Vibhatsu will strike me but mildly in this

conflict, and the son of Kunti having become a Brahmana endued with good

qualities, hath thus become a fit person to quietly receive shafts by

thousands shot by me. This mighty bowman is indeed, celebrated over the

three worlds. I, too, am, by no means, inferior to Arjuna, that foremost

of human beings. With golden arrows furnished with vulturine wings shot

on all sides, let the firmament seem today to swarm with fire-flies.

Slaying Arjuna in battle, I will discharge today that debt, difficult of

repayments, but promised of old by me unto Dhritarashtra's son. When man

is there, even amongst all the gods and the Asuras, that will endure to

stand in the teeth of the straight arrows shot from my bow? Let my flying

arrows, winged and depressed at the middle, present the spectacle of the

coursing of the fire-flies through the welkin. Hard though he be as

Indra's thunderbolt and possessed of the energy of the chief of the

celestials, I will surely grind Partha, even as one afflicts an elephant

by means of burning brands. A heroic and mighty car-warrior as he is, and

the foremost of all wielders of weapons I shall seize the unresisting

Partha, even like Garuda seizing a snake. Irresistible like fire, and fed

by the fuel of swords, darts, and arrows, the blazing Pandava-fire that

consumeth foes, will be extinguished even by myself who am like unto a

mighty cloud incessantly dropping an arrowy shower,--the multitude of

cars (I will lead) constituting its thunder, and the speed of my horses,

the wind in advance. Discharged from my bow, my arrows like venomous

snakes will pierce Partha's body, like serpent penetrating through an

ant-hill. Pierced with well-tempered and straight shafts endued with

golden wings and great energy, behold ye today the son of Kunti decked

like a hill covered with Karnikara flowers. Having obtained weapons from

that best of ascetics--the son of Jamadagni, I would, relying on their

energy, fight with even the celestials. Struck with my javelin, the ape

stationed on his banner-top shall fall down today on the ground, uttering

terrible cries. The firmament will today be filled with the cries of the

(super-human) creatures stationed in the flagstaff of the foe, and

afflicted by me, they will fly away in all directions. I shall today

pluck up by the roots the long-existing dart in Duryodhan's heart by

throwing Arjuna down from his car. The Kauravas will today behold Partha

with his car broken, his horses killed, his valour gone, and himself

sighing like a snake. Let the Kauravas, following their own will go away

taking this wealth of kine, or, if they wish, let them stay on their cars

and witness my combat.'"

SECTION XLIX

"Kripa said, 'O Radheya, thy crooked heart always inclineth to war. Thou

knowest not the true nature of things; nor dost thou take into account

their after-consequences. There are various kinds of expedients

inferrable from the scriptures. Of these, a battle hath been regarded by

those acquainted with the past, as the most sinful. It is only when time

and place are favourable that military operations can lead to success. In

the present instance, however, the time being unfavourable, no good

results will be deprived. A display of prowess in proper time and place

becometh beneficial. It is by the favourableness or otherwise (of time

and place) that the opportuneness of an act is determined. Learned men

can never act according to the ideas of a car-maker. Considering all

this, an encounter with Partha is not advisible for us. Alone he saved

the Kurus (from the Gandharvas), and alone he satiated Agni. Alone he led

the life of a Brahmacharin for five years (on the breast of Himavat).

Taking up Subhadra on his car, alone he challenged Krishna to single

combat. Alone he fought with Rudra who stood before him as a forester. It

was in this very forest that Partha rescued Krishna while she was being

taken away (by Jayadratha). It is he alone that hath, for five years,

studied the science of weapons under Indra. Alone vanquishing all foes he

hath spread the fame of the Kurus. Alone that chastiser of foes

vanquished in battle Chitrasena, the king of the Gandharvas and in a

moment his invincible troops also. Alone he overthrew in battle the

fierce Nivatakavachas and the Kalakhanchas, that were both incapable of

being slain by the gods themselves. What, however, O Kama, hath been

achieved by thee single-handed like any of the sons of Pandu, each of

whom had alone subjugated many lords of earth? Even Indra himself is

unfit to encounter Partha in battle. He, therefore, that desireth to

fight with Arjuna should take a sedative. As to thyself, thou desirest to

take out the fangs of an angry snake of virulent poison by stretching

forth thy right hand and extending thy forefinger. Or, wandering alone in

the forest thou desirest to ride an infuriate elephant and go to a boar

without a hook in hand. Or, rubbed over with clarified butter and dressed

in silken robes, thou desirest to pass through the midst of a blazing

fire fed with fat and tallow and clarified butter. Who is there that

would, binding his own hands and feet and tying a huge stone unto his

neck, cross the ocean swimming with his bare arms? What manliness is

there in such an act? O Kama, he is a fool that would, without, skill in

weapons and without strength, desire to fight with Partha who is so

mighty and skilled in weapons? Dishonestly deceived by us and liberated

from thirteen years' exile, will not the illustrious hero annihilate us?

Having ignorantly come to a place where Partha lay concealed like fire

hidden in a well, we have, indeed, exposed to a great danger. But

irresistible though he be in battle, we should fight against him. Let,

therefore, our troops, clad in mail, stand here arrayed in ranks and

ready to strike. Let Drona and Duryodhana and Bhishma and thyself and

Drona's son and ourselves, all fight with the son of Pritha. Do not O

Kama, act so rashly as to fight alone. If we six car-warriors be united,

we can then be a match for and fight with that son of Pritha who is

resolved to fight and who is as fierce as the wielder of the thunderbolt.

Aided by our troops arrayed in ranks, ourselves--great bowmen--standing

carefully will fight with Arjuna even as the Danavas encounter Vasava in

battle.'"

SECTION L

"Aswatthaman said, 'The kine, O Karna, have not yet been won, nor have

they yet crossed the boundary (of their owner's dominions), nor have they

yet reached Hastinapura. Why dost thou, therefore, boast of thyself?

Having won numerous battles, and acquired enormous wealth, and vanquished

hostile hosts, men of true heroism speak not a word of their prowess.

Fire burneth mutely and mutely doth the sun shine. Mutely also doth the

Earth bear creatures, both mobile and immobile. The Self-existent hath

sanctioned such offices for the four orders that having recourse to them

each may acquire wealth without being censurable. A Brahmana, having

studied the Vedas, should perform sacrifices himself, and officiate at

the sacrifices of others. And a Kshatriya, depending upon the bow, should

perform sacrifices himself but should never officiate at the sacrifices

of others. And of Vaisya, having earned wealth, should cause the rites

enjoined in the Vedas to be performed for himself. A Sudra should always

wait upon and serve the other three orders. As regards those that live by

practising the profession of flowers and vendors of meat, they may earn

wealth by expedients fraught with deceit and fraud. Always acting

according to the dictates of the scriptures, the exalted sons of Pandu

acquired the sovereignty of the whole earth, and they always act

respectfully towards their superiors, even if the latter prove hostile to

them. What Kshatriya is there that expressed delight at having obtained a

kingdom by means of dice, like this wicked and shameless son of

Dhritarashtra? Having acquired wealth in this way by deceit and fraud

like a vendor of meat, who that is wise boast of it? In what single

combat didst thou vanquish Dhananjaya, or Nakula, or Sahadeva, although

thou hast robbed them of their wealth? In what battle didst thou defeat

Yudhishthira, or Bhima that foremost of strong men? In what battle was

Indraprastha conquered by thee? What thou hast done, however, O thou of

wicked deeds, is to drag that princess to court while she was ill and had

but one raiment on? Thou hast cut the mighty root, delicate as the

sandal, of the Pandava tree. Actuated by desire of wealth, when thou

madest the Pandavas act as slaves, rememberest thou what Vidura said! We

see that men and others, even insects and ants, show forgiveness

according to their power of endurance. The son of Pandu, however, is

incapable of forgiving the sufferings of Draupadi. Surely, Dhananjaya

cometh here for the destruction of the sons of Dhritarashtra. It is true,

affecting great wisdom, thou art for making speeches but will not

Vibhatsu, that slayer of foes, exterminate us all! If it be gods, or

Gandharvas or Asuras, or Rakshasas, will Dhananjaya the son of Kunti,

desist to fight from panic? Inflamed with wrath upon whomsoever he will

fall, even him he will overthrow like a tree under the weight of Garuda!

Superior to thee in prowess, in bowmanship equal unto the lord himself of

the celestials, and in battle equal unto Vasudeva himself, who is there

that would not praise Partha? Counteracting celestial weapons with

celestial, and human weapons with human, what man is a match for Arjuna?

Those acquainted with the scriptures declare that a disciple is no way

inferior to a son, and it is for this that the son of Pandu is a

favourite of Drona. Employ thou the means now which thou hadst adopted in

the match at dice,--the same means, viz., by which thou hadst subjugated

Indraprastha, and the same means by which thou hadst dragged Krishna to

the assembly! This thy wise uncle, fully conversant with the duties of

the Kshatriya order--this deceitful gambler Sakuni, the prince of

Gandhara, let him fight now! The Gandiva, however, doth not cast dice

such as the Krita or the Dwapara, but it shooteth upon foes blazing and

keen-edged shafts by myriads. The fierce arrows shot from the Gandiva,

endued with great energy and furnished with vulturine wings, car, pierce

even mountains. The destroyer of all, named Yama, and Vayu, and the

horse-faced Agni, leave some remnant behind, but Dhananjaya inflamed with

wrath never doth so. As thou hadst, aided by thy uncle, played a dice in

the assembly so do fight in this battle protected by Suvala's son. Let

the preceptor, if he chooses fight; I shall not, however, fight with

Dhananjaya. We are to fight with the king of the Matsyas, if indeed, he

cometh in the track of the kine.'"

SECTION LI

"Bhishma said, 'Drona's son observeth well, and Kripa, too observeth

rightly. As for Kama, it is only out of regard for the duties of the

Kshatriya order that he desireth to fight. No man of wisdom can blame the

preceptor. I, however, am of opinion that fight we must, considering both

the time and the place. Why should not that man be bewildered who hath

five adversaries effulgent as five suns, who are heroic combatants and

who have just emerged from adversity? Even those conversant with morality

are bewildered in respect of their own interests. It is for this, O king,

that I tell thee this, whether my words be acceptable to you or not. What

Karna said unto thee was only for raising our (drooping) courage. As

regards thyself, O preceptor's son, forgive everything. The business at

hand is very grave. When the son of Kunti hath come, this is not the time

for quarrel. Everything should now be forgiven by thyself and the

preceptor Kripa. Like light in the sun, the mastery of all weapons doth

reside in you. As beauty is never separated from Chandramas, so are the

Vedas and the Brahma weapon both established in you. It is often seen

that the four Vedas dwell in one object and Kshatriya attributes in

another. We have never heard of these two dwelling together in any other

person than the preceptor of the Bharata race and his son. Even this is

what I think. In the Vedantas, in the Puranas, and in old histories, who

save Jamadagni, O king, would be Drona's superior? A combination of the

Brahma weapon with the Vedas,--this is never to be seen anywhere else. O

preceptor's son, do thou forgive. This is not the time for disunion. Let

all of us, uniting, fight with Indra's son who hath come. Of all the

calamities that may befall an army that have been enumerated by men of

wisdom, the worst is disunion among the leaders. Aswatthaman said, 'O

bull among men, these thy just observations, need not be uttered in our

presence; the preceptor, however, filled with wrath, had spoken of

Arjuna's virtues. The virtues of even an enemy should be admitted, while

the faults of even one's preceptor may be pointed out; therefore one

should, to the best of his power, declare the merits of a son or a

disciple.'

"Duryodhana said, 'Let the preceptor grant his forgiveness and let peace

be restored. If the preceptor be at one with us, whatever should be done

(in view of the present emergency) would seem to have been already done.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Bharata, Duryodhana assisted by Kama

and Kripa, and the high-souled Bhishma pacified Drona.'

"Drona said, 'Appeased I have already been at the words first spoken by

Bhishma, the son of Santanu. Let such arrangements be made that Partha

may not be able to approach Duryodhana in battle. And let such

arrangements be made that king Duryodhana may not be captured by the foe,

in consequence either of his rashness or want of judgment. Arjuna hath

not, to be sure, revealed himself before the expiry of the term of exile.

Nor will he pardon this act (of ours) today, having only recovered the

kine. Let such arrangements, therefore, be made that he may not succeed

in attacking Dhritarashtra's son and defeating our troops. Like myself

(who am doubtful of the completion of period of exile) Duryodhana also

had said so before. Bearing it in mind, it behoveth the son of Ganga to

say what is true.'"

SECTION LII

"Bhishma said, 'The wheel of time revolves with its divisions, viz., with

Kalas and Kasthas and Muhurtas and days and fortnights and months and

constellations and planets and seasons and years. In consequence of their

fractional excesses and the deviations of also of the heavenly bodies,

there is an increase of two months in every five years. It seems to me

that calculating this wise, there would be an excess of five months and

twelve nights in thirteen years. Everything, therefore, that the sons of

Pandu had promised, hath been exactly fulfilled by them. Knowing this to

be certain, Vibhatsu hath made his appearance. All of them are

high-souled and fully conversant with the meanings of the scriptures. How

would they deviate from virtue that have Yudhishthira for their guide?

The sons of Kunti do not yield to temptation. They have achieved a

difficult feat. If they had coveted the possession of their kingdom by

unfair means, then those descendants of the Kuru race would have sought

to display their prowess at the time of the match at dice. Bound in bonds

of virtue, they did not deviate from the duties of the Kshatriya order.

He that will regard them to have behaved falsely will surely meet with

defeat. The sons of Pritha would prefer death to falsehood. When the

time, however, comes, those bulls among men--the Pandava's--endued with

energy like that of Sikra, would not give up what is theirs even if it is

defended by the wielder himself of the thunderbolt. We shall have to

oppose in battle the foremost of all wielders of weapons. Therefore, let

such advantageous arrangements as have the sanction of the good and the

honest be now made without loss of time so that our possessions may not

be appropriated by the foe. O king of kings, O Kaurava, I have never seen

a battle in which one of the parties could say,--we are sure to win. When

a battle occurs, there must be victory or defeat, prosperity or

adversity. Without doubt, a party to a battle must have either of the

two. Therefore, O king of kings, whether a battle be now proper or not

consistent with virtue or not, make thy arrangements soon, for Dhananjaya

is at hand.'

"Duryodhana said, 'I will not, O grandsire, give back the Pandavas their

kingdom. Let every preparation, therefore, for battle be made without

delay.'

"Bhishma said, 'Listen to what I regard as proper, if it pleases thee. I

should always say what is for thy good, O Kaurava. Proceed thou towards

the capital, without loss of time, taking with thee a fourth part of the

army. And let another fourth march, escorting the kine. With half the

troops we will fight the Pandava. Myself and Drona, and Karna and

Aswatthaman and Kripa will resolutely withstand Vibhatsu, or the king of

the Matsyas, or Indra himself, if he approaches. Indeed, we will

withstand any of these like the bank withstanding the surging sea.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'These words spoken by the high-souled Bhishma

were acceptable to them, and the king of the Kauravas acted accordingly

without delay. And having sent away the king and then the kine, Bhishma

began to array the soldiers in order of battle. And addressing the

preceptor, he said, 'O preceptor, stand thou in the centre, and let

Aswatthaman stand on the left, and let the wise Kripa, son of Saradwata,

defend the right wing, and let Karna of the Suta caste, clad in mail,

stand in the van. I will stand in the rear of the whole army, protecting

it from that point.'"

SECTION LIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'After the Kauravas, O Bharata, had taken their stand

in this order, Arjuna, filling the air with the rattle and din of his

car, advanced quickly towards them. And the Kurus beheld his banner-top

and heard the rattle and din of his car as also the twang of the Gandiva

stretched repeatedly by him. And noting all this, and seeing that great

car-warrior--the wielder of the Gandiva--come, Drona spoke thus, 'That is

the banner-top of Partha which shineth at a distance, and this is the

noise of his car, and that is the ape that roareth frightfully. Indeed,

the ape striketh terror in the troops. And there stationed on that

excellent car, the foremost of car-warriors draweth that best of bows,

the Gandiva, whose twang is as loud as the thunder. Behold, these two

shafts coming together fall at my feet, and two others pass off barely

touching my ears. Completing the period of exile and having achieved many

wonderful feats, Partha saluteth me and whispereth in my ears. Endued

with wisdom and beloved of his relatives, this Dhananjaya, the son of

Pandu, is, indeed, beheld by us after a long time, blazing with beauty

and grace. Possessed of car and arrows, furnished with handsome fences

and quiver and conch and banner and coat of mail, decked with diadem and

scimitar and bow, the son of Pritha shineth like the blazing (Homa) fire

surrounded with sacrificial ladles and fed with sacrificial butter.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding the Kurus ready for battle, Arjuna

addressing Matsya's son in words suitable to the occasion, said, 'O

charioteer, restrain thou the steeds at such a point whence my arrows may

reach the enemy. Meanwhile, let me see, where, in the midst of this army,

is that vile wretch of the Kuru race. Disregarding all these, and

singling out that vainest of princes I will fall upon his head, for upon

the defeat of that wretch the others will regard themselves as defeated.

There standeth Drona, and thereafter him his son. And there are those

great bowmen--Bhishma and Kripa and Kama. I do not see, however, the king

there. I suspect that anxious to save his life, he retreateth by the

southern road, taking away with him the kine. Leaving this array of

car-warriors, proceed to the spot where Suyodhana is. There will I fight,

O son of Virata, for there the battle will not be fruitless, Defeating

him I will come back, taking away the kine.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the son of Virata restrained

the steeds with an effort and turned them by a pull at the bridle from

the spot where those bulls of the Kuru race were, and urged them on

towards the place where Duryodhana was. And as Arjuna went away leaving

that thick array of cars, Kripa, guessing his intention, addressed his

own comrades, saying, 'This Vibhatsu desireth not to take up his stand at

a spot remote from the king. Let us quickly fall upon the flanks of the

advancing hero. When inflamed with wrath, none else, unassisted, can

encounter him in battle save the deity of a thousand eyes, or Krishna the

son of Devaki. Of what use to us would the kine be or this vast wealth

also, if Duryodhana were to sink, like a boat, in the ocean of Partha?'

Meanwhile, Vibhatsu, having proceeded towards that division of the army,

announced himself speedily by name, and covered the troops with his

arrows thick as locusts. And covered with those countless shafts shot by

Partha, the hostile warriors could not see anything, the earth itself and

the sky becoming overwhelmed therewith. And the soldiers who had been

ready for the fight were so confounded that none could even the flee from

the field. And beholding the light-handedness of Partha they all

applauded it mentally. And Arjuna then blew his conch which always made

the bristles of the foe stand erect. And twanging his best of bows, he

urged the creatures on his flagstaff to roar more frightfully. And at the

blare of his conch and the rattle of his car-wheels, and the twang of the

Gandiva, and the roar of the superhuman creatures stationed on his

flagstaff, the earth itself began to tremble. And shaking their upraised

tails and lowing together, the kine turned back, proceeding along the

southern road.'"

SECTION LIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having disorganised the hostile host by force and

having recovered the kine, that foremost of bowmen, desirous of fighting

again, proceeded towards Duryodhana. And beholding the kine running wild

towards the city of the Matsyas, the foremost warriors of the Kurus

regarded Kiritin to have already achieved success. And all of a sudden

they fell upon Arjuna who was advancing towards Duryodhana. And beholding

their countless divisions firmly arrayed in order of battle with

countless banners waving over them, that slayer of foes, addressing the

son of the king of the Matsyas, said, 'Urge on, to the best of their

speed by this road, these white steeds decked with golden bridles. Strive

thou well, for I would approach this crowd of Kuru lions. Like an

elephant desiring an encounter with another, the Suta's son of wicked

soul eagerly desireth a battle with me. Take me, O prince, to him who

hath grown so proud under the patronage of Duryodhana. Thus addressed,

the son of Virata by means of those large steeds endued with the speed of

the wind and furnished with golden armour, broke that array of cars and

took the Pandava into the midst of the battle-field. And seeing this

those mighty car-warriors, Chitrasena and Sangramajit and Satrusaha and

Jaya, desirous of aiding Karna, rushed with arrows and long shafts,

towards the advancing hero of Bharata's race. Then that foremost of men,

inflamed with wrath, began to consume by means of fiery arrows shot from

his bow, that array of cars belonging to those bulls among the Kurus,

like a tremendous conflagration consuming a forest. Then, when the battle

began to rage furiously, the Kuru hero, Vikarna, mounted on his car,

approached that foremost of car-warriors, Partha, the younger brother of

Bhima,--showering upon him terrible shafts thick and long. Then cutting

Vikarna's bow furnished with a tough string and horns overlaid with gold,

Arjuna cut off his flagstaff. And Vikarna, beholding his flagstaff cut

off, speedily took to flight. And after Vikarna's flight, Satruntapa,

unable to repress his ire, began to afflict Partha, that obstructer of

foes and achiever of super-human feats, by means of a perfect shower of

arrows. And drowned, as it were, in the midst of the Kuru-array, Arjuna,

pierced by that mighty car-warrior,--king Satruntapa--pierced the latter

in return with five and then slew his car-driver with ten shafts, and

pierced by that bull of the Bharata race with an arrow capable of

cleaving the thickest coat of mail, Satruntapa fell dead on the field of

battle, like a tree from a mountain-top torn up by the wind. And those

brave bulls among men, mangled in battle by that braver bull among men,

began to waver and tremble like mighty forests shaken by the violence of

the wind that blows at the time of the universal dissolution. And struck

in battle by Partha, the son of Vasava, those well-dressed heroes among

men--those givers of wealth endued with the energy of Vasava--defeated

and deprived of life, began to measure their lengths on the ground, like

full-grown Himalayan elephants clad in mails of black steel decked with

gold. And like unto a raging fire consuming a forest at the close of

summer, that foremost of men, wielding the Gandiva, ranged the field in

all directions, slaying his foes in battle thus. And as the wind rangeth

at will, scattering masses of clouds and fallen leaves in the season of

spring, so did that foremost of car-warriors--Kiritin--ranged in that

battle, scattering all his foes before him. And soon slaying the red

steeds yoked unto the car of Sangramajit, the brother of Vikatana's son,

that hero decked in diadem and endued with great vigour then cut off his

antagonist's head by a crescent-shaped arrow. And when his brother was

slain, Vikartana's son of the Suta caste, mustering all his prowess,

rushed at Arjuna, like a huge elephant with out-stretched tusks, or like

a tiger at a mighty bull. And the son of Vikarna quickly pierced the son

of Pandu with twelve shafts and all his steeds also in every part of

their bodies and Virata's son too in his hand. And rushing impetuously

against Vikarna's son who was suddenly advancing against him, Kiritin

attacked him fiercely like Garuda of variegated plumage swooping down

upon a snake. And both of them were foremost of bowmen, and both were

endued with great strength, and both were capable of slaying foes. And

seeing that an encounter was imminent between them, the Kauravas, anxious

to witness it, stood aloof as lookers on. And beholding the offender

Karna, the son of Pandu, excited to fury, and glad also at having him,

soon made him, his horses, his car, and car-driver invisible by means of

a frightful shower of countless arrows. And the warriors of the Bharatas

headed by Bhishma, with their horses, elephants, and cars, pierced by

Kiritin and rendered invisible by means of his shafts, their ranks also

scattered and broken, began to wail aloud in grief. The illustrious and

heroic Karna, however counteracting with numberless arrows of his own

those shafts by Arjuna's hand, soon burst forth in view with bow and

arrows like a blazing fire. And then there arose the sound of loud

clapping of hands, with the blare of conchs and trumpets and kettle-drums

made by the Kurus while they applauded Vikartana's son who filled the

atmosphere with the sound of his bow-string flapping against his fence.

And beholding Kiritin filling the air with the twang of Gandiva, and the

upraised tail of the monkey that constituted his flag and that terrible

creature yelling furiously from the top of his flagstaff, Karna sent

forth a loud roar. And afflicting by means of his shafts, Vikartana's son

along with his steeds, car and car-driver, Kiritin impetuously poured an

arrowy shower on him, casting his eyes on the grandsire and Drona and

Kripa. And Vikartana's son also poured upon Partha a heavy shower of

arrows like a rain-charged cloud. And the diadem-decked Arjuna also

covered Karna with a thick down-pour of keen-edged shafts. And the two

heroes stationed on their cars, creating clouds of keen-edged arrows in a

combat carried on by means of countless shafts and weapons, appeared to

the spectators like the sun and the moon covered by clouds, and the

light-handed Karna, unable to bear the sight of the foe, pierced the four

horses of the diadem-decked hero with whetted arrows, and then struck his

car-driver with three shafts, and his flagstaff also with three. Thus

struck, that grinder of all adversaries in battle, that bull of the Kuru

race, Jishnu wielding the Gandiva, like a lion awaked from slumber,

furiously attacked Kama by means of straight-going arrows. And afflicted

by the arrowy shower (of Karna), that illustrious achiever of super-human

deeds soon displayed a thick shower of arrows in return. And he covered

Karna's car with countless shafts like the sun covering the different

worlds with rays. And like a lion attacked by an elephant, Arjuna, taking

some keen crescent-shaped arrows from out of his quiver and drawing his

bow to his ear, pierced the Suta's son on every part of his body. And

that grinder of foes pierced Karna's arms and thighs and head and

forehead and neck and other principal parts of his body with whetted

shafts endued with the impetuosity of the thunderbolt and shot from the

Gandiva in battle. And mangled and afflicted by the arrows shot by Partha

the son of Pandu, Vikartana's son, quitted the van of battle, and quickly

took to flight, like one elephant vanquished by another.'"

SECTION LV

"Vaisampayana said, 'After the son of Radha had fled from the field,

other warriors headed by Duryodhana, one after another, fell upon the son

of Pandu with their respective divisions. And like the shore withstanding

the fury of the surging sea, that warrior withstood the rage of that

countless host rushing towards him, arrayed in order of battle and

showering clouds of arrows. And that foremost of car-warriors, Kunti's

son Vibhatsu of white steeds, rushed towards the foe, discharging

celestial weapons all the while. Partha soon covered all the points of

the horizon with countless arrows shot from the Gandiva, like the sun

covering the whole earth with his rays. And amongst those that fought on

cars and horses and elephants, and amongst the mail-clad foot-soldiers,

there was none that had on his body a space of even two finger's breadth

unwounded with sharp arrows. And for his dexterity in applying celestial

weapons, and for the training of the steeds and the skill of Uttara, and

for the coursing of his weapons, and his prowess and light-handedness,

people began to regard Arjuna as the fire that blazeth forth during the

time of the universal dissolution for consuming all created things. And

none amongst the foe could cast his eyes on Arjuna who shone like a

blazing fire of great effulgence. And mangled by the arrows of Arjuna,

the hostile ranks looked like newly-risen clouds on the breast of a hill

reflecting the solar rays, or like groves of Asoka trees resplendent with

clusters of flowers. Indeed, afflicted by the arrows of Partha, the

soldiers looked like these, or like a beautiful garland whose flowers

gradually wither and drop away: And the all-pervading wind bore on its

wings in the sky the torn flags and umbrellas of the hostile host. And

affrighted at the havoc amongst their own ranks, the steeds fled in all

directions, freed from their yokes by means of Partha's arrows and

dragging after them broken portions of cars and elephants, struck on

their ears and ribs and tusks and nether lips and other delicate parts of

the body, began to drop down on the battle-field. And the earth, bestrewn

in a short time with the corpses of elephants belonging to the Kauravas,

looked like the sky overcast with masses of black clouds. And as that

fire of blazing flames at the end of the yuga consumeth all perishable

things of the world, both mobile and immobile, so did Partha, O king,

consumeth all foes in battle. And by the energy of his weapons and the

twang of his bow, and the preter-natural yells of the creatures stationed

on his flagstaff, and the terrible roar of the monkey, and by the blast

of his conch, that mighty grinder of foes, Vibhatsu, struck terror into

the hearts of all the troops of Duryodhana. And the strength of every

hostile warrior seemed, as it were, to be levelled to the dust at the

very sight of Arjuna. And unwilling to commit the daring act of sin of

slaying them that were defenceless, Arjuna suddenly fell back and

attacked the army from behind by means of clouds of keen-edged arrows

proceeding towards their aims like hawks let off by fowlers. And he soon

covered the entire welkin with clusters of blood-drinking arrows. And as

the (infinite) rays of the powerful sun, entering a small vessel, are

contracted within it for want of space, so the countless shafts of Arjuna

could not find space for their expansion even within the vast welkin.

Foes were able to behold Arjuna's car, when near, only once, for

immediately after, they were with their horses, sent to the other world.

And as his arrows unobstructed by the bodies of foes always passed

through them, so his car, unimpeded by hostile ranks, always passed

through the latter. And, indeed, he began to toss about and agitate the

hostile troops with great violence like the thousand-headed Vasuki

sporting in the great ocean. And as Kiritin incessantly shot his shafts,

the noise of the bow-string, transcending every sound, was so loud that

the like of it had never been heard before by created beings. And the

elephants crowding the field, their bodies pierced with (blazing) arrows

with small intervals between looked like black clouds coruscated with

solar rays. And ranging in all directions and shooting (arrows) right and

left, Arjuna's bow was always to be seen drawn to a perfect circle. And

the arrows of the wielder of the Gandiva never fell upon anything except

the aim, even as the eye never dwelleth on anything that is not

beautiful. And as the track of a herd of elephants marching through the

forest is made of itself, so was the track was made of itself for the car

of Kiritin. And struck and mangled by Partha, the hostile warriors

thought that,--Verily, Indra himself, desirous of Partha's victory,

accompanied by all the immortals is slaying us! And they also regarded

Vijaya, who was making a terrible slaughter around, to be none else than

Death himself who having assumed the form of Arjuna, was slaying all

creatures. And the troops of the Kurus, struck by Partha, were so mangled

and shattered that the scene looked like the achievement of Partha

himself and could be compared with nothing else save what was observable

in Partha's combats. And he severed the heads of foes, even as reapers

cut off the tops of deciduous herbs. And the Kurus all lost their energy

owing to the terror begot of Arjuna. And tossed and mangled by the

Arjuna-gale, the forest of Arjuna's foes reddened the earth with purple

secretions. And the dust mixed with blood, uplifted by the wind, made the

very rays of the sun redder still. And soon the sun-decked sky became so

red that it looked very much like the evening. Indeed, the sun ceaseth to

shed his rays as soon as he sets, but the son of Pandu ceased not to

shoot his shafts. And that hero of inconceivable energy overwhelmed, by

means of all celestial weapons, all the great bowmen of the enemy,

although they were possessed of great prowess. And Arjuna then shot three

and seventy arrows of sharp points at Drona, and ten at Dussaha and eight

at Drona's son, and twelve at Dussasana, and three at Kripa, the son of

Saradwat. And that slayer of foes pierced Bhishma, the son of Santanu,

with arrows, and king Duryodhana with a hundred. And, lastly, he pierced

Karna in the ear with a bearded shaft. And when that great bowmen Karna,

skilled in all weapons, was thus pierced, and his horses and car and

car-driver were all destroyed, the troops that supported him began to

break. And beholding those soldiers break and give way the son of Virata

desirous of knowing Partha's purpose, addressed him on the field of

battle, and said, 'O Partha, standing on this beautiful car, with myself

as charioteer, towards which division shall I go? For, commanded by thee,

I would soon take thee thither.'

"Arjuna replied, 'O Uttara, yonder auspicious warrior whom thou seest

cased in coat of tiger-skin and stationed on his car furnished with a

blue-flag and drawn by red steeds, is Kripa. There is to be seen the van

of Kripa's division. Take me thither. I shall show that great bowman my

swift-handedness in archery. And that warrior whose flag beareth the

device of an elegant water-pot worked in gold, is the preceptor

Drona--that foremost of all wielders of weapons. He is always an object

of regard with me, as also with all bearers of arms. Do thou, therefore,

circumambulate that great hero cheerfully. Let us bend our heads there,

for that is the eternal virtue. If Drona strikes my body first, then I

shall strike him, for then he will not be able to resent it. There, close

to Drona, that warrior whose flag beareth the device of a bow, is the

preceptor's son, the great car-warrior Aswatthaman, who is always an

object of regard with me as also with every bearer of arms. Do thou,

therefore, stop again and again, while thou comest by his car. There,

that warrior who stayeth on his car, cased in golden mail and surrounded

by a third part of the army consisting of the most efficient troops, and

whose flag beareth the device of an elephant in a ground of gold, is the

illustrious king Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra. O hero, take

before him this thy car that is capable of grinding hostile cars. This

king is difficult of being vanquished in battle and is capable of

grinding all foes. He is regarded as the first of all Drona's disciples

in lightness of hand. I shall, in battle, show him my superior swiftness

in archery. There, that warrior whose flag beareth the device of a stout

chord for binding elephants, is Karna, the son of Vikartana, already

known to thee. When thou comest before that wicked son of Radha, be thou

very careful, for he always challengeth me to an encounter. And that

warrior whose flag is blue and beareth the device of five stars with a

sun (in the centre), and who endued with great energy stayeth on his car

holding a huge bow in hand and wearing excellent fences, and over whose

head is an umbrella of pure white, who standeth at the head of a

multitudinous array of cars with various flags and banners like the sun

in advance of masses of black clouds, and whose mail of gold looks bright

as the sun or the moon, and who with his helmet of gold striketh terror

into my heart, is Bhishma, the son of Santanu and the grandsire of us

all. Entertained with regal splendour by Duryodhana, he is very partial

and well-affected towards that prince. Let him be approached last of all,

for he may, even now, be an obstacle to me. While fighting with me, do

thou carefully guide the steeds. Thus addressed by him, Virata's son, O

king, guided Savyasachin's car with great alacrity towards the spot where

Kripa stood anxious to fight.'"

SECTION LVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'And the ranks of those fierce bowmen, the Kurus,

looked like masses of clouds in the rainy season drifting before a gentle

wind. And close (to those ranks of foot-soldiers) stood the enemy's

horses ridden by terrible warriors. And there were also elephants of

terrible mien, looking resplendent in beautiful armour, ridden by skilled

combatants and urged on with iron crows and hooks. And, O king, mounted

on a beautiful car, Sakra came there accompanied by the celestials,--the

Viswas and Maruts. And crowded with gods, Yakshas, Gandharvas and Nagas,

the firmament looked as resplendent as it does when bespangled with the

planetary constellation in a cloudless night. And the celestials came

there, each on his own car, desirous of beholding the efficacy of their

weapons in human warfare, and for witnessing also the fierce and mighty

combat that would take place when Bhishma and Arjuna would meet. And

embellished with gems of every kind and capable of going everywhere at

the will of the rider, the heavenly car of the lord of the celestials,

whose roof was upheld by a hundred thousand pillars of gold with (a

central) one made entirely of jewels and gems, was conspicuous in the

clear sky. And there appeared on the scene three and thirty gods with

Vasava (at their head), and (many) Gandharvas and Rakshasas and Nagas and

Pitris, together with the great Rishis. And seated on the car of the lord

of the celestials, appeared the effulgent persons of king, Vasumanas and

Valakshas and Supratarddana, and Ashtaka and Sivi and Yayati and Nahusha

and Gaya and Manu and Puru and Raghu and Bhanu and Krisaswa and Sagara

and Nala. And there shone in a splendid array, each in its proper place

the cars of Agni and Isa and Soma and Varuna and Prajapati and Dhatri and

Vidhatri and Kuvera and Yama, and Alamvusha and Ugrasena and others, and

of the Gandharva Tumburu. And all the celestials and the Siddhas, and all

the foremost of sages came there to behold that encounter between Arjuna

and the Kurus. And the sacred fragrance of celestial garlands filled the

air like that of blossoming woods at the advent of spring. And the red

and reddish umbrellas and robes and garlands and chamaras of the gods, as

they were stationed there, looked exceedingly beautiful. And the dust of

the earth soon disappeared and (celestial) effulgence lit up everything.

And redolent of divine perfumes, the breeze began to soothe the

combatants. And the firmament seemed ablaze and exceedingly beautiful,

decked with already arrived and arriving cars of handsome and various

make, all illumined with diverse sorts of jewels, and brought thither by

the foremost of the celestials. And surrounded by the celestials, and

wearing a garland of lotuses and lilies the powerful wielder of the

thunderbolt looked exceedingly beautiful on his car. And the slayer of

Vala, although he steadfastly gazed at his son on the field of battle,

was not satiated with such gazing,'"

SECTION LVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Beholding the army of the Kurus arrayed in order of

battle, that descendant of the Kuru race, Partha, addressing Virata's

son, said, 'Do thou proceed to the spot where Kripa, the son of Saradwat,

is going by the southern side of that car whose flag is seen to bear the

device of a golden altar.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Dhananjaya, the son of

Virata urged, without a moment's delay, those steeds of silvery hue

decked in golden armour. And making them adopt, one after another, every

kind of the swifter paces, he urged those fiery steeds resembling the

moon in colour. And versed in horse-lore, Uttara, having approached the

Kuru host, turned back those steeds endued with the speed of the wind.

And skilled in guiding vehicles, the prince of Matsya, sometimes wheeling

about, and sometimes proceeding in circular mazes, and sometimes turning

to the left, began to be wilder the Kurus. And wheeling round, the

intrepid and mighty son of Virata at last approached the car of Kripa,

and stood confronting him. Then announcing his own name, Arjuna

powerfully blew that best of conchs called Devadatta, of loud blare. And

blown on the field of battle by the mighty Jishnu, the blare of that

conch was heard like the splitting of a mountain. And seeing that the

conch did not break into a hundred fragments when blown by Arjuna, the

Kurus with all their warriors began to applaud it highly. And having

reached the very heavens, that sound coming back was heard even like the

crash of the thunderbolt hurled by Maghavat on the mountain breast.

Thereupon that heroic and intrepid and mighty car-warrior, Saradwat's son

Kripa, endued with strength and prowess, waxing wroth at Arjuna, and

unable to bear that sound and eager for fight, took up his own

sea-begotten conch and blew it vehemently. And filling the three worlds

with that sound, that foremost of car-warriors took up a large bow and

twanged the bow-string powerfully. And those mighty car-warriors, equal

unto two suns, standing opposed to each other, shone like two masses of

autumnal clouds. Then Saradwat's son quickly pierced Partha, that slayer

of hostile heroes, with ten swift and whetted arrows capable of entering

into the very vitals. And Pritha's son also, on his part, drawing that

foremost of weapons, the Gandiva, celebrated over the world, shot

innumerable iron-arrows, all capable of penetrating into the very core of

the body. Thereupon Kripa, by means of whetted shafts, cut into hundreds

and thousands of fragments, those blood-drinking arrows of Partha before

they could come up. Then that mighty car-warrior, Partha also, in wrath

displaying various manoeuvres, covered all sides with a shower of arrows.

And covering the entire welkin with his shafts, that mighty warrior of

immeasurable soul, the son of Pritha, enveloped Kripa with hundred of

shafts. And sorely afflicted by those whetted arrows resembling flames of

fire, Kripa waxed wroth and quickly afflicting the high-souled Partha of

immeasurable prowess with ten thousand shafts, set up on the field of

battle a loud roar. Then the heroic Arjuna quickly pierced the four

steeds of his adversary with four fatal arrows shot from the Gandiva,

sharp and straight, and furnished with golden wings. And pierced by means

of those whetted arrows resembling flames of fire those steeds suddenly

reared themselves, and in consequence Kripa reeled off his place. And

seeing Gautama thrown off his place, the slayer of hostile heroes, the

descendant of the Kuru race, out of regard for his opponent's dignity,

ceased to discharge his shafts at him. Then regaining his proper place,

Gautama quickly pierced Savyasachin with ten arrows furnished with

feathers of the Kanka bird. Then with a crescent-shaped arrow of keen

edge, Partha cut off Kripa's bow and leathern fences. And soon Partha cut

off Kripa's coat of mail also by means of arrows capable of penetrating

the very vitals, but he did not wound his person. And divested of his

coat of mail, his body resembled that of a serpent which hath in season

cast off its slough. And as soon as his bow had been cut off by Partha,

Gautama took up another and stringed it in a trice. And strange to say,

that bow of him was also cut off by Kunti's son, by means of straight

shafts. And in this way that slayer of hostile heroes, the son of Pandu,

cut off other bows as soon as they were taken up, one after another, by

Saradwat's son. And when all his bows were thus cut off, that mighty hero

hurled, from his car, at Pandu's son, a javelin like unto the blazing

thunderbolt. Thereupon, as the gold-decked javelin came whizzing through

the air with the flash of a meteor, Arjuna cut it off by means of ten

arrows. And beholding his dart thus cut off by the intelligent Arjuna,

Kripa quickly took up another bow and almost simultaneously shot a number

of crescent-shaped arrows. Partha, however, quickly cut them into

fragments by means of ten keen-edged shafts, and endued with great

energy, the son of Pritha then, inflamed with wrath on the field of

battle, discharged three and ten arrows whetted on stone and resembling

flames of fire. And with one of these he cut off the yoke of his

adversary's car, and with four pierced his four steeds, and with the

sixth he severed the head of his antagonist's car-driver from off his

body. And with three that mighty car-warrior pierced, in that encounter,

the triple bamboo-pole of Kripa's car and with two, its wheels. And with

the twelfth arrow he cut off Kripa's flagstaff. And with the thirteenth

Falguni, who was like Indra himself as if smiling in derision, pierced

Kripa in the breast. Then with his bow cut off, his car broken, his

steeds slain, his car-driver killed, Kripa leapt down and taking up a

mace quickly hurled it at Arjuna. But that heavy and polished mace hurled

by Kripa was sent back along its course, struck by means of Arjuna's

arrows. And then the warriors (of Kripa's division), desirous of rescuing

wrathful son of Saradwat encountered Partha from all sides and covered

him with their arrows. Then the son of Virata, turning the steed to the

left began to perform circuitous evolution called Yamaka and thus

withstood all those warriors. And those illustrious bulls among men,

taking Kripa with them who had been deprived of his car, led him away

from the vicinity of Dhananiaya, the son of Kunti.'"

SECTION LVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Kripa had thus been taken away, the invincible

Drona of red steeds, taking up his bow to which he had already stringed

an arrow, rushed towards Arjuna of white steeds. And beholding at no

great distance from him the preceptor advancing on his golden car, Arjuna

that foremost of victorious warriors, addressing Uttara, said, 'Blessed

be thou, O friend, carry me before that warrior on whose high banner-top

is seen a golden altar resembling a long flame of fire and decked with

numerous flags placed around, and whose car is drawn by steeds that are

red and large, exceedingly handsome and highly-trained, of face pleasant

and of quiet mien, and like unto corals in colour and with faces of

coppery hue, for that warrior is Drona with whom I desire to fight. Of

long arms and endued with mighty energy possessed of strength and beauty

of person, celebrated over all the worlds for his prowess, resembling

Usanas himself in intelligence and Vrihaspati in knowledge of morality,

he is conversant with the four Vedas and devoted to the practice of

Brahmacharya virtues. O friend, the use of the celestial weapons together

with the mysteries of their withdrawal and the entire-science of weapons,

always reside in him. Forgiveness, self-control, truth, abstention from

injury, rectitude of conduct,--these and countless other virtues always

dwell in that regenerate one. I desire to fight with that highly-blessed

one on the field. Therefore, take me before the preceptor and carry me

thither, O Uttara.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Arjuna, Virata's son urged

his steeds decked with gold towards the car of Bharadwaja's son. And

Drona also rushed towards the impetuously advancing Partha, the son of

Pandu,--that foremost of car-warriors,--like an infuriate elephant

rushing towards an infuriate compeer. And the son of Bharadwaja then blew

his conch whose blare resembled that of a hundred trumpets. And at that

sound the whole army become agitated like the sea in a tempest. And

beholding those excellent steeds red in hue mingling in battle with

Arjuna's steeds of swan-like whiteness endued with the speed of the mind,

all the spectators were filled with wonder. And seeing on the field of

battle those car-warriors--the preceptor Drona and his disciple

Partha--both endued with prowess, both invincible, both well-trained,

both possessed of great energy and great strength, engaged with each

other, that mighty host of the Bharatas began to tremble frequently. And

that mighty car-warrior Partha, possessed of great prowess and filled

with joy upon reaching Drona's car on his own, saluted the preceptor. And

that slayer of hostile heroes, the mighty armed son of Kunti, then

addressed Drona in an humble and sweet tone, saying, 'Having completed

our exile in the woods, we are now desirous of avenging our wrongs. Even

invincible in battle, it doth not behove thee to be angry with us. O

sinless one, I will not strike thee unless thou strikest me first. Even

this is my intention. It behoveth thee to act as thou choosest.' Thus

addressed Drona discharged at him more than twenty arrows. But the

light-handed Partha cut them off before they could reach him. And at

this, the mighty Drona, displaying his lightness of hand in the use of

weapons, covered Partha's car with a thousand arrows. And desirous of

angering, Partha, that hero of immeasurable soul, then covered his steeds

of silvery whiteness with arrows whetted on stone and winged with the

feathers of the Kanka bird. And when the battle between Drona and Kiritin

thus commenced, both of them discharging in the encounter arrows of

blazing splendour, both well-known for their achievements, both equal to

the wind itself in speed, both conversant with celestial weapons, and

both endued with mighty energy, began shooting clouds of arrows to

bewilder the royal Kshatriyas. And all the warriors that were assembled

there were filled with wonder at sight of all this. And they all admired

Drona who quickly shot clouds of arrows exclaiming,--Well done! Well

done! Indeed, who else save Falguna, is worthy of fighting with Drona in

battle? Surely the duties of a Kshatriya are stern, for Arjuna fighteth

with even his own preceptor!--And it was thus that they who stood on the

field of battle said unto one another. And inflamed with fire, those

mighty-armed heroes standing before other, and each incapable of

overcoming the other, covered each other with arrowy showers. And

Bharadwaja's son, waxing worth, drew his large and unconquerable bow

plated on the back with gold, and pierced Falguna with his arrows. And

discharging at Arjuna's car innumerable whetted arrows possessed of solar

effulgence, he entirely shrouded the light of the sun. And that great

car-warrior of mighty arms, violently pierced Pritha's son with

keen-edged shafts even as the clouds shower upon a mountain. Then taking

up that foremost of bows, the Gandiva, destructive of foes and capable of

withstanding the greatest strain, the impetuous son of Pandu cheerfully

discharged countless shafts of various kinds adorned with gold, and that

powerful warrior also baffled in a moment Drona's arrowy shower by means

of those shafts shot from his own bow. And at this the spectators

wondered greatly. And the handsome Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, ranging

on his car, displayed his weapons on all sides at the same time. And the

entire welkin covered with his arrows, became one wide expanse of shade.

And at this Drona become invisible like the sun enveloped in mist. And

shrouded by those excellent arrows on all sides, Drona looked like a

mountain on fire. And beholding his own car completely enveloped by the

arrows of Pritha's son, Drona that ornament of battle, bent his terrible

and foremost of bows whose noise was as loud as that of the clouds. And

drawing that first of weapons, which was like unto a circle of fire, he

discharged a cloud of keen-edged shafts. And then there were heard on the

field loud sounds like the splitting of bamboos set on fire. And that

warrior of immeasurable soul, shooting from his bow arrows furnished with

golden wings, covered all sides, shrouding the very light of the sun. And

those arrows with knots well-peeled off, and furnished with golden wings,

looked like flocks of birds in the sky. And the arrows discharged by

Drona from his bow, touching one another at the wings, appeared like one

endless line in the sky. And those heroes, thus discharging their arrows

decked with gold, seemed to cover the sky with showers of meteors. And

furnished with feathers of the Kanka bird, those arrows looked like rows

of cranes ranging in the autumnal sky. And the fierce and terrible

encounter that took place between the illustrious Drona and Arjuna

resembled that between Virata and Vasava of old. And discharging arrows

at each other from bows drawn at their fullest stretch, they resembled

two elephants assailing each other with their tusks. And those wrathful

warriors--those ornaments of battle--fighting strictly according to

established usage, displayed in that conflict various celestial weapons

in due order. Then that foremost of victorious men, Arjuna, by means of

his keen shafts resisted the whetted arrows shot by that best of

preceptors. And displaying before the spectators various weapons, that

hero of terrible prowess covered the sky with various kinds of arrows.

And beholding that tiger among men, Arjuna, endued with fierce energy and

intent upon striking him, that foremost of warriors and best of

preceptors (from affection) began to fight with him playfully by means of

smooth and straight arrows. And Bharadwaja's son fought on with Falguna,

resisting with his own the celestial weapons shot by the former. And the

fight that took place between those enraged lions among men, incapable of

bearing each other, was like unto encounter between the gods and the

Danavas. And the son of Pandu repeatedly baffled with his own, the

Aindra, the Vayavya, and the Agneya weapons that were shot by Drona. And

discharging keen shafts, those mighty bowmen, by their arrowy showers

completely covered the sky and made a wide expanse of shade. And then the

arrows shot by Arjuna, falling on the bodies of hostile warriors,

produced the crash of thunderbolt. O king, elephants, cars, and horses,

bathed in blood, looked like Kinsuka trees crowned with flowers. And in

that encounter between Drona and Arjuna, beholding the field covered with

arms decked with bangles, and gorgeously-attired car-warriors, and coats

of mail variegated with gold, and with banners lying scattered all about,

and with warriors slain by means of Partha's arrows, the Kuru host became

panic-stricken. And shaking their bows capable of bearing much strain,

those combatants began to shroud and weaken each other with their shafts.

And, O bull of the Bharata race, the encounter that took place between

Drona and Kunti's son was dreadful in the extreme and resembled that

between Vali and Vasava. And staking their very lives, they began to

pierce each other straight arrows shot from their fully-stretched

bow-strings. And a voice was heard in the sky applauding Drona, and

saying, 'Difficult is the feat performed by Drona, inasmuch as he

fighteth with Arjuna,--that grinder of foes, that warrior endued with

mighty energy, of firm grasp, and invincible in battle,--that conqueror

of both celestials and Daityas, that foremost of all car-warriors.' And

beholding Partha's infallibility, training, fleetness of hand, and the

range also of Arjuna's, arrows, Drona became amazed. And, O bull of the

Bharata race, lifting up his excellent bow, the Gandiva the unforbearing

Partha drew it now with one hand and now with another shot an arrowy

shower. And beholding that shower resembling a flight of locusts, the

spectators wondering applauded him exclaiming, 'Excellent'! 'Excellent'!

And so ceaselessly did he shoot his arrows that the very air was unable

to penetrate the thick array. And the spectators could not perceive any

interval between the taking up of the arrows and letting them off. And in

that fierce encounter characterised by lightness of hand in the discharge

of weapons, Partha began to shoot his arrows more quickly than before.

And then all at once hundreds and thousands of straight arrows fell upon

Drona's car. And, O bull of the Bharata race, beholding Drona completely

covered by the wielder of the Gandiva with his arrows, the Kuru army set

up exclamation of 'Oh'! and 'Alas'! And Maghavat, together with those

Gandharvas and Apsaras that have come there, applauded the fleetness of

Partha's hand. And that mighty car-warrior, the preceptor's son, then

resisted the Pandva with a mighty array of cars. And although enraged

with Arjuna, yet Aswatthaman mentally admired that feat of the

high-souled son of Pritha. And waxing wroth, he rushed towards Partha,

and discharged at him an arrowy shower like a heavy down-pour by the

cloud. And turning his steeds towards Drona's son, Partha gave Drona an

opportunity to leave the field. And thereupon the latter, wounded in that

terrible encounter, and his mail and banner gone sped away by the aid of

swift horses.'"

SECTION LIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O mighty king, Drona's son rushed to an

encounter with Arjuna in battle. And beholding his rush to the conflict

like a hurricane, showering shafts like a rain charged cloud Pritha's son

received him with a cloud of arrows. And terrible was the encounter

between them, like that between the gods and the Danavas. And they shot

arrows at each other like Virata and Vasava. And the welkin being

enveloped on all sides with arrows, the sun was completely hidden, and

the air itself was hushed. And, O conqueror of hostile cities, as they

assailed and struck each other, loud sounds arose as of bamboos on fire.

And, O king, Aswatthaman's horses being sorely afflicted by Arjuna, they

became bewildered and could not ascertain which way to go. And as

Pritha's son ranged on the field, the powerful son of Drona finding an

opportunity, cut off the string of the Gandiva with an arrow furnished

with a horse-shoe head And beholding that extraordinary feat of his, the

celestials applauded him highly. And exclaiming--'Well done'!---'Well

done'! Drona and Bhishma, and Karna, and the mighty warrior Kripa, all

applauded that feat of his greatly. And the son of Drona, drawing his

excellent bow, pierced with his shafts, furnished with the feathers of

the Kanka bird, the breast of Partha, that bull among warriors.

Thereupon, with a loud laughter, the mighty-armed son of Pritha attached

a strong and fresh string to Gandiva. And moistening his bow-string with

the sweat that stood on his forehead resembling the crescent moon,

Pritha's son advanced towards his adversary, even as an infuriated leader

of a herd of elephants rusheth at another elephant. And the encounter

that took place between those two matchless heroes on the field of battle

was exceedingly fierce and made the bristles of the spectators stand on

their ends. And as those heroes endued with mighty energy fought on, the

two mighty elephants, the Kurus beheld them with wonder. And those brave

bulls among men assailed each other with arrows of snaky forms and

resembling blazing fires. And as the couple of quivers belonging to the

Pandava was inexhaustible, that hero was able to remain on the field

immovable as a mountain. And as Aswatthaman's arrows, in consequence of

his ceaseless discharge in that conflict, were quickly exhausted, it was

for this that Arjuna prevailed over his adversary. Then Karna, drawing

his large bow with great force twanged the bow-string. And thereupon

arose loud exclamation of 'Oh'! and 'Alas'! And Pritha's son, casting his

eyes towards the spot where that bow was twanged, beheld before him the

son of Radha. And at that sight his wrath was greatly excited. And

inflamed with ire and desirous of slaying Karna, that bull of the Kuru

race stared at him with rolling eyes. And, O king, beholding Partha turn

away from Aswatthaman's side, the Kuru warriors discharged thousands of

arrows on Arjuna. And the mighty-armed Dhananjaya, that conqueror of

foes, leaving Drona's son, all on a sudden rushed towards Karna. And

rushing towards Karna, with eyes reddened in anger the son of Kunti,

desirous of a single combat with him, said these words."

SECTION LX

"Arjuna said, 'The time, O Karna, hath now come for making good thy

loquacious boast in the midst of the assembly, viz., that there is none

equal to thee in fight. Today, O Karna, contending with me in terrible

conflict, thou shalt know thy own strength, and shalt no longer disregard

others. Abandoning good breeding, thou hadst uttered many harsh words,

but this that thou endeavourest to do, is, I think, exceedingly

difficult. Do thou now, O Radha's son, contending with me in the sight of

the Kurus, make good what thou hadst said before in disregard of myself.

Thou who hadst witnessed Panchala's princess outraged by villains in the

midst of the court, do thou now reap the fruit of that act of thine.

Fettered by the bonds of morality before, I desisted from vengeance then.

Behold now, O son of Radha, the fruit of that wrath in conflict at hand.

O wicked wight, we have suffered much misery in that forest for full

twelve; years. Reap thou today the fruits of our concentrated vengeance.

Come, O Karna, cope with me in battle. Let these thy Kaurava warriors

witness the conflict. Hearing these words, Karna replied, 'Do thou, O

Partha, accomplish in deed what thou sayst in words. The world knows that

thy words verily exceed thy deed. That thou hadst foreborne formerly was

owing to thy inability to do anything. If we witness thy prowess even

now, we may acknowledge its truth. If thy past forbearance was due to thy

having been bound by the bonds of morality, truly thou art equally bound

now although thou regardest thyself free. Having as thou sayst, passed

thy exile in the woods in strict accordance with thy pledge and being

therefore weakened by practising an ascetic course of life, how canst

thou desire a combat with me now! O Pritha's son, if Sakra himself fight

on thy side, still I would feel no anxiety in putting forth my prowess.

Thy wish, O son of Kunti, is about to be gratified. Do thou fight with me

now, and behold my strength.' Hearing this, Arjuna said, 'Even now, O

Radha's son, thou hadst fled from battle with me, and it is for this that

thou livest although thy younger brother hath been slain. What other

person, save thee, having beheld his younger brother slain in battle

would himself fly from the field, and boast as thou dost, amid good and

true men?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said these words unto Karna, the

invincible Vibhatsu rushed at him and charged a volley, of shafts capable

of penetrating through a coat of mail. But that mighty car-warrior,

Karna, received with great alacrity that discharge with an arrowy shower

of his own, heavy as the downpour of the clouds. And that fierce volley

of arrows covered all sides and severally pierced the steeds and arms and

leathern fences of the combatants. And incapable of putting up with that

assault, Arjuna cut off the strings of Karna's quiver by means of a

straight and sharp arrow. Thereupon, taking out from his quiver another

arrow, Karna pierced the Pandava in the hand at which the latter's hold

of the bow was loosened. And then the mighty-armed Partha cut off Karna's

bow into fragments. And Karna replied by hurling a dart at his adversary,

but Arjuna cut it off by means of his arrows. And then the warriors that

followed the son of Radha rushed in crowds at Arjuna, but Partha sent

them all to the abode of Yama by means of arrows shot from the Gandiva.

And Vibhatsu slew the steeds of Karna by means of sharp and tough arrows

shot from the bow-string drawn to the ear, and deprived of life they

dropped down on the ground. And taking another sharp and blazing arrow

endued with great energy, the mighty son of Kunti pierced the breast of

Kama. And that arrow, cleaving through his mail, penetrated into his

body. And at this, Karna's vision was obscured and his senses left him.

And regaining consciousness, he felt a great pain, and leaving the combat

fled in a northernly direction. And at this, the mighty car-warrior

Arjuna and Uttara, both began to address him contumely.'"

SECTION LXI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having defeated Vikartana's son, Arjuna said unto

the son of Virata, 'Take me towards that division where yonder device of

a golden palmyra is seen. There our grandfather, Santanu's son, like unto

a celestial, waiteth, desirous of an encounter with me.' Thereupon,

beholding that mighty host thronged with cars and horses and elephants,

Uttara, sorely pierced with arrows, said, 'O hero, I am no longer able to

guide thy excellent steeds. My spirits droop and my mind is exceedingly

bewildered. All the directions seem to be whirling before my eyes in

consequence of the energy of the celestial weapons used by thee and the

Kurus. I have been deprived of my senses by the stench of fat and blood

and flesh. Beholding all this, from terror my mind is, as it were, cleft

in twain. Never before had I beheld such a muster of horses in battle.

And at the flapping of fences, and the blare of conchs, the leonine roars

made by the warriors and the shrieks of elephants, and the twang of the

Gandiva resembling the thunder, I have, O hero, been so stupefied that I

have been deprived of both hearing and memory. And, O hero, beholding

thee incessantly drawing to a circle, in course of the conflict, the

Gandiva which resembleth a circle of fire, my sight faileth me and my

heart is rent asunder. And seeing thy fierce form in battle, like that of

the wielder of the Pinaka while inflamed with wrath, and looking also at

the terrible arrows shot by thee, I am filled with fear. I fail to see

when thou takest up thy excellent arrows, when thou fixest them on the

bow-string, and when thou lettest them off. And though all this is done

before my eyes, yet, deprived of my senses, I do not see it. My spirits

are drooping and earth itself seems to be swimming before me. I have no

strength to hold the whip and the reins.' Hearing these words, Arjuna

said, 'Do thou not fear. Assure thyself. Thou also hast, on the field of

battle performed, O bull among men, wonderful feats. Blessed be thou,

thou art a prince and born in the illustrious line of Matsyas. It

behoveth thee not to feel dispirited in chastising thy foes. Therefore, O

prince, stationed on my car, muster all thy fortitude and hold the reins

of my steeds, O slayer of foes, when I once more become engaged in

battle.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this unto Virata's son, that best

of men and foremost of car-warriors, the mighty-armed Arjuna, again

addressed the son of Virata, saying. 'Take me without delay to the van of

Bhishma's division. I will cut off his very bow-string in the battle.

Thou shalt behold today the celestial weapons of blazing beauty, shot by

me, look like flashes of lightning disporting amid the clouds in the sky.

The Kauravas shall behold the gold decked back of my Gandiva today, and

assembled together the foe shall dispute, saying,--By which hand of his,

the right or the left, doth he should? And I shall cause a dreadful river

(of death) to flow today towards the other world with blood for its

waters and cars for its eddies, and elephants for its crocodiles. I shall

today, with my straight arrows, extirpate the Kuru forest having hands

and feet and heads and backs and arms for the branches of its trees.

Alone, bow in hand, vanquishing the Kuru host, a hundred paths shall open

before me like those of a forest in conflagration. Struck by me thou

shalt today behold the Kuru army moving round and round like a wheel

(unable to fly off the field). I shall show thee today my excellent

training in arrows and weapons. Stay thou on my car firmly, whether the

ground be smooth or uneven. I can pierce with my winged arrows even the

mountain of Sumeru that stands touching the very heavens. I slew of old,

at Indra's command, hundreds and thousands of Paulomas and Kalakhanjas in

battle. I have obtained my firmness of grasp from Indra, and my lightness

of hand from Brahman, and I have learnt various modes of fierce attack

and defence amid crowds of foes from Prajapati. I vanquished, on the

other side of the great ocean, sixty thousands of car-warriors--all

fierce archers--residing in Hiranyapura. Behold, now I defeat the

multitudinous host of the Kurus like a tempest scattering a heap of

cotton. With my fiery arrows I shall today set the Kuru-forest to fire,

having banners for its trees, the foot-soldiers for its shrubs, and the

car-warriors for its beasts of prey. Like unto the wielder of the

thunderbolt overthrowing the Danavas, alone I shall, with my straight

arrows, bring down from the chambers of their cars the mighty warrior of

the Kuru army stationed therein and struggling in the conflict to the

best of their power. I have obtained from Rudra the Raudra, from Varuna

the Varuna from Agni the Agneya, from the god of Wind the Vayava, and

from Sakra the thunderbolt and other weapons. I shall certainly

exterminate the fierce Dhartarashtra-forest though protected by many

leonine warriors. Therefore, O Virata's son, let thy fears be dispelled.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus assured by Savyasachin, the son of Virata

penetrated into that fierce array of cars protected by Bhishma. The son

of Ganga, however, of fierce deeds, cheerfully withstood the mighty-armed

hero advancing from desire of vanquishing the heroes in battle. Jishnu,

then, confronting Bhishma, cut off his standard clean off at the roots by

shooting a gold-decked arrow pierced by which it fell to the ground. And

at this, four mighty warriors, Dussasana and Vikarna and Dussaha and

Vivingsati, skilled in weapons and endued with great energy, and all

decked with handsome garlands and ornaments, rushed towards that terrible

bowman. And advancing towards Vibhatsu--that fierce archer, these all

encompassed him around. Then the heroic Dussasana pierced the son of

Virata with a crescent-shaped arrow and he pierced Arjuna with another

arrow in the breast. And Jishnu, confronting Dussasana, cut off by means

of a sharp-edged arrow furnished with vulturine wings his adversary's bow

plaited with gold, and then pierced his person in the breast by means of

five arrows. And afflicted by the arrows of Partha. Dussasana fled,

leaving the combat. Then Vikarna, the son of Dhritarashtra, pierced

Arjuna--that slayer of hostile heroes, by means of sharp and straight

arrows furnished with vulturine wings. But the son of Kunti within a

moment hit him also in the forehead with straight shafts. And pierced by

Arjuna, he fell down from his car. And at this, Dussaha, supported by

Vivingsati, covered Arjuna with a cloud of sharp arrows, impelled by the

desire of rescuing his brother. Dhananjaya, however, without the least

anxiety, pierced both of them almost at the same instant by means of

couple of keen-edged arrows and then slew the steeds of both. And there

upon, both those sons of Dhritarashtra, deprived of their steeds and

their bodies mangled were taken away by the warrior behind them who had

rushed forward with other cars. Then the unvanquished Vibhatsu, the

mighty son of Kunti, decked with diadem and sure of aim, simultaneously

attacked all sides with his arrows.'"

SECTION LXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O thou of the Bharata race, all the great

car-warriors of the Kurus, united together, began to assail Arjuna to the

best of their might from all sides. But that hero of immeasurable soul

completely covered all those mighty car-warriors with clouds of arrows,

even as the mist covereth the mountains. And the roars of huge elephants

and conchs, mingling together, produced a loud up roar. And penetrating

through the bodies of elephants and horses as also through steel coats of

mail, the arrows shot by Partha fell by thousands. And shooting shafts

with the utmost celerity, the son of Pandu seemed in that contest to

resemble the blazing sun of an autumnal midday. And afflicted with fear,

the car-warriors began to leap down from their cars and the

horse-soldiers from horse-back, while the foot-soldiers began to fly in

all directions. And loud was the clatter made by Arjuna's shafts as they

cleft the coats of mail belonging to mighty warriors, made of steel,

silver, and copper. And the field was soon covered with the corpses of

warriors mounted on elephants and horses, all mangled by the shafts of

Partha of great impetuosity like unto sighing snakes. And then it seemed

as if Dhananjaya, bow in hand, was dancing on the field of battle. And

sorely affrighted at the twang of the Gandiva resembling the noise of the

thunder, many were the combatants that fled from that terrible conflict.

And the field of battle was bestrewn with severed heads decked with

turbans, ear-rings and necklaces of gold, and the earth looked beautiful

by being scattered all over with human trunks mangled by shafts, and arms

having bows in their grasp and hands decked with ornaments. And, O bull

of the Bharata race, in consequence of heads cut off by whetted shafts

ceaselessly falling on the ground, it seemed as if a shower of stones

fell from the sky. And that Partha of formidable prowess, displaying his

fierceness, now ranged the field of battle, pouring the terrible fire of

his wrath upon the sons of Dhritarashtra. And beholding the fierce

prowess of Arjuna who thus scorched the hostile host, the Kuru warriors,

in the very presence of Duryodhana, became dispirited and ceased to

fight. And, O Bharata, having struck terror into that host and routed

those mighty car-warriors, that fore-most of victors, ranged on the

field. And the son of Pandu then created on the field of battle a

dreadful river of blood, with waving billows, like unto the river of

death that is created by Time at the end of the Yuga, having the

dishevelled hair of the dead and the dying for its floating moss and

straw, with bows and arrows for its boats, fierce in the extreme and

having flesh and animal juices for its mire. And coats of mail and

turbans floated thick on its surface. And elephants constituted its

alligators and the cars its rafts. And marrow and fat and blood

constituted its currents. And it was calculated to strike terror into the

hearts of the spectators. And dreadful to behold, and fearful in the

extreme, and resounding with the yells of ferocious beasts, keen edged

weapons constituted its crocodiles. And Rakshasas and other cannibals

haunted it from one end to the other. And strings of pearls constituted

its ripples, and various excellent ornaments, its bubbles. And having

swarms of arrows for its fierce eddies and steeds for its tortoises, it

was incapable of being crossed. And the mighty car warrior constituted

its large island, and it resounded with the bleat of conchs and the sound

of drums. And the river of blood that Partha created was incapable of

being crossed. Indeed, so swift-handed was Arjuna that the spectators

could not perceive any interval between his taking up an arrow, and

fixing it on the bow-string, and letting it off by a stretch of the

Gandiva.'"

SECTION LXIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then while a great havoc was being made among the

Kurus, Santanu's son, Bhishma, and grandsire of the Bharatas rushed at

Arjuna, taking up an excellent bow adorned with gold, and many arrows

also of keen points and capable of piercing into the very vitals of the

foe and afflicting him sorely. And in consequence of a white umbrella

being held over his head, that tiger among men looked beautiful like unto

a hill at sunrise. And the son of Ganga, blowing his conch cheered the

sons of Dhritarashtra, and wheeling along his right came upon Vibhatsu

and impeded his course. And that slayer of hostile heroes, the son of

Kunti, beholding him approach, received him with a glad heart, like a

hill receiving a rain-charged cloud. And Bhishma, endued with great

energy, pierced Partha's flag-staff with eight arrows. The arrows

reaching the flag-staff of Pandu's son, struck the blazing ape and those

creatures also stationed in the banner-top. And then the son of Pandu,

with a mighty javelin of sharp-edge cut of Bhishma's umbrella which

instantly fell on the ground. And then the light-handed son of Kunti

struck his adversary's flag-staff also with many shafts, and then his

steeds and then the couple of drivers that protected Bhishma's flanks.

And unable to bear this, Bhishma though cognisant of the Pandava's might,

covered Dhananjaya with a powerful celestial weapon. And the son of

Pandu, of immeasurable soul, hurling in return a celestial weapon at

Bhishma, received that from Bhishma like a hill receiving a deep mass of

clouds. And the encounter that took place between Partha and Bhishma, was

fierce and the Kaurava warriors with their troops stood as lookers on.

And in the conflict between Bhishma and the son of Pandu, shafts striking

against shafts shone in the air like fireflies in the season of rains.

And, O king, in consequence of Partha's shooting arrows with both his

right and left hands, the bent Gandiva seemed like a continuous circle of

fire. And the son of Kunti then covered Bhishma with hundreds of sharp

and keen-edged arrows, like a cloud covering the mountain-breast with its

heavy downpour. And Bhishma baffled with the own arrows that arrowy

shower, like the bank resisting the swelling sea, and covered the son of

Pandu in return. And those warriors, cut into a thousand pieces in

battle, fell fast in the vicinity of Falguna's car. And then there was a

downpour, from the car of Pandu's son, of arrows furnished with golden

wing, and raining through the sky like a flight of locusts. And Bhishma

again repelled that arrowy shower with hundreds of whetted shafts shot by

him. And then the Kauravas exclaimed.--Excellent! Excellent!--Indeed,

Bhishma hath performed an exceedingly difficult feat inasmuch as he hath

fought with Arjuna. Dhananjaya is mighty and youthful, and dexterous and

swift of hand. Who else, save Bhishma, the son of Santanu, or Krishna,

the son of Devaki, or the mighty son of Bharadwaja, the foremost of

preceptors, is able to bear the impetus of Partha in battle? And

repelling weapons with weapons, those two bulls of the Bharata race, both

endued with great might, fought on playfully and infatuated the eyes of

all created beings. And those illustrious warriors ranged on the field of

battle, using the celestials weapons obtained from Prajapati and Indra,

and Agni and the fierce Rudra, and Kuvera, and Varuna, and Yama, and

Vayu. And all beings were greatly surprised, upon beholding those

warriors engaged in combat. And they all exclaimed,--Bravo Partha of long

arms? Bravo Bhishma! Indeed, this application of celestial weapons that

is being witnessed in the combat between Bhishma and Partha is rare among

human beings."

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus raged that conflict with weapons between

those warriors conversant with all weapons. And when that conflict of

celestial weapons ceased, then commenced a conflict with arrows. And

Jishnu approaching his opponent, cut of with an arrow sharp like a razor

the gold-decked bow of Bhishma. Within the twinkling of the eye, however,

Bhishma, that mighty-armed and great car-warrior, took up another bow and

stringed it. And inflamed with wrath, he showered upon Dhananjaya a cloud

of arrows. And Arjuna, too, endued with great energy, rained upon Bhishma

innumerable sharp-pointed and keen-edged arrows. And Bhishma also shot

clouds of arrows upon Pandu's son. And conversant with celestial weapons

and engaged in shooting and each other, arrows of keen points, no

distinction, O king, could then be perceived between those illustrious

warriors. And that mighty car-warrior, Kunti's son, covered with a

diadem, and the heroic son of Santanu, obscured the ten directions with

their arrows. And the Pandava covered Bhishma, and Bhishma also covered

the Pandava, with clouds of shafts. And, O king, wonderful was this

combat that took place in this world of men. And the heroic warriors that

protected Bhishma's car, slain by the son of Pandu, fell prostrate, O

monarch, beside the car of Kunti's son. And the feathery arrows of

Svetavahana, shot from the Gandiva, fell in all directions as if with the

object of making a wholesale slaughter of the foe. And issuing forth from

his car those blazing arrows furnished with golden wings looked like rows

of swans in the sky. And all the celestials with Indra, stationed in the

firmament, gazed with wonder upon another celestial weapon hurled with

great force by that wonderful archer Arjuna. And beholding that wonderful

weapon of great beauty, the mighty Gandiva, Chitrasena, highly pleased,

addressed the lord of celestials, saying, 'Behold these arrows shot by

Partha coursing through the sky in one continuous line. Wonderful is the

dexterity of Jishnu in evolving this celestial weapon! Human beings are

incapable of shooting such a weapon, for it does not exist among men. How

wonderful again is this concourse of mighty weapons existing from days of

old! No interval can be perceived between his taking up the arrows,

fixing them on the bow-string, and letting them off by stretching the

Gandiva. The soldiers are incapable of even looking at the son of Pandu,

who is like unto the midday sun blazing in the sky. So also none ventures

to look at Bhishma, the son of Ganga. Both are famous for their

achievements, and both are of fierce prowess. Both are equal in feats of

heroism, and both are difficult of being vanquished in battle.'

'Thus addressed by the Gandharva about that combat between Partha and

Bhishma, the lord of the celestials, O Bharata, paid proper respect unto

both by a shower of celestial flowers. Meanwhile, Bhishma, the son of

Santanu, assailed Arjuna on the left side, while that drawer of the bow

with either hands was on the point of piercing him. And at this,

Vibhatsu, laughing aloud, cut off with an arrow of keen edge and

furnished with vulturine wings, the bow of Bhishma, that hero of solar

effulgence. And then Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, pierced Bhishma in the

breast with ten shafts although the latter was contending with all his

prowess. And sorely afflicted with pain Ganga's son of mighty arms and

irresistible in battle, stood for a long time leaning on the pole of his

car. And beholding him deprived of consciousness the driver of his

car-steeds, calling to mind the instructions about protecting the

warriors when in a swoon, led him away for safety.'"

SECTION LXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Bhishma had fled, leaving the van of battle,

the illustrious son of Dhritarashtra hoisting high flag approached

Arjuna, bow in hand and setting up a loud roar. And with a spear-headed

shaft shot from his bow stretched to the ear, he pierced on the forehead

of that terrible bowman of fierce prowess, Dhanajaya, ranging amidst the

foes. And pierced with that keen shaft of golden point on the forehead,

that hero of famous deeds looked resplendent, O king, like unto a

beautiful hill with a single peak. And cut by that arrow, the warm

life-blood gushed out profusely from the wound. And the blood trickling

down his body shone beautifully like a wreath of golden flowers. And

struck by Duryodhana with the shaft, the swift-handed Arjuna of unfailing

strength, swelling with rage, pierced the king in return, taking up

arrows that were endued with the energy of snakes of virulent poison. And

Duryodhana of formidable energy attacked Partha, and Partha also, that

foremost of heroes, attacked Duryodhana. And it was that those foremost

of men, both born in the race of Ajamida, struck each other alike in the

combat. And then (seated) on an infuriate elephant huge as a mountain and

supported by four cars, Vikarna rushed against Jishnu, the son of Kunti.

And beholding that huge elephant, advancing with speed, Dhananjaya struck

him on the head between the temples with an iron arrow of great impetus

shot from the bow-string stretched to the ear. And like the thunderbolt

hurled by Indra splitting a mountain, that arrow furnished with vulturine

wings, shot by Partha, penetrated, up to the very feathers, into the body

of that elephant huge as hill. And sorely afflicted by the shaft, that

lord of the elephant species began to tremble, and deprived of strength

fell down on the ground in intense anguish, like the peak of mountain

riven by thunder. And that best of elephants falling down on the earth,

Vikarna suddenly alighting in great terror, ran back full eight hundred

paces and ascended on the car of Vivingsati. And having slain with that

thunder-like arrow that elephant huge as a mighty hill and looking like a

mass of clouds, the son of Pritha smote Duryodhana in the breast with

another arrow of the same kind. And both the elephant and the king having

thus been wounded, and Vikarna having broken and fled along with the

supporters of the king's car, the other warriors, smitten with the arrows

shot from the Gandiva, fled from the field in panic. And beholding the

elephant slain by Partha, and all the other warriors running away,

Duryodhana, the foremost of the Kurus, turning away his car precipitately

fled in that direction where Partha was not. And when Duryodhana was fast

running away in alarm, pierced by that arrow and vomitting forth blood,

Kiritin, still eager for battle and capable of enduring every enemy, thus

censured him from wrath, 'Sacrificing thy great fame and glory, why dost

thou fly away, turning the back? Why are not those trumpet? sounded now,

as they were when thou hadst set out from thy kingdom? Lo, I am an

obedient servant of Yudhishthira, myself being the third son of Pritha,

standing here for battle. Turn back, show me thy face, O son of

Dhritarashtra, and bear in thy mind the behaviour of kings. The name

Duryodhana bestowed on thee before is hereby rendered meaningless. When

thou runnest away, leaving the battle, where is thy persistence in

battle? Neither do I behold thy body-guards. O Duryodhana, before nor

behind. O foremost of men, fly thou away and save thy life which is dear

from the hands of Pandu's son.'"

SECTION LXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus summoned to battle by the illustrious hero,

Dhritarashtra's son turned back stung by those censures, like an

infuriate and mighty elephant pricked by a hook. And stung by those

reproaches and unable to bear them, that mighty and brave car-warrior

endued with great swiftness, turned back on his car, like a snake that is

trampled under foot. And beholding Duryodhana turn back with his wounds,

Karna, that hero among men, decked with a golden necklace, stopped the

king on the way and soothing him, himself proceeded along the north of

Duryodhana's car to meet Partha in battle. And the mighty-armed Bhishma

also, the son of Santanu, turning back his steeds decked with gold,

enormous in size, and of tawny hue, rushed bow in hand, for protecting

Duryodhana from Partha's hand. And Drona and Kripa and Vivingsati and

Dussasana and others also, quickly turning back, rushed forward with

speed with drawn bows and arrows fixed on the bow-strings, for protecting

Duryodhana. And beholding those divisions advance towards him like the

swelling surges of the ocean, Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, quickly

rushed at them like a crane rushing at a descending cloud. And with

celestial weapons in their hands, they completely surrounded the son of

Pritha and rained on him from all sides a perfect shower of shafts, like

clouds showering on the mountain breast a heavy downpour of rain, And

warding off with weapons, all the weapons of those bulls among the Kurus,

the wielder of the Gandiva who was capable of enduring all foes, evolved

another irresistible weapon obtained from Indra, called Sanmohana. And

entirely covering the cardinal and other directions with sharp and

keen-edged arrows furnished with beautiful feathers, that mighty hero

stupefied their senses with the twang of the Gandiva. And once more,

taking up with both his hands that large conch of loud blare, Partha,

that slayer of foes, blew it with force and filled the cardinal and other

points, the whole earth, and sky, with that noise. And those foremost of

the Kuru heroes were all deprived of their senses by the sound of that

conch blown by Partha. And all of them stood still, their bows, from

which they were never separated, dropping down from their hands. And when

the Kuru army became insensible, Partha calling to mind the words of

Uttara, addressed the son of the Matsya king, saying, 'O best of men, go

thou among the Kurus, so long as they remain insensible, and bring away

the white garments of Drona and Kripa, and the yellow and handsome ones

of Karna, as also the blue ones of the king and Drona's son. Methinks,

Bhishma is not stupefied, for he knoweth how to counteract this weapon of

mine. So, pass thou on, keeping his steeds to thy left; for those that

are sensible should thus be avoided,' Hearing these words, the

illustrious son of Matsya, giving up the reins of the steeds, jumped down

from the car and taking off the garments of the warriors, came back to

his place. And the son of Virata then urged the four handsome steeds with

flanks adorned with golden armours. And those white steeds, urged on,

took Arjuna away from the midst of battle-field and beyond the array of

the infantry bearing standards in their hands. And, Bhishma, beholding

that best of men thus going away, struck him with arrows. And Partha,

too, having slain Bhishma's steeds, pierced him with ten shafts. And

abandoning Bhishma on the field of battle, having first slain his

car-driver, Arjuna with a good-looking bow in hand came out of that

multitude of cars, like the sun emerging from the clouds. And

Dhritarashtra's son, that foremost of heroes among the Kurus, recovering

his senses, saw the son of Pritha standing like the lord of the

celestials, alone on the battle-field. And he said in hurry (unto

Bhishma), 'How hath this one escape from thee? Do thou afflict him in

such a way that he may not escape.' And at this, Santanu's son, smiling,

said unto him, 'Where had been this sense of thine, and where had been

thy prowess too, when thou hadst been in a state of unconsciousness

renouncing thy arrows and handsome bow? Vibhatsu is not addicted to the

commission of atrocious deeds; nor is his soul inclined to sin. He

renounceth not his principles even for the sake of the three worlds. It

is for this only that all of us have not been slain in this battle. O

thou foremost of Kuru heroes, go back to the city of the Kurus, and let

Partha also go away, having conquered the kine. Do thou never foolishly

throw away thy own good. Indeed, that which leadeth to one's welfare

ought to be accomplished.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having listened to the words of the grandsire

that tended to his own welfare, the wrathful king Duryodhana no longer

eager for battle, drew a deep sigh and became silent. And reflecting that

the advice of Bhishma was beneficial and seeing that the Pandavas gaining

in strength, the other warriors also, desirous of protecting Duryodhana,

resolved to return. And beholding those foremost of Kuru heroes departing

for their city, Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, with a cheerful heart

followed them for a while, desirous of addressing and worshipping them.

And having worshipped the aged grandsire--the son of Santanu, as also the

preceptor Drona, and having saluted with beautiful arrows Drona's son and

Kripa and other venerable ones among the Kurus, the son of Pritha broke

into fragments Duryodhana's crown decked with precious gems, with another

arrow. And having saluted all the venerable and brave warriors thus, he

filled the three worlds with the twang of the Gandiva. And suddenly

blowing his conch called Devadatta, the hero pierced the hearts of all

his foes. And having humbled the hostile, he looked resplendent on his

car decked with a handsome flag. And beholding the Kurus depart, Kiritin

cheerfully said unto Matsya's son, 'Turn back thy steeds; thy kine have

been recovered; the foe is going away and do thou also return to thy city

with a cheerful heart.' And the celestials also, having witnessed that

most wonderful encounter between Falguna and the Kurus, were highly

delighted, and went to their respective abodes, reflecting upon Partha's

feats.'"

SECTION LXVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having vanquished the Kurus in battle, that one with

eyes like those of a bull brought back that profuse cattle wealth of

Virata. And while the Dhritarashtra, after their rout, were going away, a

large number of Kuru-soldiers issuing out of the deep forest appeared

with slow steps before Partha, their hearts afflicted with fear. And they

stood before him with joined palms and with hair dishevelled. And

fatigued with hunger and thirst, arrived in a foreign land, insensible

with terror, and confused in mind, they all bowed down unto the son of

Pritha and said,--We are thy slaves.'

"Arjuna said, 'Welcome, blessed be ye. Go ye away. Ye have no cause of

fear. I will not take the lives of them that are afflicted. Ye have my

assurance of protection.

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of assurance, the assembled

warriors greeted him with benedictions in praise of his achievements and

fame and wishing him long life. And the Kauravas were unable to confront

Arjuna while after routing the foe he proceeded towards the city of

Virata, like an elephant with rent temples. And having routed the whole

army of the Kuru like a violent wind scattering the clouds, that slayer

of foes, Partha, regardfully addressing the prince of Matsya, said, 'It

is known to thee alone, O child, that the sons of Pritha are all living

with thy father. Do not eulogise them upon entering the city, for then

the king of the Matsyas may hide himself in fear. On the other hand,

entering the city, do thou proclaim in the presence of thy father that

the deed is thy own, saying,--By me hath the army of the Kurus been

vanquished and by me have the kine been recovered from the foe!'

"Uttara said, 'The feat thou hast achieved is beyond my power. I do not

possess the ability to achieve it. I shall not, however, O Savyasachin,

discover thee to my father, as long as thou wilt not tell me to do it.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having vanquished the hostile army and wrested

the whole of the cattle wealth from the Kurus, Jishnu returned again to

the cemetery and having approached the same Sami tree stood there with

body mangled by the arrows of the enemy. Then that terrible monkey

blazing like fire ascended into the sky with those other creatures in the

flag-staff. And the illusion created (by Viswakarma) melted away and

Uttara's own banner bearing the device of a lion was set up on the car

again. And having replaced the arrows and quivers of those foremost of

the Kuru princes, and also that other weapon the (Gandiva) which enhances

the fierceness of a battle, the illustrious prince of Matsya set out for

the city with a glad heart, having Kiritin as his charioteer. And having

achieved an exceedingly mighty feat and slain the foe, Partha also, that

slayer of foes, binding his hair into a braid as before, took the reins

from Uttara's hands. And that illustrious hero entered the city of

Virata, with a cheerful heart rehabilitating himself as Vrihannala, the

car-driver of Uttara.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'When all the Kauravas utterly routed and

vanquished, set out in a dejected mood for Hastinapura, Falguna, on his

way back, addressed Uttara, saying, 'O prince, O hero of mighty arms,

seeing the kine escorted in advance of us by the cowherds, we shall enter

Virata's metropolis in the afternoon, having tended the steeds with drink

and a bath. Let the cowherds, despatched by thee, speedily repair to the

city with the good news and proclaim thy victory.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Agreeable to Arjuna's words, Uttara speedily

ordered the messengers, saying, 'Go ye and proclaim the king's victory.

The foe hath been routed, and the kine have been recovered. And the

Matsya and the Bharata princes having thus consulted together

re-approached the same Sami tree. And gratified with the victory they had

won, and arrived at the foot of the Sami tree, they wore on their persons

and took up on their car the ornaments and robes they had left there. And

having vanquished the whole hostile army and recovered the whole of the

wealth from the Kurus, the heroic son of Virata returned to the city with

Vrihannala as his car-driver.'"

SECTION LXVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having speedily recovered his wealth Virata owning a

large army entered his city with a cheerful heart, accompanied by the

four Pandavas. And having vanquished the Trigartas in battle and

recovered all the kine, that mighty monarch, along with the sons of

Pritha, looked resplendent and blazed forth in beauty. And as the brave

king, that enhancer of the joys of friends, was seated on his throne, all

his subjects headed by the Brahmanas stood before him. And worshipped by

them, the king of the Matsyas, at the head of his army, saluted the

Brahmanas and his subjects in return and dismissed them cheerfully. And

Virata, the king of the Matsyas owning a large army, enquired after

Uttara, saying, 'Where hath Uttara gone?' And the women and the maidens

of the palace and the other females living in the inner apartments

joyfully said unto him, 'Our kine having been seized by the Kurus,

Bhuminjaya incensed at this and from excess of bravery hath issued forth

alone with only Vrihannala as his second, for vanquishing the six mighty

car-warriors, Bhishma the son of Santanu, and Kripa, and Karna, and

Duryodhana, and Drona, and Drona's son who have all come with the Kuru

army.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then king Virata, hearing that his brave son

had gone forth with only one car and with Vrihannala as his car-driver,

became filled with grief, and addressing his chief counsellors, said,

'Without doubt, the Kauravas and other lords of earth, learning the

defeat of the Trigartas, will never keep their ground. Therefore, let

those of my warriors that have not been wounded by the Trigartas go out,

accompanied by a mighty force, for the protection of Uttara.' And saying

this, the king speedily despatched, for the sake of his son, horses and

elephants and cars and a large number of foot-soldiers, equipped and

decked with various kinds of weapons and ornaments. And it was thus that

Virata, the king of the Matsyas, owning a large army, quickly ordered out

a large division consisting of four kinds of troops. And having done

this, he said, 'Learn ye, without loss of time whether the prince liveth

still or not! I myself think that he who hath got a person of the neuter

sex for his car-driver is not alive.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then king Yudhishthira the just, smilingly said

unto the afflicted king Virata, 'If, O monarch, Vrihannala hath been his

charioteer, the foe will never be able to take away thy kine today.

Protected by that charioteer, thy son will be able to vanquish in battle

all the lords of earth allied with the Kurus, indeed, even the gods and

the Asuras and the Siddhas and the Yakshas together.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Meanwhile, the swift-footed messengers

despatched by Uttara, having reached Virata's city, gave tidings of the

victory. And the minister-in-chief then informed the king of everything,

viz., the great victory that had been won, the defeat of the Kurus, and

the expected arrival of Uttara. And he said, 'All the kine have been

brought back, the Kurus have been defeated, and Uttara, that slayer of

foes, is well with his car-driver.' Then Yudhishthira said, 'By good luck

it is that the kine have been recovered and the Kurus routed. I do not,

however, regard it strange that thy son should have vanquished the Kurus,

for his victory is assured that hath Vrihannala for his charioteer.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing of the victory of his son possessed of

immeasurable might, king Virata became so glad that the bristles of his

body stood erect. And having made presents of raiments unto the

messengers, he ordered his ministers, saying, 'Let the highways be

decorated with flags, and let all the gods and goddesses be worshipped

with flowery offerings. And let princes and brave warriors, and musicians

and harlots decked in ornaments, march out to receive my son. And let the

bellman, speedily riding an intoxicated elephant, proclaim my victory at

places where four roads meet. And let Uttara, too, in gorgeous attire and

surrounded by virgins and chanters of eulogies, go forth to receive my

son.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having listened to these words of the king, all

the citizens with auspicious things in hand, and many amongst them with

cymbals and trumpets and conchs, and beautiful women attired in gorgeous

robes, and reciters of auspicious and sacred hymns, accompanied by

encomiasts and minstrels, and drummers and other kinds of musicians

issued forth from the city of the mighty Virata to welcome Uttara of

immeasurable prowess. And having despatched troops and maidens and

courtezens decked in ornaments, the wise king of the Matsyas cheerfully

said these words, 'O Sairindhri, fetch the dice. And, O Kanka, let the

play commence.' The son of Pandu replied, saying, 'We have heard it said

that one whose heart is filled with joy should not play with a cunning

gambler. I do not therefore, dare gamble with thee that are so

transported with joy. I am ever desirous of doing what is for thy good.

Let the play, however, commence if it pleases thee.'

"Virata said, 'My female slaves and kine, my gold and whatsoever other

wealth I have, nothing of all this shall thou be able to protect today

even if I do not gamble.' Kanka said in reply, 'O monarch, O bestower of

honours, what business hast thou with gamble which is attended with

numerous evils? Gambling is fraught with many evils; it should,

therefore, be shunned. Thou mayst have seen or at least heard of

Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu. He lost his extensive and prosperous

kingdom and his god-like brothers at dice. For this, I am averse to

gambling. But if thou likest, O king, I will play.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'While the play was going on, Matsya said unto

the son of Pandu, 'Lo, the Kauravas that are so formidable have been

vanquished in battle by my son.' Upon this, the illustrious king

Yudhishthira said, 'Why should not he conquer that hath Vrihannala for

his charioteer?'

'Thus addressed, King Matsya became angry and said unto Pandu's son,

'Thou wretch of a Brahmana, dost thou compare one of the neuter sex with

my son! Hast thou no knowledge of what is proper and what improper for

one to say? Without doubt, thou disregardest me. Why should not my son

vanquish all those with Bhishma and Drona as their leaders? O Brahmana,

for friendship only I pardon thee this thy offence. Thou must not,

however, say so again if thou wishest to live.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'There where Bhishma and Drona and Drona's son and

the son of Vikartana and Kripa and king Duryodhana and other royal and

mighty car-warriors are assembled or there where Indra himself is

surrounded by the Maruts, what other person than Vrihannala can fight,

encountering them all! None hath been, none will be, his equal in

strength of arms! Indeed, it is Vrihannala only whose heart is filled

with joy at sight of a terrible conflict. It is he who had vanquished the

celestials and the Asuras and human beings fighting together. With such a

one for his ally, why should not thy son conquer the foe? Virata said,

'Repeatedly forbidden by me, thou dost not yet restrain thy tongue. If

there is none to punish, no one would practise virtue.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, the king inflamed with anger

forcibly struck Yudhishthira in the face with a dice, and reproached him

angrily, saying, 'Let it not occur again! And having been violently

struck, blood began to flow from his nose. But the son of Pritha held it

in his hands before it fell on the ground. And the virtuous Yudhishthira

then glanced at Draupadi who was standing by his side. Ever obedient to

the wishes of her lord, the faultless Draupadi, understanding his

meaning, and bringing a golden vessel filled with water, received the

blood that flowed from his nose. Meanwhile; Uttara, entertained with

sweet perfumes of diverse kinds and decked with floral chaplets, slowly

entered the city, received with respect by the citizens, the women, and

the people of the provinces. And approaching the gate of the palace he

sent the news of his arrival to his father. And the porter then,

approaching the king, said, 'Thy son Uttara, waiteth at the gate with

Vrihannala as his companion.' And the Matsya king, with a cheerful heart,

said unto him, 'Do thou usher both, as I am very anxious to see them.'

Then Yudhishthira, the king of t e Kurus, gently whispered unto the ears

of the warder, 'Let Uttara enter alone; Vrihannala must not come in. Such

is the vow of that hero of mighty arms that whoever causeth a wound on my

person or sheddeth my blood except in battle, shall not live. Inflamed

with rage he will never bear patiently to see me bleeding, but will slay

Virata even now with his counsellors and troops and steeds.'"

SECTION LXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Bhuminjaya, the eldest son of the king,

entered, and having worshipped the feet of his father approached Kanka.

And he beheld Kanka covered with blood, and seated on the ground at one

end of the court, and waited upon by the Sairindhri. And seeing this,

Uttara asked his father in a hurry, saying, 'By whom, O king, hath this

one been struck? By whom hath this sinful act been perpetrated?'

"Virata said, 'This crooked Brahmana hath been struck by me. He deserveth

even more than this. When I was praising thee, he praised that person of

the third sex.'

"Uttara said, 'Thou hast, O king, committed an improper act. Do thou

speedily propitiate him so that the virulent poison of a Brahmana's curse

may not consume thee to thy roots!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard the words of his son, Virata, that

enhancer of the limits of his kingdom, began to soothe Kunti's son, who

was like unto a fire hid in ashes, for obtaining his forgiveness. And

unto the king desirous of obtaining his pardon the Pandava replied, 'O

king, I have long ago forgiven it. Anger I have none. Had this blood from

my nostrils fallen on the ground, then, without doubt, thou, O monarch,

wouldst have been destroyed with thy kingdom. I do not, however, blame

thee, O king, for having struck an innocent person. For, O king, they

that are powerful generally act with unreasoning severity.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the bleeding had stopped, Vrihannala

entered (the council-room) and having saluted both Virata and Kanka,

stood silent. And the king, having appeased the chief of the Kurus, began

to praise, in Savyasachin's hearing, Uttara who had returned from the

battle. And the king said, 'O enhancer of the joys of Kekaya's princess,

in thee have I truly a son! I never had nor shall have, a son that is

equal to thee! How, indeed, couldst thou, O Child, encounter that Karna

who leaveth not a single mark unhit amongst even a thousand that he may

aim at all at once? How couldst thou, O child, encounter that Bhishma who

hath no equal in the whole world of men? How also couldst thou, O child,

encounter Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that preceptor

of the Vrishnis and Kauravas, twice-born one who may be regarded as the

preceptor of all the Kshatriyas? How couldst thou meet in battle the

celebrated Aswatthaman? How couldst thou, O child, encounter that

Duryodhana, the prince who is capable of piercing even a mountain with

his mighty arrows? My foes have all been thrashed. A delicious breeze

seems to blow around me. And since thou hast recovered in battle the

whole of my wealth that had been seized by the Kurus, it seems that all

those mighty warriors were struck with panic. Without doubt, thou, O bull

amongst men, has routed the foe and snatched away from them my wealth of

kine, like his prey from a tiger.'"

SECTION LXIX

"Uttara said, 'The kine have not been recovered by me, nor have the foe

been vanquished by me. All that hath been accomplished by the son of a

deity. Capable of striking like a thunderbolt, that youth of celestial

origin, beholding me running away in fear, stopped me and himself mounted

on my car. It was by him that the kine have been recovered and the

Kauravas vanquished. The deed, O father, is that hero's and not mine. It

was he that repulsed with arrows Kripa and Drona and Drona's son of

powerful energy, and the Suta's son and Bhishma. That mighty hero then

spoke unto the affrighted prince Duryodhana who was running away like the

leader of a head of elephants, these words, 'O prince of the Kuru race, I

do not see that thou art safe by any means even at Hastinapura. Protect

thy life by putting forth thy might. Thou shalt not escape me by flight.

Therefore, make up thy mind for fight. If victorious, the sovereignty of

the earth will be thine, or if slain, heaven itself will be thine.'

'Thus addressed, king Duryodhana--that tiger among men surrounded by his

counsellors,--sighing on his car like a snake turned back, showered

arrows endued with the speed and force of thunderbolts. Beholding all

this, venerable sire, my thighs began to quake. Then that celestial youth

pierced with arrows the Kuru army consisting of leonine warriors. And

having pierced and afflicted that crowd of cars, that youth, stout as the

lion, laughed at them and robbed them of their clothes and attires.

Indeed, the six great car-warriors of the Kurus were vanquished by that

hero alone, even like herds of animals ranging in the forest by a single

tiger in rage.'

"Virata said, 'Where is that mighty-armed and famous youth of celestial

origin, that hero who recovered in battle my wealth that had been seized

by the Kurus? I am anxious to behold and worship that mighty warrior of

celestial origin who hath saved thee and my kine also.'

"Uttara replied, 'The mighty son of a deity disappeared there and then. I

think, however, that he will show himself either tomorrow or the day

after.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Virata, that owner of a large army, remained

ignorant of the son of Pandu who was thus described unto him by Uttara,

and who was living in the palace in disguise. And permitted by the

high-souled Virata, Partha presented with his own hands the garments he

had brought, unto Virata's daughter. And the beautiful Uttara, obtaining

those new and costly clothes of diverse kinds, became highly glad, along

with the son of the Matsya king.'"

SECTION LXX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, on the third day, attired in white robes after

a bath, and decked in ornaments of all kinds, those great car-warriors,

the five Pandava brothers, having accomplished their row, and with

Yudhishthira at their head, looked resplendent as they entered the

palace-gate like five intoxicated elephants. And having entered the

council-hall of Virata, they took their seats on the thrones reserved for

kings, and shone brilliantly like fires on the sacrificial altar. And

after Pandavas had taken their seats, Virata, that lord of earth, came

there for holding his council and discharging other royal offices. And

beholding the illustrious Pandavas blazing like fires, the king reflected

for a moment. And them, filled with wrath, the Matsya king spoke unto

Kanka seated there like a celestial and looking like the lord of

celestials surrounded by the Maruts. And he said, 'A player at dice thou

wert employed by me as a courtier! How couldst thou occupy the royal seat

thus attired in handsome robes and ornaments?"

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Virata, O king, and

desirous of jesting with him, Arjuna smilingly said in reply, 'This

person, O king, deserveth to occupy the same seat with Indra himself.

Devoted to the Brahmanas, acquainted with the Vedas, indifferent to

luxury and carnal enjoyments, habitually performing sacrifices, steady in

vows, this one, indeed, is the very embodiment of virtue, The foremost of

all Persons endued with energy and superior to every body on earth in

intelligence, devoted to asceticism, he is conversant with various

weapons. No other person among the mobile and immobile creatures of the

three worlds possesseth or will ever possess such knowledge of weapons.

And there is none even amongst the gods, or Asuras, or men, or Rakshasas,

or Gandharvas, or Yaksha chiefs, or Kinnaras--or mighty Uragas, who is

like him. Endued with great foresight and energy, beloved by the citizens

and inhabitants of the provinces, he is the mightiest of car-warriors

amongst the sons of Pandu. A performer of sacrifices, devoted to

morality, and of subdued passions, like unto a great Rishi, this royal

sage is celebrated over all the worlds. Possessed of great strength and

great intelligence, able and truthful, he hath all his senses under

complete control. Equal unto Indra in wealth and Kuvera in hoarding, he

is the protector of the worlds like unto Manu himself of mighty prowess.

Endued with great might, he is even such. Kind unto all creatures he is

no other than the bull of the Kuru race, king Yudhishthira the just. The

achievements of this king resemble the sun himself of blazing effulgence.

And his fame hath travelled in all directions like the rays of that

luminary. And like the rays following the risen sun of blazing

effulgence, ten thousand swift elephants followed him, O king, when he

dwelt among the Kurus. And, O king, thirty thousand cars decked in gold

and drawn by the best steeds, also used to follow him then. And full

eight hundred bards adorned with ear-rings set with shining gems, and

accompanied by minstrels, recited his praises in those days, like the

Rishis adorning Indra. And, O king, the Kauravas and other lords of earth

always waited upon him like slaves, as the celestials upon Kuvera. This

eminent king, resembling the bright-rayed sun, made all lords of earth

pay tribute unto him like persons of the agricultural class. And

eighty-eight thousands of high-souled Snatakas depended for their

subsistence upon this king practising excellent vows. This illustrious

lord protected the aged and the helpless, the maimed and the blind, as

his sons, and he ruled over his subjects virtuously. Steady in morality

and self-control, capable of restraining his anger, bountiful, devoted to

the Brahmanas, and truthful, this one is the son of Pandu. The prosperity

and prowess of this one afflict king Suyodhana with his followers

including Kama and Suvala's son. And, O lord of men, the virtues of this

one are incapable of being enumerated. This son of Pandu is devoted to

morality and always abstains from injury. Possessed of such attributes,

doth not this bull among kings, this son of Pandu, deserve, O monarch, to

occupy a royal seat?'"

SECTION LXXI

"Virata said, 'If this one, indeed, be the Kuru king Yudhisthira the son

of Kunti, which amongst these is his brother Arjuna, and which, the

mighty Bhima. Which of these is Nakula, and which Sahadeva and where is

the celebrated Draupadi? After their defeat at dice, the sons of Pritha

have not been heard of by any one.'

"Arjuna said, 'Even this one, O king, who is called Vallava and is thy

cook, is that Bhima of mighty arms and terrible prowess and furious

impetus. It was he who slew the furious Rakshasas on the mountains of

Gandhamadana, and procured for Krishna celestial flowers of great

fragrance. Even he is that Gandharva, who slew the Kichaka of wicked soul

and it was he who killed tigers and bears and boars in the inner

apartment of thy palace. He who had been the keeper of thy horse is that

slayer of foes called Nakula, and this one is Sahadeva, the keeper of thy

kine. Both these sons of Madri are great car-warriors, possessed of great

fame and beauty of person. These two bulls of the Bharata race, attired

in handsome robes and decked in excellent ornaments, are a match for a

thousand great car-warriors. And even this lady of eyes like lotus-petals

and slender-waist and sweet smiles is Drupada's daughter, thy wife's

Sairindhri, for whose sake, O king, the Kichakas were slain. I am, O

king, Arjuna who, it is evident, thou hast heard, is that son of Pritha,

who is Bhima's junior and the senior of the twins! We have, O king,

happily passed in thy abode the period of non-discovery, like infants in

the womb!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Arjuna had pointed out those heroes--the

five Pandavas, the son of Virata then spoke of Arjuna's prowess. And

Uttara once again identified the sons of Pritha. And the prince said,

'That one whose complexion is bright like that of pure gold, who is stout

like a full-grown lion, whose nose is so prominent, whose eyes are large

and expansive, and whose face is broad and of coppery hue, is the king of

the Kurus. And behold, that one whose tread is like that of an infuriate

elephant, whose complexion is like that of heated gold, whose shoulders

are broad and expanded, and whose arms are long and thick, is Vrikodara.

And he who stands by his side, that youth of darkish hue, who is like

unto a leader of a herd of elephants, whose shoulders are broad like

those of a lion, whose tread is like that of a mighty elephant, and whose

eyes are large and expansive like lotus-leaves, is Arjuna that foremost

of bowmen. All lo, close to the king, are those foremost of men, the

twins, like unto Vishnu and Indra, and who have no equals, in the world

of men, in beauty, might, and behaviour. And close by them, behold,

standeth Krishna, beautiful as gold, like unto the very embodiment of

light, possessing the complexion of the blue lotus, like unto a celestial

damsel, and resembling the living embodiment of Lakshmi herself.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Virata's son began to describe the prowess

of Arjuna, saying, 'Even this one is he that slew the foe, like unto a

lion devastating a flock of deer. Even he ranged through, crowds of

hostile cars, slaying their best of car-warriors. By him was slain a

huge, infuriate elephant by means of a single arrow. Pierced by him, that

huge beast having its flanks adorned with an armour of gold, fell down

piercing the earth with his tusks. By him have the kine been recovered

and the Kauravas vanquished in battle. My ears have been deafened by the

blare of his conch. It was by this hero of fierce deeds that Bhishma and

Drona, along with Duryodhana, were vanquished. That achievement is his

and not mine.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of his, the mighty king of

the Matsyas, considering himself guilty of having offended Yudhishthira,

said unto Uttara in reply, 'I think the time hath come for me to

propitiate the sons of Pandu. And, if thou likest, I shall bestow my

daughter Uttara upon Arjuna.'

"Uttara said, 'Worthy of our adorations and worship and respect, the time

hath come for worshipping the illustrious sons of Pandu who deserve to be

worshipped by us.'

"Virata said, 'When brought under the foe's subjection in battle, it was

Bhimasena that rescued me. My kine also have been recovered by Arjuna. It

is through the might of their arms that we have obtained victory in

battle. Such being the case, all of us, with our counsellors, shall

propitiate Yudhishthira the son of Kunti. Blessed be thou, with all thy

brothers, O bull among the sons of Pandu. If, O king, we have ever said

or done anything in ignorance to offend thee, it behoveth thee to forgive

us. The son of Pandu is virtuous.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the high-souled Virata, delighted greatly,

approached king Yudhishthira and made an alliance with him, and offered

him his whole kingdom together with the sceptre and treasury and

metropolis. And addressing all the Pandavas, and especially Dhananjaya,

the mighty king of the Matsyas repeatedly said, 'By good luck it is that

I see you.' And having again and again embraced Yudhishthira and Bhima

and the sons of Madri, and smelt their heads, Virata, that owner of a

large army, was not satiated with gazing at them. And being highly

pleased, he said unto king Yudhishthira, 'By good luck it is that I see

you safe from woods. By good luck it is that ye have accomplished with

difficulty the period of exile, undiscovered by those wicked wights. I

make over my entire kingdom to the sons of Pritha, and what else I have.

Let the sons of Pandu accept these without the slightest hesitation. And

let Dhananjaya, called also Savyasachin, accept the hand of Uttara: for

that best of men is fit to be her lord.' Thus addressed, king

Yudhishthira the just cast a look upon Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha. And

looked at by his brother, Arjuna said unto the Matsya king, 'O monarch, I

accept thy daughter as my daughter-in-law. And alliance of this kind

between the Matsya and the Bharatas is, indeed, desirable.'"

SECTION LXXII

"Virata said, 'Why, O best among the Pandavas, dost thou not wish to

accept as wife this my daughter that I bestow upon thee?'

"Arjuna said, 'Residing in thy inner apartments, I had occasion always to

behold thy daughter, and she too, alone or in company trusted me as her

father. Well-versed in singing and dancing, I was liked and regarded by

her, and, indeed, thy daughter always regardeth me as her protector. O

king, I lived for one whole year with her though she had attained the age

of puberty. Under these circumstances, thyself or other men may not

without reason, entertain suspicions against her or me. Therefore, O

king, myself who am pure, and have my senses under control, beg to thee,

O monarch, thy daughter as my daughter-in-law. Thus do I attest her

purity. There is no difference between a daughter-in-law and a daughter,

as also between a son and son's own-self. By adopting this course,

therefore, her purity will be proved. I am afraid of slanderous and false

accusations. I accept, therefore, O king, thy daughter Uttara as my

daughter-in-law. Surpassing all in knowledge of weapons, resembling a

celestial youth in beauty, my son, the mighty-armed Abhimanyu is the

favourite nephew of Vasudeva, the wielder of the discus. He, O king, is

fit to be thy son-in-law and the husband of thy daughter.'

"Virata said, 'It behoveth the best of the Kurus, Dhananjaya, the son of

Kunti, who is so virtuous and wise, to say this. O son of Pritha, do thou

carry out what thou thinkest should be done after this. He that hath

Arjuna for the father of his son-in-law, hath all his desires gratified.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The monarch having said this, Yudhishthira, the

son of Kunti, gave his assent to what was thus agreed upon between the

Matsya king and Arjuna. And, O Bharata, the son of Kunti sent invitations

to Vasudeva and to all his friends and relatives, and Virata also did the

same. And then, after the expiry of the thirteenth year, the five

Pandavas took up their abode in one of Virata's towns called Upaplavya,

and Vibhatsu, the son of Pandu, brought over Abhimanyu and Janardana, and

also many people of the Dasarha race from the Anarta country. And the

king of Kasi, and also Saivya, being very friendly to Yudhishthira,

arrived there, each accompanied by an Akshauhini of troops. And the

mighty Drupada, also with the heroic sons of Draupadi and the

unvanquished Sikhandin, and that foremost of wielder of weapons, the

invincible Dhrishtadyumna came there with another Akshauhini of troops.

And all the kings that came were not only lords of Akshauhini, but

performers of sacrifices with gifts in profusion to Brahmanas, conversant

with the Vedas endued with heroism, and ready to die in battle. And

beholding them arrived, that foremost of virtuous men, the king of the

Matsyas, adored them duly, and entertained their troops and servants and

carriers of burdens. And he was highly pleased to bestow his daughter

upon Abhimanyu. And after the kings had come there from different parts

of the country, there came Vasudeva decked in floral garlands, and

Halayudha, and Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, and Yuyudhana, the son of

Satyaki, and Anadhristi and Akrura, and Samva and Nisatha. And these

repressers of foes came there bringing with them Abhimanyu and his

mother. And Indrasena and others, having lived at Dwaraka for one whole

year, came there, bringing with them the well adorned cars of the

Pandavas. And there came also ten thousand elephants and ten thousand

cars, and hundred millions of horses and hundred billions of

foot-soldiers, and innumerable Vrishni and Andhaka and Bhoja warriors of

great energy, in the train of that tiger among the Vrishnis, Vasudeva of

great effulgence. And Krishna gave unto each of the illustrious sons of

Pandu numerous female slaves, and gems and robes. And then the nuptial

festival set in between the families of the Matsya king and the Pandavas.

And then conchs and cymbals and horns and drums and other musical

instruments appointed by the Pandavas, began to play in the palace of

Virata. And deer of various kinds and clean animals by hundreds were

slain. And wines of various kinds and intoxicating juices of trees were

profusely collected. And mimes and bards and encomiasts, versed in

singing and legendary lore, waited upon the kings, and chanted their

praises and genealogies. And the matrons of the Matsyas of symmetrical

bodies and limbs, and wearing ear-rings of pearls and gems, headed by

Sudeshna, came to the place where the marriage knot was to be tied. And

amongst those beautiful females of fair complexion and excellent

ornaments, Krishna was the foremost in beauty and fame and splendour. And

they all came there, leading forth the princess Uttara decked in every

ornament and resembling the daughter of the great Indra himself. And then

Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, accepted Virata's daughter of faultless

limbs on behalf of his son by Subhadra. And that great king,

Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, who stood there like Indra, also accepted

her as his daughter-in-law. And having accepted her, the son of Pritha,

with Janardana before him, caused the nuptial ceremonies to be performed

of the illustrious son of Subhadra. And Virata then gave him (as dowry)

seven thousand steeds endued with the speed of the wind and two hundred

elephants of the best kind and much wealth also. And having duly poured

libations of clarified butter on the blazing fire, and paid homage unto

the twice-born ones, Virata offered to the Pandavas his kingdom, army,

treasury, and his own self. And after the marriage had taken place,

Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, gave away unto the Brahmanas all the

wealth that had been brought by Krishna of unfading glory. And he also

gave away thousands of kine, and diverse kinds of robes, and various

excellent ornaments, and vehicles, and beds, delicious viands of various

kinds, and cardinal drinks of diverse species. And the king also made

gifts of land unto the Brahmanas with due rites, and also cattle by

thousands. And he also gave away thousands of steeds and much gold and

much wealth of other kinds, unto persons of all ages. And, O bull of the

Bharata race, the city of the Matsya king, thronged with men cheerful and

well-fed, shone brightly like a great festival.'"

The end of Virata Parva

FOOTNOTES

1. Brahma Vadini--Nilakantha explains this as Krishna-kirtanasila.

2. This speech of Vaisampayana is not included in some texts within the

second section. To include it, however, in the third, is evidently a

mistake.

3. The sloka commencing with Adushta and ending ratheshu cha does not

occur in texts except those in Bengal.

4. A difference reading is observable here. The sense, however, is the

same.

5. An independent female artisan working in another person's

house.--Wilson.

6. Some of the Bengal text and Sarvastramaya for Sarvamantramaya. The

former is evidently incorrect.

7. This is a very difficult sloka. Nilakantha adopts the reading

Sanjayet. The Bengal editions read Sanjapet. If the latter be the correct

reading, the meaning then would be,--'Let none talk about what transpires

in the presence of the king. For those even that are poor, regard it as a

grave fault.' The sense evidently is that the occurrences in respect of a

king which one witnesses should not be divulged. Even they that are

powerless regard such divulgence of what occurs in respect of them as an

insult to them, and, therefore, inexcusable.

8. The Bengal editions, read Rajna in the instrumental case. Following a

manuscript text of a Pandit of my acquaintance I read Rajnas in the

genitive.

9. Mahishasura, the son of Rambhasura. Durga had to fight for many many

years before she could slay this formidable Asura. The story occurs in

the Markandeya Purana. To this day, Bengal during the great Durga Puja

festival in autumn, worships the goddess with great veneration.

10. Literally, one that rescues from difficulty.

11. Kamachara is explained by Nilakantha thus, although in other places

it bears a quite different meaning.

12. Krita--attack; Pratikrita--warding it off; Sankata--clenched Some

texts read Sankatakais. The meaning then would be 'cased in gauntlets.'

13. Bhuti, Hri, Sri, Kirti and Kanti are respectively the feminine

embodiments of Prosperity, Modesty, Beauty, Fame and Loveliness.

14. What Draupadi means is that instead of passing her days in joy and

happiness, instead of being able to wish time to be stationary with her,

she is obliged in consequence of her misery, to wish time to pass off

quickly.

15. Jayate asyas--i.e., she from whom one is born.

16. Some texts read, Vilwam nagaviodhara--i.e., 'As an elephant lifts up

a vela fruit.'

17. Veri means both a kettle-drum and a trumpet. The latter however

conveys a better meaning here.

18. Literature, force of his thighs.

19. What Bhima says is this.--Then Gandharvas, your husbands, are always

obedient to thee! If they have been able to do thee a service, they have

only repaid a debt.

20. Krita-krita--Nilakantha explains this to mean 'imagining themselves

to have achieved success in their mission' for having learnt of Kichaka's

death, they could readily guess the presence of the Pandavas there. This

is too far-fetched and does not at all agree with the spirit of their

report to Duryodhana below. And then the same word occurs in the very

last line of the Section. I take it that in both places the word has been

used in the same sense.

21. This is a very difficult sloka. I am not sure that I have understood

it alright. Both Nilakantha and Arjuna Misra are silent. Instead of

depending, however, on my own intelligence, I have consulted several

friends who have read the Mahabharata thoroughly. The grammatical

structure is easy. The only difficulty consists in the second half of the

sloka. The meaning, however, I have given is consistent with the tenor of

Bhishma's advice.

22. Indicating the unobstructed completion of the sacrifice.

23. The word tirtha here means, as Nilakantha rightly explains spies and

not holy spots.

24. Satram is explained by Nilakantha to mean here 'false disguise.' I

think, however, such an interpretation to be far-fetched. It evidently

means 'forest',--the use of 'pravisteshu' in connection with it almost

settles the point.

25. This sloka is not correctly printed in any of the texts that I have

seen. The reading that I adopt is that the second word is the participle

of the root budh and not the instrumental of budhi; the last word again

of the second line is a compound of valavatsu and avaleshu instead of (as

printed in many books) valavatswavaleshu. Any other reading would

certainly be incorrect. I have not consulted the Bombay text.

26. Bhagasas lit., each in its proper place. It may also mean, 'according

to their respective division.'

27. Kalyana-patalam is explained by Nilakantha to mean suvarna

pattachchaditam.

28. One of the generals of Virata.

29. Some differences of reading are noticeable here, for Yasaswinau some

texts read Manaswinau, and for Vahusamravdhau-Vahusanrambhat; and for

Nakha-naki--Ratha-rathi.

30. Some texts read Ghanabiva for Ghanarva. The latter is unquestionably

better in form.

31. The word in the original is Muhurta equal to 48 minutes. Nilakantha

points out very ingeniously that the night being the seventh of the dark

fortnight, the moon would not rise till after 14 Dandas from the hour of

sunset, a Danda being equal to 24 minutes. A Muhurta, therefore implies

not 48 minutes exactly, but some time.

32. Some Vikshyainam, Nilakantha explains Sama as a word spoken by Bhima

for assuring the captive Virata, and Vikshya as 'assuring' or 'consoling

by a glance.' Perhaps this is right.

33. The adjective Bhima-sankasas as explained by Nilakantha is in this

sense, quoting the celebrated simile of Valmiki.

34. To understand the comparison would require in the reader a knowledge

of the mechanism of the Indian Vina. Briefly, the Vina consists of a

bamboo of about cubits attached to two gourds towards its ends. Along the

bamboo which serves the purpose of a finger-board, is the main chord and

several thinner wires. All these pass over a number of frets, two and a

half heptachords, representing the total compass of the instrument. The

wires rest towards their ends on two pieces of ivory called Upadhanas in

Sanskrit or Swaris in Urdu.

35. Some read kaniasi for vaviasi. Both words are the same, and mean the

same thing.

36. Vedi-Vilagna madhya--Vedi in this connection means a wasp and not, as

explained by Mallinatha in his commentary of the Kumarasambhava, a

sacrificial platform. I would remark in passing that many of the most

poetic and striking adjectives in both the Raghu and the Kumarasambhava

of Kalidasa are borrowed unblushingly from the Ramayana and the

Mahabharata.

37. Padma patrabha-nibha may also mean 'of the splendour of the gem

called Marakata.' Nilakantha, however, shows that this would militate

against the adjective Kankojwalatwacham below.

38. The princess being of the complexion of burnished gold and Arjuna

dark as a mass of clouds, the comparison is exceedingly appropriate. The

Vaishnava poets of Bengal never tire of this simile in speaking of Radha

and Krishna in the groves of Vrindavana.

39. The words in the original is pranayam, lit., love. Nilakantha,

however, explains it as meaning modesty, humility. I think, Nilakantha is

right. The relations between Arjuna and the princess were like those

between father and daughter.

40. This sloka is not correctly printed in any of the texts that I have

seen. The Burdwan Pandits read tat-samim. This I think, is correct, but

then asasada in the singular when the other verbs are all dual seems to

be correct. The poet must have used some other verb in the dual for

asasada.

41. Some texts read Diptasya for Diptayam.

42. This sloka does not occur in every text. This is a typical

illustration of the round about way, frequently adopted by Sanskrit

writers, of expressing a simple truth. The excuse in the present instance

consists in Drona's unwillingness to identify the solitary hero with

Arjuna, in the midst of all his hearers. Nadiji is an exclamation

referring to Bhishma, the son of the river Ganga. Lankesa-vanari-ketu is

simply 'ape-bannered,' or as rendered in the text, having the devastator

of the gardens of Lanka's lord for the sign of his banner. Nagahvaya is

'named after tree' for Arjuna is the name of an Indian tree. Nagri-sunu

is 'Indra's son',--Indra being the foe of mountain, for formerly it was

he who cut off the wings of all mountains and compelled them to be

stationary. He failed only in the case of Mainaka, the son of Himavat.

43. Indian insects of a particular kind.

44. Most editions read chapas which is evidently wrong. The correct

reading is avapas, meaning quiver. The Burdwan Pandits give this latter

reading.

45. Some read chandrargha-darsanas. The correct reading is

chandrardha-darsanas.

46. Most editions read hema-punkha and silasita in the instrumental

plural; the correct reading is their nominative plural forms.

47. Sayaka means here, as explained by Nilakantha, a sword, and not a

shaft.

48. From the colour of his steeds.

49. Nilakantha spends much learning and ingenuity in making out that

sixty-five years in this connection means thirty-two years of ordinary

human computation.

50. Some texts read,--'One large meteor fell.'

51. In some editions read,--Bharata dwijam, and Maha-hardam for

maha-drumam. The meaning would then be,--'The banners (of the hostile

army) began to tremble in the sky, and large lakes were agitated."

52. Some texts read Maharatham (incorrectly) for hiranmayan. Indeed,

Maharatham would give no meaning in this connection. The incomplete

edition of the Roy Press under the auspices of the Principal of the

Calcutta Sanskrit College abounds with such incorrect readings and

misprints.

53. The Roy Press edition adds here a line which looks very much like an

interpolation.

54. The true reading is Acharya in the dual number, meaning Drona and

Kripa. Some texts read the word in the singular form. Nilakantha notices

both these reading, but prefers the dual to the singular.

55. The meaning is rather doubtful. Duryodhana seems to say that 'the

hostile appearance of Arjuna has been an act of imprudence on his part.

The Pandavas, after the expiry of the thirteenth year, would claim their

kingdom. I, Duryodhana, may or may not accede to their demand. When,

therefore, it was not certain that Arjuna would be refused by me, his

hostile appearance is unwise. He has come sure of victory, but he may yet

be defeated.'

56. The sense seems to be that when moralists even are puzzled in judging

of the propriety or otherwise of their acts, it can easily be imagined

that the Pandavas, however virtuous, have, in the matter of this their

appearance, acted wrongly, for, after all, the thirteenth year may not

have really been over as believed by them. Or, it may mean, that as

regards our presence here, we have not acted imprudently when even

moralists cannot always arrive at right conclusion. It seems that for

this Duryodhana proceeds to justify that presence in the following

sentences