The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1 ADI PARVA SECTION CXXXVI (Sambhava Parva continued)

  The Mahabharata of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1

ADI PARVA

SECTION CXXXVI

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'O thou of Bharata's race, beholding the sons of

Dhritarashtra and Pandu accomplished in arms, Drona, O monarch, addressed

king Dhritarashtra, in the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, Valhika, the

wise son of Ganga (Bhishma), Vyasa, and Vidura, and said, 'O best of Kuru

kings, thy children have completed their education. With thy permission,

O king, let them now show their proficiency.' Hearing him, the king said

with a gladdened heart, 'O best of Brahmanas, thou hast, indeed,

accomplished a great deed. Command me thyself as to the place and the

time where and when and the manner also in which the trial may be held.

Grief arising from my own blindness maketh me envy those who, blessed

with sight, will behold my children's prowess in arm. O Kshatri (Vidura),

do all that Drona sayeth. O thou devoted to virtue, I think there is

nothing that can be more agreeable to me.' Then Vidura, giving the

necessary assurance to the king, went out to do what he was bid. And

Drona endued with great wisdom, then measured out a piece of land that

was void of trees and thickets and furnished with wells and springs. And

upon the spot of land so measured out, Drona, that first of eloquent men,

selecting a lunar day when the star ascendant was auspicious, offered up

sacrifice unto the gods in the presence of the citizens assembled by

proclamation to witness the same. And then, O bull among men, the

artificers of the king built thereon a large and elegant stage according

to the rules laid down in the scriptures, and it was furnished with all

kinds of weapons. They also built another elegant hall for the

lady-spectators. And the citizens constructed many platforms while the

wealthier of them pitched many spacious and high tents all around.

"When the day fixed for the Tournament came, the king accompanied by his

ministers, with Bhishma and Kripa, the foremost of preceptors, walking

ahead, came unto that theatre of almost celestial beauty constructed of

pure gold, and decked with strings of pearls and stones of lapis lazuli.

And, O first of victorious men, Gandhari blessed with great good fortune

and Kunti, and the other ladies of the royal house-hold, in gorgeous

attire and accompanied by their waiting women, joyfully ascended the

platforms, like celestial ladies ascending the Sumeru mountain. And the

four orders including the Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, desirous of beholding

the princes' skill in arms, left the city and came running to the spot.

And so impatient was every one to behold the spectacle, that the vast

crowd assembled there in almost an instant. And with the sounds of

trumpets and drums and the noise of many voices, that vast concourse

appeared like an agitated ocean.

"At last, Drona accompanied by his son, dressed in white (attire), with a

white sacred thread, white locks, white beard, white garlands, and white

sandal-paste rubbed over his body, entered the lists. It seemed as if the

Moon himself accompanied by the planet Mars appeared in an unclouded sky.

On entering Bharadwaja performed timely worship and caused Brahmanas

versed in mantras to celebrate the auspicious rites. And after auspicious

and sweet-sounding musical instruments had been struck up as a

propitiatory ceremony, some persons entered, equipped with various arms.

And then having girded up their loins, those mighty warriors, those

foremost ones of Bharata's race (the princes) entered, furnished with

finger-protectors (gauntlet), and bows, and quivers. And with

Yudhishthira at their head, the valiant princes entered in order of age

and began to show wonderful skill with their weapons. Some of the

spectators lowered their heads, apprehending fall of arrows while others

fearlessly gazed on with wonder. And riding swiftly on horses and

managing them 'dexterously' the princes began to hit marks with shafts

engraved with their respective names. And seeing the prowess of the

princes armed with bows and arrows, the spectators thought that they were

beholding the city of the Gandharvas, became filled with amazement. And,

O Bharata, all on a sudden, some hundreds and thousands, with eyes wide

open in wonder, exclaimed, 'Well done! Well done!' And having repeatedly

displayed their skill and dexterity in the use of bows and arrows and in

the management of cars, the mighty warriors took up their swords and

bucklers, and began to range the lists, playing their weapons. The

spectators saw (with wonder) their agility, the symmetry of their bodies,

their grace, their calmness, the firmness of their grasp and their

deftness in the use of sword and buckler. Then Vrikodara and Suyodhana,

internally delighted (at the prospect of fight), entered the arena, mace

in hand, like two single-peaked mountains. And those mighty-armed

warriors braced their loins, and summoning all their energy, roared like

two infuriate elephants contending for a cow-elephant; and like two

infuriated elephants those mighty heroes faultlessly (in consonance with

the dictates of the science of arm) careered right and left, circling the

lists. And Vidura described to Dhritarashtra and the mother of the

Pandavas (Kunti) and Gandhari, all the feats of the princes.'"

SECTION CXXXVII

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Upon the Kuru king and Bhima, the foremost of

all endued with strength, having entered the arena, the spectators were

divided into two parties in consequence of the partiality swaying their

affections. Some cried, 'Behold the heroic king of the

Kurus!'--some--'Behold Bhima!'--And on account of these cries, there was,

all on a sudden, a loud uproar. And seeing the place become like a

troubled ocean, the intelligent Bharadwaja said unto his dear son,

Aswatthaman, 'Restrain both these mighty warriors so proficient in arms.

Let not the ire of the assembly be provoked by this combat of Bhima and

Duryodhana.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the son of the preceptor of the princes

restrained those combatants with their maces uplifted and resembling two

swollen oceans agitated by the winds that blow at the universal

dissolution. And Drona himself entering the yard of the arena commanded

the musicians to stop, and with a voice deep as that of the clouds

addressed these words, 'Behold ye now that Partha who is dearer to me

than my own son, the master of all arms, the son of Indra himself, and

like unto the younger brother of Indra, (Vishnu)! And having performed

the propitiatory rites, the youthful Phalguna, equipped with the finger

protector (gauntlet) and his quiver full of shafts and bow in hand,

donning his golden mail, appeared in the lists even like an evening cloud

reflecting the rays of the setting sun and illumined by the hues of the

rainbow and flashes of lightning.

"On seeing Arjuna, the whole assembly were delighted and conchs began to

be blown all around with other musical instruments. And there arose a

great uproar in consequence of the spectators' exclaiming,--'This is the

graceful son of Kunti!'--'This is the middle (third) Pandava!'--'This is

the son of the mighty Indra!'--'This is the protector of the

Kurus'--'This is the foremost of those versed in arms!'--'This is the

foremost of all cherishers of virtue!'--'This is the foremost of the

persons of correct behaviour, the great repository of the knowledge of

manners!' At those exclamations, the tears of Kunti, mixing with the milk

of her breast, wetted her bosom. And his ears being filled with that

uproar, that first of men, Dhritarashtra, asked Vidura in delight, 'O

Kshatri, what is this great uproar for, like unto that of the troubled

ocean, arising all on a sudden and rending the very heavens?' Vidura

replied, 'O mighty monarch, the son of Pandu and Pritha, Phalguna, clad

in mail hath entered the lists. And hence this uproar!' Dhritarashtra

said, 'O thou of soul so great, by the three fires sprung from Pritha who

is even like the sacred fuel, I have, indeed, been blessed, favoured and

protected!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the spectators, excited with delight, had

somewhat regained their equanimity, Vibhatsu began to display his

lightness in the use of weapons. By the Agneya weapon, he created fire,

and by the Varuna weapon he created water, by the Vayavya weapon, he

created air, and by the Parjanya weapon he created clouds. And by the

Bhauma weapon, he created land, and by the Parvatya weapon, he brought

mountains into being. By the Antardhana weapon all these were made to

disappear. Now the beloved one of his preceptor (Arjuna) appeared tall

and now short; now he was seen on the yoke of his car, and now on the car

itself; and the next moment he was on the ground. And the hero favoured

by his practised dexterity, hit with his various butts--some tender, some

fine and some of thick composition. And like one shaft, he let fly at a

time into the mouth of a moving iron-boar five shafts together from his

bow-string. And that hero of mighty energy discharged one and twenty

arrows into the hollow of a cow's horn hung up on a rope swaying to and

fro. In this manner, O sinless one, Arjuna showed his profound skill in

the use of sword, bow, and mace, walking over the lists in circles.

"And, O Bharata, when the exhibition had well-nigh ended, the excitement

of the spectators had cooled, and the sounds of instruments had died out

there was heard proceeding from the gate, the slapping of arms,

betokening might and strength, and even like unto the roar of the

thunder. And, O king, as soon as this sound was heard, the assembled

multitude instantly thought, 'Are the mountains splitting or is the earth

itself rending asunder, or is the welkin resounding with the roar of

gathering clouds? And then all the spectators turned their eyes towards

the gate. And Drona stood, surrounded by the five brothers, the sons of

Pritha, and looked like the moon in conjunction with the five-starred

constellation Hasta. And Duryodhana, that slayer of foes, stood up in

haste and was surrounded by his century of haughty brothers with

Aswatthaman amongst them. And that prince, mace in hand, thus surrounded

by his hundred brothers with uplifted weapons appeared like Purandara in

days of yore, encircled by the celestial host on the occasion of the

battle with the Danavas.'"

SECTION CXXXVIII

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the spectators, with eyes expanded with

wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities, Karna, that hero

with his natural mail and face brightened with ear-rings, took up his bow

and girded on his sword, and then entered the spacious lists, like a

walking cliff. That far-famed destroyer of hostile hosts, the large-eyed

Karna, was born of Pritha in her maidenhood. He was a portion of the

hot-beamed Sun and his energy and prowess were like unto those of the

lion, or the bull, or the leader of a herd of elephants. In splendour he

resembled the Sun, in loveliness the Moon, and in energy the fire.

Begotten by the Sun himself, he was tall in stature like a golden palm

tree, and, endued with the vigour of youth, he was capable of slaying a

lion. Handsome in features, he was possessed of countless

accomplishments. The mighty-armed warrior, eyeing all around the arena,

bowed indifferently to Drona and Kripa. And the entire assembly,

motionless and with steadfast gaze, thought, 'Who is he?' And they became

agitated in their curiosity to know the warrior. And that foremost of

eloquent men, the offspring of the Sun, in a voice deep as that of the

clouds, addressed his unknown brother, the son of the subduer of the

Asura, Paka (Indra), saying, 'O Partha, I shall perform feats before this

gazing multitude; excelling all thou hast performed! Beholding them, thou

shall be amazed.' And, O thou best of those blest with speech, he had

hardly done when the spectators stood up all at once, uplifted by some

instrument, as it were. And, O tiger among men, Duryodhana was filled

with delight, while Vibhatsu was instantly all abashment and anger. Then

with the permission of Drona, the mighty Karna, delighting in battle,

there did all that Partha had done before. And, O Bharata, Duryodhana

with his brothers thereupon embraced Karna in joy and then addressed him

saying, 'Welcome O mighty-armed warrior! I have obtained thee by good

fortune, O polite one! Live thou as thou pleasest, and command me, and

the kingdom of the Kurus.' Kama replied, 'When thou hast said it, I

regard it as already accomplished. I only long for thy friendship. And, O

lord, my wish is even for a single combat with Arjuna.' Duryodhana said,

'Do thou with me enjoy the good things of life! Be thou the benefactor of

thy friend, and, O represser of enemies, place thou thy feet on the heads

of all foes."

"Vaisampayanacontinued, 'Arjuna, after this, deeming himself disgraced,

said unto Karna stationed amidst the brothers like unto a cliff, 'That

path which the unwelcome intruder and the uninvited talker cometh to,

shall be thine, O Karna, for thou shall be slain by me.' Karna replied,

'This arena is meant for all, not for thee alone, O Phalguna! They are

kings who are superior in energy; and verily the Kshatriya regardeth

might and might alone. What need of altercation which is the exercise of

the weak? O Bharata, speak then in arrows until with arrows I strike off

thy head today before the preceptor himself!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hastily embraced by his brothers, Partha that

subduer of hostile cities, with the permission of Drona, advanced for the

combat. On the other side, Karna, having been embraced by Duryodhana with

his brothers, taking up his bow and arrows, stood ready for the fight.

Then the firmament became enveloped in clouds emitting flashes of

lightning, and the coloured bow of Indra appeared shedding its effulgent

rays. And the clouds seemed to laugh on account of the rows of white

cranes that were then on the wing. And seeing Indra thus viewing the

arena from affection (for his son), the sun too dispersed the clouds from

over his own offspring. And Phalguna remained deep hid under cover of the

clouds, while Karna remained visible, being surrounded by the rays of the

Sun. And the son of Dhritarashtra stood by Karna, and Bharadwaja and

Kripa and Bhishma remained with Partha. And the assembly was divided, as

also the female spectators. And knowing the state of things, Kunti the

daughter of Bhoja, swooned away. And by the help of female attendants,

Vidura, versed in the lore of all duties, revived the insensible Kunti by

sprinkling sandal-paste and water on her person. On being restored to

consciousness, Kunti, seeing her two sons clad in mail, was seized with

fear, but she could do nothing (to protect them). And beholding both the

warriors with bows strung in their hands the son of Saradwat, viz.,

Kripa, knowing all duties and cognisant of the rules regulating duels,

addressed Karna, saying 'This Pandava, who is the youngest son of Kunti,

belongeth to the Kaurava race: he will engage in combat with thee. But, O

mighty-armed one, thou too must tell us thy lineage and the names of thy

father and mother and the royal line of which thou art the ornament.

Learning all this, Partha will fight with thee or not (as he will think

fit). Sons of kings never fight with men of inglorious lineage.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'When he was thus addressed by Kripa, Karna's

countenance became like unto a lotus pale and torn with the pelting

showers in the rainy season. Duryodhana said, 'O preceptor, verily the

scriptures have it that three classes of persons can lay claim to

royalty, viz., persons of the blood royal, heroes, and lastly, those that

lead armies. If Phalguna is unwilling to fight with one who is not a

king, I will install Karna as king of Anga.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'At that very moment, seated on a golden seat, with

parched paddy and with flowers and water-pots and much gold, the mighty

warrior Karna was installed king by Brahmanas versed in mantras. And the

royal umbrella was held over his head, while Yak-tails waved around that

redoubtable hero of graceful mien. And the cheers, having ceased, king

(Karna) said unto the Kaurava Duryodhana, 'O tiger among monarchs, what

shall I give unto thee that may compare with thy gift of a kingdom? O

king, I will do all thou biddest!' And Suyodhana said unto him, 'I

eagerly wish for thy friendship.' Thus spoken to, Karna replied, 'Be it

so.' And they embraced each other in joy, and experienced great

happiness.'"

SECTION CXXXIX

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'After this, with his sheet loosely hanging down,

Adhiratha entered the lists, perspiring and trembling, and supporting

himself on a staff.

"Seeing him, Karna left his bow and impelled by filial regard bowed down

his head still wet with the water of inauguration. And them the

charioteer, hurriedly covering his feet with the end of his sheet,

addressed Karna crowned with success as his son. And the charioteer

embraced Karna and from excess of affection bedewed his head with tears,

that head still wet with the water sprinkled over it on account of the

coronation as king of Anga. Seeing the charioteer, the Pandava Bhimasena

took Karna for a charioteer's son, and said by way of ridicule, 'O son of

a charioteer, thou dost not deserve death in fight at the hands of

Partha. As befits thy race take thou anon the whip. And, O worst of

mortals, surely thou art not worthy to sway the kingdom of Anga, even as

a dog doth not deserve the butter placed before the sacrificial fire.'

Karna, thus addressed, with slightly quivering lips fetched a deep sigh,

looked at the God of the day in the skies. And even as a mad elephant

riseth from an assemblage of lotuses, the mighty Duryodhana rose in wrath

from among his brothers, and addressed that performer of dreadful deeds,

Bhimasena, present there, 'O Vrikodara, it behoveth thee not to speak

such words. Might is the cardinal virtue of a Kshatriya, and even a

Kshatriya of inferior birth deserveth to be fought with. The lineage of

heroes, like the sources of a lordly river, is ever unknown. The fire

that covereth the whole world riseth from the waters. The thunder that

slayeth the Danavas was made of a bone of (a mortal named) Dadhichi. The

illustrious deity Guha, who combines in his composition the portions of

all the other deities is of a lineage unknown. Some call him the

offspring of Agni; some, of Krittika, some, of Rudra, and some of Ganga.

It hath been heard by us that persons born in the Kashatriya order have

become Brahmanas. Viswamitra and others (born Kshatriyas) have obtained

the eternal Brahma. The foremost of all wielders of weapons, the

preceptor Drona hath been born in a waterpot and Kripa of the race of

Gotama hath sprung from a clump of heath. Your own births, ye Pandava

princes, are known to me. Can a she-deer bring forth a tiger (like

Karna), of the splendour of the Sun, and endued with every auspicious

mark, and born also with a natural mail and ear-rings? This prince among

men deserveth the sovereignty of the world, not of Anga only, in

consequence of the might of his arm and my swearing to obey him in

everything. If there be anybody here to whom all that I have done unto

Karna hath become intolerable, let him ascend his chariot and bend his

bow with the help of his feet.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then there arose a confused murmur amongst the

spectators approving of Duryodhana's speech. The sun, however, went down,

but prince Duryodhana taking Karna's hand led him out of the arena

lighted with countless lamps. And, O king, the Pandavas also, accompanied

by Drona and Kripa and Bhishma, returned to their abodes. And the people,

too, came away, some naming Arjuna, some Karna, and some Duryodhana (as

the victor of the day). And Kunti, recognising her son in Karna by the

various auspicious marks on his person and beholding him installed in the

sovereignty of Anga, was from motherly affection, very pleased. And

Duryodhana, O monarch, having obtained Karna (in this way), banished his

fears arising out of Arjuna's proficiency in arms. And the heroic Karna,

accomplished in arms, began to gratify Duryodhana by sweet speeches,

while Yudhishthira was impressed with the belief that there was no

warrior on earth like unto Karna.'"

SECTION CXL

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding the Pandavas and the son of

Dhritarashtra accomplished in arms, Drona thought the time had come when

he could demand the preceptorial fee. And, O king, assembling his pupils

one day together, the preceptor Drona asked of them the fee, saying,

'Seize Drupada, the king of Panchala in battle and bring him unto me.

That shall be the most acceptable fee.' Those warriors then answering,

'So be it', speedily mounted up on their chariots, and for bestowing upon

their preceptor the fee he had demanded, marched out, accompanied by him.

Those bulls among men, smiting the Panchalas on their way, laid siege to

the capital of the great Drupada. And Duryodhana and Karna and the mighty

Yuyutsu, and Duhsasana and Vikarna and Jalasandha and Sulochana,--these

and many other foremost of Kshatriya princes of great prowess, vied with

one another in becoming the foremost in the attack. And the princes,

riding in first class chariots and following the cavalry, entered the

hostile capital, and proceeded along the streets.

"Meanwhile, the king of Panchala, beholding that mighty force and hearing

its loud clamour, came out of his palace, accompanied by his brothers.

Though king Yajnasena was well-armed, the Kuru army assailed him with a

shower of arrows, uttering their war-cry. Yajnasena, however, not easy to

be subdued in battle, approaching the Kurus upon his white chariot, began

to rain his fierce arrows around.

"Before the battle commenced, Arjuna, beholding the pride of prowess

displayed by the princes, addressed his preceptor, that best of

Brahmanas, Drona, and said, 'We shall exert ourselves after these have

displayed their prowess. The king of Panchala can never be taken on the

field of the battle by any of these. Having said this, the sinless son of

Kunti surrounded by his brothers, waited outside the town at a distance

of a mile from it. Meanwhile Drupada beholding the Kuru host, rushed

forward and pouring a fierce shower of arrows around, terribly afflicted

the Kuru ranks. And such was his lightness of motion on the field of

battle that, though he was fighting unsupported on a single chariot, the

Kurus from panic supposed that there were many Drupadas opposed to them.

And the fierce arrows of that monarch fell fast on all sides, till conchs

and trumpets and drums by thousands began to be sounded by the Panchalas

from their houses (giving the alarm). Then there arose from the mighty

Panchala host a roar terrible as that of the lion, while the twang of

their bow-strings seemed to rend the very heavens. Then Duryodhana and

Vikarna, Suvahu and Dirghalochana and Duhsasana becoming furious, began

to shower their arrows upon the enemy. But the mighty bowman, Prishata's

son, invincible in battle, though very much pierced with the arrows of

the enemy, instantly began, O Bharata, to afflict the hostile ranks with

greater vigour. And careering over the field of battle like a fiery

wheel, king Drupada with his arrows smote Duryodhana and Vikarna and even

the mighty Karna and many other heroic princes and numberless warriors,

and slaked their thirst for battle. Then all the citizens showered upon

the Kurus various missiles like clouds showering rain-drops upon the

earth. Young and old, they all rushed to battle, assailing the Kurus with

vigour. The Kauravas, then, O Bharata, beholding the battle become

frightful, broke and fled wailing towards the Pandavas.

"The Pandavas, hearing the terrible wail of the beaten host,

reverentially saluted Drona and ascended their chariots. Then Arjuna

hastily bidding Yudhishthira not to engage in the fight, rushed forward,

appointing the sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva) the protectors of his

chariot-wheels, while Bhimasena ever fighting in the van, mace in hand,

ran ahead. The sinless Arjuna, thus accompanied by his brothers, hearing

the shouts of the enemy, advanced towards them, filling the whole region

with the rattle of his chariot-wheels. And like a Makara entering the

sea, the mighty-armed Bhima, resembling a second Yama, mace in hand,

entered the Panchala ranks, fiercely roaring like the ocean in a tempest.

And Bhima, mace in hand, first rushed towards the array of elephants in

the hostile force, while Arjuna, proficient in battle, assailed that

force with the prowess of his arms. And Bhima, like the great Destroyer

himself, began to slay those elephants with his mace. Those huge animals,

like unto mountains, struck with Bhima's mace, had their heads broken

into pieces. Covered with stream of blood, they began to fall upon the

ground like cliffs loosened by thunder. And the Pandavas prostrated on

the ground elephants and horses and cars by thousands and slew many

foot-soldiers and many car-warriors. Indeed, as a herdsman in the woods

driveth before him with his staff countless cattle with ease, so did

Vrikodara drive before him the chariots and elephants of the hostile

force.

"Meanwhile, Phalguna, impelled by the desire of doing good unto

Bharadwaja's son, assailed the son of Prishata with a shower of arrows

and felled him from the elephant on which he was seated. And, O monarch,

Arjuna, like unto the terrible fire that consumeth all things at the end

of the Yuga, began to prostrate on the ground horses and cars and

elephants by thousands. The Panchalas and the Srinjayas, on the other

hand, thus assailed by the Pandava, met him with a perfect shower of

weapons of various kinds. And they sent up a loud shout and fought

desperately with Arjuna. The battle became furious and terrible to

behold. Hearing the enemy's shouts, the son of Indra was filled with

wrath and assailing the hostile host with a thick shower of arrows,

rushed towards it furiously afflicting it with renewed vigour. They who

observed the illustrious Arjuna at that time could not mark any interval

between his fixing the arrows on the bowstring and letting them off. Loud

were the shouts that rose there, mingled with cheers of approval. Then

the king of the Panchalas, accompanied by (the generalissimo of his

forces) Satyajit, rushed with speed at Arjuna like the Asura Samvara

rushing at the chief of the celestials (in days of yore). Then Arjuna

covered the king of Panchala with a shower of arrows. Then there arose a

frightful uproar among the Panchala host like unto the roar of a mighty

lion springing at the leader of a herd of elephants. And beholding Arjuna

rushing at the king of Panchala to seize him, Satyajit of great prowess

rushed at him. And the two warriors, like unto Indra and the Asura

Virochana's son (Vali), approaching each other for combat, began to grind

each other's ranks. Then Arjuna with great force pierced Satyajit with

ten keen shafts at which feat the spectators were all amazed. But

Satyajit, without losing any time, assailed Arjuna with a hundred shafts.

Then that mighty car-warrior, Arjuna, endued with remarkable lightness of

motion, thus covered by that shower of arrows, rubbed his bow-string to

increase the force and velocity of his shafts. Then cutting in twain his

antagonist's bow, Arjuna rushed at the king of the Panchalas, but

Satyajit, quickly taking up a tougher bow, pierced with his arrows

Partha, his chariot, charioteer, and horses. Arjuna, thus assailed in

battle by the Panchala warrior, forgave not his foe. Eager to slay him at

once, he pierced with a number of arrows his antagonist's horses, flags,

bow, clenched (left) fist, charioteer, and the attendant at his back.

Then Satyajit, finding his bows repeatedly cut in twain and his horses

slain, desisted from the fight.

"The king of the Panchalas, beholding his general thus discomfited in the

encounter, himself began to shower his arrows upon the Pandava prince.

Then Arjuna, that foremost of warriors, crowned with success, began to

fight furiously, and quickly cutting his enemy's bow in twain as also his

flagstaff which he caused to fall down, pierced his antagonist's horses,

and charioteer also with five arrows. Then throwing aside his bow Arjuna

took his quiver, and taking out a scimitar and sending forth a loud

shout, leaped from his own chariot upon that of his foe. And standing

there with perfect fearlessness he seized Drupada as Garuda seizeth a

huge snake after agitating the waters of the ocean. At the sight of this,

the Panchala troops ran away in all directions.

"Then Dhananjaya, having thus exhibited the might of his arm in the

presence of both hosts, sent forth a loud shout and came out of the

Panchala ranks. And beholding him returning (with his captive), the

princes began to lay waste Drupada's capital. Addressing them Arjuna

said, 'This best of monarchs, Drupada, is a relative of the Kuru heroes.

Therefore, O Bhima, slay not his soldiers. Let us only give unto our

preceptor his fee.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'O king, thus prevented by Arjuna, the mighty

Bhimasena, though unsatiated with the exercise of battle, refrained from

the act of slaughter. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the princes then,

taking Drupada with them after having seized him on the field of battle

along with his friends and counsellors, offered him unto Drona. And Drona

beholding Drupada thus brought under complete control--humiliated and

deprived of wealth--remembered that monarch's former hostility and

addressing him said, 'Thy kingdom and capital have been laid waste by me.

But fear not for thy life, though it dependeth now on the will of thy

foe. Dost thou now desire to revive thy friendship (with me)?' Having

said this, he smiled a little and again said, 'Fear not for thy life,

brave king! We, Brahmanas, are ever forgiving. And, O bull among

Kshatriyas, my affection and love for thee have grown with me in

consequence of our having sported together in childhood in the hermitage.

Therefore, O king, I ask for thy friendship again. And as a boon

(unasked), I give thee half the kingdom (that was thine). Thou toldest me

before that none who was not a king could be a king's friend. Therefore

is it, O Yajnasena, that I retain half thy kingdom. Thou art the king of

all the territory lying on the southern side of the Bhagirathi, while I

become king of all the territory on the north of that river. And, O

Panchala, if it pleaseth thee, know me hence for thy friend.'

"On hearing these words, Drupada answered, 'Thou art of noble soul and

great prowess. Therefore, O Brahmana, I am not surprised at what thou

doest. I am very much gratified with thee, and I desire thy eternal

friendship.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, O Bharata, Drona released the king

of Panchala, and cheerfully performing the usual offices of regard,

bestowed upon him half the kingdom. Thenceforth Drupada began to reside

sorrowfully in (the city of) Kampilya within (the province of) Makandi on

the banks of the Ganga filled with many towns and cities. And after his

defeat by Drona, Drupada also ruled the southern Panchalas up to the bank

of the Charmanwati river. And Drupada from that day was well-convinced

that he could not, by Kshatriya might alone, defeat Drona, being very

much his inferior in Brahma (spiritual) power. And he, therefore, began

to wander over the whole earth to find out the means of obtaining a son

(who would subjugate his Brahmana foe).

"Meanwhile Drona continued to reside in Ahicchatra. Thus, O king, was the

territory of Ahicchatra full of towns and cities, obtained by Arjuna, and

bestowed upon Drona.'