mahabharata . virata parva - volume 4

7/29/2019 Mahabharata . Virata Parva - Volume 4

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mahabharata-virata-parva-volume-4 1/99

TheMahabharata

of

Krishna-DwaipayanaVyasa

BOOK4

VIRATAPARVA

TranslatedintoEnglishProsefromtheOriginalSanskritText

by

KisariMohanGanguli

[1883-1896]

Scannedatsacred-texts.com,2003.ProofedatDistributedProofing,JulietSutherland,ProjectManager.Additionalproofingandformattingat

sacred-texts.com,byJ.B.Hare.

SECTIONI

(Pandava-PravesaParva)

OM!HavingboweddowntoNarayana,andNara,themostexaltedofmalebeings,andalsotothegoddessSaraswati,mustthewordJayabeuttered.

Janamejayasaid,"Howdidmygreat-grandfathers,afflictedwiththefearofDuryodhana,passtheirdaysundiscoveredinthecityofVirata?And,O

Brahman,howdidthehighlyblessedDraupadi,strickenwithwoe,devotedtoherlords,andeveradoringtheDeity[1],spendherdaysunrecognised?"

Vaisampayanasaid,"Listen,Olordofmen,howthygreatgrandfatherspassedtheperiodofunrecognitioninthecityofVirata.HavinginthiswayobtainedboonsfromthegodofJustice,thatbestofvirtuousmen,Yudhishthira,returnedtotheasylumandrelateduntotheBrahmanasallthathadhappened.Andhavingrelatedeverythinguntothem,YudhishthirarestoredtothatregenerateBrahmana,whohadfollowedhimthechurningstaffandthefire-stickshehadlost.And,OBharata,thesonofthegodofJustice,theroyalYudhishthiraofhighsoulthencalledtogetherallhisyoungerbrothersandaddressedthem,saying,'Exiledfromourkingdom,wehavepassedtwelveyears.Thethirteenthyear,hardtospend,

hathnowcome.Dothoutherefore,OArjuna,thesonofKunti,selectsomespotwherewemaypassourdaysundiscoveredbyourenemies.'"

Arjunareplied,"EvenbyvirtueofDharma'sboon,weshall,Olordofmen,rangeaboutundiscoveredbymen.Still,forpurposesofresidence,Ishallmentionsomespotsthatarebothdelightfulandsecluded.Dothouselectsomeoneofthem.SurroundingthekingdomoftheKurus,are,manycountriesbeautifulandaboundingincorn,suchasPanchala,Chedi,Matsya,Surasena,Pattachchara,Dasarna,Navarashtra,Malla,Salva,Yugandhara,Saurashtra,Avanti,andthespaciousKuntirashtra.Whichof



these,Oking,wouldstthouchoose,andwhere,Oforemostofmonarchs,shallwespendthisyear?"

Yudhishthirasaid"Othemofmightyarms,itisevenso.WhatthatadorableLordofallcreatureshathsaidmustbecometrue.Surely,afterconsultingtogether,wemustselectsomedelightful,auspicious,andagreeableregionforourabode,wherewemaylivefreefromfear.TheagedVirata,kingoftheMatsyas,isvirtuousandpowerfulandcharitable,andislikedbyall.AndheisalsoattachedtothePandavas.EveninthecityofVirata,Ochild,weshall,OBharata,spendthisyear,enteringhisservice.Tellme,yesonsoftheKururace,inwhatcapacitiesyewillseverallypresentyourselvesbeforethekingoftheMatsyas!"

Arjunasaid,"Ogodamongmen,whatservicewiltthoutakeinVirata'skingdom?Orighteousone,inwhatcapacitywiltthouresideinthecityofVirata?Thouartmild,andcharitable,andmodest,andvirtuous,andfirminpromise.Whatwiltthou,Oking,afflictedasthouartwithcalamity,do?Akingisqualifiedtobeartroublelikeanordinaryperson.Howwiltthouovercomethisgreatcalamitythathasovertakenthee?"

Yudhishthirareplied,"YesonsoftheKururace,yebullsamongmen,hearwhatIshalldoonappearingbeforekingVirata.Presentingmyselfasa

Brahmana,Kankabyname,skilledindiceandfondofplay,Ishallbecomeacourtierofthathigh-souledking.Andmovinguponchess-boardsbeautifulpawnsmadeofivory,ofblueandyellowandredandwhitehue,bythrowsofblackandreddice.Ishallentertainthekingwithhiscourtiersandfriends.AndwhileIshallcontinuetothusdelighttheking,nobodywillsucceedindiscoveringme.Andshouldthemonarchaskme,Ishallsay,'FormerlyIwasthebosomfriendofYudhishthira.'ItellyouthatitisthusthatIshallpassmydays(inthecityofVirata).Whatofficewiltthou,OVrikodara,fillinthecityofVirata?"

SECTIONII

Bhimasaid,"IintendtopresentmyselfbeforethelordofVirataasacookbearingthenameofVallabha.Iamskilledinculinaryart,andIshallpreparecurriesfortheking,andexcellingallthoseskilfulcooksthathadhithertodressedhisfoodIshallgratifythemonarch.AndIshallcarrymightyloadsofwood.Andwitnessingthatmightyfeat,themonarchwillbepleased.And,OBharata,beholdingsuchsuperhumanfeatsofmine,theservantsoftheroyalhouseholdwillhonourmeasaking.AndIshallhaveentirecontroloverallkindsofviandsanddrinks.Andcommandedtosubduepowerfulelephantsandmightybulls,Iwilldoasbidden.Andifanycombatantswillfightwithmeinthelists,thenwillIvanquishthem,andtherebyentertainthemonarch.ButIshallnottakethelifeofanyofthem.Ishallonlybringthemdowninsuchwaythat

theymaynotbekilled.AndonbeingaskedasregardsmyantecedentIshallsaythat--FormerlyIwasthewrestlerandcookofYudhishthira.ThusshallI,Oking,maintainmyself."

Yudhishthirasaid,"AndwhatofficewillbeperformedbythatmightydescendantoftheKurus,Dhananjaya,thesonofKunti,thatforemostofmenpossessedoflongarms,invincibleinfight,andbeforewhom,whilehewasstayingwithKrishna,thedivineAgnihimselfdesirousofconsumingtheforestofKhandavahadformerlyappearedintheguiseofaBrahmana?Whatofficewillbeperformedbythatbestofwarriors,Arjuna,



whoproceededtothatforestandgratifiedAgni,vanquishingonasinglecarandslayinghugeNagasandRakshasas,andwhomarriedthesisterofVasukihimself,thekingoftheNagas?Evenasthesunistheforemostofallheat-givingbodies,astheBrahmanaisthebestofallbipeds,asthecobraistheforemostofallserpents,asFireisthefirstofallthingspossessedofenergy,asthethunderboltistheforemostofallweapons,asthehumpedbullistheforemostofallanimalsofthebovinebreed,astheoceanistheforemostofallwateryexpanses,ascloudschargedwithrainaretheforemostofallclouds,asAnantaisthefirstofallNagas,asAiravataistheforemostofallelephants,asthesonistheforemostofallbelovedobjects,andlastly,asthewifeisthebestofallfriends,so,OVrikodara,istheyouthfulGudakesa,theforemostofallbowmen.AndOBharata,whatofficewillbeperformedbyVibhatsu,thewielderofGandiva,whosecarisdrawnbywhitehorses,andwhoisnotinferiortoIndraorVasudevaHimself?WhatofficewillbeperformedbyArjunawho,dwellingforfiveyearsintheabodeofthethousand-eyedDeity(Indra)shiningincelestiallustre,acquiredbyhisownenergythescienceofsuperhumanarmswithallcelestialweapons,andwhomIregardasthetenthRudra,thethirteenthAditya,theninthVasu,andthetenthGraha,whosearms,symmetricalandlong,havetheskinhardenedbyconstantstrokesofthebowstringandcicatriceswhichresemblethoseonthehumpsofbulls,--thatforemostofwarriorswhoisasHimavatamongmountains,theoceanamongexpansesofwater,Sakraamongthecelestial,Havya-vaha(fire)amongtheVasus,thetigeramongbeasts,andGaruda

amongfeatherytribes!"

Arjunareplied,"OlordoftheEarth,Iwilldeclaremyselfasoneoftheneutersex.Omonarch,itis,indeeddifficulttohidethemarksofthebowstringonmyarms.Iwill,however,coverbothmycicatrizedarmswithbangles.Wearingbrilliantringsonmyearsandconch-banglesonmywristsandcausingabraidtohangdownfrommyhead,Ishall,Oking,appearasoneofthethirdsex,Brihannalabyname.AndlivingasafemaleIshall(always)entertainthekingandtheinmatesoftheinnerapartmentsbyrecitingstories.And,Oking,IshallalsoinstructthewomenofVirata'spalaceinsinginganddelightfulmodesofdancingandinmusicalinstrumentsofdiversekinds.AndIshallalsorecitethevariousexcellentactsofmenandthusconcealmyself,OsonofKunti,by

feigningdisguise.And,OBharatashouldthekingenquire,Iwillsaythat,IlivedasawaitingmaidofDraupadiinYudhishthira'spalace.And,Oforemostofkings,concealingmyselfbythismeans,asfireisconcealedbyashes,IshallpassmydaysagreeablyinthepalaceofVirata."

Vaisampayanacontinued,"Havingsaidthis,Arjuna,thatbestofmenandforemostofvirtuouspersons,becamesilent.Thenthekingaddressedanotherbrotherofhis."[2]

SECTIONIII

Yudhishthirasaid,"Tender,possessedofagracefulpresence,anddeservingofeveryluxuryasthouart,whatofficewiltthou,OheroicNakula,dischargewhilelivinginthedominionsofthatking?Tellmeallaboutit!"

Nakulasaid,"UnderthenameofGranthika,IshallbecomethekeeperofthehorsesofkingVirata.Ihaveathoroughknowledge(ofthiswork)andamskilfulintendinghorses.Besides,thetaskisagreeabletome,andIpossessgreatskillintrainingandtreatinghorses;andhorsesareever



deartomeastheyaretothee,OkingoftheKurus.Atmyhandsevencoltsandmaresbecomedocile;theseneverbecomeviciousinbearingariderordrawingacar.[3]AndthosepersonsinthecityofViratathatmayenquireofme,Ishall,ObulloftheBharatarace,say,--FormerlyIwasemployedbyYudhishthirainthechargeofhishorses.Thusdisguised,Oking,IshallspendmydaysdelightfullyinthecityofVirata.NoonewillbeabletodiscovermeasIwillgratifythemonarchthus![4]

Yudhishthirasaid,"Howwiltthou,OSahadeva,bearthyselfbeforethatking?Andwhat,Ochild,isthatwhichthouwiltdoinordertoliveindisguise."

Sahadevareplied,"IwillbecomeakeeperofthekineofVirata'sking.Iamskilledinmilkingkineandtakingtheirhistoryaswellasintamingtheirfierceness.PassingunderthenameofTantripal,Ishallperformmydutiesdeftly.Letthyheart'sfeverbedispelled.FormerlyIwasfrequentlyemployedtolookafterthykine,and,OLordofearth,Ihaveaparticularknowledgeofthatwork.And,Omonarch,Iamwell-acquaintedwiththenatureofkine,asalsowiththeirauspiciousmarksandothermattersrelatingtothem.Icanalsodiscriminatebullswithauspiciousmarks,thescentofwhoseurinemaymakeeventhebarrenbeingforthchild.EventhuswillIlive,andIalwaystakedelightinworkofthiskind.Indeed,noonewillthenbeabletorecogniseme,andIwillmoreovergratifythemonarch,"

Yudhishthirasaid,"Thisisourbelovedwifedearertousthanourlives.Verily,shedeservethtobecherishedbyuslikeamother,andregardedlikeaneldersister.Unacquaintedassheiswithanykindofwomanlywork,whatofficewillKrishna,thedaughterofDrupada,perform?Delicateandyoung,sheisaprincessofgreatrepute.Devotedtoherlords,andeminentlyvirtuous,also,howwillshelive?Sinceherbirth,shehathenjoyedonlygarlandsandperfume?andornamentsandcostlyrobes."

Draupadireplied,"ThereisaclassofpersonscalledSairindhris,[5]whoentertheservicesofother.Otherfemales,however(thatarerespectable)donotdoso.Ofthisclasstherearesome.Ishallgive

myselfoutasaSairindhri,skilledindressinghair.And,OBharata,onbeingquestionedbytheking,IshallsaythatIservedasawaitingwomanofDraupadiinYudhishthira'shousehold.Ishallthuspassmydaysindisguise.AndIshallservethefamousSudeshna,thewifeoftheking.Surely,obtainingmeshewillcherishme(duly).Donotgrieveso,Oking."

"Yudhishthirasaid,"OKrishna,thouspeakestwell.ButOfairgirl,thouwertborninarespectablefamily.Chasteasthouart,andalwaysengagedinobservingvirtuousvows,thouknowestnotwhatissin.Dothou,therefore,conductthyselfinsuchawaythatsinfulmenofevilheartsmaynotbegladdenedbygazingatthee."

SECTIONIV

Yudhishthirasaid,"Yehavealreadysaidwhatofficesyewillrespectivelyperform.Ialso,accordingtothemeasureofmysense,havesaidwhatofficeIwillperform.Letourpriest,accompaniedbycharioteersandcooks,repairtotheabodeofDrupada,andtheremaintainourAgnihotrafires.AndletIndrasenaandtheothers,takingwiththentheemptycars,speedilyproceededtoDwaravati.Eventhisismywish.



Andletallthesemaid-servantsofDraupadigotothePanchalas,withourcharioteersandcooks.Andletallofthemsay,--WedonotknowwherethePandavashavegoneleavingusatthelakeofDwaitavana."

Vaisampayanasaid,"Havingthustakencounselofoneanotherandtoldoneanothertheofficestheywoulddischarge,thePandavassoughtDhaumya'sadvice.AndDhaumyaalsogavethemadviceinthefollowingwords,saying,YesonsofPandu,thearrangementsyehavemaderegardingtheBrahmanas,yoursfriends,cars,weapons,andthe(sacred)fires,areexcellent.Butitbehoveththee,OYudhishthira,andArjunaspecially,tomakeprovisionfortheprotectionofDraupadi.Yeking,yearewell-acquaintedwiththecharactersofmen.Yetwhatevermaybeyourknowledge,friendsmayfromaffectionbepermittedtorepeatwhatisalreadyknown.Eventhisissubservienttotheeternalinterestsofvirtue,pleasure,andprofit.Ishall,thereforespeaktoyousomething.Markye.Todwellwithakingis,alas,difficult.Ishalltellyou,yeprinces,howyemayresideintheroyalhousehold,avoidingeveryfault.YeKauravas,honourablyorotherwise,yewillhavetopassthisyearintheking'spalace,undiscoveredbythosethatknowyou.Theninthefourteenthyear,yewilllivehappy.OsonofPandu,inthisworld,thatcherisherandprotectorofallbeings,theking,whoisadeityinanembodiedform,isasagreatfiresanctifiedwithallthemantras.[6]Oneshouldpresenthimselfbeforetheking,afterhavingobtainedhispermissionatthegate.Nooneshouldkeepcontactwithroyalsecrets.Norshouldone

desireaseatwhichanothermaycovet.Hewhodothnot,regardinghimselftobeafavourite,occupy(theking's)car,orcoach,orseat,orvehicle,orelephant,isaloneworthyofdwellinginaroyalhousehold.Hethatsitsnotuponaseattheoccupationofwhichiscalculatedraisealarminthemindsofmaliciouspeople,isaloneworthyofdwellinginaroyalhousehold.Nooneshould,unaskedoffercounsel(toaking).Payinghomageinseasonuntotheking,oneshouldsilentlyandrespectfullysitbesidetheking,forkingstakeumbrageatbabblers,anddisgracelayingcounsellors.Awisepersonshouldnotcontactfriendshipwiththeking'swife,norwiththeinmatesoftheinnerapartments,norwiththosethatareobjectsofroyaldispleasure.Oneaboutthekingshoulddoeventhemostunimportantactsandwiththeking'sknowledge.Behavingthuswithasovereign,onedothnotcomebyharm.Evenifanindividualattainthe

highestoffice,heshould,aslongasheisnotaskedorcommanded,considerhimselfasborn-blind,havingregardtotheking'sdignity,forOrepressersoffoes,therulersofmendonotforgiveeventheirsonsandgrandsonsandbrotherswhentheyhappentotamperwiththeirdignity.Kingsshouldbeservedwithregardfulcare,evenasAgniandothergod;andhethatisdisloyaltohissovereign,iscertainlydestroyedbyhim.Renouncinganger,andpride,andnegligence,itbehovethamantofollowthecoursedirectedbythemonarch.Aftercarefullydeliberatingonallthings,apersonshouldsetforthbeforethekingthosetopicsthatarebothprofitableandpleasant;butshouldasubjectbeprofitablewithoutbeingpleasant,heshouldstillcommunicateit,despiteitsdisagreeableness.Itbehovethamantobewell-disposedtowardsthekinginallhisinterests,andnottoindulgeinspeechthatisalike

unpleasantandprofitless.Alwaysthinking--Iamnotlikedbytheking--oneshouldbanishnegligence,andbeintentonbringingaboutwhatisagreeableandadvantageoustohim.Hethatswervethnotfromhisplace,hethatisnotfriendlytothosethatarehostiletotheking,hethatstrivethnottodowrongtotheking,isaloneworthytodwellinaroyalhousehold.Alearnedmanshouldsiteitherontheking'srightortheleft;heshouldnotsitbehindhimforthatistheplaceappointedforarmedguards,andtositbeforehimisalwaysinterdicted.Letnone,whenthekingisengagedindoinganything(inrespectofhisservants)comeforwardpressinghimselfzealouslybeforeothers,forevenifthe



aggrievedbeverypoor,suchconductwouldstillbeinexcusable.[7]Itbehovethnomantorevealtoothersanyliethekingmayhavetoldinasmuchasthekingbearsillwilltothosethatreporthisfalsehoods.Kingsalsoalwaysdisregardpersonsthatregardthemselvesaslearned.Nomanshouldbeproudthinking--Iambrave,or,Iamintelligent,butapersonobtainsthegoodgracesofakingandenjoysthegoodthingsoflife,bybehavingagreeablytothewishesoftheking.And,OBharata,obtainingthingsagreeable,andwealthalsowhichissohardtoacquire,apersonshouldalwaysdowhatisprofitableaswellaspleasanttotheking.Whatmanthatisrespectedbythewisecaneventhinkofdoingmischieftoonewhoseireisgreatimpedimentandwhosefavourisproductiveofmightyfruits?Nooneshouldmovehislips,armsandthighs,beforetheking.Apersonshouldspeakandspitbeforethekingonlymildly.Inthepresenceofevenlaughableobjects,amanshouldnotbreakoutintoloudlaughter,likeamaniac;norshouldoneshow(unreasonable)gravitybycontaininghimself,totheutmost.Oneshouldsmilemodestly,toshowhisinterest(inwhatisbeforehim).Hethatisevermindfuloftheking'swelfare,andisneitherexhilaratedbyrewardnordepressedbydisgrace,isaloneworthyofdwellinginaroyalhousehold.Thatlearnedcourtierwhoalwayspleaseththekingandhissonwithagreeablespeeches,succeedethindwellinginaroyalhouseholdasafavourite.Thefavouritecourtierwho,havinglosttheroyalfavourforjustreason,doesnotspeakeviloftheking,regainsprosperity.Themanwhoserveththekingorlivethinhisdomains,ifsagacious,shouldspeak

inpraiseoftheking,bothinhispresenceandabsence.Thecourtierwhoattemptstoobtainhisendbyemployingforceontheking,cannotkeephisplacelongandincursalsotheriskofdeath.Noneshould,forthepurposeofself-interest,opencommunicationswiththeking'senemies.[8]Norshouldonedistinguishhimselfabovethekinginmattersrequiringabilityandtalents.Hethatisalwayscheerfulandstrong,braveandtruthful,andmild,andofsubduedsenses,andwhofollowethhismasterlikehisshadow,isaloneworthytodwellinaroyalhousehold.Hethatonbeingentrustedwithawork,comethforward,saying,--Iwilldothis--isaloneworthyoflivinginaroyalhousehold.Hethatonbeingentrustedwithatask,eitherwithintheking'sdominionoroutofit,neverfearethtoundertakeit,isalonefittoresideinaroyalhousehold.Hethatlivingawayfromhishome,dothnorememberhisdear

ones,andwhoundergoeth(present)miseryinexpectationof(future)happiness,isaloneworthyofdwellinginaroyalhousehold.Oneshouldnotdressliketheking,norshouldoneindulge,inlaughterintheking'spresencenorshouldonediscloseroyalsecrets.Byactingthusonemaywinroyalfavour.Commissionedtoatask,oneshouldnottouchbribesforbysuchappropriationonebecomethliabletofettersordeath.Therobes,ornaments,cars,andotherthingswhichthekingmaybepleasedtobestowshouldalwaysbeused,forbythis,onewinneththeroyalfavour.Yechildren,controllingyourminds,doyespendthisyear,yesonsofPandu,behavinginthisway.Regainingyourownkingdom,yemayliveasyeplease."

Yudhishthirasaid,"Wehavebeenwelltaughtbythee.Blessedbethou.

Thereisnonethatcouldsaysotous,saveourmotherKuntiandViduraofgreatwisdom.Itbehoveththeetodoallthatisnecessarynowforourdeparture,andforenablingustocomesafelythroughthiswoe,aswellasforourvictoryoverthefoe."

Vaisampayanacontinued,"ThusaddressedbyYudhishthira,Dhaumya,thatbestofBrahmanas,performedaccordingtotheordinancetheritesordainedinrespectofdeparture.Andlightinguptheirfires,heoffered,withmantras,oblationsonthemfortheprosperityandsuccessofthePandavas,asfortheirreconquestofthewholeworld.Andwalking



roundthosefiresandroundtheBrahmanasofasceticwealth,thesixsetout,placingYajnaseniintheirfront.Andwhenthoseheroeshaddeparted,Dhaumya,thatbestofascetics,takingtheirsacredfires,setoutforthePanchalas.AndIndrasena,andothersalreadymentioned,wenttotheYadavas,andlookingafterthehorsesandthecarsofthePandavaspassedtheirtimehappilyandinprivacy."

SECTIONV

Vaisampayanasaid,"Girdingtheirwaistswithswords,andequippedwithfinger-protectorsmadeofiguanaskinsandwithvariousweapons,thoseheroesproceededinthedirectionoftheriverYamuna.Andthosebowmendesirousof(speedily)recoveringtheirkingdom,hithertolivingininaccessiblehillsandforestfastnesses,nowterminatedtheirforest-lifeandproceededtothesouthernbankofthatriver.Andthosemightywarriorsenduedwithgreatstrengthandhithertoleadingthelivesofhuntersbykillingthedeeroftheforest,passedthroughYakrillomaandSurasena,leavingbehind,ontheirright,thecountryofthePanchalas,andontheirleft,thatoftheDasarnas.Andthosebowmen,lookingwanandwearingbeardsandequippedwithswords,enteredMatsya'sdominionsleavingtheforest,givingthemselvesoutashunters.Andonarrivingatthatcountry,KrishnaaddressedYudhishthira,saying,'Wesee

footpathshere,andvariousfields.FromthisitappearsthatVirata'smetropolisisstillatadistance.Passweherewhatpartofthenightisstillleft,forgreatismyfatigue."

Yudhishthiraanswered,"ODhananjayaofBharata'srace,dothoutakeupPanchaliandcarryher.Justonemergingfromthisforest,wearriveatthecity."

Vaisampayanacontinued,"Thereuponliketheleaderofaherdofelephants,ArjunaspeedilytookupDraupadi,andoncomingtothevicinityofthecity,letherdown.Andonreachingthecity,Ruru'sson(Yudhishthira),addressedArjuna,saying,'Whereshallwedepositourweapons,beforeenteringthecity?If,Ochild,weenteritwithour

weaponsaboutus,weshalltherebysurelyexcitethealarmofthecitizens.Further,thetremendousbow,theGandiva,isknowntoallmen,sothatpeoplewill,withoutdoubt,recogniseussoon.Andifevenoneofusisdiscovered,weshall,accordingtopromise,havetopassanothertwelveyearsintheforest.'"

Arjunasaid,"HardbyyoncemeteryandnearthatinaccessiblepeakisamightySamitree,throwing-aboutitsgiganticbranchesanddifficulttoascend.Noristhereanyhumanbeing,who,Ithink,OPandu'sson,willespyusdepositingourarmsatthatplace.Thattreeisinthemidstofanout-of-thewayforestaboundinginbeastsandsnakes,andisinthevicinityofadrearycemetery.StowingawayourweaponsontheSamitree,letus,OBharata,gotothecity,andlivethere,freefromanxiety!"

Vaisampayanacontinued,"HavingObulloftheBharataracespokenthustokingYudhishthirathejust,Arjunapreparedtodeposittheweapons(onthetree).AndthatbullamongtheKurus,thenloosenedthestringofthelargeanddreadfulGandiva,everproducingthunderingtwangandalwaysdestructiveofhostilehosts,andwithwhichhehadconquered,onasinglecar,godsandmenandNagasandswellingprovinces.AndthewarlikeYudhishthira,thatrepresseroffoes,unfastenedtheundecayingstringofthatbowwithwhichhehaddefendedthefieldofKurukshstra.AndtheillustriousBhimasenaunstrungthatbowbymeansofwhichthat



sinlessonehadvanquishedinfightthePanchalsandthelordofSindhu,andwithwhich,duringhiscareerofconquest,hehad,single-handed,opposedinnumerablefoes,andhearingwhosetwangwhichwaslikeuntotheroarofthethunderorthesplittingofamountain,enemiesalwaysfly(inpanic)fromthefieldofbattle.AndthatsonofPanduofcopperycomplexionandmildspeechwhoisenduedwithgreatprowessinthefield,andiscalledNakulainconsequenceofhisunexampledbeautyinthefamily,thenunfastenedthestringofthatbowwithwhichhehadconqueredalltheregionsofthewest.AndtheheroicSahadevaalso,possessedofamilddisposition,thenunitedthestringofthatbowwithwhichhehadsubjugatedthecountriesofthesouth.Andwiththeirbows,theyputtogethertheirlongandflashingswords,theirpreciousquivers,andtheirarrowssharpasrazors.AndNakulaascendedthetree,anddepositedonitthebowsandtheotherweapons.Andhetiedthemfastonthosepartsofthetreewhichhethoughtwouldnotbreak,andwheretherainwouldnotpenetrate.AndthePandavashungupacorpse(onthetree),knowingthatpeoplesmellingthestenchofthecorpsewouldsay--heresure,isadeadbody,andavoidthetreefromadistance.Andonbeingaskedbytheshepherdsandcowherdsregardingthecorpse,thoserepressersoffoessaiduntothem,'Thisisourmother,agedonehundredandeightyyears.Wehavehungupherdeadbody,inaccordancewiththecustomobservedbyourforefathers.'Andthenthoseresistersoffoesapproachedthecity.Andforpurposesofnon-discoveryYudhisthirakeptthese(five)namesforhimselfandhisbrothersrespectively,viz.,Jaya,

Jayanta,Vijaya,Jayatsena,andJayatvala.Thentheyenteredthegreatcity,withtheviewtopassingthethirteenthyearundiscoveredinthatkingdom,agreeablytothepromise(toDuryodhana)."

SECTIONVI

Vaisampayanasaid,"AndwhileYudhishthirawasonhiswaytothedelightfulcityofVirata,hebegantopraisementallytheDivineDurga,theSupremeGoddessoftheUniverse,bornonthewombofYasoda,andfondoftheboonsbestowedonherbyNarayana,sprungfromtheraceofcowherdNanda,andthegiverofprosperity,theenhancer(oftheglory)of(the

worshipper's)family,theterrifierofKansa,andthedestroyerofAsuras,--andsalutedtheGoddess--herwhoascendedtheskieswhendashed(byKansa)onastonyplatform,whoisthesisterofVasudeva,onewhoisalwaysdeckedincelestialgarlandsandattiredincelestialrobes,--whoisarmedwithscimitarandshield,andalwaysrescuestheworshippersunkinsin,likeacowinthemire,whointhehoursofdistresscallsuponthateternalgiverofblessingsforrelievinghimoftheirburdens.Andtheking,desirouswithhisbrothersofobtainingasightoftheGoddess,invokedherandbegantopraiseherbyrecitingvariousnamesderivedfrom(approved)hymns.AndYudhishthirasaid,'Salutationstothee,Ogiverofboons.OthouthatartidenticalwithKrishna,Omaiden,OthouthathastobservedthevowofBrahmacharya,Othouofbodybrightasthenewly-risenSun,Othoueffacebeautifulasthefullmoon.Salutationsto

thee,Othouoffourhandsandfourfaces,Othouoffairroundhipsanddeepbosom,Othouthatwearestbanglesmadeofemeraldsandsapphires,Othouthatbearestexcellentbraceletsonthyupperarm.Thoushinest,OGoddess,asPadma,theconsortofNarayana.Othouthatrangesttheetherialregions,thytrueformandthyBrahmacharyaarebothofthepurestkind.Sableastheblackclouds,thyfaceisbeautifulasthatofSankarshana.ThoubearesttwolargearmslongasacoupleofpolesraisedinhonourofIndra.Inthy(six)otherarmsthoubearestavessel,alotus,abell,anoose,abow,alargediscus,andvariousotherweapons.Thouarttheonlyfemaleintheuniversethatpossesses!theattributeof



purity.Thouartdeckedwithapairofwell-madeearsgracedwithexcellentrings.OGoddess,thoushinestwithafacethatchallengeththemooninbeauty.Withanexcellentdiademandbeautifulbraidwithrobesmadeofthebodiesofsnakes,andwithalsothebrilliantgirdleroundthyhips,thoushinestliketheMandaramountainencircledwithsnakes.Thoushinestalsowithpeacock-plumesstandingerectonthyhead,andthouhastsanctifiedthecelestialregionsbyadoptingthevowofperpetualmaiden-hood.Itisforthis,OthouthathastslaintheMahishasura,[9]thatthouartpraisedandworshippedbythegodsfortheprotectionofthethreeworlds.Othouforemostofalldeities,extendtomethygrace,showmethymercy,andbethouthesourceofblessingstome.ThouartJayaandVijaya,anditisthouthatgivestvictoryinbattle.Grantmevictory,OGoddess,andgivemeboonsalsoatthishourofdistress.ThyeternalabodeisonVindhya--thatforemostofmountains.OKali,OKali,thouartthegreatKali,everfondofwineandmeatandanimalsacrifice.Capableofgoingeverywhereatwill,andbestowingboonsonthydevotees,thouarteverfollowedinthyjourneysbyBrahmaandtheothergods.Bythemthatcallupontheeforthereliefoftheirburdens,andbythemalsothatbowtotheeatdaybreakonEarth,thereisnothingthatcannotbeattainedinrespecteitherofoffspringorwealth.Andbecausethourescuestpeoplefromdifficultieswhetherwhentheyareafflictedinthewildernessorsinkinginthegreatocean,itisforthisthatthouartcalledDurga[10]byall.Thouartthesolerefugeofmenwhenattackedbyrobbersorwhileafflictedincrossingstreamsandseas

orinwildernessand;forests.Thosementhatremembertheeareneverprostrated,OgreatGoddess.ThouartFame,thouartProsperity,thouartSteadiness,thouartSuccess;thouarttheWife,thouartmen'sOffspring,thouartKnowledge,andthouarttheIntellect.ThouartthetwoTwilights,theNightSleep,Light--bothsolarandlunar,Beauty,Forgiveness,Mercy,andeveryotherthing.Thoudispellest,worshippedbythedevoteestheirfetters,ignorance,lossofchildrenandlossofwealth,disease,death,andfear.I,whohavebeendeprivedofmykingdom,seekthyprotection.AndasIbowtotheewithbendedhead,OSupremeGoddess,grantmeprotection,Othouofeyeslikelotusleaves.Andbethouasboon-givingTruthuntousthatareactingaccordingtoTruth.And,ODurga,kindasthouartuntoallthatseekthyprotection,andaffectionateuntoallthydevotees,grantmeprotection!'"

Vaisampayanacontinued,"ThuspraisedbythesonofPandu,theGoddessshowedherselfuntohim.Andapproachingtheking,sheaddressedhiminthesewords,'Omightyarmedking,listen,OLord,tothesewordsofmine.HavingvanquishedandslaintheranksoftheKauravasthroughmygrace,victoryinbattlewillsoonbethine.ThoushaltagainlorditovertheentireEarth,havingmadethydominionsdestituteofthorns.And,Oking,thoushaltalso,withthybrothers,obtaingreathappiness.Andthroughmygrace,joyandhealthwillbethine.Andtheyalsointheworldwhowillrecitemyattributesandachievementswillbefreedfromtheirsins,andgratified.Iwillbestowuponthemkingdom,longlife,beautyofperson,andoffspring.Andthey,Oking,whowillinvokeme,afterthymanner,inexileorinthecity,inthemidstofbattleorof

dangersfromfoes,inforestsorininaccessibledeserts,inseasormountainfastnesses,thereisnothingthattheywillnotobtaininthisworld.AndyesonsofPandu,hewillachievesuccessineverybusinessofhisthatwilllistento,orhimselfrecitewithdevotion,thisexcellenthymn.AndthroughmygraceneithertheKuru'sspies,northosethatdwellinthecountryoftheMatsyas,willsucceedinrecognisingyouallaslongasyeresideinVirata'scity!'AndhavingsaidthesewordsuntoYudhishthira,thatchastiseroffoes,andhavingarrangedfortheprotectionofthesonsofPandu,theGoddessdisappearedthereandthen."



SECTIONVII

Vaisampayanasaid,"Thentyingupinhisclothdicemadeofgoldandsetwithlapislazuli,andholdingthembelowhisarm-pit,kingYudhishthira,--thatillustriouslordofmen--thathigh-souledperpetuatoroftheKururace,regardedbykings,irrepressibleinmight,andlikeuntoasnakeofvirulentpoison,--thatbullamongmen,enduedwithstrengthandbeautyandprowess,andpossessedofgreatness,andresemblinginformacelestialthoughnowlikeuntothesunenvelopedindenseclouds,orfirecoveredwithashes,firstmadehisappearancewhenthefamouskingViratawasseatedinhiscourt.AndbeholdingwithhisfollowersthatsonofPanduinhiscourt,lookinglikethemoonhidincloudsandpossessedofafacebeautifulasthefullmoon,kingVirataaddressedhiscounsellorsandthetwice-bornonesandthecharioteersandtheVaisyasandothers,saying,"Enquireyewhoitis,solikeakingthatlookethonmycourtforthefirsttime.HecannotbeaBrahmana.Methinksheisamanofmen,andalordofearth.Hehathneitherslaves,norcars,norelephantswithhim,yetheshinethliketheveryIndra.Themarksonhispersonindicatehimtobeonewhosecoronallockshaveundergonethesacredinvestiture.Eventhisismybelief.Heapproachethmewithoutanyhesitation,evenasanelephantinrutapproachethanassemblageoflotuses!'

"Andasthekingwasindulginginthesethoughts,thatbullamongmen,Yudhishthira,camebeforeVirataandaddressedhim,saying,'Ogreatking,knowmeforaBrahmanawho,havinglosthisallhathcometotheeforthemeansofsubsistence.Idesire,Osinlessone,toliveherebesidetheeactingunderthycommands,[11]Olord.Thekingthen,well-pleased,replieduntohimsaying,'Thouartwelcome.Dothouthenaccepttheappointmentthouseekest!'Andhavingappointedthelionamongkingsintheposthehadprayedfor,kingVirataaddressedhimwithagladheart,saying,'Ochild,Iasktheefromaffection,fromthedominionsofwhatkingdostthoucomehither?Tellmealsotrulywhatisthynameandfamily,andwhatthouhastaknowledgeof.'"

Yudhishthirasaid,"MynameisKanka,andIamaBrahmanabelongingtothefamilyknownbythenameofVaiyaghra.Iamskilledincastingdice,andformerlyIwasafriendofYudhishthira."

Viratareplied,"Iwillgranttheewhateverboonthoumaystdesire.DothouruletheMatsyas.--Ishallremaininsubmissiontothee.Evencunninggamblersarelikedbyme.Thou,ontheotherhand,artlikeagod,anddeservestakingdom."

Yudhishthirasaid,"Myfirstprayer,Olordofearth,isthatImaynotbeinvolvedinanydispute(onaccountofdice)withlowpeople.Further,apersondefeatedbyme(atdice)shallnotbepermittedtoretainthewealth(wonbyme).Letthisboonbegrantedtomethroughthygrace."

Viratareplied,"Ishallcertainlyslayhimwhomayhappentodispleasethee,andshouldbeoneofthetwice-bornones,Ishallbanishhimfrommydominions.Lettheassembledsubjectslisten!KankaisasmuchlordofthisrealmasImyself,Thou(Kanka)shaltbemyfriendandshaltridethesamevehiclesasI.Andthereshallalsobeatthydisposalapparelinplenty,andvariouskindsofviandsanddrinks.Andthoushaltlookintomyaffairs,bothinternalandexternal.Andfortheeallmydoorsshallbeopen.Whenmenoutofemployorofstrainedcircumstanceswillapplytothee,dothouatallhoursbringtheirwordsuntome,andIwill



surelygivethemwhatevertheydesire.Nofearshallbethineaslongasthouresidestwithme."

Vaisampayanasaid,"HavingthusobtainedaninterviewwithVirata'sking,andreceivedfromhimboons,thatheroicbullamongmen,begantolivehappily,highlyregardedbyall.Norcouldanyonediscoverhimashelivedthere."

SECTIONVIII

Vaisampayanasaid,"Thenanotherenduedwiththedreadfulstrengthandblazinginbeauty,approachedkingVirata,withtheplayfulgaitofthelion.Andholdinginhandacookingladleandaspoon,asalsoanunsheathedswordofsablehueandwithoutaspotontheblade,hecameintheguiseofacookilluminingallaroundhimbyhissplendourlikethesundiscoveringthewholeworld.Andattiredinblackandpossessedofthestrengthofthekingofmountains,heapproachedthekingoftheMatsyasandstoodbeforehim.Andbeholdingthatking-likepersonbeforehim,Virataaddressedhisassembledsubjectssaying,'Whoisthatyouth,thatbullamongmen,withshouldersbroadlikethoseofalion,andsoexceedinglybeautiful?Thatperson,neverseenbefore,islikethesun.Revolvingthematterinmymind,Icannotascertainwhoheis,norcanI

withevenseriousthoughtsguesstheintentionofthatbullamongmen(incominghere).Beholdinghim,itseemstomethatheiseitherthekingoftheGandharvas,orPurandarahimself.Doyeascertainwhoitisthatstandethbeforemyeyes.Lethimhavequicklywhatheseeks.'ThuscommandedbykingVirata,hisswift-footedmessengerswentuptothesonofKuntiandinformedthatyoungerbrotherofYudhishthiraofeverythingthekinghadsaid.Thenthehigh-souledsonofPandu,approachingVirata,addressedhiminwordsthatwerenotunsuitedtohisobject,saying,'Oforemostofkings,Iamacook,Vallavabyname.Iamskilledindressingdishes.Dothouemploymeinthekitchen!'"

Viratasaid,"Idonotbelieve,OVallava,thatcookingisthyoffice.Thouresemblestthedeityofathousandeyes;andingraceandbeautyand

prowess,thoushinestamongtheseallasaking!"

Bhimareplied,"Okingofkings,Iamthycookandservantinthefirstplace.ItisnotcurriesonlyofwhichIhaveknowledge,Omonarch,althoughkingYudhishthiraalwaysusedindaysgonebytotastemydishes.Olordofearth,Iamalsoawrestler.Noristhereonethatisequaltomeinstrength.Andengaginginfightwithlionsandelephants,Ishall,Osinlessone,alwayscontributetothyentertainment."

Viratasaid,"Iwillevengranttheeboons.Thouwiltdowhatthouwishest,asthoudescribestthyselfskilledinit.Idonot,however,think,thatthisofficeisworthyofthee,forthoudeservestthis(entire)earthgirtroundbythesea.Butdoasthoulikest.Bethouthe

superintendentofmykitchen,andthouartplacedattheheadofthosewhohavebeenappointedtherebeforebyme."

Vaisampayanacontinued,"Thusappointedinthekitchen,BhimasoonbecamethefavouriteofkingVirata.And,Oking,hecontinuedtolivethereunrecognisedbytheotherservantsofVirataasalsobyotherpeople!"

SECTIONIX



Vaisampayanasaid,"Bindingherblack,soft,fine,longandfaultlesstresseswithcrispedendsintoaknottedbraid,Draupadiofblackeyesandsweetsmiles,throwingituponherrightshoulders,concealeditbyhercloth.Andsheworeasinglepieceofablackanddirtythoughcostlycloth.AnddressingherselfasaSairindhri,shebegantowanderhitherandthitherinseemingaffliction.Andbeholdingherwandering,menandwomencametoherhastilyandaddressedher,saying,'Whoareyou?Andwhatdoyouseek?'Andshereplied,'Iamaking'sSairindhri.Idesiretoserveanyonethatwillmaintainme.'Butbeholdingherbeautyanddress,andhearingalsoherspeechthatwassosweet,thepeoplecouldnottakeherforamaid-servantinsearchofsubsistence.Anditcametopassthatwhilelookingthiswayandthatfromtheterrace,Virata'sbelovedqueen,daughterofthekingofKekaya,sawDraupadi.Andbeholdingherforlornandcladinasinglepieceofcloth,thequeenaddressedhersaying,'Obeautifulone,whoareyou,andwhatdoyouseek?'Thereupon,Draupadiansweredher,saying,'Oforemostofqueen,IamSairindhri.Iwillserveanybodythatwillmaintainme.'ThenSudeshnasaid,'Whatyousay(regardingyourprofession)canneverbecompatiblewithsomuchbeauty.(Onthecontrary)youmightwellbethemistressofservantsboth,maleandfemale.Yourheelsarenotprominent,andyourthighstoucheachother.Andyourintelligenceisgreat,andyournaveldeep,andyourwordssolemn.Andyourgreattoes,andbustandhips,andbackandsides,andtoe-nails,andpalmsareallwell-developed.Andyour

palms,soles,andfaceareruddy.Andyourspeechissweetevenasthevoiceoftheswan.Andyourhairisbeautiful,andyourbustshapely,andyouarepossessedofthehighestgrace.Andyourhipsandbustareplump.AndlikeaKashmereanmareyouarefurnishedwitheveryauspiciousmark.Andyoureye-lashesare(beautiful)bent,andyournether-lipisliketheruddyground.Andyourwaistisslender,andyourneckbearslinesthatresemblethoseoftheconch.Andyourveinsarescarcelyvisible.Indeed,yourcountenanceislikethefullmoon,andyoureyesresembletheleavesoftheautumnallotus,andyourbodyisfragrantasthelotusitself.Verily,inbeautyyouresembleSriherself,whoseseatistheautumnallotus.Tellme,Obeautifuldamsel,whothouart.Thoucanstneverbeamaidservant.ArtthouaYakshi,aGoddess,aGandharvi,oranApsara?Artthouthedaughterofacelestial,orartthouafemaleNaga?Artthouthe

guardiangoddessofsomecity,aVidyadhari,oraKinnari,--orartthouRohiniherself?OrartthouAlamvusha,orMisrakesi,Pundarika,orMalini,orthequeenofIndra,orofVaruna?Or,artthouthespouseofViswakarma,orofthecreativeLordhimself?Ofthesegoddesseswhoartrenownedinthecelestialregions,whoartthou,Ogracefulone?'

"Draupadireplied,'Oauspiciouslady,IamneitheragoddessnoraGandharvi,noraYakshi,noraRakshasi.Iamamaid-servantoftheSairindhriclass.Itelltheethistruly.Iknowtodressthehairtopound(fragrantsubstances)forpreparingunguents,andalsotomakebeautifulandvariegatedgarlands.Obeauteouslady,ofjasminesandlotusesandblueliliesandChampakas.FormerlyIservedKrishna'sfavouritequeenSatyabhama,andalsoDraupadi,thewifeofthePandavas

andtheforemostbeautyoftheKururace.Iwanderaboutalone,earninggoodfoodanddress;andaslongasIgetthese,Icontinuetoliveintheplacewheretheyareobtainable.DraupadiherselfcalledmeMalini(makerofgarlands).'

"Hearingthis,Sudeshnasaid,'Iwouldkeeptheeuponmyheaditself,ifthedoubtdidnotcrossmymindthatthekinghimselfwouldbeattractedtowardstheewithhiswholeheart.Attractedbythybeauty,thefemalesoftheroyalhouseholdandmymaidsarelookingatthee.Whatmalepersonthenistherethatcanresistthyattraction?Surely,Othouof



well-roundedhips,Odamselofexquisitecharms,beholdingthyformofsuperhumanbeauty,kingVirataissuretoforsakeme,andwillturntotheewithhiswholeheart.Othouoffaultlesslimbs,Othouthatartenduedwithlargeeyescastingquickglances,heuponwhomthouwiltlookwithdesireissuretobestricken.Othouofsweetsmiles,Othouthatpossessestafaultlessform,hethatwillbeholdtheeconstantly,willsurelycatchtheflame.Evenasapersonthatclimbsupatreeforcompassinghisowndestruction,evenasthecrabconceivesforherownruin,Imay,Othouofsweetsmiles,bringdestructionuponmyselfbyharbouringthee.'

"Draupadireplied,'Ofairlady,neitherViratanoranyotherpersonwillbeabletohaveme,formyfiveyouthfulhusbands,whoareGandharvasandsonsofaGandharvakingofexceedingpower,alwaysprotectme.Nonecandomeawrong.ItisthewishofmyGandharvahusbandsthatIshouldserveonlysuchpersonsaswillnotgivemetotouchfoodalreadypartakenofbyanother,ortellmetowashtheirfeet.Anymanthatattemptstohavemelikeanycommonwoman,meetethwithdeaththatverynight.Noonecansucceedinhavingme,for,Obeautifullady,Othouofsweetsmiles,thosebelovedGandharvas,possessedofgreatenergyandmightystrengthalwaysprotectmesecretly.'

"Sudeshnasaid,'Othouthatbringestdelighttotheheart,ifitisasthousayest,Iwilltaketheeintomyhousehold.Thoushaltnothaveto

touchfoodthathathbeenpartakenofbyanother,ortowashanother'sfeet.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThusaddressedbyVirata'swife,OJanamejaya,Krishna(Draupadi)everdevotedtoherlords,begantoliveinthatcity.Norcouldanyoneascertainwhoinrealityshewas!'"

SECTIONX

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Thencladinacowherd'sdress,andspeakingthedialectofcowherds,SahadevacametothecowpenofVirata'scity.And

beholdingthatbullamongmen,whowasshininginsplendour,thekingwasstruckwithamazement.AndhedirectedhismentosummonSahadeva.Andwhenthelattercame,thekingaddressedhim,saying,'Towhomdostthoubelong?Andwhencedostthoucome?Andwhatworkdostthouseek?Ihaveneverseentheebefore.Obullamongmen,tellmetrulyaboutthee.'

'Havingcomebeforethekingthatafflicteroffoes,Sahadevaansweredinaccentsdeepastheroarofthecloud,'IamaVaisya,Arishtanemibyname.IwasemployedasacowherdintheserviceofthosebullsoftheKururace,thesonsofPandu.Oforemostofmen,Iintendnowtolivebesidethee,forIdonotknowwherethoselionsamongkings,thesonsofPritha,are.Icannotlivewithoutservice,and,Oking,Idonotliketoenterintotheserviceofanyoneelsesavethee.'

"Hearingthesewords,Viratasaid,'ThoumusteitherbeaBrahmanaoraKshatriya.Thoulookestasifthouwertthelordoftheentireearthsurroundedbythesea.Tellmetruly,Othouthatmowestdownthyfoes.TheofficeofaVaisyaisnotfitforthee.Tellmefromthedominionsofwhatkingthoucomest,andwhatthouknowest,andinwhatcapacitythouwouldstremainwithus,andalsowhatpaythouwouldstaccept.'

"Sahadevaanswered,'Yudhishthira,theeldestofthefivesonsofPandu,hadonedivisionofkinenumberingeighthundredandtenthousand,and



another,tenthousand,andanother,again,twentythousand,andsoon.Iwasemployedinkeepingthosecattle.PeopleusedtocallmeTantripala.Iknowthepresent,thepast,andthefutureofallkinelivingwithintenYojanas,andwhosetalehasbeentaken.Mymeritswereknowntothatillustriousone,andtheKurukingYudhishthirawaswell-pleasedwithme.Iamalsoacquaintedwiththemeanswhichaidkineinmultiplyingwithinashorttime,andbywhichtheymayenjoyimmunityfromdisease.Alsotheseartsareknowntome.Icanalsosingleoutbullshavingauspiciousmarksforwhichtheyareworshippedbymen,andbysmellingwhoseurine,thebarrenmayconceive.'

"Viratasaid,'Ihaveahundredthousandkinedividedintodistinctherds.Allthosetogetherwiththeirkeepers,Iplaceinthycharge.Henceforthmybeastswillbeinthykeep.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Then,Oking,undiscoveredbythatmonarch,thatlordofmen,Sahadeva,maintainedbyVirata,begantolivehappily.Nordidanyoneelse(besideshisbrothers)recognisehim.'"

SECTIONXI

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Nextappearedatthegateoftherampartsanother

personofenormoussizeandexquisitebeautydeckedintheornamentsofwomen,andwearinglargeear-ringsandbeautifulconch-braceletsoverlaidwithgold.Andthatmighty-armedindividualwithlongandabundanthairfloatingabouthisneck,resembledanelephantingait.Andshakingtheveryearthwithhistread,heapproachedVirataandstoodinhiscourt.AndbeholdingthesonofthegreatIndra,shiningwithexquisitelustreandhavingthegaitofamightyelephant,--thatgrinderoffoeshavinghistrueformconcealedindisguise,enteringthecouncil-hallandadvancingtowardsthemonarch,thekingaddressedallhiscourtiers,saying,'Whencedoththispersoncome?Ihaveneverheardofhimbefore.'Andwhenthemenpresentspokeofthenewcomerasoneunknowntothem,thekingwonderinglysaid,'Possessedofgreatstrength,thouartlikeuntoacelestial,andyoungandofdarkishhue,thouresemblestthe

leaderofaherdofelephants.Wearingconch-braceletsoverlaidwithgold,abraid,andear-rings,thoushinestyetlikeoneamongstthosethatridingonchariotswanderaboutequippedwithmailandbowandarrowsanddeckedwithgarlandsandfinehair.Iamoldanddesirousofrelinquishingmyburden.Bethoulikemyson,orrulethoulikemyselfalltheMatsyas.Itseemethtomethatsuchapersonasthoucanneverbeoftheneutersex.'

"Arjunasaid,'Ising,dance,andplayoninstruments.Iamproficientindanceandskilledinsong.Olordofmen,assignmeunto(theprincess)Uttara.Ishallbedancing-mastertotheroyalmaiden.AstohowIhavecomebythisform,whatwillitavailtheetoheartheaccountwhichwillonlyaugmentmypain?Knowme,Okingofmen,tobeVrihannala,asonor

daughterwithoutfatherormother.'

"Viratasaid,'OVrihannala,Igivetheewhatthoudesirest.Instructmydaughter,andthoselikeher,indancing.Tome,however,thisofficeseemethunworthyofthee.Thoudeserves!(thedominionof)theentireearthgirtroundbytheocean.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThekingoftheMatsyasthentestedVrihannalaindancing,music,andotherfinearts,andconsultingwithhisvariousministersforthwithcausedhimtobeexaminedbywomen.Andlearningthat



thisimpotencywasofapermanentnature,hesenthimtothemaiden'sapartments.AndtherethemightyArjunabegangivinglessonsinsingingandinstrumentalmusictothedaughterofVirata,herfriends,andherwaiting-maids,andsoonwontheirgoodgraces.Andinthismannertheself-possessedArjunalivedthereindisguise,partakingofpleasuresintheircompany,andunknowntothepeoplewithinorwithoutthepalace.'"

SECTIONXII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Afterawhile,anotherpowerfulsonofPanduwasseenmakingtowardskingViratainhaste.Andasheadvanced,heseemedtoeveryonelikesolarorbemergedfromtheclouds.Andhebegantoobservethehorsesaround.Andseeingthis,thekingoftheMatsyassaidtohisfollowers,'Iwonderwhencethisman,possessedoftheeffulgenceofacelestial,cometh.Helooksintentlyatmysteeds.Verily,hemustbeproficientinhorse-lore.Lethimbeusheredintomypresencequickly.Heisawarriorandlookslikeagod!'Andthatdestroyeroffoesthenwentuptothekingandaccostedhim,saying,'Victorytothee,Oking,andblestbeye.'Asatrainerofhorses,Ihavealwaysbeenhighlyesteemedbykings.Iwillbeacleverkeeperofthyhorses.'

"Viratasaid,'Iwillgivetheevehicles,wealth,andspaciousquarters.

Thoushaltbethemanagerofmyhorses.Butfirsttellmewhencethoucomest,whothouart,andhowalsothouhappenesttocomehere.Tellusalsoalltheartsthouartmasterof.'Nakulareplied,'Omowerofenemies,knowthatYudhishthiraistheeldestbrotherofthefivesonsofPandu.Iwasformerlyemployedbyhimtokeephishorses.Iamacquaintedwiththetemperofsteeds,andknowperfectlytheartofbreakingthem.Iknowalsohowtocorrectvicioushorses,andallthemethodsoftreatingtheirdiseases.Noanimalinmyhandsbecomethweakorill.Nottospeakofhorses,evenmaresinmyhandswillneverbefoundtobevicious.PeoplecalledmeGranthikabynameandsodidYudhishthira,thesonofPandu.'

"Viratasaid,'WhateverhorsesIhave,Iconsigntothycareevenfrom

today.Andallthekeepersofmyhorsesandallmycharioteerswillfromtodaybesubordinatetothee.Ifthissuitsthee,saywhatremunerationisdesiredbythee.But,Othouthatresemblestacelestial,theofficeofequerryisnotworthyofthee.ForthoulookestlikeakingandIesteemtheemuch.TheappearanceherehathpleasedmeasmuchasifYudhishthirahimselfwerehere.Oh,howdoesthatblamelesssonofPandudwellanddiverthimselfintheforest,nowdestituteofservantsasheis.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thatyouth,likeuntoachiefoftheGandharvas,wastreatedthusrespectfullybythedelightedkingVirata.Andheconductedhimselfthereinsuchamannerastomakehimselfdearandagreeabletoallinthepalace.Andnoonerecognisedhimwhile

livingunderVirata'sprotection.AnditwasinthismannerthenthesonsofPandu,theverysightofwhomhadneverbeenfruitless,continuedtoliveinthecountryoftheMatsyas.Andtruetotheirpledgethoselordsoftheearthboundedbyherbeltofseaspassedtheirdaysofincognitowithgreatcomposurenotwithstandingtheirpoignantsufferings.'"

SECTIONXIII



(SamayapalanaParva)

"Janamejayasaid,'WhilelivingthusdisguisedinthecityoftheMatsyas,whatdidthosedescendantsoftheKururaceenduedwithgreatprowess,do,Oregenerateone!'

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Hear,Oking,whatthosedescendantsofKurudidwhiletheydweltthusindisguiseinthecityoftheMatsyas,worshippingthekingthereof.BythegraceofthesageTrinavinduandofthehigh-souledlordofjustice,thePandavascontinuedtoliveunrecognisedbyothersinthecityofVirata.Olordofmen,Yudhishthira,ascourtiermadehimselfagreeabletoVirataandhissonsasalsotoalltheMatsyas.Anadeptinthemysteriesofdice,thesonofPanducausedthemtoplayatdiceaccordingtohispleasureandmadethemsittogetherinthedice-halllikearowofbirdsboundinastring.Andthattigeramongmen,kingYudhishthiratheJust,unknowntothemonarch,distributedamonghisbrothers,indueproportion,thewealthhewonfromVirata.AndBhimasenaonhispart,soldtoYudhishthiraforprice,meatandviandsofvariouskindswhichheobtainedfromtheking.AndArjunadistributedamongallhisbrotherstheproceedsofworn-outclothswhichheearnedintheinnerapartmentsofthepalace.AndSahadeva,too,whowasdisguisedasacowherdgavemilk,curdsandclarifiedbuttertohisbrothers.AndNakulaalsosharedwithhisbrothersthewealththekinggavehim,satisfiedwithhismanagementofthehorses.AndDraupadi,herselfina

pitiablecondition,lookedafterallthosebrothersandbehavedinsuchawayastoremainunrecognized.Andthusministeringuntooneanother'swants,thosemightywarriorslivedinthecapitalofVirataashiddenfromview,asiftheywereoncemoreintheirmother'swomb.Andthoselordsofmen,thesonsofPandu,apprehensiveofdangerfromthesonofDhritarashtra,continuedtodwellthereinconcealment,watchingovertheirwifeDraupadi.Andafterthreemonthshadpassedaway,inthefourth,thegrandfestivalinhonourofthedivineBrahmawhichwascelebratedwithpompinthecountryoftheMatsyas,cameoff.Andtherecameathletesfromallquartersbythousands,likehostsofcelestialstotheabodeofBrahmaorofSivatowitnessthatfestival.Andtheywereenduedwithhugebodiesandgreatprowess,likethedemonscalledKalakhanjas.Andelatedwiththeirprowessandproudoftheirstrength,

theywerehighlyhonouredbytheking.Andtheirshouldersandwaistsandneckswerelikethoseoflions,andtheirbodieswereveryclean,andtheirheartswerequiteatease.Andtheyhadmanyatimewonsuccessinthelistsinthepresenceofkings.Andamongstthemtherewasonewhotoweredabovetherestandchallengedthemalltoacombat.Andtherewasnonethatdaredtoapproachhimasheproudlystalkedinthearena.Andwhenalltheathletesstoodsadanddispirited,thekingoftheMatsyasmadehimfightwithhiscook.Andurgedbytheking,Bhimamadeuphismindreluctantly,forhecouldnotopenlydisobeytheroyalbehest.Andthattigeramongmenthenhavingworshippedtheking,enteredthespaciousarena,pacingwiththecarelessstepsofatiger.AndthesonofKuntithengirdeduphisloinstothegreatdelightofthespectators.AndBhimathensummonedtothecombatthatathleteknownbythenameof

JimutawhowaslikeuntotheAsuraVritrawhoseprowesswaswidelyknown.Andbothofthemwerepossessedofgreatcourage,andbothwereenduedwithterribleprowess.Andtheywerelikeacoupleofinfuriateandhuge-bodiedelephants,eachsixtyyearsold.Andthosebravetigersamongmenthencheerfullyengagedinawrestlingcombat,desirousofvanquishingeachother.Andterriblewastheencounterthattookplacebetweenthem,liketheclashofthethunderboltagainstthestonymountain-breast.Andbothofthemwereexceedinglypowerfulandextremelydelightedateachother'sstrength.Anddesirousofvanquishingeachother,eachstoodeagertotakeadvantageofhisadversary'slapse.And



Panchalapleasedthatladyasalsotheotherfemalesoftheinnerapartments.Anditcametopassthatastheyearwasabouttoexpire,theredoubtableKichaka,theCommanderofVirata'sforces,chancedtobeholdthedaughterofDrupada.Andbeholdingthatladyenduedwiththesplendourofadaughterofthecelestials,treadingtheearthlikeagoddess,Kichaka,afflictedwiththeshaftsofKama,desiredtopossessher.Andburningwithdesire'sflame,Virata'sgeneralcametoSudeshna(hissister)andsmilinglyaddressedherinthesewords,'ThisbeauteousladyhadneverbeforebeenseenbymeinkingVirata'sabode.Thisdamselmaddensmewithherbeauty,evenasanewwinemaddensonewithitsfragrance.Tellme,whoisthisgracefulandcaptivatingladypossessedofthebeautyofagoddess,andwhosesheis,andwhenceshehathcome.Surely,grindingmyheartshehathreducedmetosubjection.Itseemstomethat(saveher)thereisnoothermedicineformyillness.O,thisfairhand-maidofthineseemethtometobepossessedofthebeautyofagoddess.Surely,onelikeherisillsuitedtoservethee.Letherruleovermeandwhateverismine.O,lethergracemyspaciousandbeautifulpalace,deckedwithvariousornamentsofgold,fullofviandsanddrinksinprofusion,withexcellentplates,andcontainingeverykindofplenty,besideselephantsandhorsesandcarsinmyriads.AndhavingconsultedwithSudeshnathus,KichakawenttoprincessDraupadi,andlikeajackalintheforestaccostingalioness,spokeuntoKrishnathesewordsinawinningvoice,'Whoandwhoseartthou,Obeautifulone?AndOthouofbeautifulface,whencehastthoucometothecityofVirata?Tellmeall

this,Ofairlady.Thybeautyandgracefulnessareoftheveryfirstorderandthecomelinessofthyfeaturesisunparalleled.Withitslovelinessthyfaceshinetheverliketheresplendentmoon.Othouoffaireye-brows,thyeyesarebeautifulandlargelikelotus-petals.Thyspeechalso,Othouofbeautifullimbs,resemblesthenotesofthecuckoo.Othouoffairhips,neverbeforeinthisworldhaveIbeheldawomanpossessedofbeautylikethine,Othouoffaultlessfeatures.ArtthouLakshmiherselfhavingherabodeinthemidstoflotusesor,artthou,Oslender-waistedone,shewhoiscalledBhuti[13].Or,whichamongstthese--Hri,Sri,KirtiandKanti,--artthou,Othouofbeautifulface?OrpossessedofbeautylikeRati's,artthou,shewhosportethintheembracesoftheGodoflove?Othouthatpossessestthefairestofeye-brows,thoushinestbeautifullyevenlikethelovelylightofthe

moon.Whoisthereinthewholeworldthatwillnotsuccumbtotheinfluenceofdesirebeholdingthyface?Enduedwithunrivalledbeautyandcelestialgraceofthemostattractivekind,thatfaceofthineisevenlikethefullmoon,itscelestialeffulgenceresemblinghisradiantface,itssmileresemblinghissoft-light,anditseye-lasheslookinglikethespokesonhisdisc?Boththybosoms,sobeautifulandwell-developedandenduedwithunrivalledgracefulnessanddeepandwell-roundedandwithoutanyspacebetweenthem,arecertainlyworthyofbeingdeckedwithgarlandsofgold.Resemblinginshapethebeautifulbudsofthelotus,thesethybreast,Othouoffaireye-brows,areevenasthewhipsofKamathatareurgingmeforward,Othouofsweetsmiles,Odamselofslenderwaist,beholdingthatwaistofthinemarkedwithfourwrinklesandmeasuringbutaspan,andslightlystoopingforwardbecauseoftheweight

ofthybreasts,andalsolookingonthosegracefulhipsofthinebroadasthebanksofariver,theincurablefeverofdesire,Obeauteouslady,afflictethmesore.Theflamingfireofdesire,fierceasaforestconflagration,andfannedbythehopemyheartcherishethofaunionwiththeeisconsumingmeintensely.OthouofexceedingbeautyquenchthouthatflamingfirekindledbyManmatha.Unionwiththeeisarain-chargedcloud,andthesurrenderofthypersonistheshowerthatthecloudmaydrop.Othouoffaceresemblingthemoon,thefierceandmaddeningshaftsofManmathawhettedandsharpenedbythedesireofaunionwiththee,piercingthisheartofmineintheirimpetuouscourse,havepenetrated



intoitscore.Oblack-eyedlady,thoseimpetuousandcruelshaftsaremaddeningmebeyondendurance.Itbehoveththeetorelievemefromthisplightbysurrenderingthyselftomeandfavouringmewiththyembraces.Deckedinbeautifulgarlandsandrobesandadornedwitheveryornament,sportthou,Osweetdamsel,withmetothyfill.Othouofthegaitofanelephantinrut,deservingasthouartofhappinessthoughdeprivedofitnow,itbehoveththeenottodwellhereinmisery.Letunrivalledwealbethine.Drinkingvariouskindsofcharminganddeliciousandambrosialwines,andsportingatthypleasureintheenjoymentofdiverseobjectsofdelight,dothou,Oblessedlady,attainauspiciousprosperity.Thisbeautyofthineandthisprimeofthyyouth,Osweetlady,arenowwithouttheiruse.For,Obeauteousandchastedamsel,enduedwithsuchloveliness,thoudostnotshine,likeagracefulgarlandlyingunusedandunworn.Iwillforsakeallmyoldwives.Letthem,Othouofsweetsmiles,becomethyslaves.AndIalso,Ofairdamsel,willstaybytheeasthyslave,everobedienttothee,Othouofthemosthandsomeface.'Hearingthesewordsofhis,Draupadireplied,'Indesiringme,afemaleservantoflowextraction,employedinthedespicableofficeofdressinghair,OSuta'sson,thoudesirestonethatdeservesnotthathonour.Then,again,Iamthewifeofothers.Therefore,goodbetidethee,thisconductofthineisnotproper.Dothourememberthepreceptofmorality,viz.,thatpersonsshouldtakedelightonlyintheirweddedwives.Thoushouldstnot,therefore,byanymeansbendthyhearttoadultery.Surelyabstainingfromimproperactsiseverthestudyofthosethataregood.

Overcomebyignorancesinfulmenundertheinfluenceofdesirecomebyeitherextremeinfamyordreadfulcalamity.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThusaddressedbytheSairindhri,thewickedKichakalosingcontroloverhissensesandovercomebylust,althoughawareofthenumerousevilsoffornication,evilscondemnedbyeverybodyandsometimesleadingtothedestructionoflifeitself,--thenspokeuntoDraupadi,'Itbehoveththeenot,Obeauteouslady,Othouofgracefulfeatures,thustodisregardmewhoam,Othouofsweetsmiles,underthepowerofManmathaonthyaccount.Ifnow,Otimidone,thoudisregardestmewhoamunderthyinfluenceandwhospeaktotheesofair,thouwilt,Oblack-eyeddamsel,havetorepentforitafterwards.Othouofgracefuleye-brows,thereallordofthisentirekingdom,Oslender-waistedlady,

ismyself.Itismedependinguponwhomthepeopleofthisrealmlive.InenergyandprowessIamunrivalledonearth.Thereisnoothermanonearthwhorivalsmeinbeautyofperson,inyouth,inprosperity,andinthepossessionofexcellentobjectsofenjoyment.Whyitis,Oauspiciouslady,thathavingitinthypowertoenjoyhereeveryobjectofdesireandeveryluxuryandcomfortwithoutitsequal,thoupreferestservitude.BecomingthemistressofthiskingdomwhichIshallconferonthee,Othouoffairface,acceptme,andenjoy,Obeauteousone,allexcellentobjectsofdesire.'AddressedintheseaccursedwordsbyKichaka,thatchastedaughterofDrupadaansweredhimthusreprovingly,'Donot,OsonofaSuta,actsofoolishlyanddonotthrowawaythylife.KnowthatIamprotectedbymyfivehusbands.Thoucanstnothaveme.IhaveGandharvasformyhusbands.Enragedtheywillslaythee.Therefore,do

thounotbringdestructiononthyself.Thouintendesttotreadalongapaththatisincapableofbeingtrodbymen.Thou,Owickedone,artevenlikeafoolishchildthatstandingononeshoreoftheoceanintendstocrossovertotheother.Evenifthouenterestintotheinterioroftheearth,orsoarestintothesky,orrushesttotheothershoreoftheocean,stillthouwilthavenoescapefromthehandsofthosesky-rangingoffspringofgods,capableofgrindingallfoes.Whydostthoutoday,OKichaka,solicitmesopersistentlyevenasasickpersonwishethforthenightthatwillputastoptohisexistence?Whydostthoudesireme,evenlikeaninfantlyingonitsmother'slapwishingtocatchthemoon?



SECTIONXVI

"Kichakasaid,'Othouoftressesendinginbeautifulcurls,thouartwelcome.Surely,thenightthatisgonehathbroughtmeanauspiciousday,forIhavegottheetodayasthemistressofmyhouse.Dowhatisagreeabletome.Letgoldenchains,andconchsandbrightear-ringsmadeofgold,manufacturedinvariouscountries,andbeautifulrubiesandgems,andsilkenrobesanddeer-skins,bebroughtforthee.Ihavealsoanexcellentbedpreparedforthee.Come,sittinguponitdothoudrinkwithmethewinepreparedfromthehoneyflower.'Hearingthesewords,Draupadisaid,'Ihavebeensenttotheebytheprincessfortakingawaywine.Dothouspeedilybringmewine,forshetoldmethatsheisexceedinglythirsty.'Andthis,Kichakasaid,'Ogentlelady,otherswillcarrywhattheprincesswants.'Andsayingthis,theSuta'ssoncaughtholdofDraupadi'srightarm.Andatthis,Draupadiexclaimed,'AsIhavenever,fromintoxicationofthesenses,beenunfaithfultomyhusbandsevenatheart,bythatTruth,Owretch,Ishallbeholdtheedraggedandlyingpowerlessontheground.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Seeingthatlarge-eyedladyreprovinghiminthatstrain,Kichakasuddenlyseizedherbytheendofheruppergarmentassheattemptedtorunaway.AndseizedwithviolencebyKichaka,thebeautifulprincess,unabletotolerateit,andwithframetremblingwith

wrath,andbreathingquickly,dashedhimtotheground.Anddashedtothegroundthus,thesinfulwretchtumbleddownlikeatreewhoserootshadbeencut.AndhavingthrownKichakadownonthegroundwhenthelatterhadseizedher,she,tremblingalloverrushedtothecourt,wherekingYudhishthirawas,forprotection.Andwhileshewasrunningwithallherspeed,Kichaka(whofollowedher),seizingherbythehair,andbringingherdownontheground,kickedherintheverypresenceoftheking.Thereupon,OBharata,theRakshasathathadbeenappointedbySuryatoprotectDraupadi,gaveKichakaashovewithaforcemightyasthatofthewind.AndoverpoweredbytheforceofRakshasa,Kichakareeledandfelldownsenselessontheground,evenlikeanuprootedtree.AndbothYudhishthiraandBhimasenawhowereseatedthere,beheldwithwrathfuleyesthatoutrageonKrishnabyKichaka.Anddesirousofcompassingthe

destructionofthewickedKichaka,theillustriousBhimagnashedhisteethinrage.Andhisforeheadwascoveredwithsweat,andterriblewrinklesappearedthereon.Andasmokyexhalationshotforthfromhiseyes,andhiseye-lashesstoodonend.Andthatslayerofhostileheroespressedhisforeheadwithhishands.Andimpelledbyrage,hewasonthepointofstartingupwithspeed.ThereatkingYudhishthira,apprehensiveofdiscovery,squeezedhisthumbsandcommandedBhimatoforbear.AndBhimawhothenlookedlikeaninfuriateelephanteyeingalargetree,wasthusforbiddenbyhiselderbrother.Andthelattersaid,'Lookestthou,Ocook,fortreesforfuel.Ifthouartinneedoffaggots,thengooutandfelltrees.'AndtheweepingDraupadioffairhips,approachingtheentranceofthecourt,andseeinghermelancholylords,desirousyetofkeepingupthedisguiseduty-boundbytheirpledge,witheyesburningin

fire,spokethesewordsuntothekingoftheMatsyas,'Alas,thesonofaSutahathkickedtodaytheproudandbelovedwifeofthosewhosefoecanneversleepinpeaceeveniffourkingdomsintervenebetweenhimandthem.Alas,thesonofaSutahathkickedtodaytheproudandbelovedwifeofthosetruthfulpersonages,whoaredevotedtoBrahmanasandwhoalwaysgiveawaywithoutaskinganythingingift.Alas!thesonofaSutahathkickedtodaytheproudandbelovedwifeofthose,thesoundsofwhosekettle-drumsandthetwangsofwhosebow-stringsareceaselesslyheard.Alas,thesonofaSutahathkickedtodaytheproudandbelovedwifeofthosewhoarepossessedofabundantenergyandmight,andwhoare



liberalingiftsandproudoftheirdignity.Alas,thesonofaSutahathkickedtodaytheproudandbelovedwifeofthosewho,iftheyhadnotbeenfetteredbythetiesofduty,coulddestroythisentireworld.Where,alas,arethosemightywarriorstodaywho,thoughlivingindisguise,havealwaysgrantedprotectionuntothosethatsolicitit?Oh,whydothoseheroestoday,enduedastheyarewithstrengthandpossessedofimmeasurableenergy,quietlysuffer,likeeunuchs,theirdearandchastewifetobethusinsultedbyaSuta'sson?Oh,whereisthatwrathoftheirs,thatprowess,andthatenergy,whentheyquietlybeartheirwifetobethusinsultedbyawickedwretch?WhatcanI(aweakwoman)dowhenVirata,deficientinvirtue,coollysufferethmyinnocentselftobethuswrongedbyawretch?Thoudostnot,Oking,actlikeakingtowardsthisKichaka.Thybehaviourislikethatofarobber,anddothnotshineinacourt.ThatIshouldthusbeinsultedinthyverypresence,OMatsya,ishighlyimproper.Oh,letallthecourtiersherelookatthisviolenceofKichaka.Kichakaisignorantofdutyandmorality,andMatsyaalsoisequallyso.Thesecourtiersalsothatwaituponsuchakingaredestituteofvirtue.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'WiththeseandotherwordsofthesamekindthebeautifulKrishnawithtearfuleyesrebukedthekingoftheMatsyas.Andhearingher,Viratasaid,'Idonotknowwhatyourdisputehasbeenoutofoursight.NotknowingthetruecausehowcanIshowmydiscrimination?'Thenthecourtiers,havinglearnteverything,applauded

Krishna,andtheyallexclaimed,'Welldone!''Welldone!'andcensuredKichaka.Andthecourtierssaid,'Thatpersonwhoowneththislarge-eyedladyhavingeverylimbofhersenduedwithbeautyforhiswife,possessethwhatisofexceedingvalueandhathnooccasiontoindulgeinanygrief.Surely,suchadamseloftranscendentbeautyandlimbsperfectlyfaultlessisrareamongmen.Indeed,itseemstousthatsheisagoddess.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Andwhilethecourtiers,havingbeheldKrishna(undersuchcircumstances),wereapplaudingherthus,Yudhishthira'sforehead,fromire,becamecoveredwithsweat.AndthatbulloftheKururacethenaddressedthatprincess,hisbelovedspouse,saying,'Staynothere,OSairindhri;butretiretotheapartmentsofSudeshna.Thewives

ofheroesbearafflictionforthesakeoftheirhusbands,andundergoingtoilinministeringuntotheirlords,theyatlastattaintoregionwheretheirhusbandsmaygo.ThyGandharvahusbands,effulgentasthesun,donot,Iimagine,considerthisasanoccasionformanifestingtheirwrath,inasmuchastheydonotrushtothyaid.OSairindhri,thouartignorantofthetimelinessofthings,anditisforthisthatthouweepestasanactress,besidesinterruptingtheplayofdiceinMatsya'scourt.Retire,OSairindhri;theGandharvaswilldowhatisagreeabletothee.Andtheywillsurelydisplaythywoeandtakethelifeofhimthathathwrongedthee.'HearingthesewordstheSairindhrireplied,'TheyofwhomIamtheweddedwifeare,Iween,extremelykind.Andastheeldestofthemallisaddictedtodice,theyareliabletobeoppressedbyall.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Andhavingsaidthis,thefair-hippedKrishnawithdishevelledhairandeyesredinanger,rantowardstheapartmentsofSudhesna.Andinconsequenceofhavingweptlongherfacelookedbeautifullikethelunardiscinthefirmament,emergedfromtheclouds.Andbeholdingherinthatcondition,Sudeshnaasked,'Who,Obeauteouslady,hathinsultedthee?Why,Oamiabledamsel,dostthouweep?Who,gentleone,hathdonetheewrong?Whenceisthisthygrief?'Thusaddressed,Draupadisaid,'AsIwenttobringwineforthee,Kichakastruckmeinthecourtintheverypresenceoftheking,asifinthemidstofasolitarywood.'Hearingthis,Sudeshnasaid,'Othouof



ofservingothers,actuallyservinganotherforsustenance,whocanhelpbeingafflictedwithgrief?And,Ohero,thatBharatawhowasworshippedincourtbytheentireearth,dothounowbeholdhimworshippinganother.Whythen,OBharata,dostthounotregardmeasoneafflictedwithdiversemiseries,likeoneforlornandimmersedinaseaofsorrow?'"

SECTIONXIX

"Draupadisaid,'ThisOBharata,thatIamgoingtotelltheeisanothergreatgriefofmine.Thoushouldstnotblameme,forItelltheethisfromsadnessofheart.Whoistherewhosegriefisnotenhancedatsightofthee,ObulloftheBharatarace,engagedintheignobleofficeofacook,soentirelybeneaththeeandcallingthyselfasoneofVallavacaste?Whatcanbesadderthanthis,thatpeopleshouldknowtheeasVirata'scook,Vallavabyname,andthereforeonethatissunkinservitude?Alas,whenthyworkofthekitchenisover,thouhumblysittestbesideVirata,callingthyselfasVallavathecook,thendespondencyseizethmyheart.Whenthekingofkingsinjoymakeththeefightwithelephants,andthewomenoftheinnerapartments(ofthepalace)laughallthewhile,thenIamsorelydistressed.Whenthoufightestintheinnerapartmentswithlions,tigers,andbuffaloes,theprincessKaikeyilookingon,thenIalmostswoonaway.AndwhenKaikeyi

andthosemaidservants,leavingtheirseats,cometoassistmeandfindthatinsteadofsufferinganyinjuryinlimbsmineisonlyaswoon,theprincessspeaksuntoherwomen,saying,'Surely,itisfromaffectionandthedutybegotofintercoursethatthisladyofsweetsmilesgrievethfortheexceedinglypowerfulcookwhenhefightswiththebeasts.SairindhriispossessedofgreatbeautyandVallavaalsoiseminentlyhandsome.Theheartofwomanishardtoknow,andthey,Ifancy,aredeservingofeachother.Itis,therefore,likelythattheSairindhriinvariablyweepeth(atsuchtimes)onaccountofherconnectionwithherlover.Andthen,theybothhaveenteredthisroyalfamilyatthesametime.Andspeakingsuchwordsshealwaysupbraidethme.Andbeholdingmewrothatthis,shesuspectsmetobeattachedtothee.'Whenshespeakeththus,greatisthegriefthatIfeel.Indeed,onbeholdingthee,OBhimaofterrible

prowess,afflictedwithsuchcalamity,sunkasIalreadyamingriefonaccountofYudhishthira.Idonotdesiretolive.Thatyouthwhoonasinglecarhadvanquishedallcelestialsandmen,isnow,alas,thedancingmasterofkingVirata'sdaughter.ThatPritha'ssonofimmeasurablesoul,whohadgratifiedAgniintheforestofKhandava,isnowlivingintheinnerapartments(ofapalace)likefirehidinawell.Alas,thebullamongmen,Dhananjaya,whowasevertheterroroffoes,isnowlivinginaguisethatisdespairedbyall.Alas,hewhosemace-likearmshavebeencicatrizedinconsequenceofthestrokesofhisbow-string,alasthatDhananjayaispassingthedaysingriefcoveringhiswristswithbraceletsofconchs.Alas,thatDhananjayathetwangofwhosebow-stringandthesoundofwhoseleathernfencesmadeeveryfoetremble,nowentertainsonlygladdenedwomenwithhissongs.Oh,that

Dhananjayawhoseheadwasformerlydeckedwithadiademofsolarsplendour,isnowwearingbraidsendinginunsightlycurls.OBhima,beholdingthatterriblebowman,Arjuna,nowwearingbraidsandinthemidstofwomen,myheartisstrickenwithwoe.Thathigh-souledherowhoismasterofallthecelestialweapons,andwhoistherepositoryofallthesciences,nowwearethear-rings(likeoneofthefairsex).Thatyouthwhomkingsofincomparableprowesscouldnotoverpowerinfight,evenasthewatersofthemightyoceancannotoverleapthecontinents,isnowthedancing-masterofkingVirata'sdaughtersandwaitsuponthemindisguise.OBhima,thatArjunatheclatterofwhosecar-wheelscausedthe



entireearthwithhermountainsandforests,hermobileandimmobilethingstotremble,andwhosebirthdispelledallthesorrowsofKunti,thatexaltedhero,thatyoungerbrotherofthine,OBhimasena,nowmakethmeweepforhim.Beholdinghimcomingtowardsme,deckedingoldenear-ringsandotherornaments,andwearingonthewristsbraceletsofconchs,myheartisafflictedwithdespondency.AndDhananjayawhohathnotabowmanequaluntohimonearthinprowess,nowpassethhisdaysinsinging,surroundedbywomen.BeholdingthatsonofPrithawhoinvirtue,heroismandtruth,wasthemostadmiredintheworld,nowlivingintheguiseofawoman,myheartisafflictedwithsorrow.WhenIbehold,thegodlikeParthainthemusic-halllikeanelephantwithrenttemplessurroundedbyshe-elephantsinthemidstoffemales,waitingbeforeViratathekingoftheMatsyas,thenIloseallsenseofdirections.Surely,mymother-in-lawdothnotknowDhananjayatobeafflictedwithsuchextremedistress.NordothsheknowthatdescendantoftheKururace,Ajatasatru,addictedtodisastrousdice,tobesunkinmisery.OBharata,beholdingtheyoungestofyouall,Sahadeva,superintendingthekine,intheguiseofacowherd,Igrowpale.AlwaysthinkingofSahadeva'splight,Icannot,OBhimasena,obtainsleep,--whattospeakyouoftherest?Idonotknow,Omighty-armedone,whatsinSahadevamayhavecommittedforwhichthatheroofunbaffledprowesssufferethsuchmisery.OforemostoftheBharatas,beholdingthatbelovedbrotherofthine,thatbullamongmen,employedbyMatsyainlookingafterhiskine,Iamfilledwithwoe.Seeingthatheroofprouddispositiongratifying

Virata,bylivingattheheadofhiscowherds,attiredinrobesdyedinred.Iamattackedwithfever.Mymother-in-lawalwaysapplaudstheheroicSahadevaasonepossessedofnobility,excellentbehaviour,andrectitudeofconduct.Ardentlyattachedtohersons,theweepingKuntistood,embracingSahadevawhilehewasabouttosetout(withus)forthegreatforest.Andsheaddressedmesaying,"Sahadevaisbashfulandsweet-speeched,andvirtuous.Heisalsomyfavouritechild.Therefore,OYajnaseni,tendhimintheforestdayandnight.Delicateandbrave,devotedtotheking,andalwaysworshippinghiselderbrother,dothou,OPanchali,feedhimthyself.'OPandava,beholdingthatforemostofwarriors,Sahadeva,engagedintendingkine,andsleepingatnightoncalf-skins,howcanIbeartolive?Heagainwhoiscrownedwiththethreeattributesofbeauty,arms,andintelligence,isnowthe

superintendentofVirata'ssteeds.Beholdthechangebroughtonbytime.Granthika(Nakula),atsightofwhomhostilehostsfledfromthefieldofbattle,nowtrainethhorsesinthepresenceoftheking,drivingthemwiththespeed.Alas,InowseethathandsomeyouthwaituponthegorgeouslydeckedandexcellentVirata,thekingoftheMatsyas,anddisplayhorsesbeforehim.OsonofPritha,afflictedasIamwithallthesehundredkindsofmiseryonaccountofYudhishthira,whydostthou,Ochastiseroffoes,yetdeemmehappy?Listennowtome,OsonofKunti,asItelltheeofotherwoesfarsurpassingthese.Whatcanbesaddertomethanmiseriessovariousastheseshouldemaciatemewhileyearealive.'"

SECTIONXX

"Draupadisaid,'Alas,onaccountofthatdesperategambler,IamnowunderSudeshna'scommand,livinginthepalaceintheguiseofaSairindhri.And,Ochastiseroffoes,beholdtheplightofpoignantwoewhichI,aprincess,amnowin.Iamlivinginexpectationofthecloseofthisstatedperiod.[14]Theextremeofmisery,therefore,ismine.Successofpurpose,victory,anddefeat,asregardsmortals,aretransitory.ItisinthisbeliefthatIamlivinginexpectationofthe



returnofprosperitytomyhusbands.Prosperityandadversityrevolvelikeawheel.ItisinthisbeliefthatIamlivinginexpectationofthereturnofprosperitytomyhusbands.Thatcausewhichbringethonvictory,maybringdefeataswell.Iliveinthishope.Whydostthounot,OBhimasena,regardmeasonedead?Ihaveheardthatpersonsthatgivemaybeg:thattheywhoslaymaybeslain;andthattheywhoover-throwothersmaythemselvesbeoverthrownbyfoes.NothingisdifficultforDestinyandnonecanover-rideDestiny.ItisforthisthatIamawaitingthereturnoffavourablefortune.Asatankoncedried,isfilleduponceagain,sohopingforachangeforthebetter,Iawaitthereturnofprosperity.Whenone'sbusinessthathathbeenwell-providedforisseentobefrustrated,atrulywisepersonshouldneverstriveforbringingbackgoodfortune.PlungedasIamansorrow,askedorunaskedbytheetoexplainthepurposeofthesewordsspokenbyme,Ishalltelltheeeverything.QueenofthesonsofPanduanddaughterofDrupada,whoelse,savemyself,wouldwishtolive,havingfallenintosuchaplight?Orepresseroffoes,themisery,therefore,thathathovertakenme,hathreallyhumiliatedtheentireKururace,thePanchalas,andthesonsofPandu.Surroundedbynumerousbrothersandfather-in-lawandsons,whatotherwomanhavingsuchcauseforjoy,savemyself,wouldbeafflictedwithsuchwoe?Surely,Imust,inmychildhood,havecommittedacthighlyoffensivetoDhatrithroughwhosedispleasure,ObulloftheBharatarace,Ihavebeenvisitedwithsuchconsequences.Mark,OsonofPandu,thepallourthathathcomeovermycomplexionwhichnotevenalifein

thewoodsfraughtasitwaswithextrememisery,couldbringabout.Thou,OPritha'sson,knowestwhathappiness,OBhima,wasformerlymine.Even,I,whowassuchhavenowsunkintoservitude.Sorelydistressed,Icanfindnorest.Thatthemighty-armedandterriblebowman,DhananjayathesonofPritha,shouldnowlivelikeafirethathathbeenputout,makethmethinkofallthisasattributabletoDestiny.Surely,OsonofPritha,itisimpossibleformentounderstandthedestiniesofcreatures(inthisworld).I,therefore,thinkthisdownfallofyoursassomethingthatcouldnotbeavertedbyforethought.Alas,shewhohathyouall,thatresembleIndrahimselftoattendtohercomforts--evenshe,sochasteandexalted,hathnowtoattendtothecomfortsofothers,thataretoherfarinferiorinrank.Behold,OPandava,myplight.ItiswhatIdonotdeserve.Youarealive,yetbeholdthisinversionoforderthattimehath

brought.ShewhohadthewholeEarthtothevergeoftheseaunderhercontrol,isnowunderthecontrolofSudeshnaandlivinginfearofher.Shewhohaddependantstowalkbothbeforeandbehindher,alas,nowherselfwalkethbeforeandbehindSudeshna.This,OKaunteya,isanothergriefofminethatisintolerable.O,listentoit.Shewhohadnever,saveforKunti,poundedunguentsevenforherownuse,now,goodbetidethee,poundethsandal(forothers).OKaunteya,beholdthesehandsofminewhichwerenotsobefore.Sayingthissheshowedhimherhandsmarkedwithcorns.Andshecontinued,shewhohadneverfearedKuntiherselfnortheeandthybrothers,nowstandethinfearbeforeVirataasaslave,anxiousofwhatthatkingofkingsmaysayuntoherregardingtheproperpreparationoftheunguents,forMatsyalikethnotsandalpoundedbyothers.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Relatingherwoesthus,OBharata,untoBhimasena,Krishnabegantoweepsilently,castinghereyesonBhima.Andthen,withwordschokedintears,andsighingrepeatedly,sheaddressedBhimainthesewords,powerfullystirringhisheart,'Signal,OBhima,musthavebeenmyoffenceofolduntothegods,for,unfortunateasIam.Iamyetalive,when,OPandava,Ishoulddie.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thenthatslayerofhostileheroes,Vrikodara,coveringhisfacewiththosedelicatehandsofhiswifemarkedwith



corns,begantoweep.AndthatmightysonofKunti,holdingthehandsofDraupadiinhis,shedcopioustears.Andafflictedwithgreatwoe,hespokethesewords.'"

SECTIONXXI

"Bhimasaid,'FieonthemightofmyarmsandfieontheGandivaofFalguni,inasmuchasthyhands,redbefore,nowbecomecoveredwithcorns.IwouldhavecausedacarnageinVirata'scourtbutforthefactthatKunti'ssoneyedme(bywayofforbiddingit),orlikeamightyelephant.Iwould,withoutado,havecrushedtheheadofKichakaintoxicatedwiththeprideofsovereignty.When,OKrishna,IbeheldtheekickedbyKichaka,IconceivedatthatinstantawholesaleslaughteroftheMatsyas.Yudhishthira,however,forbademebyaglance,and,Obeauteouslady,understandinghisintentionIhavekeptquiet.Thatwehavebeendeprivedofourkingdom,thatIhavenotyetslaintheKurus,thatIhavenotyettakentheheadsofSuyodhanaandKarna,andSuvala'ssonSakuni,andthewickedDuhsasana,theseactsandomissions,Olady,areconsumingeverylimbofmine.Thethoughtofthoseabidesinmyheartlikeajavelinimplantedinit.Othouofgracefulhips,donotsacrificevirtue,and,Onoble-heartedlady,subduethywrath.IfkingYudhishthirahearfromtheesuchrebukes,hewillsurelyputanendtohislife.If

alsoDhananjayaandthetwinsheartheespeakthus,eventheywillrenouncelife.Andifthese,Oslender-waistedmaiden,giveuplife.Ialsoshallnotbeabletobearmyown.InoldendaysSarjati'sdaughter,thebeautifulSukanya,followedintotheforestChyavanaofBhrigu'srace,whosemindwasundercompletecontrol,andoverwhom,whileengagedinasceticmeditation,theantshadbuiltahill.ThoumaysthaveheardthatIndrasenaalsowhoinbeautywaslikeuntoNarayaniherself,followedherhusbandagedathousandyears.ThoumaysthaveheardthatJanaka'sdaughterSita,theprincessofVideha,followedherlordwhilelivingindensewoods.Andthatladyofgracefulhips,Rama'sbelovedwife,afflictedwithcalamitiesandpersecutedbytheRakshasas,atlengthregainedthecompanyofRama.Lopamudraalso,Otimidone,enduedwithyouthandbeauty,followedAgastya,renouncingalltheobjectsof

enjoymentunattainablebymen.AndtheintelligentandfaultlessSavitrialsofollowedtheheroicSatyavan,thesonofDyumatsena,aloneintotheworldofYama.EvenlikethesechasteandbeautifulladiesthatIhavenamed,thou,Oblessedgirl,bloomestwitheveryvirtue.Dothouspendashortwhilemorethatismeasuredbyevenahalfmonth.Andwhenthethirteenthyeariscomplete,thouwilt(again)becometheQueenregnantofaking.'Hearingthesewords,Draupadisaid,'Unable,OBhima,tobearmygriefs,itisfromgriefalonethatIhaveshedthesetears.IdonotcensureYudhishthira.Noristhereanyuseindwellingonthepast.OBhimaofmightystrength,comequicklyforwardtotheworkofthehour.OBhima,Kaikeyi,jealousofmybeauty,alwayspainsmebyherendeavourstopreventthekingfromtakingafancytome.Andunderstandingthisdispositionofhers,thewicked-souledKichakaofimmoralwaysconstantly

solicitsmehimself.Angrywithhimforthis,butthensuppressingmywrathIanswerthatwretchdeprivedofsensebylust,saying,'OKichaka,protectthyself.IamthebelovedqueenandwifeoffiveGandharvas.Thoseheroesinwrathwillslaytheethatartsorash.'Thusaddressed,Kichakaofwickedsoulreplieduntome,saying,'IhavenottheleastfearoftheGandharvas,OSairindhriofsweetsmiles.IwillslayhundredthousandGandharvas,encounteringtheminbattle.Therefore,Otimidone,dothouconsent.'Hearingallthis,Iagainaddressedthelust-afflictedSuta,saying,'ThouartnomatchforthoseillustriousGandharvas.Ofrespectablepercentageandgooddisposition,Ieveradheretovirtueand



neverwishforthedeathofanyone.ItisforthisthatthouIvest,OKichaka!'Atthis,thatwightofwickedsoulburstoutintoaloudlaughter.AnditcametopassthatKaikeyipreviouslyurgedbyKichaka,andmovedbyaffectionforherbrother,anddesirousofdoinghimagoodturn,despatchedmetohim,saying'Dothou,OSairindhri,fetchwinefromKichaka'squarter's!'OnbeholdingmetheSuta'ssonatfirstaddressedmeinsweetwords,andwhenthatfailed,hebecameexceedinglyenraged,andintendedtouseviolence.UnderstandingthepurposeofthewickedKichaka,Ispeedilyrushedtowardstheplacewherethekingwas.FellingmeonthegroundthewretchthenkickedmeintheverypresenceofthekinghimselfandbeforetheeyesofKankaandmanyothers,includingcharioteers,androyalfavourites,andelephant-riders,andcitizens.IrebukedthekingandKankaagainandagain.Theking,however,neitherpreventedKichaka,norinflictedanychastisementonhim.TheprincipalallyofkingViratainwar,thecruelKichakareftofvirtueislovedbyboththekingandthequeen.Oexaltedone,brave,proud,sinful,adulterous,andengrossedinallobjectsofenjoyment,heearnethimmensewealth(fromtheking),androbsthepossessionsofotherseveniftheycryindistress.Andheneverwalkethinthepathofvirtue,nordothheanyvirtuousact.Ofwickedsoul,andviciousdisposition,haughtyandvillainous,andalwaysafflictedbytheshaftsofKama,thoughrepulsedrepeatedly,ifheseesmeagain,hewilloutrageme.Ishallthensurelyrenouncemylife.Althoughstrivingtoacquirevirtue(onmydeath)yourhighlymeritoriousactswillcometonaught.Ye

thatarenowobeyingyourpledge,yewillloseyourwife.Byprotecting,one'swifeone'soffspringareprotected,andbyprotectingone'soffspring,one'sownselfisprotected.Anditisbecauseonebegetsone'sownselfinone'swifethatthewifeiscalledJaya[15]bythewise.Thehusbandalsoshouldbeprotectedbythewife,thinking,--Howelsewillhetakehisbirthinmywomb?--IhavehearditfromBrahmanasexpoundingthedutiesoftheseveralordersthataKshatriyahathnootherdutythansubduingenemies.Alas,KichakakickedmeintheverypresenceofYudhishthiratheJust,andalsoofthyself,OBhimasenaofmightystrength.Itwasthou,OBhima,thatdidstdelivermefromtheterribleJatasura.ItwasthoualsothatwiththybrothersdidstvanquishJayadratha.Dothounowslaythiswretchalsowhohathinsultedme.Presuminguponhisbeingafavouriteoftheking,Kichaka,OBharata,

hathenhancedmywoe.Dothou,therefore,smashthislustfulwightevenlikeanearthenpotdasheduponastone.If,OBharata,tomorrow'ssunshedshisraysuponhimwhoisthesourceofmanygriefsofmine,Ishall,surely,mixingpoison(withsomedrink),drinkitup,--forInevershallyieldtoKichaka.Farbetteritwere,OBhima,thatIshoulddiebeforethee.'

"VaisampayanaContinued,'Havingsaidthis,Krishna,hidingherfaceinBhima'sbreastbegantoweep.AndBhima,embracingher,consoledhertothebestofhispower.Andhavingabundantlyconsoledthatslender-waisteddaughterofDrupadabymeansofwordsfraughtwithgravereasonandsense,hewipedwithhishandsherfacefloodedwithtears.AndthinkingofKichakaandlickingwithhistonguethecornersofhis

mouth,Bhima,filledwithwraththusspaketothatdistressedlady.'"

SECTIONXXII

"Bhimasaid,'Iwill,Otimidone,doevenasthousayest.IwillpresentlyslayKichakawithallhisfriends.OYajnaseniofsweetsmiles,tomorrowevening,renouncingsorrowandgrief,managetohaveameetingwithKichaka.Thedancing-hallthatthekingoftheMatsyahathcausedto



beerectedisusedbythegirlsfordancingduringtheday.Theyrepair,however,totheirhomesatnight.Thereinthathall,isanexcellentandwell-placedwoodenbed-stead.EventhereIwillmakehimseethespiritsofhisdeceasedgrandsires.But,Obeautifulone,whenthouholdestconversewithhim,thoumustmanageitsothatothersmaynotespythee."

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Havingthusconversedwithothers,andshedtearsingrief,theywaitedforthedawnofthatnightwithpainfulimpatience.Andwhenthenighthadpassedaway,Kichaka,risinginthemorning,wenttothepalace,andaccostedDraupadisaying,'ThrowingtheedowninthecourtIkickedtheeinthepresenceoftheking.Attackedbymightyself,thoucouldstnotobtainprotection.ThisVirataisinnameonlythekingoftheMatsyas.CommandingtheforcesofthisrealmitisI,whoamthereallordoftheMatsyas.Dothou,Otimidone,acceptmecheerfully.Ishallbecomethyslave.And,Othouofgracefulhips,Iwillimmediatelygivetheeahundrednishkas,andengageahundredmaleandahundredfemaleservants(totendthee),andwillalsobestowontheecarsyokedwithshe-mules.Otimidlady,letouruniontakeplace.'Draupadireplied,'OKichaka,knoweventhisismycondition.Neitherthyfriendsnorthybrothersshouldknowthyunionwithme.IamaterrorofdetectionbythoseillustriousGandharvas.Promisemethis,andIyieldtothee.'HearingthisKichakasaid,'Iwill,Othouofgracefulhips,doevenasthousayest.Afflictedbythegodoflove,Iwill,Obeauteousdamsel,alonerepairtothyabodeforunionwiththee,Othouofthighs

roundandtaperinglikethetrunksoftheplantain,--sothatthoseGandharvas,effulgentasthesun,maynotcometoknowofthisactofthine.'Draupadisaid,'Dothou,whenitisdark,gotothedancing-hallerectedbythekingoftheMatsyaswherethegirlsdanceduringtheday,repairingtotheirrespectivehomesatnight.TheGandharvasdonotknowthatplace.Weshallthenwithoutdoubt,escapeallcensure.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ReflectingonthesubjectofherconversationwithKichaka,thathalfadayseemedtoKrishnaaslongasawholemonth.AndthestupidKichakaalso,notknowingthatitwasDeaththathadassumedtheformofaSairindhri,returninghomeexperiencedthegreatestdelight.Anddeprivedofsensebylust,Kichakabecamespeedilyengagedinembellishinghispersonwithunguentsandgarlandsandornaments.And

whilehewasdoingallthis,thinkingofthatdamseloflargeeyes,thedayseemedtohimtobewithoutanend.AndthebeautyofKichaka,whowasabouttoforsakehisbeautyforever,seemedtoheighten,likethewickofaburninglampabouttoexpire.AndreposingthefullestconfidenceinDraupadi,Kichaka,deprivedofhissensesbylustandabsorbedinthecontemplationofexpectedmeeting,didnotevenperceivethatthedayhaddeparted.Meanwhile,thebeautifulDraupadiapproachingherhusbandBhimaoftheKururace,stoodbeforehiminthekitchen.Andthatladywithtressesendinginbeautifulcurlsthenspakeuntohim,saying,'Ochastiseroffoes,evenasthouhadstdirected,IhavegivenKichakatounderstandthatourmeetingwilltakeplaceinthedancing-hall.Alonewillhecomeatnighttotheemptyhall.Slayhimthere,Othouofmightyarms.Dothou,OsonofKunti,repairtothat

dancing-hall,andtakethelife,OPandava,ofKichaka,thatsonofaSutaintoxicatedwithvanity.Fromvanityalone,thatsonofaSutaslightstheGandharvas.Obestofsmiters,lifthimupfromtheearthevenasKrishnahadlifteduptheNaga(Kaliya)fromtheYamuna.OPandava,afflictedasIamwithgrief,wipethoumytears,andblessedbethou,protectthyownhonourandthatofthyrace.'

"Bhimasaid,'Welcome,Obeauteouslady,Exceptthegladtidingsthoubringestme,Ineed,Othouofexceedingbeauty,nootheraidwhatever.ThedelightthatIfeel,Othouofgreatbeauty,onhearingfromthee



aboutmycomingencounterwithKichaka,isequaltowhatIfeltinslayingHidimva.IswearuntotheebyTruth,bymybrothers,andbymorality,thatIwillslayKichakaevenasthelordofthecelestialsslewVritra.Whethersecretlyoropenly,IwillcrushKichaka,andiftheMatsyasfightforhim,thenIwillslaythemtoo.AndslayingDuryodhanaafterwards,Ishallwinbacktheearth.LetYudhishthira,thesonofKunti,continuetopayhomageuntothekingofMatsya.'HearingthesewordsofBhima,Draupadisaid,'Inorderthat,Olord,thoumaystnothavetorenouncethetruthalreadypledgedtome,dothou,Ohero,slayKichakainsecret.'Bhimaassuringhersaid,'EventodayIshallslayKichakatogetherwithhisfriendsunknowntoothersduringthedarknessofthenight.Ishall,Ofaultlesslady,crush,evenasanelephantcrushethavelafruit,[16]theheadofthewickedKichakawhowishethforwhatisunattainablebyhim!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Repairingfirsttotheplaceofassignationatnight,Bhimasatdown,disguisinghimself.AndhewaitedthereinexpectationofKichaka,likealionlyinginwaitforadeer.AndKichaka,havingembellishedhispersonashechose,cametothedancing-hallattheappointedtimeinthehopeofmeetingPanchali.Andthinkingoftheassignation,heenteredthechamber.Andhavingenteredthathallenvelopedindeepgloom,thatwretchofwickedsoulcameuponBhimaofincomparableprowess,whohadcomealittlebeforeandwhowaswaitinginacorner.Andasaninsectapproachethtowardsaflamingfire,

orapunyanimaltowardsalion,KichakaapproachedBhima,lyingdowninabedandburninginangeratthethoughtoftheinsultofferedtoKrishna,asifheweretheSuta'sDeath.AndhavingapproachedBhima,Kichakapossessedbylust,andhisheartandsoulfilledwithecstacysmilinglysaid,'Othouofpencilledeye-brows,totheeIhavealreadygivenmanyandvariouskindsofwealthfromthestoresearnedbyme,aswellashundredmaidsandmanyfinerobes,andalsoamansionwithaninnerapartmentadornedwithbeauteousandlovelyandyouthfulmaidservantsandembellishedbyeverykindofsportsandamusementsAndhavingsetallthoseapartforthee,Ihavespeedilycomehither.Andallonasudden,womenhavebeguntopraiseme,saying,'Thereisnotinthisworldanyotherpersonlikeuntotheeinbeautyanddress!'Hearingthis,Bhimasaid,'Itiswellthatthouarthandsome,anditiswellthou

praisestthyself.Ithink,however,thatthouhadstneverbeforethissuchpleasurabletouch!Thouhastanacutetouch,andknowestthewaysofgallantry.Skilledintheartoflove-making,thouartafavouritewithwomen.Thereisnoneliketheeinthisworld!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Sayingthis,thatsonofKunti,themighty-armedBhimaofterribleprowess,suddenlyroseup,andlaughinglysaid,'Thysister,Owretch,shalltodaybeholdtheedraggedbymetotheground,likeamightyelephant,hugeasamountain,draggedtothegroundbyalion.ThyselfslainSairindhriwillliveinpeace,andwe,herhusbands,willalsoliveinpeace.'Sayingthis,themightyBhimaseizedKichakabythehairsofhishead,whichwereadornedwithgarlands.Andthusseizedwithforcebythehair,thatforemostofmightypersons,

Kichaka,quicklyfreedhishairandgraspedthearmsofBhima.Andthenbetweenthoselionsamongmen,firedwithwrath,betweenthatchiefoftheKichakaclan,andthatbestofmen,thereensuedahand-to-handencounter,likethatbetweentwopowerfulelephantsforafemaleelephantintheseasonofspring,orlikethatwhichhappenedindaysofyorebetweenthoselionsamongmonkeys,thebrothersValiandSugriva.Andbothequallyinfuriateandbotheagerforvictory,boththosecombatantsraisedtheirarmsresemblingsnakesfurnishedwithfivehoods,andattackedeachotherwiththeirnailsandteeth,wroughtuptofrenzyofwrath.ImpetuouslyassailedbythepowerfulKichakainthatencounter,



theresoluteBhimadidnotwaverasinglestep.Andlockedineachother'sembracesanddraggingeachother,theyfoughtonliketwomightybulls.Andhavingnailsandteethfortheirweapons,theencounterbetweenthemwasfierceandterriblelikethatoftwofurioustigers.Andfellingeachotherinfury,theyencounteredeachotherlikeacoupleofelephantswithrenttemples.AndthemightyBhimathenseizedKichaka,andKichaka,thatforemostofstrongpersonsthrewBhimadownwithviolence.Andasthosemightycombatantsfoughton,thecrashoftheirarmsproducedaloudnoisethatresembledtheclatterofsplittingbamboos.ThenVrikodarathrowingKichakadownbymainforcewithintheroom,begantotosshimaboutfuriouslyevenasahurricanetossethatree.AndattackedthusinbattlebythepowerfulBhima,Kichakagrewweakandbegantotremble.Forallthat,however,hetuggedatthePandavatothebestofhispower.AndattackingBhima,andmakinghimwavealittle,themightyKichakastruckhimwithhiskneesandbroughthimdowntotheground.AndoverthrownbythepowerfulKichaka,BhimaquicklyroseuplikeYamahimselfwithmaceinhand.AndthusthatpowerfulSutaandthePandava,intoxicatedwithstrengthandchallengingeachother,grappledwitheachotheratmidnightinthatsolitaryplace.Andastheyroaredateachotherinwrath,thatexcellentandstrongedificebegantoshakeeverymoment.AndslappedonthechestbythemightyBhima,Kichakafiredwithwrathmovednotasinglepace.Andbearingforamomentonlythatonslaughtincapableofbeingbornonearth,theSuta,overpoweredbyBhima'smight,becameenfeebled.And

seeinghimwaningweak,BhimaenduedwithgreatstrengthforciblydrewKichakatowardshisbreast,andbegantopresshard.Andbreathinghardagainandagaininwrath,thatbestofvictors,Vrikodara,forciblyseizedKichakabythehair.AndhavingseizedKichaka,themighty'Bhimabegantoroarlikeahungrytigerthathathkilledalargeanimal.Andfindinghimexceedinglyexhausted,Vrikodaraboundhimfastwithhisarms,asonebindsabeastwithacord.AndthenBhimabeganforalongwhile,towhirlthesenselessKichaka,whobegantoroarfrightfullylikeabrokentrumpet.[17]AndinordertopacifyKrishna'swrathVrikodaragraspedKichaka'sthroatwithhisarmsandbegantosqueezeit.AndassailingwithhiskneesthewaistofthatworstoftheKichakas,allthelimbsofwhosebodyhadbeenbrokenintofragmentsandwhoseeye-lidswereclosed,Vrikodaraslewhim,asonewouldslayabeast.Andbeholding

Kichakaentirelymotionless,thesonofPandubegantorollhimaboutontheground.AndBhimathensaid,'Slayingthiswretchwhointendedtoviolateourwife,--thisthorninthesideofSairindhri,IamfreedfromthedebtIowedtomybrothers,andhaveattainedperfectpeace.'Andhavingsaidthis,thatforemostofmen,witheyesredinwrath,relinquishedhisholdofKichaka,whosedressandornamentshadbeenthrownoffhisperson,whoseeyeswererolling,andwhosebodywasyettrembling.Andthatforemostofmightypersons,squeezinghisownhands,andbitinghislipsinrage,againattackedhisadversaryandthrusthisarmsandlegsandneckandheadintohisbodylikethewielderofthePinakareducingintoshapelessmassthedeer,whichformsacrificehadassumedinordertoescapehisire.Andhaving;crushedallhislimbs,andreducedhimintoaballofflesh,themightyBhimasenashowedhim

untoKrishna.AndenduedwithmightyenergythatherothenaddressedDraupadi,thatforemostofallwomen,saying,'ComeprincessofPanchala,andseewhathathbecomeofthatlustfulwretch!'Andsayingthis,Bhimaofterribleprowessbegantopresswithhisfeetthebodyofthatwickedwight.AndlightingatorchthenandshowingDraupadithebodyofKichaka,thatheroaddressedher,saying,'Othouoftressesendinginbeautifulcurls,thosethatsolicitthee,enduedasthouartwithanexcellentdispositionandeveryvirtue,willbeslainbymeevenasthisKichakahathbeen,Otimidone.'AndhavingaccomplishedthatdifficulttasksohighlyagreeabletoKrishna--havingindeedslainKichakaand



therebypacifiedhiswrath,BhimabadefarewelltoKrishna,thedaughterofDrupada,andquicklywentbacktothekitchen.AndDraupadialso,thatbestofwomen,havingcausedKichakatobeslainhadhergriefremovedandexperiencedthegreatestdelight.Andaddressingthekeepersofthedancing-hall,shesaid,'ComeyeandbeholdKichakawhohadviolatedafterotherpeople'swivesliethdownhere,slainbymyGandharvahusbands.'Andhearingthesewordstheguardsofthedancinghallsooncamebythousandstothatspot,torchesinhand.Andrepairingtothatroom,theybeheldthelifelessKichakathrownontheground,drenchedwithblood.Andbeholdinghimwithoutarmsandlegs,theywerefilledwithgrief.AndastheygazedatKichaka,theywerestruckwithamazement.Andseeingthatsuperhumanact,viz.,theoverthrowofKichaka,theysaid,'Whereishisneck,andwherearehislegs?'AndbeholdinghiminthisplighttheyallconcludedthathehadbeenkilledbyaGandharva.'"

SECTIONXXII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'ThenalltherelativesofKichaka,arrivingatthatplace,beheldhimthereandbegantowailaloud,surroundinghimonallsides.AndbeholdingKichakawitheverylimbmangled,andlyinglikeatortoisedraggedtodrygroundfromthewater,allofthemwereovercome

withexceedingfright,andthebristlesoftheirbodiesstoodonend.AndseeinghimcrushedalloverbyBhima,likeaDanavabyIndra,theyproceededtotakehimoutside,forperforminghisfuneralobsequies.AndthenthosepersonsoftheSutaclanthusassembledtogetherespiedKrishnaoffaultlesslimbshardby,whostoodrecliningonapillar.AndalltheKichakasassembledthere,exclaimed,'LetthisunchastewomanbeslainforwhomKichakahathhimselflosthislife.Or,withoutslayingherhere,letuscremateherwithhimthathadlustedafterher,--foritbehovethustoaccomplishineverywaywhatisagreeabletothatdeceasedsonofSuta.'AndthentheyaddressedVirata,saying,'ItisforhersakethatKichakahathlosthislife.Lethim,therefore,becrematedalongwithher.Itbehoveththeetograntthispermission.'Thusaddressedbythem,kingVirata,Omonarch,knowingfullywelltheprowessoftheSuta

gavehisassenttoSairindhribeingburntalongwiththeSuta'sson.Andatthis,theKichakasapproachingthefrightenedandstupefiedKrishnaoflotus-likeeyes,seizedherwithviolence.Andbindingthatdamselofslender-waistandplacingheruponthebier,theysetoutwithgreatenergytowardsthecemetary.And,Oking,whilethusforciblycarriedtowardsthecemetarybythosesonsoftheSutatribe,theblamelessandchasteKrishnalivingundertheprotectionsofherlords,thenwailedaloudforthehelpofherhusbands,saying,'Oh,letJaya,andJayanta,andVijayaandJayatsena,andJayadvalalistentomywords.TheSutasaretakingmeaway.LetthoseillustriousGandharvasenduedwithspeedofhand,theclatterofwhosecarsisloudandthetwangofwhosebowstringsinthemidstofthemightyconflictareheardliketheroarofthunder,listentomywords,--theSutasaretakingmeaway!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'HearingthosesorrowfulwordsandlamentationsofKrishna,Bhima,withoutamoment'sreflectionstartedupfromhisbedandsaid,'Ihaveheard,OSairindhrithewordsthouhastspoken.Thouhast,therefore,Otimidlady,nomorefearatthehandsoftheSutas.

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Havingsaidthis,themighty-armedBhimadesirousofslayingtheKichakas,begantoswellhisbody.Andcarefullychanginghisattire,hewentoutofthepalacebyawrongegress.Andclimbingoverawallbytheaidofatree,heproceededtowardsthe



cemetarywhithertheKichakashadgone.Andhavingleaptoverthewall,andgoneoutoftheexcellentcity,BhimaimpetuouslyrushedtowheretheSutaswere.And,Omonarch,proceedingtowardsthefuneralpyrehebeheldalargetree,tallaspalmyra-palm,withgiganticshouldersandwitheredtop.AndthatslayeroffoesgraspingwithhisarmsthattreemeasuringtenVyamas,uprootedit,evenlikeanelephant,andplacedituponhisshoulders.AndtakingupthattreewithtrunkandbranchesandmeasuringtenVyamas,thatmightyherorushedtowardstheSutas,likeYamahimself,maceinhand.Andbytheimpetusofhisrush[18]baniansandpeepalsandKinsukasfallingdownontheearthlayinclusters.AndbeholdingthatGandharvaapproachthemlikealioninfury,alltheSutastremblingwithfearandgreatlydistressed,becamepanic-struck.Andtheyaddressedeachother,saying,'Lo,thepowerfulGandharvacomethhither,filledwithrage,andwithanupraisedtreeinhand.LetSairindhri,therefore,fromwhomthisdangerofourshatharisen,besetfree.'AndbeholdingthetreethathadbeenuprootedbyBhimasena,theysetDraupadifreeandranbreathlesslytowardsthecityAndseeingthemrunaway,Bhima,thatmightysonoftheWind-god,despatched,Oforemostofkings,bymeansofthattree,ahundredandfiveofthemuntotheabodeofYama,likethewielderofthethunderboltslayingtheDanavas.AndsettingDraupadifreefromherbonds,hethen,Oking,comfortedher.Andthatmighty-armedandirrepressibleVrikodara,thesonofPandu,thenaddressedthedistressedprincessofPanchalawithfacebathedintears,saying,'Thus,Otimidone,aretheyslainthatwrongtheewithoutcause.Return,OKrishna,to

thecity.Thouhastnolongeranyfear;ImyselfwillgototheVirata'skitchenbyanotherroute.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Itwasthus,OBharata,thatahundredandfiveofthoseKichakaswereslain.Andtheircorpseslayontheground,makingtheplacelooklikeagreatforestoverspreadwithuprootedtreesafterahurricane.ThusfellthosehundredandfiveKichakas.AndincludingVirata'sgeneralslainbefore,theslaughteredSutasnumberedonehundredandsix.Andbeholdingthatexceedinglywonderfulfeat,menandwomenthatassembledtogether,werefilledwithastonishment.Andthepowerofspeech,OBharata,wassuspendedineveryone.'"

SECTIONXXIV

"Vaisampayanasaid,'AndbeholdingtheSutasslain,thecitizenswenttotheking,andrepresenteduntohimwhathadhappened,saying,'Oking,thosemightysonsoftheSutashaveallbeenslainbytheGandharvas.Indeed,theyliescatteredontheearthlikehugepeaksofmountainsrivenbythunder.Sairindhrialso,havingbeensetfree,returnethtothypalaceinthecity.Alas,Oking,ifSairindhricometh,thyentirekingdomwillbeendangered.Sairindhriisenduedwithgreatbeauty;theGandharvasalsohereexceedinglypowerful.Menagain,withoutdoubt,arenaturallysexual.Devise,therefore,Oking,withoutdelay,suchmeansthatinconsequenceofwrongsdonetoSairindhri,thykingdommaynot

meetwithdestruction.'Hearingthosewordsoftheirs,Virata,thatlordofhosts,saiduntothem,'DoyeperformthelastritesoftheSutas.LetalltheKichakasbeburnt,inoneblazingpyrewithgemsandfragrantunguentsinprofusion.'Andfilledwithfear,thekingthenaddressedhisqueenSudeshna,saying,'WhenSairindhricomesback,dothoutellherthesewordsfromme,'Blessedbethou,Ofair-facedSairindhri.Gothouwhithersoeverthoulikest.Thekinghathbeenalarmed,Othouofgracefulhips,atthedefeatalreadyexperiencedatthehandsoftheGandharvas.ProtectedasthouartbytheGandharvas,Idarenotpersonallysayallthistothee.Awoman,however,cannotoffend,anditisforthisthatI



telltheeallthisthroughawoman.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThusdeliveredbyBhimasenaaftertheslaughteroftheSutas,theintelligentandyouthfulKrishnarelievedfromallherfears,washedherlimbsandclothesinwater,andproceededtowardsthecity,likeadoefrightenedbyatiger.Andbeholdingher,thecitizens,Oking,afflictedwiththefearoftheGandharvasfledinalldirections.Andsomeofthemwentsofarastoshuttheireyes.Andthen,Okingatthegateofthekitchen,theprincessofPanchalasawBhimasenastaying,likeaninfuriateelephantofgiganticproportions.Andlookinguponhimwithwonder-expandedeyes,Draupadi,bymeansofwordsintelligibletothemalone,said,'IbowuntothatprinceoftheGandharvas,whohathrescuedme.'Atthesewordsofher,Bhimasaid,'Hearingthesewordsofhersinobediencetowhomthosepersonswerehithertolivinginthecity,theywillhenceforthrangehere,regardingthemselvesasfreedfromthedebt.'[19]

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thenshebeheldthemighty-armedDhananjaya,inthedancing-hallinstructingkingVirata'sdaughtersindancing.AndissuingwithArjunafromthedancing-hall,allthosedamselscametoKrishnawhohadarrivedthere,andwhohadbeenpersecutedsosorely,allinnocentthoughshewas.Andtheysaid,'Bygoodluckalsoitis,OSairindhri,thatthouhastbeendeliveredfromthydangers.Bygoodluckitisthatthouhastreturnedsafe.Andbygoodluckalsoitisthat

thoseSutashavebeenslainthathadwrongedthee,innocentthoughthouart.'Hearingthis,Virhannalasaid,'Howhastthou,OSairindhri,beendelivered?Andhowhavethosesinfulwretchesbeenslain?Iwishtolearnallthisfromtheeexactlyasitoccurred.'Sairindhrireplied,'OblessedVrihannala,alwayspassingthydayshappilyintheapartmentsofthegirls,whatconcernhastthouwithSairindhri'sfatetosay?ThouhastnogrieftobearthatSairindhrihathtobear!Itisforthis,thatthouaskestmethus,distressedasIaminridicule.'ThereatVrihannalasaid,'Oblessedone,Vrihannalaalsohathunparalleledsorrowsofherown.Shehathbecomeaslowasabrute.Thoudostnot,Ogirl,understandthis.Ihavelivedwiththee,andthou,toohastlivedwithus.When,therefore,thouartafflictedwithmisery,whoisitthatwillnot,Othouofbeautifulhips,feelit?Butnoonecancompletelyreadanother's

heart.Thereforeitis,Oamiableone,thatthouknowestnotmyheart!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThenDraupadi,accompaniedbythosegirlsenteredtheroyalabode,desirousofappearingbeforeSudeshna.Andwhenshecamebeforethequeen,Virata'swifeaddressedheratthecommandoftheking,saying,'Dothou,OSairindhri,speedilygowhithersoeverthoulikest.Theking,goodbetidethee,hathbeenfilledwithfearatthisdiscomfitureatthehandsoftheGandharvas.Thouart,Othouofgracefuleye-brows,youngandunparalleledonearthinbeauty.Thouart,besides,anobjectofdesirewithmen.TheGandharvasagain,areexceedinglywrathful.'ThereatSairindhrisaid,'Obeauteouslady,letthekingsuffermetolivehereforonlythirteendaysmore.Withoutdoubt,theGandharvasalsowillbehighlyobligedatthis.Theywillthenconveyme

henceanddowhatwouldbeagreeabletoVirata.Withoutdoubt,theking,bydoingthis,withhisfriends,willreapgreatbenefit.'"

SECTIONXXV

"Vaisampayanasaid,'AttheslaughterofKichakaandbrothers,people,Oking,thinkingofthisterriblefeat,werefilledwithsurprise.Andinthecityandtheprovincesitwasgenerallybruitedaboutthatfor



braverytheking'sVallavaandKichakawerebothmightywarriors.ThewickedKichaka,however,hadbeenanoppressorofmenandadishonourerofotherpeople'swives.AnditwasforthisthatwickedofsinfulsoulhadbeenslainbytheGandharvas.Anditwasthus,Oking,thatpeoplebegantospeak,fromprovincetoprovinceoftheinvincibleKichaka,thatslayerofhostileranks.

'Meanwhile,thespiesemployedbyDhritarashtra'sson,havingsearchedvariousvillagesandtownsandkingdomsanddoneallthattheyhadbeencommandedtodoandcompletedtheirexamination,inthemannerdirected,ofthecountriesindicatedintheirorders,returnedtoNagarupa,gratifiedwithatleastonethingthattheyhadlearnt.[20]AndseeingDhritarashtra'ssonkingDuryodhanaoftheKururaceseatedinhiscourtwithDronaandKarnaandKripa,withthehigh-souledBhishma,hisownbrothers,andthosegreatwarriors--theTrigartas,theyaddressedhim,saying,'Olordofmen,greathathbeenthecarealwaysbestowedbyusinthesearchafterthesonsofPanduinthatmightyforest.Searchedhavewethroughthesolitarywildernessaboundingwithdeerandotheranimalsandovergrownwithtreesandcreepersofdiversekind.Searchedhavewealsoinarboursofmattedwoodsandplantsandcreepersofeveryspecies,butwehavefailedindiscoveringthattrackbywhichPritha'ssonofirrepressibleenergymayhavegone.Searchedhaveweintheseandotherplacesfortheirfoot-prints.Searchedhaveweclosely,Oking,onmountaintopsandininaccessiblefastnesses,invariouskingdomsand

provincesteemingwithpeople,inencampmentsandcities.NotracehaveyetbeenfoundofthesonsofPandu.Goodbetidethee,Obullamongmen,itseemsthattheyhaveperishedwithoutleavingamarkbehind.Oforemostofwarriors,althoughwefollowedinthetrackofthosewarriors,yet,Obestofmen,wesoonlosttheirfootprintsanddonotknowtheirpresentresidence.Olordofmen,forsometimewefollowedinthewakeoftheircharioteers.Andmakingourinquiriesduly,wetrulyascertainedwhatwedesiredtoknow.Oslayeroffoes,thecharioteersreachedDwaravatiwithoutthesonsofPrithaamongthem.Oking,neitherthesonsofPandu,northechasteKrishna,areinthatcityofYadavas.ObulloftheBharatarace,wehavenotbeenabletodiscovereithertheirtrackortheirpresentabode.Salutationstothee,theyaregoneforgood.WeareacquaintedwiththedispositionofthesonsofPanduand

knowsomethingofthefeatsachievedbythem.Itbehoveththee,therefore,Olordofmen,togiveusinstructions,Omonarch,astowhatweshouldnextdointhesearchafterthesonsofPandu.Ohero,listenalsototheseagreeablewordsofours,promisinggreatgoodtothee.KingMatsya'scommander,Kichakaofwickedsoul,bywhomtheTrigartas,Omonarch,wererepeatedlyvanquishedandslainwithmightyforce,nowliethlowonthegroundwithallhisbrothers,slain,Omonarch,byinvisibleGandharvasduringthehoursofdarkness,Othouofunfadingglory.Havingheardthisdelightfulnewsaboutthediscomfitureofourenemies,wehavebeenexceedinglygratified,OKauravya.Dothounowordainwhatshouldnextbedone.'"

SECTIONXXVI

(Go-haranaParva)

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Havinglistenedtothesewordsofhisspies,kingDuryodhanareflectedinwardlyforsometimeandthenaddressedhiscourtiers,saying,'Itisdifficulttoascertainthecourseofeventsdefinitely.Discernyeall,therefore,whitherthesonsofPanduhavegone,ofthisthirteenthyearwhichtheyaretopassundiscoveredbyus



all,thegreaterparthathalreadyexpired.Whatremainsisbymuchthesmaller.If,indeed,thesonsofPanducanpassundiscoveredwhatremainsofthisyear,devotedtothevowoftruthastheyare,theywillthenhavefulfilledtheirpledge.Theywillthenreturnlikemightyelephantswithtemporaljuicetricklingdown,orlikesnakesofvirulentpoison.Filledwithwrath,theywill,withoutdoubt,beinflictersofterriblechastisementontheKurus.Itbehovethye,therefore,tomakesucheffortswithoutlossoftimeasmayinducethesonsofPandu,acquaintedastheyarewiththeproprietiesoftime,andstayingastheynowareinpainfuldisguise,tore-enterthewoodssuppressingtheirrage.Indeed,adoptyesuchmeansasmayremoveallcausesofquarrelandanxietyfromthekingdom,makingittranquilandfoelessandincapableofsustainingadiminutionofterritory.'HearingthesewordsofDuryodhana,Kamasaid,'Letotherspies,ablerandmorecunning,andcapableofaccomplishingtheirobject,quicklygohence,OBharata.Letthem,well-disguised,wanderthroughswellingkingdomsandpopulousprovinces,pryingintoassembliesofthelearnedanddelightfulretreatsofprovinces.Intheinnerapartmentsofpalaces,inshrinesandholyspots,inminesanddiverseotherregions,thesonsofPandushouldbesearchedafterwithwell-directedeagerness.LetthesonsofPanduwhoarelivingindisguisebesearchedafterbywell-skilledspiesinlargenumbers,devotedtotheirwork,themselveswell-disguised,andallwell-acquaintedwiththeobjectsoftheirsearch.Letthesearchbemadeonthebanksofrivers,inholyregions,invillagesandtowns,inretreatsofascetics,in

delightfulmountainsandmountain-caves.'WhenKarnaceased,Duryodhana'ssecondbrotherDussasana,weddedtoasinfuldisposition,thenaddressedhiseldestbrotherandsaid,'Omonarch,Olordofmen,letthosespiesonlyinwhomwehaveconfidence,receivingtheirrewardsinadvance,oncemoregoafterthesearch.ThisandwhatelsehathbeensaidbyKarnahaveourfullestapproval.Letallthespiesengagethemselvesinthesearchaccordingtothedirectionsalreadygiven.Lettheseandothersengageinthesearchfromprovincetoprovinceaccordingtoapprovedrules.Itismybelief,however,thatthetrackthePandavashavefollowedortheirpresentabodeoroccupationwillnotbediscovered.Perhaps,theyarecloselyconcealed;perhaps,theyhavegonetotheothersideoftheocean.Or,perhaps,proudastheyareoftheirstrengthandCourage,theyhavebeendevouredbywildbeasts;orperhaps,havingbeenovertakenby

someunusualdanger,theyhaveperishedforeternity.Therefore,OprinceoftheKururace,dispellingallanxietiesfromthyheart,achievewhatthouwilt,alwaysactingaccordingtothyenergy.'"

SECTIONXXVII

"Vaisampayanasaid,"Enduedwithmightyenergyandpossessedofgreatdiscernment,Dronathensaid,'PersonslikethesonsofPanduneverperishnorundergodiscomfiture.Braveandskilledineveryscience,intelligentandwithsensesundercontrol,virtuousandgratefulandobedienttothevirtuousYudhishthira,everfollowinginthewakeof

theireldestbrotherwhoisconversantwiththeconclusionsofpolicyandvirtueandprofit,whoisattachedtothemasafather,andwhostrictlyadherethtovirtueandisfirmintruth,--personslikethemthatarethusdevotedtotheirillustriousandroyalbrother,whogiftedwithgreatintelligence,neverinjurethanybodyandwhoinhisturnhimselfobeyethhisyoungerbrothers,neverperishinthisway.Why,then,shouldnot(Yudhishthira)thesonofPrithapossessingaknowledgeofpolicy,beabletorestoretheprosperityofhisbrotherswhoaresoobedientanddevotedandhigh-souled?Itisforthisthattheyarecarefullywaitingforthearrivaloftheiropportunity.Mensuchastheseneverperish.



place,whereYudhishthirais,cannotbeenviousormalicious,orvain,orproud,butmustalladheretotheirrespectiveduties.Indeed,intheplacewhereYudhishthiraresides,Vedichymnswillbechantedallaround,sacrificeswillbeperformed,thelastfulllibationswillalwaysbepoured,[22]andgiftstoBrahmanaswillalwaysbeinprofusion.Theretheclouds,withoutdoubt,pourabundantrain,andfurnishedwithgoodharvestthecountrywilleverbewithoutfear.Therethepaddywillnotbewithoutgrain,fruitswillnotbebereftofjuice,floralgarlandswillnotbewithoutfragrance,andtheconversationofmenwillalwaysbefullofagreeablewords.TherewherekingYudhishthiraresides,thebreezeswillbedelicious,themeetingsofmenwillalwaysbefriendly,andcauseoffeartherewillbenone.Therekinewillbeplentiful,withoutanyofthembeinglean-fleshedorweak,andmilkandcurdsandbutterwillallbesavouryandnutritious.TherewherekingYudhishthiraresides,everykindofcornwillbefullofnutritionandeveryediblefullofflavour.TherewherekingYudhishthiraresides,theobjectsofallthesenses,viz.,--taste,touch,smell,andhearing,willbeenduedwithexcellentattributes.TherewherekingYudhishthiraresides,thesightsandsceneswillbegladdening.Andtheregenerateonesofthatplacewillbevirtuousandsteadyinobservingtheirrespectiveduties.Indeed,inthecountrywherethesonsofPandumayhavetakenuptheirabodeduringthisthirteenthyearoftheirexile,thepeoplewillbecontentedandcheerful,pureinconductandwithoutmiseryofanykind.Devotedtogodsandguestsandtheworshipofthesewiththeirwhole

soul,theywillbefondofgivingaway,andfilledwithgreatenergy,theywillallbeobservantofeternalvirtue.TherewherekingYudhishthiraresides,thepeople,eschewingallthatisevil,willbedesirousofachievingonlywhatisgood.Alwaysobservantofsacrificesandpurevows,andhatinguntruthinspeech,thepeopleoftheplacewherekingYudhishthiramayresidewillalwaysbedesirousofobtainingwhatisgood,auspiciousandbeneficial.TherewhereYudhishthiraresides,thepeoplewillcertainlybedesirousofachievingwhatisgood,andtheirheartswillalwaysinclinetowardsvirtue,andtheirvowsbeingagreeabletheythemselvesareever-engagedintheacquisitionofreligiousmerit.Ochild,thatsonofPrithainwhomareintelligenceandcharity,thehighesttranquillityandundoubtedforgiveness,modestyandprosperity,andfameandgreatenergyandaloveforallcreatures,is

incapableofbeingfoundout(nowthathehathconcealedhimself)evenbyBrahmanas,letaloneordinarypersons.ThewiseYudhishthiraislivinginclosedisguiseinregionswhosecharacteristicsIhavedescribed.Regardinghisexcellentmodeoflife,Idarenotsayanythingmore.Reflectingwelluponallthis,dowithoutlossoftimewhatthoumaystthinktobebeneficial,OprinceoftheKururace,ifindeed,thouhastanyfaithinme.'"

SECTIONXXIX

"Vaisampayanasaid,'ThenSaradwata'sson,Kripasaid,'Whattheaged

BhishmahathsaidconcerningthePandavasisreasonable,suitedtotheoccasion,consistentwithvirtueandprofit,agreeabletotheear,fraughtwithsoundreason,andworthyofhim.ListenalsotowhatIwouldsayonthissubject.Itbehoveththeetoascertainthetracktheyhavefollowedandtheirabodealsobymeansofspies,[23]andtoadoptthatpolicywhichmaybringaboutthywelfare.Ochild,hethatissolicitousofhiswelfareshouldnotdisregardevenanordinaryfoe.WhatshallIsay,then,Ochild,ofthePandavaswhoarethoroughmastersofallweaponsinbattle.When,therefore,thetimecomethforthereappearanceofthehigh-souledPandavas,who,havingenteredtheforest,[24]arenow



passingtheirdaysinclosedisguise,thoushouldstascertainthystrengthbothinthyownkingdomandinthoseofotherkings.Withoutdoubt,thereturnofthePandavasisathand.Whentheirpromisedtermofexileisover,theillustriousandmightysonsofPritha,enduedwithimmeasurableprowess,willcomehitherburstingwithenergy.Dothou,therefore,inordertoconcludeanadvantageoustreatywiththem,haverecoursetosoundpolicyandaddressthyselftoincreasethyforcesandimprovethetreasury.Ochild,ascertainingallthese,reckonthouthyownstrengthinrespectofallthyalliesweakandstrong.[25]Ascertainingtheefficiency,andweakness,andindifferenceofthyforces,asalsowhoamongstthemarewell-affectedandwhoaredisaffected,weshouldeitherfightthefoeormaketreatywithhim.Havingrecoursetotheartsofconciliation,disunion,chastisement,bribery,presentsandfairbehaviour,attackthyfoesandsubduetheweakbymight,andwinoverthyalliesandtroopsandbysoftspeeches.Whenthouhast(bythesemeans)strengthenedthyarmyandfilledthytreasury,entiresuccesswillbethine.Whenthouhastdoneallthis,thouwiltbeabletofightwithpowerfulenemiesthatmaypresentthemselves,letalonethesonsofPandudeficientintroopsanimalsoftheirown.Byadoptingalltheseexpedientsaccordingtothecustomsofthyorder,thouwilt,Oforemostofmen,attainenduringhappinessinduetime!'"

SECTIONXXX

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Discomfitedbefore,Omonarch,manyatimeandoftbyMatsya'sSutaKichakaaidedbytheMatsyasandtheSalyas,themightykingoftheTrigartas,Susarman,whoownedinnumerablecars,regardingtheopportunitytobeafavourableone,thenspokethefollowingwordswithoutlosingamoment.And,Omonarch,forciblyvanquishedalongwithhisrelativesbythemightyKichaka,kingSusarman,eyeingKarnainaskance,spokethesewordsuntoDuryodhana,'MykingdomhathmanyatimebeenforciblyinvadedbythekingoftheMatsyas.ThemightyKichakawasthatking'sgeneralissimo.Crookedandwrathfulandofwickedsoul,ofprowessfamedoveralltheworld,sinfulindeedsandhighlycruel,thatwretch,however,hathbeenslainbytheGandharvas,Kichakabeingdead,

kingVirata,shornofprideandhisrefugegone,will,Iimagine,loseallcourageIthink,weoughtnowtoinvadethatkingdom,ifitpleasesthee,Osinlessone,asalsotheillustriousKarnaandalltheKauravas.Theaccidentthathathhappenedis,Iimagine,afavourableoneforus.Letus,therefore,repairtoVirata'skingdomaboundingincorn.Wewillappropriatehisgemsandotherwealthofdiversekinds,andletusgotosharewitheachotherasregardshisvillagesandkingdom.Or,invadinghiscitybyforce,letuscarryoffbythousandshisexcellentkineofvariousspecies.Uniting,Oking,theforcesoftheKauravasandtheTrigartas,letuslifthiscattleindroves.Or,unitingourforceswell,wewillcheckhispowerbyforcinghimtosueforpeace.Or,destroyinghisentirehost,wewillbringMatsyaundersubjection.Havingbroughthimundersubjectionbyjustmeans,wewillliveinourkingdomhappily,

whilethypoweralsowill,withoutdoubt,beenhanced.'HearingthesewordsofSusarman,Karnaaddressedtheking,saying,'Susarmanhathspokenwell;theopportunityisfavourableandpromisestobeprofitabletous.Therefore,ifitpleasesthee,Osinlessone,letus,drawingupourforcesinbattlearrayandmarshallingthemindivisions,speedilysetout.Or,lettheexpeditionbemanagedasSaradwata'ssonKripa,thepreceptorDrona,andthewiseandagedgrandsireoftheKurusmaythink.Consultingwitheachother,letus,Olordofearth,speedilysetouttoattainourend.WhatbusinesshavewewiththesonsofPandu,destituteastheyareofwealth,might,andprowess?Theyhaveeitherdisappeared



forgoodorhavegonetotheabodeofYama?Wewill,Oking,repairwithoutanxietytoVirata'scity,andplunderhiscattleandotherwealthofdiversekinds.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'AcceptingthesewordsofKarna,thesonofSurya,kingDuryodhanaspeedilycommandedhisbrotherDussasana,bornimmediatelyafterhimandalwaysobedienttohiswishes,saying,'Consultingwiththeelders,arraywithoutdelay,ourforces.Wewill,withalltheKauravasgototheappointedplace.Letalsothemightywarrior,kingSusarman,accompaniedbyasufficientforcewithvehiclesandanimals,setoutwiththeTrigartasforthedominionsofMatsyas.AndletSusarmanproceedfirst,carefullyconcealinghisintention.Followingintheirwake,wewillsetoutthedayafterinclosearray,fortheprosperousdominionsofkingMatsya.LettheTrigartas,however,suddenlyrepairtothecityofVirata,andcominguponthecowherds,seizethatimmensewealth(ofkine).Wealsomarchingintwodivisions,willseizethousandsofexcellentkinefurnishedwithauspiciousmarks.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Then,OLordofearth,thosewarriors,theTrigartas,accompaniedbytheirinfantryofterribleprowess,marchedtowardsthesouth-easterndirection,intendingtowagehostilitieswithViratafromthedesireofseizinghiskine.AndSusarmansetoutontheseventhdayofthedarkfortnightforseizingthekine.Andthen,Oking,ontheeighthdayfollowingofthedarkfortnight,theKauravasalso

accompaniedbyalltheirtroops,begantoseizethekinebythousands."

SECTIONXXXI

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Omightyking,enteringintokingVirata'sservice,anddwellingindisguiseinhisexcellentcity,thehigh-souledPandavasofimmeasurableprowess,completedthepromisedperiodofnon-discovery.AndafterKichakahadbeenslain,thatslayerofhostileheroes,themightykingViratabegantoresthishopesonthesonsofKunti.Anditwasontheexpiryofthethirteenthyearoftheirexile,OBharata,thatSusarmanseizedVirata'scattlebythousands.Andwhenthecattlehad

beenseized,theherdsmanofViratacamewithgreatspeedtothecity,andsawhissovereign,thekingofMatsyas,seatedonthethroneinthemidstofwisecouncillors,andthosebullsamongmen,thesonsofPandu,andsurroundedbybravewarriorsdeckedwithear-ringsandbracelets.Andappearingbeforethatenhancerofhisdominion--KingVirataseatedincourt--theherdsmanboweddownuntohim,andaddressedhim,saying,'Oforemostofkings,defeatingandhumiliatingusinbattlealongwithourfriendstheTrigartasareseizingthycattlebyhundredsandbythousands.Dothou,therefore,speedilyrescuethem.Oh,seethattheyarenotlosttothee.'Hearingthesewords,thekingarrayedforbattletheMatsyaforceaboundingincarsandelephantsandhorsesandinfantryandstandards.Andkingsandprincesspeedilyputon,eachinitsproperplace,[26]theirshiningandbeautifularmourworthyofbeingwornby

heroes.AndVirata'sbelovedbrother,Satanika,putonacoatofmailmadeofadamantinesteel,adornedwithburnishedgold.AndMadirakshya,nextinbirthtoSatanika,putonastrongcoatofmailplatedwithgold[27]andcapableofresistingeveryweapon.AndthecoatofmailthatthekinghimselfoftheMatsyasputonwasinvulnerableanddeckedwithahundredsuns,ahundredcircles,ahundredspots,andahundredeyes.AndthecoatofmailthatSuryadatta[28]putonwasbrightasthesun,platedwithgold,andbroadasahundredlotusesofthefragrant(Kahlara)species.AndthecoatofmailthatVirata'seldestson,theheroicSanksha,putonwasimpenetrableandmadeofburnishedsteel,anddecked



withahundredeyesofgold.Anditwasthusthatthosegod-likeandmightywarriorsbyhundreds,furnishedwithweapons,andeagerforbattle,eachdonnedhiscorselet.Andthentheyyokeduntotheirexcellentcarsofwhite-huesteedsequippedinmail.Andthenwashoisted--Matsya'sgloriousstandardonhisexcellentcardeckedwithgoldandresemblingthesunorthemooninitseffulgence.AndotherKshatriyawarriorsalsoraisedontheirrespectivecarsgold-deckedstandardsofvariousshapesanddevices.AndkingMatsyathenaddressedhisbrotherSatanikabornimmediatelyafterhim,saying,'KankaandVallavaandTantripalaandDamagranthiofgreatenergywill,asitappearstomefight,withoutdoubt.Givethouuntothemcarsfurnishedwithbannersandletthemcasetheirpersonsinbeautifulcoatsofmailthatshouldbebothinvulnerableandeasytowear.Andletthemalsohaveweapons.Bearingsuchmartialformsandpossessedofarmsresemblingthetrunkofmightyelephants,Icanneverpersuademyselfthattheycannotfight.'Hearingthesewordsoftheking,Satanika,Omonarch,immediatelyorderedcarsforthosesonsofPritha,viz.,theroyalYudhishthira,andBhima,andNakula,andSahadeva,andcommandedbytheking,thecharioteers,withcheerfulheartsandkeepingloyaltyinview,verysoongotcarsready(forthePandavas).Andthoserepressersoffoesthendonnedthosebeautifulcoatsofmail,invulnerableandeasytowear,thatViratahadorderedforthoseheroesofspotlessfame.Andmountedoncarsyokedwithgoodsteeds,thosesmitersofhostileranks,thoseforemostofmen,thesonsofPritha,setoutwithcheerfulhearts.Indeed,thosemighty

warriorsskilledinfight,thosebullsoftheKururaceandsonsofPandu,thosefourheroicbrotherspossessedofprowessincapableofbeingbaffled,mountingoncarsdeckedwithgold,togethersetout,followingVirata'swake.Andinfuriateelephantsofterriblemien,fullsixtyyearsofage,withshapelytusksandrenttemplesandjuicetricklingdownandlooking(onthataccount)likecloudpouringrainandmountedbytrainedwarriorsskilledinfight,followedthekinglikeuntomovinghills.AndtheprincipalwarriorsofMatsyawhocheerfullyfollowedthekinghadeightthousandcars,athousandelephantsandsixtythousandhorses.And,ObullamongtheBharatas,thatforceofVirata,Oking,asitmarchedforthmarkingthefootprintsofthecattlelookedexceedinglybeautiful.AndonitsmarchthatforemostofarmiesownedbyVirata,crowdedwithsoldiersarmedwithstrongweapons,andaboundinginelephants,horses

andcars,lookedreallysplendid.'"

SECTIONXXXII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Marchingoutofthecity,thoseheroicsmiterstheMatsyas,arrayedinorderofbattle,overtooktheTrigartaswhenthesunhadpassedthemeridian.Andbothexcitedtofuryandbothdesirousofhavingtheking,themightyTrigartasandtheMatsyas,irrepressibleinbattle,sentuploudroars.Andthentheterribleandinfuriateelephantsriddenoverbytheskilfulcombatantsofbothsideswereurgedonwithspikedclubsandhooks.Andtheencounter,Oking,thattookplacewhen

thesunwaslowinthehorizon,betweentheinfantryandcavalryandchariotsandelephantsofbothparties,waslikeuntothatofoldbetweenthegodsandtheAsuras,terribleandfierceandsufficientformakingone'shairstandonendandcalculatedtoincreasethepopulationofYama'skingdom.Andasthecombatantsrushedagainstoneanother,smitingandslashing,thickcloudsofdustbegantorise,sothatnothingcouldbediscovered.Andcoveredwiththedustraisedbythecontendingarmies,birdsbegantodropdownontheearth.Andthesunhimselfdisappearedbehindthethickcloudofarrowsshot,andthefirmamentlookedbrightasifwithmyriadsofthefireflies.Andshiftingtheirbows,thestavesof



whichweredeckedwithgold,fromonehandtoanother,thoseheroesbegantostrikeeachotherdown,dischargingtheirarrowsrightandleft.Andcarsencounteredcars,andfoot-soldiersfoughtwithfoot-soldiers,andhorse-menwithhorsemen,andelephantswithmightyelephants.Andtheyfuriouslyencounteredoneanotherwithswordsandaxes,beardeddartsandjavelins,andironclubs.Andalthough,Oking,thosemighty-armedwarriorsfuriouslyassailedoneanotherinthatconflict,yetneitherpartysucceededinprevailingovertheother.Andseveredheads,somewithbeautifulnoses,somewithupperlipsdeeplygashed,somedeckedwithear-rings,andsomedividedwithwoundsaboutthewell-trimmedhairwereseenrollingonthegroundcoveredwithdust.AndsoonthefieldofbattlewasoverspreadwiththelimbsofKshatriyawarriors,cutoffbymeansofarrowsandlyingliketrunksofSalatrees.Andscatteredoverwithheadsdeckedinear-rings,andsandal-besmearedarmslookinglikethebodiesofsnakes,thefieldofbattlebecameexceedinglybeautiful.Andascarsencounteredcars,andhorsemenencounteredhorsemen,andfoot-soldiersfoughtwithfoot-soldiers,andelephantsmetwithelephants,thefrightfuldustsoonbecamedrenchedwithtorrentsofblood.Andsomeamongstthecombatantsbegantoswoonaway,andthewarriorsbegantofightrecklessofconsiderationofhumanity,friendshipandrelationship.Andboththeircourseandsightobstructedbythearrowyshower,vulturesbegantoalightontheground.Butalthoughthosestrong-armedcombatantsfuriouslyfoughtwithoneanother,yettheheroesofneitherpartysucceededinroutingtheirantagonists.AndSatanika

havingslainafullhundredoftheenemyandVisalakshafullfourhundred,boththosemightywarriorspenetratedintotheheartofthegreatTrigartahost.AndhavingenteredintothethickoftheTrigartahost,thosefamousandmightyheroesbegantodeprivetheirantagonistsoftheirsensesbycausingacloserconflicttosetin--aconflict,inwhichthecombatantsseizedoneanotherbythehairandtoreoneanotherwiththeirnails.[29]AndeyeingthepointwherethecarsoftheTrigartashadbeenmusteredinstrongnumbers,thoseheroesatlastdirectedtheirattacktowardsit.Andthatforemostofcar-warriors,kingVirataalso,withSuryadattainhisvanandMadirakshainhisrear,havingdestroyedinthatconflictfivehundredcars,eighthundredhorses,andfivewarriorsongreatcars,displayedvariousskilfulmanoeuvresonhiscaronthatfieldofbattle.Andatlastthekingcame

upontheruleroftheTrigartasmountedonagoldenchariot.Andthosehigh-souledandpowerfulwarriors,desirousoffighting,rushedroaringagainsteachliketwobullsinacow-pen.Thenthatbullamongmen,irrepressibleinbattle,Susarman,thekingoftheTrigartas,challengedMatsyatoasinglecombatoncar.Thenthosewarriorsexcitedtofuryrushedagainsteachotherontheircarsandbegantoshowertheirarrowsuponeachotherlikecloudspouringtorrentsofrain.[30]Andenragedwitheachother,thosefiercewarriors,bothskilledinweapons,bothwieldingswordsanddartsandmaces,thenmovedabout(onthefieldofbattle)assailingeachotherwithwhettedarrows.ThenkingViratapiercedSusarmanwithtenshaftsandeachofhisfourhorsesalsowithfiveshafts.AndSusarmanalso,irresistibleinbattleandconversantwithfatalweapons,piercedkingofMatsyawithfiftywhettedshafts.And

then,Omightymonarch,inconsequenceofthedustonthefieldofbattle,thesoldiersofbothSusarmanandMatsya'skingcouldnotdistinguishoneanother.'"

SECTIONXXXIII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Then,OBharata,whentheworldwasenvelopedindustandthegloomofnight,thewarriorsofbothsides,withoutbreaking



theorderofbattle,desistedforawhile.[31]Andthen,dispellingthedarknessthemoonaroseilluminingthenightandgladdeningtheheartsoftheKshatriyawarriors.Andwheneverythingbecamevisible,thebattleoncemorebegan.Anditragedonsofuriouslythatthecombatantscouldnotdistinguishoneanother.AndthenTrigarta'slord,Susarmanwithhisyoungerbrother,andaccompaniedbyallhiscars,rushedtowardsthekingofMatsya.Anddescendingfromtheircars,thosebullsamongKshatriyas,the(royal)brothers,maceinhand,rushedfuriouslytowardsthecarsofthefoe.Andthehostilehostsfiercelyassailedeachotherwithmacesandswordsandscimitars,battle-axesandbeardeddartswithkeenedgesandpointsofexcellenttemper.AndkingSusarman,thelordoftheTrigartashavingbyhisenergyoppressedanddefeatedthewholearmyoftheMatsyas,impetuouslyrushedtowardsViratahimselfenduedwithgreatenergy.AndthetwobrothershavingseverallyslainVirata'stwosteedsandhischarioteer,asalsothosesoldiersthatprotectedhisrear,tookhimcaptivealive,whendeprivedofhiscar.Thenafflictinghimsorely,likealustfulmanafflictingadefencelessdamsel,SusarmanplacedVirataonhisowncar,andspeedilyrushedoutofthefield.AndwhenthepowerfulVirata,deprivedofhiscar,wastakencaptive,theMatsyas,harrassedsolelybytheTrigartas,begantofleeinfearinalldirections.Andbeholdingthempanic-stricken,Kunti'sson,Yudhishthira,addressedthatsubdueroffoes,themighty-armedBhima,saying,'ThekingoftheMatsyashathbeentakenbytheTrigartas.Dothou,Omighty-armedone,rescuehim,sothathemaynotfallunderthepoweroftheenemy.As

wehavelivedhappilyinVirata'scity,havingeverydesireofoursgratified,itbehoveththee,OBhimasena,todischargethatdebt(byliberatingtheking).'ThereatBhimasenareplied,'Iwillliberatehim,Oking,atthycommand.MarkthefeatIachieve(today)inbattlingwiththefoe,relyingsolelyonthemightofmyarms.Dothou,Oking,stayaside,alongwithourbrothersandwitnessmyprowesstoday.Uprootingthismightytreeofhugetrunklookinglikeamace,Iwillrouttheenemy.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'BeholdingBhimacastinghiseyesonthattreelikeamadelephant,theheroickingYudhishthirathejustspakeuntohisbrother,saying,'Donot,OBhima,commitsucharashact.Letthetreestandthere.Thoumustnotachievesuchfeatsinasuper-humanmannerby

meansofthattree,forifthoudost,thepeople,OBharata,willrecognisetheeandsay,ThisisBhima.Takethou,therefore,somehumanweaponsuchasabow(andarrows),oradart,orasword,orabattle-axe.Andtakingtherefore,OBhima,someweaponthatishuman,liberatethouthekingwithoutgivinganybodythemeansofknowingtheetruly.Thetwinsenduedwithgreatstrengthwilldefendthywheels.Fightingtogether,Ochild,liberatethekingoftheMatsyas!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thusaddressed,themightyBhimasenaenduedwithgreatspeed,quicklytookupanexcellentbowandimpetuouslyshotfromitashowerofarrows,thickasthedownpourofarain-chargedcloud.AndBhimathenrushedfuriouslytowardsSusarmanofterribledeeds,andassuringViratawiththewords--Ogoodking![32]saiduntothe

lordoftheTrigartas,--Stay!Stay!SeeingBhimalikeuntoYamahimselfinhisrear,saying,Stay!Stay!Dothouwitnessthismightyfeat,--thiscombatthatisathand!--thebullamongwarriors,Susarman,seriouslyconsidered(thesituation),andtakinguphisbowturnedback,alongwithhisbrothers.Withinthetwinklingofaneye,Bhimadestroyedthosecarsthatsoughttoopposehim.AndsoonagainhundredsofthousandsofcarsandelephantsandhorsesandhorsemenandbraveandfiercebowmenwereoverthrownbyBhimaintheverysightofVirata.AndthehostileinfantryalsobegantobeslaughteredbytheillustriousBhima,maceinhand.Andbeholdingthatterribleonslaught,Susarman,irrepressibleinfight,



thoughtwithinhimself,'Mybrotherseemstohavealreadysuccumbedinthemidstofhismightyhost.Ismyarmygoingtobeannihilated?'Anddrawinghisbow-stringtohisearSusarmanthenturnedbackandbegantoshootkeen-edgedshaftsincessantly.AndseeingthePandavasreturntothechargeontheircar,theMatsyawarriorsofmightyhost,urgingontheirsteeds,shotexcellentweaponsforgrindingtheTrigartasoldiers.AndVirata'ssonalso,exceedinglyexasperatedbegantoperformprodigiousfearsofvalour.AndKunti'ssonYudhishthiraslewathousand(ofthefoe),andBhimashowedtheabodeofYamauntoseventhousand.AndNakulasentsevenhundred(totheirlastaccount)bymeansofhisshafts.AndpowerfulSahadevaalso,commandedbyYudhishthira,slewthreehundredbravewarriors.Andhavingslainsuchnumbers,thatfierceandmightywarrior,Yudhishthira,withweaponsupraised,rushedagainstSusarman.AndrushingimpetuouslyatSusarman,thatforemostofcar-warriors,kingYudhishthira,assailedhimwithvolliesofshafts.AndSusarmanalso,ingreatrage,quicklypiercedYudhishthirawithninearrows,andeachofhisfoursteedswithfourarrows.Then,Oking,Kunti'ssonBhimaofquickmovements,approachingSusarmancrushedhissteeds.Andhavingslainalsothosesoldiersthatprotectedhisrear,hedraggedfromthecarhisantagonist'scharioteertotheground.AndseeingthekingofTrigarta'scarwithoutadriver,thedefenderofhiscar-wheels,thefamousandbraveMadirakshaspeedilycametohisaid.Andthereat,leapingdownfromSusarman'scar,andsecuringthelatter'smacethepowerfulVirataraninpursuitofhim.Andthoughold,hemovedonthe

field,maceinhand,evenlikealustyyouth.AndbeholdingSusarmanfleeBhimaaddressedhim,saying,'Desist,OPrince!Thisflightofthineisnotproper!Withthisprowessofthine,howcouldstthouwishtocarryoffthecattlebyforce?Howalso,forsakingthyfollower,dostthoudroopsoamidstfoes?ThusaddressedbyPritha'sson,themightySusarman,thatlordofcountlesscarssayinguntoBhima,Stay!Stay!--suddenlyturnedroundandrushedathim.ThenBhima,thesonofPandu,leapingdownfromhiscar,ashealonecoulddo,[33]rushedforwardwithgreatcoolness,desirousoftakingSusarman'slife.AnddesirousofseizingTrigarta'skingadvancingtowardshim,themightyBhimasenarushedimpetuouslytowardshim,evenlikealionrushingatasmalldeer.Andadvancingimpetuously,themighty-armedBhimaseizedSusarmanbythehair,andliftinghimupinwrath,dashedhimdownonthe

ground.Andashelaycryinginagony,themighty-armedBhimakickedhimatthehead,andplacinghiskneeonhisbreastdealthimsevereblows.Andsorelyafflictedwiththatkicking,thekingofTrigartasbecamesenseless.AndwhenthekingoftheTrigartasdeprivedofhiscar,hadbeenseizedthus,thewholeTrigartaarmystrickenwithpanic,brokeandfledinalldirections,andthemightysonsofPandu,enduedwithmodestyandobservantofvowsandrelyingonthemightoftheirownarms,afterhavingvanquishedSusarman,andrescuedthekineaswellasotherkindsofwealthandhavingthusdispelledVirata'sanxiety,stoodtogetherbeforethatmonarch.AndBhimasenathensaid,'Thiswretchgiventowickeddeedsdothnotdeservetoescapemewithlife.ButwhatcanIdo?Thekingissolenient!'AndthentakingSusarmanbytheneckashewaslyingonthegroundinsensibleandcoveredwithdust,andbindinghim

fast,Pritha'ssonVrikodaraplacedhimonhiscar,andwenttowhereYudhishthirawasstayinginthemidstofthefield.AndBhimathenshowedSusarmanuntothemonarch.AndbeholdingSusarmaninthatplight,thattigeramongmenkingYudhishthirasmilinglyaddressedBhima--thatornamentofbattle,--saying,'Letthisworstofmenbesetfree.'Thusaddressed,BhimaspokeuntothemightySusarman,saying,'If,Owretch,thouwishesttolive,listentothosewordsofmine.Thoumustsayineverycourtandassemblyofmen,--Iamaslave.OnthisconditiononlyIwillgranttheethylife.Verily,thisisthelawaboutthevanquished.'ThereuponhiselderbrotheraffectionatelyaddressedBhima,saying,'If



thouregardestusasanauthority,liberatethiswickedwight.HehathalreadybecomekingVirata'sslave.AndturningthentoSusarman,hesaid,'Thouartfreed.Gothouafreeman,andneveractagaininthisway.'"

SECTIONXXXIV

"Vaisampayanasaid,'ThusaddressedbyYudhishthiraSusarmanwasoverwhelmedwithshameandhungdownhishead.Andliberated(fromslavery),hewenttokingVirata,andhavingsalutedthemonarch,tookhisdeparture.AndthePandavasalsoreplyingonthemightoftheirownarms,andenduedwithmodestyandobservantofvows,havingslaintheirenemiesandliberatedSusarman,passedthatnighthappilyonthefieldofbattle.AndViratagratifiedthosemightywarriors,thesonsofKunti,possessedofsuper-humanprowesswithwealthandhonour.AndViratasaid,"Allthesegemsofminearenowasmuchmineasyours.Doyeaccordingtoyourpleasureliveherehappily.Andyesmiteroffoesinbattle,Iwillbestowonyoudamselsdeckedwithornaments,wealthinplenty,andotherthingsthatyemaylike.Deliveredfromperilstodaybyyourprowess,Iamnowcrownedwithvictory.DoyeallbecomethelordsoftheMatsyas.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'AndwhenthekingoftheMatsyashadaddressed

themthus,thosedescendantsoftheKuruswithYudhishthiraattheirhead,joiningtheirhands,severallyreplieduntohimsaying,'Wearewell-pleasedwithallthatthousayest,Omonarch.We,however,havebeenmuchgratifiedthatthouhasttodaybeenfreedfromthyfoes.'Thusanswered,thatforemostofkings,ViratathelordoftheMatsyas,againaddressedYudhishthira,saying,'Come,wewillinstalltheeinsovereigntyoftheMatsyas.Andwewillalsobestowontheethingsthatarerareonearthandareobjectsofdesire,forthoudeservesteverythingatourhands.OforemostofBrahmanasoftheVaiyaghraorderIwillbestowontheegemsandkineandgoldandrubiesandpearls.Ibowuntothee.ItisowingtotheethatIoncemorebeholdtodaymysonsandkingdom.AfflictedandthreatenedasIhadbeenwithdisasteranddanger,itisthroughthyprowessthatIhavenotsuccumbedtothefoe.'Then

YudhishthiraagainaddressedtheMatsyas,saying,'Well-pleasedarewewiththedelightfulwordsthatthouhastspoken.Maystthoubeeverhappy,alwayspractisinghumanitytowardsallcreatures.Letmessengersnow,atthycommand,speedilyrepairintothecity,inordertocommunicatethegladtidingstoourfriends,andproclaimthyvictory.Hearingthesewordsofhim,kingMatsyaorderedthemessengers,saying,''Doyerepairtothecityandproclaimmyvictoryinbattle.Andletdamselsandcourtesons,deckedinornaments,comeoutofthecitywitheverykindofmusicalinstruments.'HearingthiscommandutteredbythekingoftheMatsyas,themen,layingthemandateontheirhead,alldepartedwithcheerfulhearts.Andhavingrepairedtothecitythatverynight,theyproclaimedatthehourofsunrisethevictoryofthekingaboutthecity-gates.'"

SECTIONXXXV

"Vaisampayanasaid,'WhenthekingoftheMatsyas,anxiousofrecoveringthekine,hadsetoutinpursuitoftheTrigartas,DuryodhanawithhiscounsellorsinvadedthedominionsofVirata.AndBhishmaandDrona,andKarna,andKripaacquaintedwiththebestofweapons,Aswatthaman,andSuvala'sson,andDussasana,Olordofmen,andVivingsatiandVikarna



andChitrasenaenduedwithgreatenergy,andDurmukhaandDussaha,--theseandmanyothergreatwarriors,comingupontheMatsyadominionspeedilydroveoffthecowherdsofkingVirataandforciblytookawaythekine.AndtheKauravas,surroundingallsideswithamultitudeofcars,seizedsixtythousandsofkine.Andloudwastheyellofwoesetupbythecowherdssmittenbythosewarriorsinthatterribleconflict.Andthechiefofthecowherds,greatlyaffrightedspeedilymountedonachariotandsetoutforthecity,bewailinginaffliction.Andenteringthecityoftheking,heproceededtotheplace,andspeedilyalightingfromthechariot,gotinforrelating(whathadhappened).AndbeholdingtheproudsonofMatsya,namedBhuminjaya,hetoldhimeverythingabouttheseizureoftheroyalkine.Andhesaid,theKauravasaretakingawaysixtythousandkine.Rise,therefore,Oenhancerofthekingdom'sglory,forbriningbackthycattle.Oprince,ifthouartdesirousofachieving(thekingdom's)goodsetoutthyselfwithoutlossoftime.Indeed,thekingoftheMatsyaslefttheeintheemptycity.Theking(thyfather)boastethoftheeincourt,saying,'Myson,equaluntome,isaheroandisthesupporterof(thegloryof)myrace.Mysonisawarriorskilledinarrowsandweaponsandisalwayspossessedofgreatcourage.'--Oh,letthewordsofthatlordofmenbetrue!Ochiefofherd-owners,bringthoubackthekineaftervanquishingtheKurus,andconsumethoutheirtroopswiththeterrificenergyofthyarrows.Dothoulikealeaderofelephantsrushingataherd,piercetheranksofthefoewithstraightarrowsofgoldenwings,dischargedfromthybow.Thybowisevenlikea

Vina.Itstwoendsrepresenttheivorypillows;itsstring,themainchord;itsstaff,thefinger-board;andthearrowsshotfromitmusicalnotes.DothoustrikeinthemidstofthefoethatVinaofmusicalsound.[34]Letthysteeds,Olord,ofsilveryhue,beyokeduntothycar,andletthystandardbehoisted,bearingtheemblemofthegoldenlion.Letthykeen-edgedarrowsenduedwithwingsofgold,shotbythystrongarms,obstructthepathofthosekingsandeclipsetheverysun.VanquishingalltheKurusinbattlelikeuntothewielderofthethunderboltdefeatingtheAsuras,returnthouagaintothecityhavingachievedgreatrenown.SonofMatsya'sking,thouartthesolerefugeofthiskingdom,asthatforemostofvirtuouswarriors,ArjunaisofthesonsofPandu.EvenlikeArjunaofhisbrothers,thouart,withoutdoubt,therefugeofthosedwellingwithinthesedominions.Indeed,we,the

subjectofthisrealm,haveourprotectorinthee.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thusaddressedbythecowherdinthepresenceofthefemales,inwordsbreathingcourage,theprinceindulginginself-commendationwithinthefemaleapartments,spokethesewords.'"

SECTIONXXXVI

"Uttarasaid,'FirmasIamintheuseofthebow,Iwouldsetoutthisverydayinthetrackofthekineifonlysomeoneskilledinthemanagementofhorsesbecomesmycharioteer.Idonot,however,knowthe

manwhomaybemycharioteer.Lookye,therefore,withoutdelay,foracharioteerformethatampreparedforstarting.Myowncharioteerwasslaininthegreatbattlethatwasfoughtfromdaytodayforawholemonthoratleastforeightandtwentynights.AssoonasIgetanotherpersonconversantwiththemanagementofthesteeds.Iwillimmediatelysetout,hoistinghighmyownstandard.Penetratingintothemidstofthehostilearmyaboundingwithelephantsandhorsesandchariots,Iwillbringbackthekine,havingvanquishedtheKuruswhoarefeebleinstrengthandweakinweapons.LikeasecondwielderofthethunderboltterrifyingtheDanavas,Iwillbringbackthekinethisverymoment,



affrightinginbattleDuryodhanaandBhishmaandKarnaandKripaandDronawithhisson,andothermightybowmenassembledforfight.Findingnone(tooppose),theKurusaretakingawaythekine.WhatcanIdowhenIamnotthere?TheassembledKurusshallwitnessmyprowesstoday.Andtheyshallsayuntooneanother,'IsitArjunahimselfwhoisopposingus?'"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Havingheardthesewordsspokenbytheprince,Arjunafullyacquaintedwiththeimportofeverything,afteralittlewhilecheerfullyspakeinprivateuntohisdearwifeoffaultlessbeauty,Krishna,theprincessofPanchala,Drupada'sdaughterofslendermake,sprungfromthe(sacrificial)fireandenduedwiththevirtuesoftruthfulnessandhonestyandeverattentivetothegoodofherhusbands.Andtheherosaid,'Dothou,Obeauteousone,atmyrequestsayuntoUttarawithoutdelay,'ThisVrihannalawasformerlytheaccomplishedresolutecharioteerofPandu'sson(Arjuna).Triedinmanyagreatbattle,evenhewillbethycharioteer.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Hearingthesewordsutteredbytheprinceoverandoveragaininthemidstofthewomen,PanchalicouldnotquietlybearthoseallusionstoVibhatsu.Andbashfullysteppingoutfromamongthewomen,thepoorprincessofPanchalagentlyspakeuntohimthesewords,'Thehandsomeyouth,lookinglikeamightyelephantandknownbythenameofVrihannala,wasformerlythecharioteerofArjuna.Adiscipleofthatillustriouswarrior,andinferiortononeinuseofthebow,hewasknowntomewhileIwaslivingwiththePandavas.Itwasbyhimthatthereins

wereheldofArjuna'sexcellentsteedswhenAgniconsumedtheforestofKhandava.ItwaswithhimascharioteerthatParthaconqueredallcreaturesatKhandava-prastha.Infact,thereisnocharioteerequaluntohim.'

"Uttarasaid,'Thouknowest,OSairindhri,thisyouth.Thouknowest,whatthisoneoftheneutersexmayormaynotbe,Icannot,however,Oblessedone,myselfrequestVrihannalatoholdthereinsofmyhorses.'

"Draupadisaid,'Vrihannala,Ohero,willwithoutdoubt,obeythewordsofthyyoungersister[35]--thatdamselofgracefulhips.Ifheconsentstobethycharioteer,thouwilt,withoutdoubt,return,havingvanquishedtheKurusandrescuedthykine.'

"ThusaddressedbytheSairindhri,Uttaraspakeuntohissister,'Gothyself,Othouoffaultlessbeauty,andbringVrihannalahither?'Anddespatchedbyherbrother,shehastilyrepairedtothedancing-hallwherethatstrong-armedsonofPanduwasstayingindisguise.'"

SECTIONXXXVII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Thusdespatchedbyherelderbrother,thefar-fameddaughterofkingMatsya,adornedwithagoldennecklace,everobedienttoherbrotherandpossessedofawaistslenderasthatofthewasp,[36]

enduedwiththesplendourofLakshmiherself,[37]deckedwiththeplumesofthepeacockofslendermakeandgracefullimbs,herhipsencircledbyazoneofpearls,hereye-lashesslightlycurved,andherformenduedwitheverygrace,hastilyrepairedtothedancing-halllikeaflashoflightningrushingtowardsamassofdarkclouds.[38]AndthefaultlessandauspiciousdaughterofVirata,offineteethandslender-waist,ofthighscloseuntoeachotherandeachlikethetrunkofanelephant,herpersonembellishedwithanexcellentgarland,soughtthesonofPrithalikeashe-elephantseekinghermate.AndlikeuntoapreciousgemortheveryembodimentofprosperityofIndra,ofexceedingbeautyandlarge



eyes,thatcharmingandadoredandcelebrateddamselsalutedArjuna.Andsalutedbyher,Parthaaskedthatmaidenofclosethighsandgoldencomplexion,saying'Whatbringstheehither,adamseldeckedinanecklaceofgold?Whyartthouinsuchahurry,Ogazelle-eyedmaiden?Whyisthyface,Obeauteouslady,socheerless?Tellmeallthiswithoutdelay!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Beholding,Oking,hisfriend,theprincessoflarge-eyes(inthatplight),herfriend(Arjuna)cheerfullyenquiredofher(inthesewords)thecauseofherarrivalthereandthen.Andhavingapproachedthatbullamongmen,theprincess,standinginthemidstofherfemaleattendants,thedisplayingpropermodesty[39],addressedhim,saying,'Thekineofthisrealm,OVrihannala,arebeingdrivenawaybytheKurus,anditistoconquerthemthatmybrotherwillsetoutbowinhand.Notlongagohisowncharioteerwasslaininbattle,andthereisnoneequaluntotheoneslainthatcanactasmybrother'scharioteer.Anduntohimstrivingtoobtainacharioteer,Sairindhri,

OVrihannala,hathspokenaboutthyskillinthemanagementofsteeds.ThouwertformerlythefavouritecharioteerofArjuna,anditwaswiththeethatthatbullamongthesonsofPanduhadalonesubjugatedthewholeearth.Dothou,therefore,OVrihannala,actasthecharioteerofmybrother.(Bythistime)ourkinehavesurelybeendrivenawaybytheKurustoagreatdistance.Requestedbymeifthoudostnotactuptomy

words,Iwhoamaskingthisserviceoftheeoutofaffection,willgiveupmylife!'Thusaddressedbythisfriendofgracefulhips,thatoppressoroffoes,enduedwithimmeasurableprowess,wentintotheprince'spresence.Andlikeuntoashe-elephantrunningafterheryoungone,theprincesspossessedoflargeeyesfollowedthatheroadvancingwithhastystepslikeuntoanelephantwithrenttemples.Andbeholdinghimfromadistance,theprincehimselfsaid,'Withtheeashischarioteer,DhananjayathesonofKuntihadgratifiedAgniattheKhandavaforestandsubjugatedthewholeworld!TheSairindhrihathspokenoftheetome.SheknoweththePandavas.Dothou,therefore,OVrihannala,hold,asthoudidst,thereinsofmysteeds,desirousasIamofrightingwiththeKurusandrescuingmybovinewealth.ThouwertformerlythebelovedcharioteerofArjunaanditwaswiththeethatthat

bullamongthesonsofPanduhadalonesubjugatedthewholeearth!'Thusaddressed,Vrihannalareplieduntotheprince,saying,'WhatabilityhaveItoactasacharioteerinthefieldofbattle?Ifitissongordanceofmusicalinstrumentsorsuchotherthings,Icanentertaintheetherewith,butwhereismyskillforbecomingacharioteer?'

"Uttarasaid,'OVrihannala,bethouasingeroradancer,holdthou(forthepresent),withoutlossoftime,thereinsofmyexcellentsteeds,mountinguponmycar!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Althoughthatoppressoroffoes,thesonofPandu,wasacquaintedwitheverything,yetinthepresenceofUttara,hebegantomakemanymistakesforthesakeoffun.Andwhenhesoughtto

putthecoatofmailonhisbodybyraisingitupwards,thelarge-eyedmaidens,beholdingit,burstoutintoaloudlaughter.Andseeinghimquiteignorantofputtingonarmour,UttarahimselfequippedVrihannalawithacostlycoatofmail.Andcasinghisownpersoninanexcellentarmourofsolareffulgence,andhoistinghisstandardbearingthefigureofalion,theprincecausedVrihannalatobecomehischarioteer.AndwithVrihannalatoholdhisreins,theherosetout,takingwithhimmanycostlybowsandalargenumberofbeautifularrows.Andhisfriend,UttaraandhermaidensthensaiduntoVrihannala,'Dothou,OVrihannala,bringforourdolls(whenthoucomestback)variouskindsofgoodand



fineclothsaftervanquishingtheKurusassembledforbattleofwhomBhishmaandDronaareforemost!'Thusaddressed,ParthathesonofPandu,inavoicedeepastheroaroftheclouds,smilinglysaiduntothatbevyoffairmaidens.If,thus'Uttaracanvanquishthosemightywarriorsinbattle,Iwillcertainlybringexcellentandbeautifulcloths.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Havingsaidthesewords,theheroicArjunaurgedthesteedstowardstheKuruarmyoverwhichfloatedinnumerableflags.Just,however,astheywerestartingelderlydamesandmaidens,andBrahmanasofrigidvows,beholdingUttaraseatedonhisexcellentcarwithVrihannalaascharioteerandunderthatgreatbannerhoistedonhigh,walkedroundthecartoblessthehero.Andthewomensaid,'LetthevictorythatArjunatreadinglikeabullhadachievedofoldontheoccasionofburningtheforestofKhandava,bethine,OVrihannala,whenthouencounteresttheKurustodaywithprinceUttara.'"

SECTIONXXXVIII

'Vaisampayanasaid,'Havingissuedforthfromthecity,thedauntlesssonofVirataaddressedhischarioteer,saying,'ProceedwhithertheKurusare.DefeatingtheassembledKuruswhohavecomehitherfromdesireofvictory,andquicklyrescuingmykinefromthem.Iwillreturntothe

capital.'Atthesewordsoftheprince,thesonofPanduurgedthoseexcellentsteeds.Andenduedwiththespeedofthewindanddeckedwithnecklacesofgold,thosesteeds,urgedbythatlionamongmen,seemedtoflythroughtheair.Andtheyhadnotproceededfarwhenthosesmitersoffoes,DhananjayaandthesonofMatsya,sightedthearmyofthepowerfulKurus.Andproceedingtowardsthecemetary,theycameupontheKurusandbeheldtheirarmyarrayedinorderofbattle.[40]Andthatlargearmyoftheirslookedlikethevastseaoraforestofinnumerabletreesmovingthroughthesky.Andthenwasseen,ObestamongtheKurus,thedustraisedbythatmovingarmywhichreachedtheskyandobstructedthesightofallcreatures.Andbeholdingthatmightyhostaboundinginelephants,horsesandchariots,andprotectedbyKarnaandDuryodhanaandKripaandSantanu'sson,andthatintelligentandgreatbowmanDrona,withhisson

(Aswatthaman),thesonofVirata,agitatedwithfearandthebristlesonhisbodystandingontheirends,thusspakeuntoPartha,'IdarenotfightwiththeKurus.See,thebristlesonmybodyhavestoodontheirends.IamincapableofbattlingwiththiscountlesshostoftheKurus,aboundingintheheroicwarriors,thatareextremelyfierceanddifficultofbeingvanquishedevenbythecelestials.IdonotventuretopenetrateintothearmyoftheBharatasconsistingofterriblebowmenandaboundinginhorsesandelephantsandcarsandfootsoldiersandbanners.MymindistoomuchperturbedbytheverysightofthefoeonthefieldofbattleonwhichstandDronaandBhishma,andKripa,andKarna,andVivingsati,andAswatthamanandVikarna,andSaumadatti,andVahlika,andtheheroickingDuryodhanaalso--thatforemostofcar-warriors,andmanyothersplendidbowmen,allskilledinbattle.Myhairshavestoodontheirends,andI

amfaintingwithfearattheverysightofthesesmiters,theKurusarrayedinorderofbattle.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Andthelow-mindedandfoolishUttaraoutoffollyalone,begantobewail(hisfate)inthepresenceofthehigh-spirited(Arjuna)disguised(ashischarioteer)inthesewords,'MyfatherhathgoneouttomeettheTrigartastakingwithhimhiswholearmy,leavingmeintheemptycity.Therearenotroopstoassistme.Aloneandamereboywhohasnotundergonemuchexerciseinarms,Iamunabletoencountertheseinnumerablewarriorsandallskilledin



weapons.Dothou,therefore,OVrihannala,ceasetoadvance!'

"Vrihannalasaid,'Whydostthoulooksopalethroughfearandenhancethejoyofthyfoes?Asyetthouhastdonenothingonthefieldofbattlewiththeenemy.Itwasthouthathadstorderedme,saying,TakemetowardstheKauravas.Iwill,therefore,takethee,thitherwherethoseinnumerableflagsare.Iwillcertainlytakethee,Omighty-armedone,intothemidstofthehostileKurus,preparedtofightastheyareforthekinelikehawksformeat.Iwoulddothis,evenifIregardedthemtohavecomehitherforbattlingforamuchhigherstakesuchasthesovereigntyoftheearth.Having,atthetimeofsettingout,talkedbeforebothmenandwomensohighlyofthymanliness,whywouldstthoudesistfromthefight?Ifthoushouldstreturnhomewithoutrecapturingthekine,bravemenandevenwomen,whentheymeettogether,willlaughatthee(inderision).Asregardsmyself,Icannotreturntothecitywithouthavingrescuedthekine,applaudedasIhavebeensohighlybytheSairindhriinrespectofmyskillindrivingcars.ItisforthosepraisesbytheSairindhriandforthosewordsofthinealso(thatIhavecome).WhyshouldInot,therefore,givebattletotheKurus?(Asregardsthyself),bethoustill.'

"Uttarasaid,'LettheKurusrobtheMatsyasoffalltheirwealth.Letmenandwomen,OVrihannala,laughatme.Letmykineperish,letthecitybeadesert.Letmestandexposedbeforemyfather.Stillthereis

noneedofbattle.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Sayingthis,thatmuchaffrightedprincedeckedinear-ringjumpeddownfromhiscar,andthrowingdownhisbowandarrowsbegantoflee,sacrificinghonourandpride.Vrihannala,however,exclaimed,'Thisisnotthepracticeofthebrave,thisflightofaKshatriyafromthefieldofbattle.Evendeathinbattleisbetterthanflightfromfear.'Havingsaidthis,Dhananjaya,thesonofKunti,comingdownfromthatexcellentcarranafterthatprincethusrunningaway,hisownlongbraidandpureredgarmentsflutteringintheair.Andsomesoldiers,notknowingthatitwasArjunawhowasthusrunningwithhisbraidflutteringintheair,burstoutintolaughteratthesight.Andbeholdinghimthusrunning,theKurusbegantoargue,'Whoisthis

person,thusdisguisedlikefireconcealedinashes?Heispartlyamanandpartlyawoman.Althoughbearinganeuterform,heyetresemblethArjuna.Hisarethesameheadandneck,andhisthesamearmslikeuntoacoupleofmaces.Andthisone'sgaitalsoislikeuntohis.HecanbenoneelsethanDhananjaya.AsIndraisamongthecelestials,soDhananjayaisamongmen.WhoelseinthisworldthanDhananjaya,wouldalonecomeagainstus?Virataleftasinglesonofhisintheemptycity.Hehathcomeoutfromchildishnessandnotfromtrueheroism.ItisUttarawhomusthavecomeoutofthecity,having,withoutdoubt,madeasacharioteerArjuna,thesonofPritha,nowlivingindisguise.Itseemsthatheisnowflyingawayinpanicatsightofourarmy.AndwithoutdoubtDhananjayarunnethafterhimtobringhimback.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'BeholdingthedisguisedsonofPandu,theKauravas,OBharata,begantoindulgeinthesesurmises,buttheycouldnotcometoanydefiniteconclusion.Meanwhile,Dhananjaya,hastilypursuingtheretreatingUttara,seizedhimbythehairwithinahundredsteps.AndseizedbyArjuna,thesonofViratabegantolamentmostwoefullylikeoneingreataffliction,andsaid,'Listen,OgoodVrihannala,Othouofhandsomewaist.Turnthouquicklythecourseofthecar.Hethatlivethmeetethwithprosperity.Iwillgivetheeahundredcoinsofpuregoldandeightlapislazuliofgreatbrightnesssetwithgold,andonechariotfurnishedwithagoldenflag-staffanddrawnby



excellentsteeds,andalsotenelephantsofinfuriateprowess.Dothou,OVrihannala,setmefree.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thusaddressed,thattigeramongmenlaughinglydraggedUttarawhowasalmostdeprivedofhissensesandwhowasutteringthesewordsoflamentationtowardsthecar.AndthesonofPrithathenaddressedtheaffrightedprincewhohadnearlylosthissenses,saying,'If,Ochastiseroffoes,thoudostnotventuretofightwithenemy,comethouandholdthereinsofthesteedsasIfightwiththefoe.Protectedbythemightofmyarms,penetratethouyonformidableandinvinciblearrayofcarsguardedbyheroicandmightywarriors.Fearnot,Ochastiseroffoes,thouartaKshatriyaandtheforemostofroyalprincess.Whydostthou,Otigeramongmen,succumbinthemidstofthefoe?IshallsurelyfightwiththeKurusandrecoverthekine,penetratingintothisformidableandinaccessiblearrayofcars.Bethoumycharioteer,Obestofmen,IwillfightwiththeKurus.'ThusspeakinguntoUttara,thesonofVirata,Vibhatsu,heretoforeunconqueredinbattle,forawhilecomfortedhim.AndthenthesonofPritha,thatforemostofsmiters,raisedonthecarthatfaintingandreluctantprincestrickenwithfear!'"

SECTIONXXXIX

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Beholdingthatbullamongmenseatedonthecarinthehabitofapersonofthethirdsex,drivingtowardtheSamitree,havingtaken(theflying)Uttaraup,allthegreatcar-warriorsoftheKuruswithBhishmaandDronaattheirhead,becameaffrightedatheart,suspectingthecomertobeDhananjaya.Andseeingthemsodispiritedandmarkingalsothemanywonderfulportents,thatforemostofallwieldersofarms,thepreceptorDrona,sonofBharadwaja,said,'Violentandhotarethewindsthatbelow,showeringgravelsinprofusion.Theskyalsoisovercastwithagloomofashyhue.Thecloudspresentthestrangesightofbeingdryandwaterless.Ourweaponsalsoofvariouskindsarecomingoutoftheircases.Thejackalsareyellinghideouslyaffrightedattheconflagrationsonallsides.[41]Thehorsestooaresheddingtears,and

ourbannersaretremblingthoughmovedbynone.Suchbeingtheinauspiciousindicationsseen,agreatdangerisathand.Stayyewithvigilance,Protectyeyourownselvesandarraythetroopsinorderofbattle.Standye,expectingaterribleslaughter,andguardyewellthekine.Thismightybowman,thisforemostofallwieldersofweapons,thisherothathathcomeinthehabitofapersonofthethirdsex,isthesonofPritha.Thereisnodoubtofthis.'ThenaddressingBhishma,thepreceptorcontinued,'OoffspringoftheGanges,apparelledasawoman,thisisKiriticalledafteratree,thesonoftheenemyofthemountains,andhavingonhisbannerthesignofdevastatorofthegardensofLanka'slord.Vanquishingushewillsurelytakeawaythekinetoday![42]ThischastiseroffoesisthevaliantsonofPrithasurnamedSavyasachin.Hedothnotdesistfromconflictevenwiththegodsand

demonscombined.Puttogreathardshipintheforesthecomethinwrath.TaughtbyevenIndrahimself,heislikeuntoIndrainbattle.Therefore,yeKauravas,Idonotseeanyherowhocanwithstandhim.ItissaidthatthelordMahadevahimself,disguisedintheattireofahunter,wasgratifiedbythissonofPrithainbattleonthemountainsofHimavat.'Hearingthesewords,Karnasaid,'YoualwayscensureusbyspeakingonthevirtuesofFalguna,Arjuna,however,isnotequaltoevenafullsixteenthpartofmyselforDuryodhana!'AndDuryodhanasaid,'IfthisbePartha,ORadheya,thenmypurposehathalreadybeenfulfilled,forthen,Oking,iftracedout,thePandavasshallhavetowanderfortwelveyears



again.Or,ifthisonebeanyotherpersoninaeunuch'sgarb,Iwillsoonprostratehimontheearthwithkeen-edgedarrows.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThesonofDhritarashtra,Ochastiseroffoes,havingsaidthis,BhishmaandDronaandKripaandDrona'ssonallapplaudedhismanliness!'"

SECTIONXL

"Vaisampayanasaid,'HavingreachedthatSamitree,andhavingascertainedVirata'ssontobeexceedinglydelicateandinexperiencedinbattle,Parthaaddressedhim,saying,'Enjoinedbyme,OUttara,quicklytakedown(fromthistree)somebowsthatarethere.Forthesebowsofthineareunabletobearmystrength,myheavyweightwhenIshallgrinddownhorsesandelephants,andthestretchofmyarmswhenIseektovanquishthefoe.Therefore,OBhuminjaya,climbthouupthistreeofthickfoliage,forinthistreearetiedthebowsandarrowsandbannersandexcellentcoatsofmailoftheheroicsonsofPandu,viz.,YudhishthiraandBhimaandVibhatsuandthetwins.Therealsoisthatbowofgreatenergy,theGandivaofArjuna,whichsinglyisequaltomanythousandsofotherbowsandwhichiscapableofextendingthelimitsofakingdom.Largelikeapalmyratree,abletobearthegreateststress,the

largestofallweapons,capableofobstructingthefoe,handsome,andsmooth,andbroad,withoutaknot,andadornedwithgold,itisstiffandbeautifulinmakeandbeareththeheaviestweight.Andtheotherbowsalsothatarethere,ofYudhishthiraandBhimaandVibhatsuandthetwins,areequallymightyandtough.'"

SECTIONXLI

"Uttarasaid,'Ithathbeenheardbyusthatacorpseistiedinthistree.HowcanI,therefore,beingaprincebybirth,touchitwithmyhands?BornintheKshatriyaorder,andthesonofagreatking,and

alwaysobservantofmantrasandvows,itisnotbecomingofmetotouchit.Whyshouldstthou,OVrihannala,makemeapollutedanduncleanbearerofcorpses,bycompellingmetocomeincontactwithacorpse?'

"Vrihannalasaid,'Thoushalt,Okingofkings,remaincleanandunpolluted.Donotfear,thereareonlybowsinthistreeandnotcorpses.HeirtothekingoftheMatsyas,andborninanoblefamily,whyshouldI,Oprince,maketheedosuchareproachabledeed?'

"Vaisampayanasaid,'ThusaddressedbyPartha,Virata'sson,deckedinear-rings,alightedfromthecar,andclimbedupthatSamitreereluctantly.Andstayingonthecar,Dhananjaya,thatslayerofenemies,said,untohim,'Speedilybringthoudownthosebowsfromthetopofthe

tree.Andcuttingofftheirwrappingsfirstandthentheropeswithwhichtheyweretied,theprincebeheldtheGandivatherealongwithfourotherbows.Andastheywereunited,thesplendourofthosebowsradiantasthesun,begantoshinewithgreateffulgencelikeuntothatoftheplanetsaboutthetimeoftheirrising.Andbeholdingtheformsofthosebows,solikeuntosighingsnakes,hebecomeafflictedwithfearandinamomentthebristlesofhisbodystoodontheirends.Andtouchingthoselargebowsofgreatsplendour,Virata'sson,Oking,thusspakeuntoArjuna!'"



SECTIONXLII

"Uttarasaid,'Towhatwarrioroffamedoththisexcellentbowbelong,onwhichareahundredgoldenbossesandwhichhathsuchradiantends?Whoseisthisexcellentbowofgoodsidesandeasyhold,onthestaffofwhichshinegoldenelephantsofsuchbrightness?Whoseisthisexcellentbow,adornedwiththreescoresofIndragoapkas[43]ofpuregold,placedonthebackofthestaffatproperintervals?Whoseisthisexcellentbow,furnishedwiththreegoldensunsofgreateffulgence,blazingforthwithsuchbrilliancy?Whoseisthisbeautifulbowwhichisvariegatedwithgoldandgems,andonwhicharegoldeninsectssetwithbeautifulstones?Whosearethesearrowsfurnishedwithwingaround,numberingathousand,havinggoldenheads,andcasedingoldenquivers?Whoowneththeselargeshafts,sothick,furnishedwithvulturinewingswhettedonstone,yellowishinhue,sharp-pointed,well-tempered,andentirelymadeofiron?Whoseisthissablequiver,[44]bearingfiveimagesoftigers,whichholdethshaftsintermixedwithboar-earedarrowsaltogethernumberingten?Whosearethesesevenhundredarrows,longandthick,capableofdrinking(theenemy's)blood,andlookinglikethecrescent-shapedmoon?[45]Whosearethesegold-crestedarrowswhettedonstones,thelowerhalvesofwhicharewell-furnishedwithwingsofthehueofparrots'featherandtheupperhalves,ofwell-temperedsteels?[46]Whoseisthisexcellentswordirresistible,andterribleto

adversaries,withthemarkofatoadonit,andpointedlikeatoad'shead?[47]Casedinvariegatedsheathoftiger-skin,whoseisthislargeswordofexcellentbladeandvariegatedwithgoldandfurnishedwithtinklingbells?Whoseisthishandsomescimitarofpolishedbladeandgoldenhilt?ManufacturedinthecountryoftheNishadas,irresistible,incapableofbeingbroken,whoseisthisswordofpolishedbladeinascabbardofcow-skin?Whoseisthisbeautifulandlongsword,sableinhueasthesky,mountedwithgold,well-tempered,andcasedinasheathofgoat-skin?Whoowneththisheavy,well-tempered,andbroadsword,justlongerthanthebreadthofthirtyfingers,polishedbyconstantclashwithother'sweaponsandkeptinacaseofgold,brightasfire?Whoseisthisbeautifulscimitarofsablebladecoveredwithgoldenbosses,capableofcuttingthroughthebodiesofadversaries,whosetouchisas

fatalasthatofavenomoussnakewhichisirresistibleandexciteththeterroroffoes?Askedbyme,OVrihannala,dothouanswermetruly.Greatismywonderatthesightofalltheseexcellentobjects.'"

SECTIONXLIII

"Vrihannalasaid,'ThataboutwhichthouhathfirstenquiredisArjuna'sbow,ofworld-widefame,calledGandiva,capableofdevastatinghostilehosts.Embellishedwithgold,thisGandiva,thehighestandlargestofallweaponsbelongedtoArjuna.Aloneequaluntoahundredthousandweapons,andalwayscapableofextendingtheconfinesofkingdoms,itis

withthisthatParthavanquishethinbattlebothmenandcelestials.Worshippedeverbythegods,theDanavasandtheGandharvasandvariegatedwithexcellentcolours,thislargeandsmoothbowiswithoutaknotorstainanywhere.Shivahelditfirstforathousandyears.AfterwardsPrajapatihelditforfivehundredandthreeyears.AfterthatSakra,forfiveandeightyyears.AndthenSomahelditforfivehundredyears.AndafterthatVarunahelditforahundredyears.AndfinallyPartha,surnamedSwetavahana,[48]hathhelditforfiveandsixtyyears.[49]Enduedwithgreatenergyandofhighcelestialorigin,thisisthebestofallbows.Adoredamonggodsandmen,ithathahandsomeform.



ParthaobtainedthisbeautifulbowfromVaruna.ThisotherbowofhandsomesidesandgoldenhandleisBhima'swithwhichthatsonofPritha,thatchastiseroffoes,hadconqueredthewholeoftheeasternregions.Thisotherexcellentbowofbeautifulshape,adornedwithimagesofIndragopakas,belongeth,OVirata'sson,tokingYudhishthira.Thisotherweaponwithgoldensunsofblazingsplendoursheddingadazzlingeffulgencearound,belongethtoNakula.Andthisbowadornedwithgoldenimagesofinsectsandsetalsowithgemsandstones,belongethtothatsonofMadriwhoiscalledSahadeva.Thesewingedarrows,thousandinnumber,sharpasrazorsanddestructiveasthepoisonofsnakes,belong,OVirata'sson,toArjuna.Whenshootingtheminbattleagainstfoes,theseswiftarrowsblazeforthmorebrilliantlyandbecomeinexhaustible.Andtheselongandthickshaftsresemblingthelunarcrescentinshape,keen-edgedandcapableofthinningtheenemy'sranks,belongtoBhima.Andthisquiverbearingfiveimagesoftigers,fullofyellowishshaftswhettedonstoneandfurnishedwithgoldenwingsbelongtoNakula.ThisisthequiveroftheintelligentsonofMadri,withwhichhehadconqueredinbattlethewholeofthewesternregions.Andthesearrows,alleffulgentas,thesun,paintedalloverwithvariouscolours,andcapableofdestroyingenemiesbythousandsarethoseofSahadeva.Andtheseshortandwell-temperedandthickshafts,furnishedwithlongfeathersandgoldenheads,andconsistingofthreeknots,belongtokingYudhishthira.Andthisswordwithbladelongandcarvedwiththeimageofatoadandheadshapedasatoad'smouth,strongandirresistible

belongethtoArjuna.Casedinasheathoftiger-skin,oflongblade,handsomeandirresistible,andterribletoadversaries,thisswordbelongethtoBhimasena.Ofexcellentbladeandcasedinawell-paintedsheath,andfurnishedwithagoldenhilt,thishandsomeswordbelongethtothewiseKaurava--Yudhishthirathejust.Andthisswordofstrongblade,irresistibleandintendedforvariousexcellentmodesoffightandcasedinasheathofgoat-skin,belongethtoNakula.Andthishugescimitar,casedinasheathofcow-skin,strongandirresistiblebelongethtoSahadeva.'"

SECTIONXLIV

"Uttarasaid,'Indeed,theseweaponsadornedwithgold,belongingtothelight-handedandhigh-souledPartha,lookexceedinglybeautiful.ButwherearethatArjuna,thesonofPritha,andYudhishthiraoftheKururace,andNakula,andSahadeva,andBhimasena,thesonsofPandu?Havinglosttheirkingdomatdice,thehigh-souledPandavas,capableofdestroyingallfoes,arenolongerheardof.WherealsoisDraupadi,theprincessofPanchala,famedasthegemamongwomen,whofollowedthesonsofPanduaftertheirdefeatatdicetotheforest?'

"Arjunasaid,'IamArjuna,calledalsoPartha.Thyfather'scourtierisYudhishthiraandthyfather'scookVallavaisBhimasena,thegroomofhorsesisNakula,andSahadevaisinthecow-pen.Andknowthouthatthe

SairindhriisDraupadi,forwhosesaketheKichakashavebeenslain.'

"Uttarasaid,'IwouldbelieveallthisifthoucanstenumeratethetennamesofPartha,previouslyheardbyme!'

"Arjunasaid,'Iwill,OsonofVirata,telltheemytennames.Listenthouandcomparethemwithwhatthouhadstheardbefore.Listentothemwithcloseattentionandconcentratedmind.TheyareArjuna,Falguna,Jishnu,Kiritin,Swetavahana,Vibhatsu,Vijaya,Krishna,SavyasachinandDhananjaya."



"Uttarasaid,'TellmetrulywhyartthoucalledVijaya,andwhySwetavahana.WhyartthounamedKrishnaandwhyArjunaandFalgunaandJishnuandKiritinandVibhatsu,andforwhatartthouDhananjayaandSavyasachin?Ihaveheardbeforeabouttheoriginoftheseveralnamesofthathero,andcanputfaithinthywordsifthoucansttellmeallaboutthem.'

"Arjunasaid,'TheycalledmeDhananjayabecauseIlivedinthemidstofwealth,havingsubjugatedallthecountriesandtakingawaytheirtreasures.TheycalledmeVijayabecausewhenIgoouttobattlewithinvinciblekings,Ineverreturn(fromthefield)withoutvanquishingthem.IamcalledSwetavahanabecausewhenbattlingwiththefoe,whitehorsesdeckedingoldenarmourarealwaysyokeduntomycar.TheycallmeFalgunabecauseIwasbornonthebreastoftheHimavatonadaywhentheconstellationUttaraFalgunawasontheascendent.IamnamedKiritinfromadiadem,resplendentlikethesun,havingbeenplacedofoldonmyheadbyIndraduringmyencounterwiththepowerfulDanavas.IamknownasVibhatsuamonggodsandmen,formyneverhavingcommittedadetestabledeedonthebattle-field.AndsincebothofmyhandsarecapableofdrawingtheGandiva,IamknownasSavyasachinamonggodsandmen.TheycallmeArjunabecausemycomplexionisveryrarewithinthefourboundariesoftheearthandbecausealsomyactsarealwaysstainless.Iamknownamonghumanbeingsandcelestialsbythenameof

Jishnu,becauseIamunapproachableandincapableofbeingkeptdown,andatamerofadversariesandsonoftheslayerofPaka.AndKrishna,mytenthappellation,wasgiventomebymyfatheroutofaffectiontowardshisblack-skinnedboyofgreatpurity.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,"ThesonofViratathen,approachingnearersalutedParthaandsaid,'MynameisBhuminjaya,andIamalsocalledUttara.Itisbygoodluck,OPartha,thatIbeholdthee.Thouartwelcome,ODhananjaya.Othouwithredeyes,andarmsthataremightyandeachlikeuntothetrunkofanelephant,itbehoveththeetopardonwhatIsaiduntotheefromignorance.Andaswonderfulanddifficulthavebeenthefeatsachievedbytheebefore,myfearshavebeendispelled,andindeedtheloveIbeartotheeisgreat.'"

SECTIONXLV

"Uttarasaid,'Ohero,mountingonthislargecarwithmyselfasdriver,whichdivisionofthe(hostile)armywouldstthoupenetrate?Commandedbythee,Iwoulddrivetheethither?'

"Arjunasaid,'Iampleasedwiththee,Otigeramongmen.Thouhastnocauseoffear.Iwillroutallthyfoesinbattle,Ogreatwarrior,And,Othouofmightyarms,beatthyease.Accomplishinggreatandterriblefeatsinthemelee,Iwillfightwiththyfoes.Tiequicklyallthose

quiverstomycar,andtake(fromamongthose)aswordofpolishedbladeandadornedwithgold.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'HearingthesewordsofArjuna,Uttaracastoffallinactivity.Andhespeedilyalightedfromthetree,bringingwithhimArjuna'sweapons.ThenArjunaaddressedhim,saying,'Yes,IwillfightwiththeKurusandrecoverthykine.Protectedbyme,thetopofthiscarwillbetotheeasacitadel.Thepassagesandalleysandotherdivisionsofthiscarwillbethestreetsandedificesofthatfortifiedcity.Thesemyarmswillbeitsrampartsandgateways.Thistreblepoleandmy



quiverwillconstitutedefensiveworksinaccessibletothefoe.Thismybanner--singleandgrand--willitnotalonebeequaluntothoseofthycity?Thismybow-stringwillconstitutethecatapultsandcannonsforvomitingforthmissilesonthebesiezingghost.Myexcitedwrathwillmakethatfortressformidable,andtheclatterofmycar-wheels--willitnotresemblethekettle-drumsofthycapital?RiddenbymyselfwieldingtheGandiva,thiscarwillbeincapableofbeingvanquishedbythehostilehost,OsonofVirata,letthyfearbedispelled.'

"Uttarasaid,'Iamnolongerafraidofthese.Iknowthysteadinessinbattle,whichisevenlikeuntothatofKesavaorIndrahimself.Butreflectingonthis,Iamcontinuallybewildered.FoolishasIam,Iamincapableofarrivingatcertainconclusion.Bywhatdistressfulcircumstancescouldapersonofsuchhandsomelimbsandauspicioussignsbecomedeprivedofmanhood!Indeed,thouseemesttometobeMahadeva,orIndra,orthechiefoftheGandharvas,dwellingintheguiseonlyofoneofthethirdsex.'

"Arjunasaid,'ItelltheetrulythatIamonlyobservingthisvowforawholeyearagreeabletothebehestofmyelderbrother.Othouofmightyarms,Iamnottrulyoneoftheneutersex,butIhaveadoptedthisvowofeunuchismfromsubserviencetoanother'swillandfromdesireofreligiousmerit.Oprince,knowmenowtohavecompletedmyvow.'

"Uttarasaid,'Thouhastconferredagreatfavouronmetoday,forInowfindthatmysuspicionwasnotaltogetherunfounded.Indeed,suchapersonasthou,Obestofmen,cannotbeoftheneutersex.Ihavenowanallyinbattle.Icannowfightwiththecelestialsthemselves.Myfearshavebeendispelled.WhatshallIdo?Commandmenow.TrainedindrivingcarsbyalearnedpreceptorIwill,Obullamongmen,holdthereinsofthyhorsesthatarecapableofbreakingtheranksofhostilecars.Knowme,Obullamongmen,tobeascompetentacharioteerasDarukaofVasudeva,orMataliofSakra.Thehorsethatisyokeduntotheright-handpole(ofthycar)andwhosehoofsastheylightonthegroundarescarcelyvisiblewhenrunning,islikeuntoSugrivaofKrishna.Thisotherhandsomehorse,theforemostofhisrace,thatisyokeduntotheleftpole,is,Iregard,equalinspeedtoMeghapushpa.This(third)

beautifulhorse,cladingoldenmail,yokeduntotherear-poleontheleft,is,Iregard,Sivyaequalinspeedtobutsuperiorinstrength.Andthis(fourth)horse,yokedtotherear-poleontheright,isregardedassuperiortoValahakainspeedandstrength.Thiscarisworthyofbearingonthefieldofbattleabowmanlikethee,andthoualsoartworthyoffightingonthiscar.ThisiswhatIthink!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThenArjuna,enduedwithgreatenergy,tookoffthebraceletsfromhisarmsandworeonhishandsapairofbeautifulglovesembroideredwithgold.Andhethentiedhisblackandcurlinglockswithapieceofwhitecloth.Andseatedonthatexcellentcarwithfaceturnedtotheeast,themighty-armedhero,purifyinghisbodyandconcentratinghissoul,recalledtohismindallhisweapons.Andallthe

weaponscame,andaddressingtheroyalsonofPartha,said,'Wearehere,Oillustriousone.Wearethyservants,OsonofIndra.'Andbowinguntothem,Parthareceivedthemuntohishandsandreplieduntothem,saying,'Dwellyeallinmymemory.'Andobtainingallhisweapons,theherolookedcheerful.Andquicklystringinghisbow,theGandiva,hetwangedit.Andthetwangofthatbowwasasloudasthecollisionoftwomightybulls.Anddreadfulwasthesoundthatfilledtheearth,andviolentwasthewindthatblewonallsides.Andthickwastheshoweroffallenmeteors[50]andallsideswereenvelopedingloom.Andthebirdsbegantototterintheskiesandlargetreesbegantoshake.[51]Andloudas



theburstofthethunder,theKurusknewfromthatsoundthatitwasArjunathatdrewwithhishandsthestringofhisbestofbowsfromhiscar.AndUttarasaid,'Thou,ObestofPandavas,artalone.Thesemightycar-warriorsaremany.Howwiltthouvanquishinbattleallthesethatareskilledineverykindofweapon?Thou,OsonofKunti,artwithoutafollower,whiletheKauravashavemany.Itisforthis,Othouofmightyarms,thatIstaybesidethee,strickenwithfear.'Burstingoutintoloudlaughter,Parthasaiduntohim,'Benotafraid,Ohero,whatfriendlyfollowerhadIwhilefightingwiththemightyGandharvasontheoccasionoftheGhoshayatra?WhowasmyallywhileengagedintheterrificconflictatKhandavaagainstsomanycelestialsandDanavas?WhowasmyallywhenIfought,onbehalfofthelordofthecelestialsagainstthemightyNivatakavachasandthePaulomas!Andwhowasmyally,Ochild,whileIencounteredinbattleinnumerablekingsattheSwayamvaratotheprincessofPanchala?TrainedinarmsbythepreceptorDrona,bySakra,andVaisravana,andYama,andVaruna,andAgni,andKripa,andKrishnaofMadhu'srace,andbythewielderofthePinaka(Siva),whyshallInotfightwiththese?Drivethoumycarspeedily,andletthyheart'sfeverbedispelled.'"

SECTIONXLVI

"Vaisampayanasaid,'MakingUttarahischarioteer,andcircumambulatingtheSamitree,thesonofPandusetouttakingallhisweaponswithhim.Andthatmightycar-warriorsetoutwithUttaraasthedriverofhiscar,havingtakendownthatbannerwiththelion'sfigureanddepositeditatthefootoftheSamitree.Andhehoistedonthatcarhisowngoldenbannerbearingthefigureofanapewithalion'stail,whichwasacelestialillusioncontrivedbyViswakarmanhimself.For,assoon,indeed,ashehadthoughtofthatgiftofAgni,thanthelatter,knowinghiswish,orderedthosesuperhumancreatures(thatusuallysatthere)totaketheirplaceinthatbanner.Andfurnishedwithabeautifulflagofhandsomemake,withquiversattachedtoit,andadoredwithgold,thatexcellentflag-staffofcelestialbeautythanquicklyfellfromthefirmamentonhiscar.[52]Andbeholdingthatbannerarrivedonhiscar,

theherocircumambulatedit(respectively).Andthentheape-banneredVibhatsu,thesonofKunti,calledalsoSwetavahana,withfingerscasedinleathernfencesoftheIguanaskin,andtakinguphisbowandarrowssetoutinanorthernlydirection.Andthatgrinderoffoes,possessedofgreatstrength,thenforciblyblewhislargeconch-shell,ofthunderingsound,capableofmakingthebristlesoffoestostandontheirends.Andatthesoundofthatconch,thosesteedsenduedwithswiftnessdroppeddownonthegroundontheirknees.AndUttaraalso,greatlyaffrighted,satdownonthecar.AndthereuponthesonofKuntitookthereinshimselfandraisingthesteeds,placedthemintheirproperpositions.AndembracingUttara,heencouragedhimalso,saying,'Fearnot,Oforemostofprinces,thouart,Ochastiseroffoes,aKshatriyabybirth.Why,Otigeramongmen,dostthoubecomesodispiritedinthemidstof

foes?Thoumusthaveheardbeforetheblareofmanyconchsandthenoteofmanytrumpets,andtheroaralsoofmanyelephantsinthemidstofranksarrayedforbattled.Whyartthou,therefore,sodispiritedandagitatedandterrifiedbytheblareofthisconch,asifthouwertanordinaryperson?'

"Uttarasaid,'HeardhaveItheblareofmanyaconchandmanyatrumpetandtheroarofmanyanelephantstationedinthebattle-array,butneverhaveIheardbeforetheblareofsuchconch.NorhaveIeverseenabannerlikethis.NeverbeforehaveIheardalsothetwangofabowsuch



asthis.Truly,sir,withtheblareofthisconch,thetwangofthisbow,thesuperhumancriesofthecreaturesstationedonthisbanner,andthebattleofthiscar,mymindisgreatlybewildered.Myperceptionofthedirectionsalsoisconfused,andmyheartispainfullyafflicted.Thewholefirmamentseemethtometohavebeencoveredbythisbanner,andeverythingseemethtobehiddenfrommyview!MyearsalsohavebeendeafenedbythetwangoftheGandiva![53]

"Arjunasaid,'Firmlystandthouonthecar,pressingthyfeetonit,andtightlycatchholdofthebridles,forIwillblowtheconchagain.'

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Arjunathenblewhisconchagain,thatconchwhichfilledfoeswithgriefandenhancedthejoyoffriends.Andthesoundwassoloudthatitseemedtosplithillsandmountains,andpiercemountain-cavesandthecardinalpoints.AndUttaraonceagainsatdownonthecar,clingingtoitinfear.Andwiththeblareoftheconchandtherattleofthecar-wheels,andthetwangoftheGandiva,theearthitselfseemedtotremble.AndbeholdingUttara'sfight,Dhananjayabegantocomforthimagain.'

"Meanwhile,Dronasaid,'Fromtherattleofthecar,andfromthemannerinwhichthecloudshaveenvelopedtheskyandtheearthitselftrembles,thiswarriorcanbenoneelsethanSavyasachin.Ourweaponsdonotshine,oursteedsaredispirited,andourfires,thoughfedwithfuel,donot

blareup.Allthisisominous.Allouranimalsaresettingupafrightfulhowl,gazingtowardsthesun.Thecrowsareperchingonourbanners.Allthisisominous.Yonvulturesandkitesonourrightportendagreatdanger.Thatjackalalso,runningthroughourranks,wailethdismally.Lo,ithathescapedunstruck.Allthisportendsaheavycalamity.Thebristlesalsoofyeallareontheirends.Surely,thisforebodesagreatdestructionofKshatriyasinbattle.Thingsenduedwithlightareallpale;beastsandbirdslookfierce;andtherearetobewitnessedmanyterrificportentsindicativeofthedestructionofKshatriyas.Andtheseomensforebodegreathavocamongourselves.Oking,thyranksseemtobeconfoundedbytheseblazingmeteors,andthyanimalslookdispiritedandseemtobeweeping.Vulturesandkitesarewheelingallaroundthytroops.Thoushalthavetorepentuponbeholdingthyarmyafflictedby

Partha'sarrows.Indeed,ourranksseemtohavebeenalreadyvanquished,fornoneiseagertogotofight.Allourwarriorsareofpaleface,andalmostdeprivedoftheirsenses.Sendingthekineaheadweshouldstandhere,readytostrike,withallourwarriorsarrayedinorderofbattle."

SECTIONXLVII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'KingDuryodhanathen,onthefieldofbattlesaiduntoBhishma,anduntoDrona--thattigeramongwarriors,anduntoKripa--thatmightycar-warrior,thesewords,'BothmyselfandKamahadsaidthisuntothepreceptors[54]Irefertothesubjectagain,forIam

notsatisfiedwithhavingsaiditonce.EventhiswasthepledgeofthesonsofPanduthatifdefeated(atdice)theywouldresidetoourknowledgeincountriesandwoodsfortwelveyears,andonemoreyearunknowntous.Thatthirteenthyear,insteadofbeingover,isyetrunning.Vibhatsu,therefore,whoisstilltoliveundiscoveredhathappearedbeforeus.AndifVibhatsuhathcomebeforethetermofexileisatend,thePandavasshallhavetopassanothertwelveyearsinthewoods.Whetheritisduetoforgetfulness(ontheirpart)inducedbydesireofdominion,orwhetheritisamistakeofours,itbehovethBhishmatocalculatetheshortnessorexcess(ofthepromisedperiod).



Whenanobjectofdesiremayormaynotbeattained,adoubtnecessarilyattachestooneofthealternatives,andwhatisdecidedinonewayoftenendsdifferently.[55]Evenmoralistsarepuzzledinjudgingoftheirownacts.[56]Asregardsourselves,wehavecomehithertofightwiththeMatsyasandtoseizetheirkinestationedtowardsthenorth.If,meanwhile,itisArjunathathathcome,whatfaultcanattachtous?WehavecomehithertofightagainsttheMatsyasonbehalfoftheTrigartas;andasnumerousweretheactsrepresenteduntousoftheoppressionscommittedbytheMatsyas.itwasforthisthatwepromisedaidtotheTrigartaswhowereovercomewithfear.Anditwasagreedbetweenusthattheyshouldfirstseize,ontheafternoonoftheseventhlunarday,theenormouswealthofkinethattheMatsyashave,andthatweshould,atsunriseoftheeighteendayofthemoon,seizethesekinewhenthekingoftheMatsyaswouldbepursuingthosefirstseized.ItmaybethattheTrigartasarenowbringingawaythekine,orbeingdefeated,arecomingtowardsusfornegotiatingwiththekingoftheMatsyas.Or,itmaybe,thathavingdriventheTrigartasoff,thekingoftheMatsyas,attheheadofthispeopleandhiswholearmyoffiercewarriors,appearethonthesceneandadvancethtomakenight-attacksuponus.Itmaybethatsomeoneleaderamongthem,enduedwithmightyenergy,isadvancingforvanquishingus,or,itmaybethatthekinghimselfoftheMatsyasiscome.ButbeitthekingoftheMatsyasorVibhatsu,wemustallfighthim.Eventhishathbeenourpledge.Whyarealltheseofforemostcar-warriors,--BhishmaandDronaandKripaandVikarnaandDrona's

son,--nowsittingontheircars,panic-stricken?Atpresentthereisnothingbetterthanfighting.Therefore,makeupyourminds.If,forthecattlewehaveseized,anencountertakesplacewiththedivinewielderhimselfofthethunderboltorevenwithYama,whoistherethatwillbeliabletoreachHastinapura?Piercedbytheshafts(ofthefoe),howwillthefoot-soldiers,inflyingthroughthedeepforestwiththeirbacksonthefield,escapewithlife,whenescapeforthecavalryisdoubtful?HearingthesewordsofDuryodhana,Karnasaid,'Disregardingthepreceptor,makeallarrangements.HeknowethwelltheintentionsofthePandavasandstrikethterrorinourhearts.IseethathisaffectionforArjunaisverygreat.Seeinghimonlycoming,hechantethhispraises.Makeyesucharrangementsthatourtroopsmaynotbreak.EverythingisinconfusionforDrona'shavingonlyheardtheneighof(Arjuna's)steeds.

Makeyesucharrangementsthatthesetroops,cometoadistantlandinthishotseasonandinthemidstofthismightyforest,maynotfallintoconfusionandbesubjugatedbythefoe.ThePandavasarealwaysthespecialfavouritesofthepreceptor.TheselfishPandavashavestationedDronaamongstus.Indeed,hebetrayethhimselfbyhisspeech.Whowouldeverextolapersonuponhearingtheneighonlyofhissteeds?Horsesalwaysneigh,whetherwalkingorstanding,thewindsblowatalltimes;andIndraalsoalwaysshowerethrain.Theroarofthecloudsmayfrequentlybeheard.WhathathParthatodowiththese,andwhyishetobepraisedforthese?Allthis(onDrona'spart),therefore,isdueonlytoeitherthedesireofdoinggoodtoArjunaortohiswrathandhatredtowardsus.Preceptorsarewise,andsinless,andverykindtoallcreatures.They,however,shouldneverbeconsultedattimesofperil.It

isinluxuriouspalaces,andassembliesandpleasure-gardens,thatlearnedmen,capableofmakingspeeches,seemtobeintheirplace.Performingmanywonderfulthings,intheassembly,itistherethatlearnedmenfindtheirplace,oreventherewheresacrificialutensilsandtheirproperplacingandwashingareneeded.Inaknowledgeofthelapsesofothers,instudyingthecharactersofmen,inthescienceofhorsesandelephantsandcars,intreatingthediseasesofassesandcamelsandgoatsandsheepsandkine,inplanningbuildingsandgateways,andinpointingoutthedefectsoffoodanddrink,thelearnedaretrulyintheirownsphere.Disregardinglearnedmenthatextoltheheroismof



thefoe,makeyesucharrangementsthatthefoemaybedestroyed.Placingthekinesecurely,arraythetroopsinorderofbattle.Placeguardsinproperplacessothatwemayfightthefoe.'"

SECTIONXLVIII

"Karnasaid,'Ibeholdalltheseblessedones,lookingasifalarmedandpanic-struckandunresolvedandunwillingtofight.IfhethatiscomeisthekingoftheMatsyasorVibhatsu,evenIwillresisthimasthebanksresisttheswellingsea.Shotfrommybowthesestraightandflyingarrows,likeglidingsnakes,areallsureofaim.Dischargedbymylighthands,thesekeen-edgedarrowsfurnishedwithgoldenwingsshallcoverParthaallover,likelocustsshroudingatree.Stronglypressedbythesewingedarrows,thebow-stringwillcausethesemyleathernfencestoproducesoundsthatwillbeheardtoresemblethoseofacoupleofkettle-drums.Havingbeenengagedinasceticausteritiesforthe(last)eightandfiveyears,Vibhatsuwillstrikemebutmildlyinthisconflict,andthesonofKuntihavingbecomeaBrahmanaenduedwithgoodqualities,haththusbecomeafitpersontoquietlyreceiveshaftsbythousandsshotbyme.Thismightybowmanisindeed,celebratedoverthethreeworlds.I,too,am,bynomeans,inferiortoArjuna,thatforemostofhumanbeings.Withgoldenarrowsfurnishedwithvulturinewingsshot

onallsides,letthefirmamentseemtodaytoswarmwithfire-flies.SlayingArjunainbattle,Iwilldischargetodaythatdebt,difficultofrepayments,butpromisedofoldbymeuntoDhritarashtra'sson.Whenmanisthere,evenamongstallthegodsandtheAsuras,thatwillenduretostandintheteethofthestraightarrowsshotfrommybow?Letmyflyingarrows,wingedanddepressedatthemiddle,presentthespectacleofthecoursingofthefire-fliesthroughthewelkin.HardthoughhebeasIndra'sthunderboltandpossessedoftheenergyofthechiefofthecelestials,IwillsurelygrindPartha,evenasoneafflictsanelephantbymeansofburningbrands.Aheroicandmightycar-warriorasheis,andtheforemostofallwieldersofweaponsIshallseizetheunresistingPartha,evenlikeGarudaseizingasnake.Irresistiblelikefire,andfedbythefuelofswords,darts,andarrows,theblazingPandava-firethat

consumethfoes,willbeextinguishedevenbymyselfwhoamlikeuntoamightycloudincessantlydroppinganarrowyshower,--themultitudeofcars(Iwilllead)constitutingitsthunder,andthespeedofmyhorses,thewindinadvance.Dischargedfrommybow,myarrowslikevenomoussnakeswillpiercePartha'sbody,likeserpentpenetratingthroughanant-hill.Piercedwithwell-temperedandstraightshaftsenduedwithgoldenwingsandgreatenergy,beholdyetodaythesonofKuntideckedlikeahillcoveredwithKarnikaraflowers.Havingobtainedweaponsfromthatbestofascetics--thesonofJamadagni,Iwould,relyingontheirenergy,fightwitheventhecelestials.Struckwithmyjavelin,theapestationedonhisbanner-topshallfalldowntodayontheground,utteringterriblecries.Thefirmamentwilltodaybefilledwiththecriesofthe(super-human)creaturesstationedintheflagstaffofthefoe,and

afflictedbyme,theywillflyawayinalldirections.Ishalltodaypluckupbytherootsthelong-existingdartinDuryodhan'sheartbythrowingArjunadownfromhiscar.TheKauravaswilltodaybeholdParthawithhiscarbroken,hishorseskilled,hisvalourgone,andhimselfsighinglikeasnake.LettheKauravas,followingtheirownwillgoawaytakingthiswealthofkine,or,iftheywish,letthemstayontheircarsandwitnessmycombat.'"



SECTIONXLIX

"Kripasaid,'ORadheya,thycrookedheartalwaysinclinethtowar.Thouknowestnotthetruenatureofthings;nordostthoutakeintoaccounttheirafter-consequences.Therearevariouskindsofexpedientsinferrablefromthescriptures.Ofthese,abattlehathbeenregardedbythoseacquaintedwiththepast,asthemostsinful.Itisonlywhentimeandplacearefavourablethatmilitaryoperationscanleadtosuccess.Inthepresentinstance,however,thetimebeingunfavourable,nogoodresultswillbedeprived.Adisplayofprowessinpropertimeandplacebecomethbeneficial.Itisbythefavourablenessorotherwise(oftimeandplace)thattheopportunenessofanactisdetermined.Learnedmencanneveractaccordingtotheideasofacar-maker.Consideringallthis,anencounterwithParthaisnotadvisibleforus.AlonehesavedtheKurus(fromtheGandharvas),andalonehesatiatedAgni.AloneheledthelifeofaBrahmacharinforfiveyears(onthebreastofHimavat).TakingupSubhadraonhiscar,alonehechallengedKrishnatosinglecombat.AlonehefoughtwithRudrawhostoodbeforehimasaforester.ItwasinthisveryforestthatPartharescuedKrishnawhileshewasbeingtakenaway(byJayadratha).Itishealonethathath,forfiveyears,studiedthescienceofweaponsunderIndra.AlonevanquishingallfoeshehathspreadthefameoftheKurus.AlonethatchastiseroffoesvanquishedinbattleChitrasena,thekingoftheGandharvasandinamomenthisinvincibletroopsalso.Aloneheoverthrewinbattlethe

fierceNivatakavachasandtheKalakhanchas,thatwerebothincapableofbeingslainbythegodsthemselves.What,however,OKama,hathbeenachievedbytheesingle-handedlikeanyofthesonsofPandu,eachofwhomhadalonesubjugatedmanylordsofearth?EvenIndrahimselfisunfittoencounterParthainbattle.He,therefore,thatdesirethtofightwithArjunashouldtakeasedative.Astothyself,thoudesiresttotakeoutthefangsofanangrysnakeofvirulentpoisonbystretchingforththyrighthandandextendingthyforefinger.Or,wanderingaloneintheforestthoudesiresttorideaninfuriateelephantandgotoaboarwithoutahookinhand.Or,rubbedoverwithclarifiedbutteranddressedinsilkenrobes,thoudesiresttopassthroughthemidstofablazingfirefedwithfatandtallowandclarifiedbutter.Whoistherethatwould,bindinghisownhandsandfeetandtyingahugestoneuntohis

neck,crosstheoceanswimmingwithhisbarearms?Whatmanlinessisthereinsuchanact?OKama,heisafoolthatwould,without,skillinweaponsandwithoutstrength,desiretofightwithParthawhoissomightyandskilledinweapons?Dishonestlydeceivedbyusandliberatedfromthirteenyears'exile,willnottheillustriousheroannihilateus?HavingignorantlycometoaplacewhereParthalayconcealedlikefirehiddeninawell,wehave,indeed,exposedtoagreatdanger.Butirresistiblethoughhebeinbattle,weshouldfightagainsthim.Let,therefore,ourtroops,cladinmail,standherearrayedinranksandreadytostrike.LetDronaandDuryodhanaandBhishmaandthyselfandDrona'ssonandourselves,allfightwiththesonofPritha.DonotOKama,actsorashlyastofightalone.Ifwesixcar-warriorsbeunited,wecanthenbeamatchforandfightwiththatsonofPrithawhois

resolvedtofightandwhoisasfierceasthewielderofthethunderbolt.Aidedbyourtroopsarrayedinranks,ourselves--greatbowmen--standingcarefullywillfightwithArjunaevenastheDanavasencounterVasavainbattle.'"

SECTIONL

"Aswatthamansaid,'Thekine,OKarna,havenotyetbeenwon,norhave



theyyetcrossedtheboundary(oftheirowner'sdominions),norhavetheyyetreachedHastinapura.Whydostthou,therefore,boastofthyself?Havingwonnumerousbattles,andacquiredenormouswealth,andvanquishedhostilehosts,menoftrueheroismspeaknotawordoftheirprowess.Fireburnethmutelyandmutelydoththesunshine.MutelyalsodoththeEarthbearcreatures,bothmobileandimmobile.TheSelf-existenthathsanctionedsuchofficesforthefourordersthathavingrecoursetothemeachmayacquirewealthwithoutbeingcensurable.ABrahmana,havingstudiedtheVedas,shouldperformsacrificeshimself,andofficiateatthesacrificesofothers.AndaKshatriya,dependinguponthebow,shouldperformsacrificeshimselfbutshouldneverofficiateatthesacrificesofothers.AndofVaisya,havingearnedwealth,shouldcausetheritesenjoinedintheVedastobeperformedforhimself.ASudrashouldalwayswaituponandservetheotherthreeorders.Asregardsthosethatlivebypractisingtheprofessionofflowersandvendorsofmeat,theymayearnwealthbyexpedientsfraughtwithdeceitandfraud.Alwaysactingaccordingtothedictatesofthescriptures,theexaltedsonsofPanduacquiredthesovereigntyofthewholeearth,andtheyalwaysactrespectfullytowardstheirsuperiors,evenifthelatterprovehostiletothem.WhatKshatriyaistherethatexpresseddelightathavingobtainedakingdombymeansofdice,likethiswickedandshamelesssonofDhritarashtra?Havingacquiredwealthinthiswaybydeceitandfraudlikeavendorofmeat,whothatiswiseboastofit?InwhatsinglecombatdidstthouvanquishDhananjaya,orNakula,orSahadeva,although

thouhastrobbedthemoftheirwealth?InwhatbattledidstthoudefeatYudhishthira,orBhimathatforemostofstrongmen?InwhatbattlewasIndraprasthaconqueredbythee?Whatthouhastdone,however,Othouofwickeddeeds,istodragthatprincesstocourtwhileshewasillandhadbutoneraimenton?Thouhastcutthemightyroot,delicateasthesandal,ofthePandavatree.Actuatedbydesireofwealth,whenthoumadestthePandavasactasslaves,rememberestthouwhatVidurasaid!Weseethatmenandothers,eveninsectsandants,showforgivenessaccordingtotheirpowerofendurance.ThesonofPandu,however,isincapableofforgivingthesufferingsofDraupadi.Surely,DhananjayacomethhereforthedestructionofthesonsofDhritarashtra.Itistrue,affectinggreatwisdom,thouartformakingspeechesbutwillnotVibhatsu,thatslayeroffoes,exterminateusall!Ifitbegods,or

GandharvasorAsuras,orRakshasas,willDhananjayathesonofKunti,desisttofightfrompanic?Inflamedwithwrathuponwhomsoeverhewillfall,evenhimhewilloverthrowlikeatreeundertheweightofGaruda!Superiortotheeinprowess,inbowmanshipequaluntothelordhimselfofthecelestials,andinbattleequaluntoVasudevahimself,whoistherethatwouldnotpraisePartha?Counteractingcelestialweaponswithcelestial,andhumanweaponswithhuman,whatmanisamatchforArjuna?Thoseacquaintedwiththescripturesdeclarethatadiscipleisnowayinferiortoason,anditisforthisthatthesonofPanduisafavouriteofDrona.Employthouthemeansnowwhichthouhadstadoptedinthematchatdice,--thesamemeans,viz.,bywhichthouhadstsubjugatedIndraprastha,andthesamemeansbywhichthouhadstdraggedKrishnatotheassembly!Thisthywiseuncle,fullyconversantwiththedutiesof

theKshatriyaorder--thisdeceitfulgamblerSakuni,theprinceofGandhara,lethimfightnow!TheGandiva,however,dothnotcastdicesuchastheKritaortheDwapara,butitshootethuponfoesblazingandkeen-edgedshaftsbymyriads.ThefiercearrowsshotfromtheGandiva,enduedwithgreatenergyandfurnishedwithvulturinewings,car,pierceevenmountains.Thedestroyerofall,namedYama,andVayu,andthehorse-facedAgni,leavesomeremnantbehind,butDhananjayainflamedwithwrathneverdothso.Asthouhadst,aidedbythyuncle,playedadiceintheassemblysodofightinthisbattleprotectedbySuvala'sson.Letthepreceptor,ifhechoosesfight;Ishallnot,however,fightwith



Dhananjaya.WearetofightwiththekingoftheMatsyas,ifindeed,hecomethinthetrackofthekine.'"

SECTIONLI

"Bhishmasaid,'Drona'ssonobservethwell,andKripa,tooobservethrightly.AsforKama,itisonlyoutofregardforthedutiesoftheKshatriyaorderthathedesirethtofight.Nomanofwisdomcanblamethepreceptor.I,however,amofopinionthatfightwemust,consideringboththetimeandtheplace.Whyshouldnotthatmanbebewilderedwhohathfiveadversarieseffulgentasfivesuns,whoareheroiccombatantsandwhohavejustemergedfromadversity?Eventhoseconversantwithmoralityarebewilderedinrespectoftheirowninterests.Itisforthis,Oking,thatItelltheethis,whethermywordsbeacceptabletoyouornot.WhatKarnasaiduntotheewasonlyforraisingour(drooping)courage.Asregardsthyself,Opreceptor'sson,forgiveeverything.Thebusinessathandisverygrave.WhenthesonofKuntihathcome,thisisnotthetimeforquarrel.EverythingshouldnowbeforgivenbythyselfandthepreceptorKripa.Likelightinthesun,themasteryofallweaponsdothresideinyou.AsbeautyisneverseparatedfromChandramas,soaretheVedasandtheBrahmaweaponbothestablishedinyou.ItisoftenseenthatthefourVedasdwellinoneobjectandKshatriyaattributesin

another.WehaveneverheardofthesetwodwellingtogetherinanyotherpersonthanthepreceptoroftheBharataraceandhisson.EventhisiswhatIthink.IntheVedantas,inthePuranas,andinoldhistories,whosaveJamadagni,Oking,wouldbeDrona'ssuperior?AcombinationoftheBrahmaweaponwiththeVedas,--thisisnevertobeseenanywhereelse.Opreceptor'sson,dothouforgive.Thisisnotthetimefordisunion.Letallofus,uniting,fightwithIndra'ssonwhohathcome.Ofallthecalamitiesthatmaybefallanarmythathavebeenenumeratedbymenofwisdom,theworstisdisunionamongtheleaders.Aswatthamansaid,'Obullamongmen,thesethyjustobservations,neednotbeutteredinourpresence;thepreceptor,however,filledwithwrath,hadspokenofArjuna'svirtues.Thevirtuesofevenanenemyshouldbeadmitted,whilethefaultsofevenone'spreceptormaybepointedout;thereforeone

should,tothebestofhispower,declarethemeritsofasonoradisciple.'

"Duryodhanasaid,'Letthepreceptorgranthisforgivenessandletpeaceberestored.Ifthepreceptorbeatonewithus,whatevershouldbedone(inviewofthepresentemergency)wouldseemtohavebeenalreadydone.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Then,OBharata,DuryodhanaassistedbyKamaandKripa,andthehigh-souledBhishmapacifiedDrona.'

"Dronasaid,'AppeasedIhavealreadybeenatthewordsfirstspokenbyBhishma,thesonofSantanu.LetsucharrangementsbemadethatParthamaynotbeabletoapproachDuryodhanainbattle.Andletsuch

arrangementsbemadethatkingDuryodhanamaynotbecapturedbythefoe,inconsequenceeitherofhisrashnessorwantofjudgment.Arjunahathnot,tobesure,revealedhimselfbeforetheexpiryofthetermofexile.Norwillhepardonthisact(ofours)today,havingonlyrecoveredthekine.Letsucharrangements,therefore,bemadethathemaynotsucceedinattackingDhritarashtra'ssonanddefeatingourtroops.Likemyself(whoamdoubtfulofthecompletionofperiodofexile)Duryodhanaalsohadsaidsobefore.Bearingitinmind,itbehoveththesonofGangatosaywhatistrue.'"



SECTIONLII

"Bhishmasaid,'Thewheeloftimerevolveswithitsdivisions,viz.,withKalasandKasthasandMuhurtasanddaysandfortnightsandmonthsandconstellationsandplanetsandseasonsandyears.Inconsequenceoftheirfractionalexcessesandthedeviationsofalsooftheheavenlybodies,thereisanincreaseoftwomonthsineveryfiveyears.Itseemstomethatcalculatingthiswise,therewouldbeanexcessoffivemonthsandtwelvenightsinthirteenyears.Everything,therefore,thatthesonsofPanduhadpromised,hathbeenexactlyfulfilledbythem.Knowingthistobecertain,Vibhatsuhathmadehisappearance.Allofthemarehigh-souledandfullyconversantwiththemeaningsofthescriptures.HowwouldtheydeviatefromvirtuethathaveYudhishthirafortheirguide?ThesonsofKuntidonotyieldtotemptation.Theyhaveachievedadifficultfeat.Iftheyhadcovetedthepossessionoftheirkingdombyunfairmeans,thenthosedescendantsoftheKururacewouldhavesoughttodisplaytheirprowessatthetimeofthematchatdice.Boundinbondsofvirtue,theydidnotdeviatefromthedutiesoftheKshatriyaorder.Hethatwillregardthemtohavebehavedfalselywillsurelymeetwithdefeat.ThesonsofPrithawouldpreferdeathtofalsehood.Whenthetime,however,comes,thosebullsamongmen--thePandava's--enduedwithenergylikethatofSikra,wouldnotgiveupwhatistheirsevenifitis

defendedbythewielderhimselfofthethunderbolt.Weshallhavetoopposeinbattletheforemostofallwieldersofweapons.Therefore,letsuchadvantageousarrangementsashavethesanctionofthegoodandthehonestbenowmadewithoutlossoftimesothatourpossessionsmaynotbeappropriatedbythefoe.Okingofkings,OKaurava,Ihaveneverseenabattleinwhichoneofthepartiescouldsay,--wearesuretowin.Whenabattleoccurs,theremustbevictoryordefeat,prosperityoradversity.Withoutdoubt,apartytoabattlemusthaveeitherofthetwo.Therefore,Okingofkings,whetherabattlebenowproperornotconsistentwithvirtueornot,makethyarrangementssoon,forDhananjayaisathand.'

"Duryodhanasaid,'Iwillnot,Ograndsire,givebackthePandavastheir

kingdom.Leteverypreparation,therefore,forbattlebemadewithoutdelay.'

"Bhishmasaid,'ListentowhatIregardasproper,ifitpleasesthee.Ishouldalwayssaywhatisforthygood,OKaurava.Proceedthoutowardsthecapital,withoutlossoftime,takingwiththeeafourthpartofthearmy.Andletanotherfourthmarch,escortingthekine.WithhalfthetroopswewillfightthePandava.MyselfandDrona,andKarnaandAswatthamanandKripawillresolutelywithstandVibhatsu,orthekingoftheMatsyas,orIndrahimself,ifheapproaches.Indeed,wewillwithstandanyoftheselikethebankwithstandingthesurgingsea.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thesewordsspokenbythehigh-souledBhishma

wereacceptabletothem,andthekingoftheKauravasactedaccordinglywithoutdelay.Andhavingsentawaythekingandthenthekine,Bhishmabegantoarraythesoldiersinorderofbattle.Andaddressingthepreceptor,hesaid,'Opreceptor,standthouinthecentre,andletAswatthamanstandontheleft,andletthewiseKripa,sonofSaradwata,defendtherightwing,andletKarnaoftheSutacaste,cladinmail,standinthevan.Iwillstandintherearofthewholearmy,protectingitfromthatpoint.'"



SECTIONLIII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'AftertheKauravas,OBharata,hadtakentheirstandinthisorder,Arjuna,fillingtheairwiththerattleanddinofhiscar,advancedquicklytowardsthem.AndtheKurusbeheldhisbanner-topandheardtherattleanddinofhiscarasalsothetwangoftheGandivastretchedrepeatedlybyhim.Andnotingallthis,andseeingthatgreatcar-warrior--thewielderoftheGandiva--come,Dronaspokethus,'Thatisthebanner-topofParthawhichshinethatadistance,andthisisthenoiseofhiscar,andthatistheapethatroarethfrightfully.Indeed,theapestrikethterrorinthetroops.Andtherestationedonthatexcellentcar,theforemostofcar-warriorsdraweththatbestofbows,theGandiva,whosetwangisasloudasthethunder.Behold,thesetwoshaftscomingtogetherfallatmyfeet,andtwootherspassoffbarelytouchingmyears.Completingtheperiodofexileandhavingachievedmanywonderfulfeats,Parthasalutethmeandwhisperethinmyears.Enduedwithwisdomandbelovedofhisrelatives,thisDhananjaya,thesonofPandu,is,indeed,beheldbyusafteralongtime,blazingwithbeautyandgrace.Possessedofcarandarrows,furnishedwithhandsomefencesandquiverandconchandbannerandcoatofmail,deckedwithdiademandscimitarandbow,thesonofPrithashinethliketheblazing(Homa)firesurroundedwithsacrificialladlesandfedwithsacrificialbutter.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'BeholdingtheKurusreadyforbattle,ArjunaaddressingMatsya'ssoninwordssuitabletotheoccasion,said,'Ocharioteer,restrainthouthesteedsatsuchapointwhencemyarrowsmayreachtheenemy.Meanwhile,letmesee,where,inthemidstofthisarmy,isthatvilewretchoftheKururace.Disregardingallthese,andsinglingoutthatvainestofprincesIwillfalluponhishead,foruponthedefeatofthatwretchtheotherswillregardthemselvesasdefeated.TherestandethDrona,andthereafterhimhisson.Andtherearethosegreatbowmen--BhishmaandKripaandKama.Idonotsee,however,thekingthere.Isuspectthatanxioustosavehislife,heretreatethbythesouthernroad,takingawaywithhimthekine.Leavingthisarrayofcar-warriors,proceedtothespotwhereSuyodhanais.TherewillIfight,OsonofVirata,fortherethebattlewillnotbefruitless,Defeating

himIwillcomeback,takingawaythekine.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thusaddressed,thesonofViratarestrainedthesteedswithaneffortandturnedthembyapullatthebridlefromthespotwherethosebullsoftheKururacewere,andurgedthemontowardstheplacewhereDuryodhanawas.AndasArjunawentawayleavingthatthickarrayofcars,Kripa,guessinghisintention,addressedhisowncomrades,saying,'ThisVibhatsudesirethnottotakeuphisstandataspotremotefromtheking.Letusquicklyfallupontheflanksoftheadvancinghero.Wheninflamedwithwrath,noneelse,unassisted,canencounterhiminbattlesavethedeityofathousandeyes,orKrishnathesonofDevaki.Ofwhatusetouswouldthekinebeorthisvastwealthalso,ifDuryodhanaweretosink,likeaboat,intheoceanofPartha?'

Meanwhile,Vibhatsu,havingproceededtowardsthatdivisionofthearmy,announcedhimselfspeedilybyname,andcoveredthetroopswithhisarrowsthickaslocusts.AndcoveredwiththosecountlessshaftsshotbyPartha,thehostilewarriorscouldnotseeanything,theearthitselfandtheskybecomingoverwhelmedtherewith.Andthesoldierswhohadbeenreadyforthefightweresoconfoundedthatnonecouldeventhefleefromthefield.Andbeholdingthelight-handednessofParthatheyallapplaudeditmentally.AndArjunathenblewhisconchwhichalwaysmadethebristlesofthefoestanderect.Andtwanginghisbestofbows,heurgedthecreaturesonhisflagstafftoroarmorefrightfully.Andatthe



blareofhisconchandtherattleofhiscar-wheels,andthetwangoftheGandiva,andtheroarofthesuperhumancreaturesstationedonhisflagstaff,theearthitselfbegantotremble.Andshakingtheirupraisedtailsandlowingtogether,thekineturnedback,proceedingalongthesouthernroad.'"

SECTIONLIV

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Havingdisorganisedthehostilehostbyforceandhavingrecoveredthekine,thatforemostofbowmen,desirousoffightingagain,proceededtowardsDuryodhana.AndbeholdingthekinerunningwildtowardsthecityoftheMatsyas,theforemostwarriorsoftheKurusregardedKiritintohavealreadyachievedsuccess.AndallofasuddentheyfelluponArjunawhowasadvancingtowardsDuryodhana.Andbeholdingtheircountlessdivisionsfirmlyarrayedinorderofbattlewithcountlessbannerswavingoverthem,thatslayeroffoes,addressingthesonofthekingoftheMatsyas,said,'Urgeon,tothebestoftheirspeedbythisroad,thesewhitesteedsdeckedwithgoldenbridles.Strivethouwell,forIwouldapproachthiscrowdofKurulions.Likeanelephantdesiringanencounterwithanother,theSuta'ssonofwickedsouleagerlydesirethabattlewithme.Takeme,Oprince,tohimwhohathgrownsoproudunderthepatronageofDuryodhana.Thusaddressed,

thesonofViratabymeansofthoselargesteedsenduedwiththespeedofthewindandfurnishedwithgoldenarmour,brokethatarrayofcarsandtookthePandavaintothemidstofthebattle-field.Andseeingthisthosemightycar-warriors,ChitrasenaandSangramajitandSatrusahaandJaya,desirousofaidingKarna,rushedwitharrowsandlongshafts,towardstheadvancingheroofBharata'srace.Thenthatforemostofmen,inflamedwithwrath,begantoconsumebymeansoffieryarrowsshotfromhisbow,thatarrayofcarsbelongingtothosebullsamongtheKurus,likeatremendousconflagrationconsumingaforest.Then,whenthebattlebegantoragefuriously,theKuruhero,Vikarna,mountedonhiscar,approachedthatforemostofcar-warriors,Partha,theyoungerbrotherofBhima,--showeringuponhimterribleshaftsthickandlong.ThencuttingVikarna'sbowfurnishedwithatoughstringandhornsoverlaidwithgold,

Arjunacutoffhisflagstaff.AndVikarna,beholdinghisflagstaffcutoff,speedilytooktoflight.AndafterVikarna'sflight,Satruntapa,unabletorepresshisire,begantoafflictPartha,thatobstructeroffoesandachieverofsuper-humanfeats,bymeansofaperfectshowerofarrows.Anddrowned,asitwere,inthemidstoftheKuru-array,Arjuna,piercedbythatmightycar-warrior,--kingSatruntapa--piercedthelatterinreturnwithfiveandthenslewhiscar-driverwithtenshafts,andpiercedbythatbulloftheBharataracewithanarrowcapableofcleavingthethickestcoatofmail,Satruntapafelldeadonthefieldofbattle,likeatreefromamountain-toptornupbythewind.Andthosebravebullsamongmen,mangledinbattlebythatbraverbullamongmen,begantowaverandtremblelikemightyforestsshakenbytheviolenceofthewindthatblowsatthetimeoftheuniversaldissolution.Andstruck

inbattlebyPartha,thesonofVasava,thosewell-dressedheroesamongmen--thosegiversofwealthenduedwiththeenergyofVasava--defeatedanddeprivedoflife,begantomeasuretheirlengthsontheground,likefull-grownHimalayanelephantscladinmailsofblacksteeldeckedwithgold.Andlikeuntoaragingfireconsumingaforestatthecloseofsummer,thatforemostofmen,wieldingtheGandiva,rangedthefieldinalldirections,slayinghisfoesinbattlethus.Andasthewindrangethatwill,scatteringmassesofcloudsandfallenleavesintheseasonofspring,sodidthatforemostofcar-warriors--Kiritin--rangedinthatbattle,scatteringallhisfoesbeforehim.Andsoonslayingthered



steedsyokeduntothecarofSangramajit,thebrotherofVikatana'sson,thatherodeckedindiademandenduedwithgreatvigourthencutoffhisantagonist'sheadbyacrescent-shapedarrow.Andwhenhisbrotherwasslain,Vikartana'ssonoftheSutacaste,musteringallhisprowess,rushedatArjuna,likeahugeelephantwithout-stretchedtusks,orlikeatigeratamightybull.AndthesonofVikarnaquicklypiercedthesonofPanduwithtwelveshaftsandallhissteedsalsoineverypartoftheirbodiesandVirata'ssontooinhishand.AndrushingimpetuouslyagainstVikarna'ssonwhowassuddenlyadvancingagainsthim,KiritinattackedhimfiercelylikeGarudaofvariegatedplumageswoopingdownuponasnake.Andbothofthemwereforemostofbowmen,andbothwereenduedwithgreatstrength,andbothwerecapableofslayingfoes.Andseeingthatanencounterwasimminentbetweenthem,theKauravas,anxioustowitnessit,stoodaloofaslookerson.AndbeholdingtheoffenderKarna,thesonofPandu,excitedtofury,andgladalsoathavinghim,soonmadehim,hishorses,hiscar,andcar-driverinvisiblebymeansofafrightfulshowerofcountlessarrows.AndthewarriorsoftheBharatasheadedbyBhishma,withtheirhorses,elephants,andcars,piercedbyKiritinandrenderedinvisiblebymeansofhisshafts,theirranksalsoscatteredandbroken,begantowailaloudingrief.TheillustriousandheroicKarna,howevercounteractingwithnumberlessarrowsofhisownthoseshaftsbyArjuna'shand,soonburstforthinviewwithbowandarrowslikeablazingfire.Andthentherearosethesoundofloudclappingofhands,withtheblareofconchsandtrumpetsandkettle-drums

madebytheKuruswhiletheyapplaudedVikartana'ssonwhofilledtheatmospherewiththesoundofhisbow-stringflappingagainsthisfence.AndbeholdingKiritinfillingtheairwiththetwangofGandiva,andtheupraisedtailofthemonkeythatconstitutedhisflagandthatterriblecreatureyellingfuriouslyfromthetopofhisflagstaff,Karnasentforthaloudroar.Andafflictingbymeansofhisshafts,Vikartana'ssonalongwithhissteeds,carandcar-driver,Kiritinimpetuouslypouredanarrowyshoweronhim,castinghiseyesonthegrandsireandDronaandKripa.AndVikartana'ssonalsopoureduponParthaaheavyshowerofarrowslikearain-chargedcloud.Andthediadem-deckedArjunaalsocoveredKarnawithathickdown-pourofkeen-edgedshafts.Andthetwoheroesstationedontheircars,creatingcloudsofkeen-edgedarrowsinacombatcarriedonbymeansofcountlessshaftsandweapons,appearedto

thespectatorslikethesunandthemooncoveredbyclouds,andthelight-handedKarna,unabletobearthesightofthefoe,piercedthefourhorsesofthediadem-deckedherowithwhettedarrows,andthenstruckhiscar-driverwiththreeshafts,andhisflagstaffalsowiththree.Thusstruck,thatgrinderofalladversariesinbattle,thatbulloftheKururace,JishnuwieldingtheGandiva,likealionawakedfromslumber,furiouslyattackedKamabymeansofstraight-goingarrows.Andafflictedbythearrowyshower(ofKarna),thatillustriousachieverofsuper-humandeedssoondisplayedathickshowerofarrowsinreturn.AndhecoveredKarna'scarwithcountlessshaftslikethesuncoveringthedifferentworldswithrays.Andlikealionattackedbyanelephant,Arjuna,takingsomekeencrescent-shapedarrowsfromoutofhisquiveranddrawinghisbowtohisear,piercedtheSuta'ssononeverypartofhisbody.And

thatgrinderoffoespiercedKarna'sarmsandthighsandheadandforeheadandneckandotherprincipalpartsofhisbodywithwhettedshaftsenduedwiththeimpetuosityofthethunderboltandshotfromtheGandivainbattle.AndmangledandafflictedbythearrowsshotbyParthathesonofPandu,Vikartana'sson,quittedthevanofbattle,andquicklytooktoflight,likeoneelephantvanquishedbyanother.'"

SECTIONLV



"Vaisampayanasaid,'AfterthesonofRadhahadfledfromthefield,otherwarriorsheadedbyDuryodhana,oneafteranother,felluponthesonofPanduwiththeirrespectivedivisions.Andliketheshorewithstandingthefuryofthesurgingsea,thatwarriorwithstoodtherageofthatcountlesshostrushingtowardshim,arrayedinorderofbattleandshoweringcloudsofarrows.Andthatforemostofcar-warriors,Kunti'ssonVibhatsuofwhitesteeds,rushedtowardsthefoe,dischargingcelestialweaponsallthewhile.ParthasooncoveredallthepointsofthehorizonwithcountlessarrowsshotfromtheGandiva,likethesuncoveringthewholeearthwithhisrays.Andamongstthosethatfoughtoncarsandhorsesandelephants,andamongstthemail-cladfoot-soldiers,therewasnonethathadonhisbodyaspaceofeventwofinger'sbreadthunwoundedwithsharparrows.Andforhisdexterityinapplyingcelestialweapons,andforthetrainingofthesteedsandtheskillofUttara,andforthecoursingofhisweapons,andhisprowessandlight-handedness,peoplebegantoregardArjunaasthefirethatblazethforthduringthetimeoftheuniversaldissolutionforconsumingallcreatedthings.AndnoneamongstthefoecouldcasthiseyesonArjunawhoshonelikeablazingfireofgreateffulgence.AndmangledbythearrowsofArjuna,thehostilerankslookedlikenewly-risencloudsonthebreastofahillreflectingthesolarrays,orlikegrovesofAsokatreesresplendentwithclustersofflowers.Indeed,afflictedbythearrowsofPartha,thesoldierslookedlikethese,orlikeabeautifulgarlandwhoseflowers

graduallywitheranddropaway:Andtheall-pervadingwindboreonitswingsintheskythetornflagsandumbrellasofthehostilehost.Andaffrightedatthehavocamongsttheirownranks,thesteedsfledinalldirections,freedfromtheiryokesbymeansofPartha'sarrowsanddraggingafterthembrokenportionsofcarsandelephants,struckontheirearsandribsandtusksandnetherlipsandotherdelicatepartsofthebody,begantodropdownonthebattle-field.Andtheearth,bestrewninashorttimewiththecorpsesofelephantsbelongingtotheKauravas,lookedliketheskyovercastwithmassesofblackclouds.Andasthatfireofblazingflamesattheendoftheyugaconsumethallperishablethingsoftheworld,bothmobileandimmobile,sodidPartha,Oking,consumethallfoesinbattle.Andbytheenergyofhisweaponsandthetwangofhisbow,andthepreter-naturalyellsofthecreaturesstationed

onhisflagstaff,andtheterribleroarofthemonkey,andbytheblastofhisconch,thatmightygrinderoffoes,Vibhatsu,struckterrorintotheheartsofallthetroopsofDuryodhana.Andthestrengthofeveryhostilewarriorseemed,asitwere,tobelevelledtothedustattheverysightofArjuna.Andunwillingtocommitthedaringactofsinofslayingthemthatweredefenceless,Arjunasuddenlyfellbackandattackedthearmyfrombehindbymeansofcloudsofkeen-edgedarrowsproceedingtowardstheiraimslikehawksletoffbyfowlers.Andhesooncoveredtheentirewelkinwithclustersofblood-drinkingarrows.Andasthe(infinite)raysofthepowerfulsun,enteringasmallvessel,arecontractedwithinitforwantofspace,sothecountlessshaftsofArjunacouldnotfindspacefortheirexpansionevenwithinthevastwelkin.FoeswereabletobeholdArjuna'scar,whennear,onlyonce,for

immediatelyafter,theywerewiththeirhorses,senttotheotherworld.Andashisarrowsunobstructedbythebodiesoffoesalwayspassedthroughthem,sohiscar,unimpededbyhostileranks,alwayspassedthroughthelatter.And,indeed,hebegantotossaboutandagitatethehostiletroopswithgreatviolencelikethethousand-headedVasukisportinginthegreatocean.AndasKiritinincessantlyshothisshafts,thenoiseofthebow-string,transcendingeverysound,wassoloudthatthelikeofithadneverbeenheardbeforebycreatedbeings.Andtheelephantscrowdingthefield,theirbodiespiercedwith(blazing)arrowswithsmallintervalsbetweenlookedlikeblackcloudscoruscatedwith



solarrays.Andranginginalldirectionsandshooting(arrows)rightandleft,Arjuna'sbowwasalwaystobeseendrawntoaperfectcircle.AndthearrowsofthewielderoftheGandivaneverfelluponanythingexcepttheaim,evenastheeyeneverdwellethonanythingthatisnotbeautiful.Andasthetrackofaherdofelephantsmarchingthroughtheforestismadeofitself,sowasthetrackwasmadeofitselfforthecarofKiritin.AndstruckandmangledbyPartha,thehostilewarriorsthoughtthat,--Verily,Indrahimself,desirousofPartha'svictory,accompaniedbyalltheimmortalsisslayingus!AndtheyalsoregardedVijaya,whowasmakingaterribleslaughteraround,tobenoneelsethanDeathhimselfwhohavingassumedtheformofArjuna,wasslayingallcreatures.AndthetroopsoftheKurus,struckbyPartha,weresomangledandshatteredthatthescenelookedliketheachievementofParthahimselfandcouldbecomparedwithnothingelsesavewhatwasobservableinPartha'scombats.Andheseveredtheheadsoffoes,evenasreaperscutoffthetopsofdeciduousherbs.AndtheKurusalllosttheirenergyowingtotheterrorbegotofArjuna.AndtossedandmangledbytheArjuna-gale,theforestofArjuna'sfoesreddenedtheearthwithpurplesecretions.Andthedustmixedwithblood,upliftedbythewind,madetheveryraysofthesunredderstill.Andsoonthesun-deckedskybecamesoredthatitlookedverymuchliketheevening.Indeed,thesunceasethtoshedhisraysassoonashesets,butthesonofPanduceasednottoshoothisshafts.Andthatheroofinconceivableenergyoverwhelmed,bymeansofallcelestialweapons,allthegreatbowmenoftheenemy,

althoughtheywerepossessedofgreatprowess.AndArjunathenshotthreeandseventyarrowsofsharppointsatDrona,andtenatDussahaandeightatDrona'sson,andtwelveatDussasana,andthreeatKripa,thesonofSaradwat.AndthatslayeroffoespiercedBhishma,thesonofSantanu,witharrows,andkingDuryodhanawithahundred.And,lastly,hepiercedKarnaintheearwithabeardedshaft.AndwhenthatgreatbowmenKarna,skilledinallweapons,wasthuspierced,andhishorsesandcarandcar-driverwerealldestroyed,thetroopsthatsupportedhimbegantobreak.AndbeholdingthosesoldiersbreakandgivewaythesonofViratadesirousofknowingPartha'spurpose,addressedhimonthefieldofbattle,andsaid,'OPartha,standingonthisbeautifulcar,withmyselfascharioteer,towardswhichdivisionshallIgo?For,commandedbythee,Iwouldsoontaketheethither.'

"Arjunareplied,'OUttara,yonderauspiciouswarriorwhomthouseestcasedincoatoftiger-skinandstationedonhiscarfurnishedwithablue-flaganddrawnbyredsteeds,isKripa.ThereistobeseenthevanofKripa'sdivision.Takemethither.Ishallshowthatgreatbowmanmyswift-handednessinarchery.Andthatwarriorwhoseflagbeareththedeviceofanelegantwater-potworkedingold,isthepreceptorDrona--thatforemostofallwieldersofweapons.Heisalwaysanobjectofregardwithme,asalsowithallbearersofarms.Dothou,therefore,circumambulatethatgreatherocheerfully.Letusbendourheadsthere,forthatistheeternalvirtue.IfDronastrikesmybodyfirst,thenIshallstrikehim,forthenhewillnotbeabletoresentit.There,closetoDrona,thatwarriorwhoseflagbeareththedeviceofabow,isthe

preceptor'sson,thegreatcar-warriorAswatthaman,whoisalwaysanobjectofregardwithmeasalsowitheverybearerofarms.Dothou,therefore,stopagainandagain,whilethoucomestbyhiscar.There,thatwarriorwhostayethonhiscar,casedingoldenmailandsurroundedbyathirdpartofthearmyconsistingofthemostefficienttroops,andwhoseflagbeareththedeviceofanelephantinagroundofgold,istheillustriouskingDuryodhana,thesonofDhritarashtra.Ohero,takebeforehimthisthycarthatiscapableofgrindinghostilecars.Thiskingisdifficultofbeingvanquishedinbattleandiscapableofgrindingallfoes.HeisregardedasthefirstofallDrona'sdisciples



inlightnessofhand.Ishall,inbattle,showhimmysuperiorswiftnessinarchery.There,thatwarriorwhoseflagbeareththedeviceofastoutchordforbindingelephants,isKarna,thesonofVikartana,alreadyknowntothee.WhenthoucomestbeforethatwickedsonofRadha,bethouverycareful,forhealwayschallengethmetoanencounter.Andthatwarriorwhoseflagisblueandbeareththedeviceoffivestarswithasun(inthecentre),andwhoenduedwithgreatenergystayethonhiscarholdingahugebowinhandandwearingexcellentfences,andoverwhoseheadisanumbrellaofpurewhite,whostandethattheheadofamultitudinousarrayofcarswithvariousflagsandbannerslikethesuninadvanceofmassesofblackclouds,andwhosemailofgoldlooksbrightasthesunorthemoon,andwhowithhishelmetofgoldstrikethterrorintomyheart,isBhishma,thesonofSantanuandthegrandsireofusall.EntertainedwithregalsplendourbyDuryodhana,heisverypartialandwell-affectedtowardsthatprince.Lethimbeapproachedlastofall,forhemay,evennow,beanobstacletome.Whilefightingwithme,dothoucarefullyguidethesteeds.Thusaddressedbyhim,Virata'sson,Oking,guidedSavyasachin'scarwithgreatalacritytowardsthespotwhereKripastoodanxioustofight.'"

SECTIONLVI

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Andtheranksofthosefiercebowmen,theKurus,lookedlikemassesofcloudsintherainyseasondriftingbeforeagentlewind.Andclose(tothoseranksoffoot-soldiers)stoodtheenemy'shorsesriddenbyterriblewarriors.Andtherewerealsoelephantsofterriblemien,lookingresplendentinbeautifularmour,riddenbyskilledcombatantsandurgedonwithironcrowsandhooks.And,Oking,mountedonabeautifulcar,Sakracamethereaccompaniedbythecelestials,--theViswasandMaruts.Andcrowdedwithgods,Yakshas,GandharvasandNagas,thefirmamentlookedasresplendentasitdoeswhenbespangledwiththeplanetaryconstellationinacloudlessnight.Andthecelestialscamethere,eachonhisowncar,desirousofbeholdingtheefficacyoftheirweaponsinhumanwarfare,andforwitnessingalsothefierceandmightycombatthatwouldtakeplacewhenBhishmaandArjunawouldmeet.And

embellishedwithgemsofeverykindandcapableofgoingeverywhereatthewilloftherider,theheavenlycarofthelordofthecelestials,whoseroofwasupheldbyahundredthousandpillarsofgoldwith(acentral)onemadeentirelyofjewelsandgems,wasconspicuousintheclearsky.AndthereappearedonthescenethreeandthirtygodswithVasava(attheirhead),and(many)GandharvasandRakshasasandNagasandPitris,togetherwiththegreatRishis.Andseatedonthecarofthelordofthecelestials,appearedtheeffulgentpersonsofking,VasumanasandValakshasandSupratarddana,andAshtakaandSiviandYayatiandNahushaandGayaandManuandPuruandRaghuandBhanuandKrisaswaandSagaraandNala.Andthereshoneinasplendidarray,eachinitsproperplacethecarsofAgniandIsaandSomaandVarunaandPrajapatiandDhatriandVidhatriandKuveraandYama,andAlamvushaandUgrasenaandothers,and

oftheGandharvaTumburu.AndallthecelestialsandtheSiddhas,andalltheforemostofsagescametheretobeholdthatencounterbetweenArjunaandtheKurus.Andthesacredfragranceofcelestialgarlandsfilledtheairlikethatofblossomingwoodsattheadventofspring.Andtheredandreddishumbrellasandrobesandgarlandsandchamarasofthegods,astheywerestationedthere,lookedexceedinglybeautiful.Andthedustoftheearthsoondisappearedand(celestial)effulgencelitupeverything.Andredolentofdivineperfumes,thebreezebegantosoothethecombatants.Andthefirmamentseemedablazeandexceedinglybeautiful,deckedwithalreadyarrivedandarrivingcarsofhandsomeandvarious



make,allilluminedwithdiversesortsofjewels,andbroughtthitherbytheforemostofthecelestials.Andsurroundedbythecelestials,andwearingagarlandoflotusesandliliesthepowerfulwielderofthethunderboltlookedexceedinglybeautifulonhiscar.AndtheslayerofVala,althoughhesteadfastlygazedathissononthefieldofbattle,wasnotsatiatedwithsuchgazing,'"

SECTIONLVII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'BeholdingthearmyoftheKurusarrayedinorderofbattle,thatdescendantoftheKururace,Partha,addressingVirata'sson,said,'DothouproceedtothespotwhereKripa,thesonofSaradwat,isgoingbythesouthernsideofthatcarwhoseflagisseentobearthedeviceofagoldenaltar.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'HearingthesewordsofDhananjaya,thesonofVirataurged,withoutamoment'sdelay,thosesteedsofsilveryhuedeckedingoldenarmour.Andmakingthemadopt,oneafteranother,everykindoftheswifterpaces,heurgedthosefierysteedsresemblingthemoonincolour.Andversedinhorse-lore,Uttara,havingapproachedtheKuruhost,turnedbackthosesteedsenduedwiththespeedofthewind.Andskilledinguidingvehicles,theprinceofMatsya,sometimeswheeling

about,andsometimesproceedingincircularmazes,andsometimesturningtotheleft,begantobewildertheKurus.Andwheelinground,theintrepidandmightysonofVirataatlastapproachedthecarofKripa,andstoodconfrontinghim.Thenannouncinghisownname,ArjunapowerfullyblewthatbestofconchscalledDevadatta,ofloudblare.AndblownonthefieldofbattlebythemightyJishnu,theblareofthatconchwasheardlikethesplittingofamountain.AndseeingthattheconchdidnotbreakintoahundredfragmentswhenblownbyArjuna,theKuruswithalltheirwarriorsbegantoapplaudithighly.Andhavingreachedtheveryheavens,thatsoundcomingbackwasheardevenlikethecrashofthethunderbolthurledbyMaghavatonthemountainbreast.Thereuponthatheroicandintrepidandmightycar-warrior,Saradwat'ssonKripa,enduedwithstrengthandprowess,waxingwrothatArjuna,and

unabletobearthatsoundandeagerforfight,tookuphisownsea-begottenconchandblewitvehemently.Andfillingthethreeworldswiththatsound,thatforemostofcar-warriorstookupalargebowandtwangedthebow-stringpowerfully.Andthosemightycar-warriors,equaluntotwosuns,standingopposedtoeachother,shoneliketwomassesofautumnalclouds.ThenSaradwat'ssonquicklypiercedPartha,thatslayerofhostileheroes,withtenswiftandwhettedarrowscapableofenteringintotheveryvitals.AndPritha'ssonalso,onhispart,drawingthatforemostofweapons,theGandiva,celebratedovertheworld,shotinnumerableiron-arrows,allcapableofpenetratingintotheverycoreofthebody.ThereuponKripa,bymeansofwhettedshafts,cutintohundredsandthousandsoffragments,thoseblood-drinkingarrowsofParthabeforetheycouldcomeup.Thenthatmightycar-warrior,Parthaalso,inwrath

displayingvariousmanoeuvres,coveredallsideswithashowerofarrows.Andcoveringtheentirewelkinwithhisshafts,thatmightywarriorofimmeasurablesoul,thesonofPritha,envelopedKripawithhundredofshafts.Andsorelyafflictedbythosewhettedarrowsresemblingflamesoffire,Kripawaxedwrothandquicklyafflictingthehigh-souledParthaofimmeasurableprowesswithtenthousandshafts,setuponthefieldofbattlealoudroar.ThentheheroicArjunaquicklypiercedthefoursteedsofhisadversarywithfourfatalarrowsshotfromtheGandiva,sharpandstraight,andfurnishedwithgoldenwings.Andpiercedbymeansofthosewhettedarrowsresemblingflamesoffirethosesteedssuddenly



rearedthemselves,andinconsequenceKripareeledoffhisplace.AndseeingGautamathrownoffhisplace,theslayerofhostileheroes,thedescendantoftheKururace,outofregardforhisopponent'sdignity,ceasedtodischargehisshaftsathim.Thenregaininghisproperplace,GautamaquicklypiercedSavyasachinwithtenarrowsfurnishedwithfeathersoftheKankabird.Thenwithacrescent-shapedarrowofkeenedge,ParthacutoffKripa'sbowandleathernfences.AndsoonParthacutoffKripa'scoatofmailalsobymeansofarrowscapableofpenetratingtheveryvitals,buthedidnotwoundhisperson.Anddivestedofhiscoatofmail,hisbodyresembledthatofaserpentwhichhathinseasoncastoffitsslough.AndassoonashisbowhadbeencutoffbyPartha,Gautamatookupanotherandstringeditinatrice.Andstrangetosay,thatbowofhimwasalsocutoffbyKunti'sson,bymeansofstraightshafts.Andinthiswaythatslayerofhostileheroes,thesonofPandu,cutoffotherbowsassoonastheyweretakenup,oneafteranother,bySaradwat'sson.Andwhenallhisbowswerethuscutoff,thatmightyherohurled,fromhiscar,atPandu'sson,ajavelinlikeuntotheblazingthunderbolt.Thereupon,asthegold-deckedjavelincamewhizzingthroughtheairwiththeflashofameteor,Arjunacutitoffbymeansoftenarrows.AndbeholdinghisdartthuscutoffbytheintelligentArjuna,Kripaquicklytookupanotherbowandalmostsimultaneouslyshotanumberofcrescent-shapedarrows.Partha,however,quicklycutthemintofragmentsbymeansoftenkeen-edgedshafts,andenduedwithgreatenergy,thesonofPrithathen,inflamedwithwrathonthefieldof

battle,dischargedthreeandtenarrowswhettedonstoneandresemblingflamesoffire.Andwithoneofthesehecutofftheyokeofhisadversary'scar,andwithfourpiercedhisfoursteeds,andwiththesixthheseveredtheheadofhisantagonist'scar-driverfromoffhisbody.Andwiththreethatmightycar-warriorpierced,inthatencounter,thetriplebamboo-poleofKripa'scarandwithtwo,itswheels.AndwiththetwelftharrowhecutoffKripa'sflagstaff.AndwiththethirteenthFalguni,whowaslikeIndrahimselfasifsmilinginderision,piercedKripainthebreast.Thenwithhisbowcutoff,hiscarbroken,hissteedsslain,hiscar-driverkilled,KripaleaptdownandtakingupamacequicklyhurleditatArjuna.ButthatheavyandpolishedmacehurledbyKripawassentbackalongitscourse,struckbymeansofArjuna'sarrows.Andthenthewarriors(ofKripa'sdivision),desirousofrescuing

wrathfulsonofSaradwatencounteredParthafromallsidesandcoveredhimwiththeirarrows.ThenthesonofVirata,turningthesteedtotheleftbegantoperformcircuitousevolutioncalledYamakaandthuswithstoodallthosewarriors.Andthoseillustriousbullsamongmen,takingKripawiththemwhohadbeendeprivedofhiscar,ledhimawayfromthevicinityofDhananiaya,thesonofKunti.'"

SECTIONLVIII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'AfterKripahadthusbeentakenaway,theinvincibleDronaofredsteeds,takinguphisbowtowhichhehadalreadystringed

anarrow,rushedtowardsArjunaofwhitesteeds.Andbeholdingatnogreatdistancefromhimthepreceptoradvancingonhisgoldencar,Arjunathatforemostofvictoriouswarriors,addressingUttara,said,'Blessedbethou,Ofriend,carrymebeforethatwarrioronwhosehighbanner-topisseenagoldenaltarresemblingalongflameoffireanddeckedwithnumerousflagsplacedaround,andwhosecarisdrawnbysteedsthatareredandlarge,exceedinglyhandsomeandhighly-trained,offacepleasantandofquietmien,andlikeuntocoralsincolourandwithfacesofcopperyhue,forthatwarriorisDronawithwhomIdesiretofight.Oflongarmsandenduedwithmightyenergypossessedofstrengthandbeauty



ofperson,celebratedoveralltheworldsforhisprowess,resemblingUsanashimselfinintelligenceandVrihaspatiinknowledgeofmorality,heisconversantwiththefourVedasanddevotedtothepracticeofBrahmacharyavirtues.Ofriend,theuseofthecelestialweaponstogetherwiththemysteriesoftheirwithdrawalandtheentire-scienceofweapons,alwaysresideinhim.Forgiveness,self-control,truth,abstentionfrominjury,rectitudeofconduct,--theseandcountlessothervirtuesalwaysdwellinthatregenerateone.Idesiretofightwiththathighly-blessedoneonthefield.Therefore,takemebeforethepreceptorandcarrymethither,OUttara.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThusaddressedbyArjuna,Virata'ssonurgedhissteedsdeckedwithgoldtowardsthecarofBharadwaja'sson.AndDronaalsorushedtowardstheimpetuouslyadvancingPartha,thesonofPandu,--thatforemostofcar-warriors,--likeaninfuriateelephantrushingtowardsaninfuriatecompeer.AndthesonofBharadwajathenblewhisconchwhoseblareresembledthatofahundredtrumpets.Andatthatsoundthewholearmybecomeagitatedliketheseainatempest.AndbeholdingthoseexcellentsteedsredinhueminglinginbattlewithArjuna'ssteedsofswan-likewhitenessenduedwiththespeedofthemind,allthespectatorswerefilledwithwonder.Andseeingonthefieldofbattlethosecar-warriors--thepreceptorDronaandhisdisciplePartha--bothenduedwithprowess,bothinvincible,bothwell-trained,bothpossessedofgreatenergyandgreatstrength,engagedwitheach

other,thatmightyhostoftheBharatasbegantotremblefrequently.Andthatmightycar-warriorPartha,possessedofgreatprowessandfilledwithjoyuponreachingDrona'scaronhisown,salutedthepreceptor.Andthatslayerofhostileheroes,themightyarmedsonofKunti,thenaddressedDronainanhumbleandsweettone,saying,'Havingcompletedourexileinthewoods,wearenowdesirousofavengingourwrongs.Eveninvincibleinbattle,itdothnotbehovetheetobeangrywithus.Osinlessone,Iwillnotstriketheeunlessthoustrikestmefirst.Eventhisismyintention.Itbehoveththeetoactasthouchoosest.'ThusaddressedDronadischargedathimmorethantwentyarrows.Butthelight-handedParthacutthemoffbeforetheycouldreachhim.Andatthis,themightyDrona,displayinghislightnessofhandintheuseofweapons,coveredPartha'scarwithathousandarrows.Anddesirousof

angering,Partha,thatheroofimmeasurablesoul,thencoveredhissteedsofsilverywhitenesswitharrowswhettedonstoneandwingedwiththefeathersoftheKankabird.AndwhenthebattlebetweenDronaandKiritinthuscommenced,bothofthemdischargingintheencounterarrowsofblazingsplendour,bothwell-knownfortheirachievements,bothequaltothewinditselfinspeed,bothconversantwithcelestialweapons,andbothenduedwithmightyenergy,beganshootingcloudsofarrowstobewildertheroyalKshatriyas.Andallthewarriorsthatwereassembledtherewerefilledwithwonderatsightofallthis.AndtheyalladmiredDronawhoquicklyshotcloudsofarrowsexclaiming,--Welldone!Welldone!Indeed,whoelsesaveFalguna,isworthyoffightingwithDronainbattle?SurelythedutiesofaKshatriyaarestern,forArjunafightethwithevenhisownpreceptor!--Anditwasthusthattheywhostoodonthe

fieldofbattlesaiduntooneanother.Andinflamedwithfire,thosemighty-armedheroesstandingbeforeother,andeachincapableofovercomingtheother,coveredeachotherwitharrowyshowers.AndBharadwaja'sson,waxingworth,drewhislargeandunconquerablebowplatedonthebackwithgold,andpiercedFalgunawithhisarrows.AnddischargingatArjuna'scarinnumerablewhettedarrowspossessedofsolareffulgence,heentirelyshroudedthelightofthesun.Andthatgreatcar-warriorofmightyarms,violentlypiercedPritha'ssonwithkeen-edgedshaftsevenasthecloudsshoweruponamountain.Thentakingupthatforemostofbows,theGandiva,destructiveoffoesandcapableof



withstandingthegreateststrain,theimpetuoussonofPanducheerfullydischargedcountlessshaftsofvariouskindsadornedwithgold,andthatpowerfulwarrioralsobaffledinamomentDrona'sarrowyshowerbymeansofthoseshaftsshotfromhisownbow.Andatthisthespectatorswonderedgreatly.AndthehandsomeDhananjaya,thesonofPritha,rangingonhiscar,displayedhisweaponsonallsidesatthesametime.Andtheentirewelkincoveredwithhisarrows,becameonewideexpanseofshade.AndatthisDronabecomeinvisiblelikethesunenvelopedinmist.Andshroudedbythoseexcellentarrowsonallsides,Dronalookedlikeamountainonfire.AndbeholdinghisowncarcompletelyenvelopedbythearrowsofPritha'sson,Dronathatornamentofbattle,benthisterribleandforemostofbowswhosenoisewasasloudasthatoftheclouds.Anddrawingthatfirstofweapons,whichwaslikeuntoacircleoffire,hedischargedacloudofkeen-edgedshafts.Andthentherewereheardonthefieldloudsoundslikethesplittingofbamboossetonfire.Andthatwarriorofimmeasurablesoul,shootingfromhisbowarrowsfurnishedwithgoldenwings,coveredallsides,shroudingtheverylightofthesun.Andthosearrowswithknotswell-peeledoff,andfurnishedwithgoldenwings,lookedlikeflocksofbirdsinthesky.AndthearrowsdischargedbyDronafromhisbow,touchingoneanotheratthewings,appearedlikeoneendlesslineinthesky.Andthoseheroes,thusdischargingtheirarrowsdeckedwithgold,seemedtocovertheskywithshowersofmeteors.AndfurnishedwithfeathersoftheKankabird,thosearrowslookedlikerowsofcranesrangingintheautumnalsky.Andthefierceandterrible

encounterthattookplacebetweentheillustriousDronaandArjunaresembledthatbetweenVirataandVasavaofold.Anddischargingarrowsateachotherfrombowsdrawnattheirfulleststretch,theyresembledtwoelephantsassailingeachotherwiththeirtusks.Andthosewrathfulwarriors--thoseornamentsofbattle--fightingstrictlyaccordingtoestablishedusage,displayedinthatconflictvariouscelestialweaponsindueorder.Thenthatforemostofvictoriousmen,Arjuna,bymeansofhiskeenshaftsresistedthewhettedarrowsshotbythatbestofpreceptors.Anddisplayingbeforethespectatorsvariousweapons,thatheroofterribleprowesscoveredtheskywithvariouskindsofarrows.Andbeholdingthattigeramongmen,Arjuna,enduedwithfierceenergyandintentuponstrikinghim,thatforemostofwarriorsandbestofpreceptors(fromaffection)begantofightwithhimplayfullybymeansof

smoothandstraightarrows.AndBharadwaja'ssonfoughtonwithFalguna,resistingwithhisownthecelestialweaponsshotbytheformer.Andthefightthattookplacebetweenthoseenragedlionsamongmen,incapableofbearingeachother,waslikeuntoencounterbetweenthegodsandtheDanavas.AndthesonofPandurepeatedlybaffledwithhisown,theAindra,theVayavya,andtheAgneyaweaponsthatwereshotbyDrona.Anddischargingkeenshafts,thosemightybowmen,bytheirarrowyshowerscompletelycoveredtheskyandmadeawideexpanseofshade.AndthenthearrowsshotbyArjuna,fallingonthebodiesofhostilewarriors,producedthecrashofthunderbolt.Oking,elephants,cars,andhorses,bathedinblood,lookedlikeKinsukatreescrownedwithflowers.AndinthatencounterbetweenDronaandArjuna,beholdingthefieldcoveredwitharmsdeckedwithbangles,andgorgeously-attiredcar-warriors,andcoats

ofmailvariegatedwithgold,andwithbannerslyingscatteredallabout,andwithwarriorsslainbymeansofPartha'sarrows,theKuruhostbecamepanic-stricken.Andshakingtheirbowscapableofbearingmuchstrain,thosecombatantsbegantoshroudandweakeneachotherwiththeirshafts.And,ObulloftheBharatarace,theencounterthattookplacebetweenDronaandKunti'ssonwasdreadfulintheextremeandresembledthatbetweenValiandVasava.Andstakingtheirverylives,theybegantopierceeachotherstraightarrowsshotfromtheirfully-stretchedbow-strings.AndavoicewasheardintheskyapplaudingDrona,andsaying,'DifficultisthefeatperformedbyDrona,inasmuchashe



fightethwithArjuna,--thatgrinderoffoes,thatwarriorenduedwithmightyenergy,offirmgrasp,andinvincibleinbattle,--thatconquerorofbothcelestialsandDaityas,thatforemostofallcar-warriors.'AndbeholdingPartha'sinfallibility,training,fleetnessofhand,andtherangealsoofArjuna's,arrows,Dronabecameamazed.And,ObulloftheBharatarace,liftinguphisexcellentbow,theGandivatheunforbearingParthadrewitnowwithonehandandnowwithanothershotanarrowyshower.Andbeholdingthatshowerresemblingaflightoflocusts,thespectatorswonderingapplaudedhimexclaiming,'Excellent'!'Excellent'!Andsoceaselesslydidheshoothisarrowsthattheveryairwasunabletopenetratethethickarray.Andthespectatorscouldnotperceiveanyintervalbetweenthetakingupofthearrowsandlettingthemoff.Andinthatfierceencountercharacterisedbylightnessofhandinthedischargeofweapons,Parthabegantoshoothisarrowsmorequicklythanbefore.AndthenallatoncehundredsandthousandsofstraightarrowsfelluponDrona'scar.And,ObulloftheBharatarace,beholdingDronacompletelycoveredbythewielderoftheGandivawithhisarrows,theKuruarmysetupexclamationof'Oh'!and'Alas'!AndMaghavat,togetherwiththoseGandharvasandApsarasthathavecomethere,applaudedthefleetnessofPartha'shand.Andthatmightycar-warrior,thepreceptor'sson,thenresistedthePandvawithamightyarrayofcars.AndalthoughenragedwithArjuna,yetAswatthamanmentallyadmiredthatfeatofthehigh-souledsonofPritha.Andwaxingwroth,herushedtowardsPartha,anddischargedathimanarrowyshowerlikeaheavydown-pourbythe

cloud.AndturninghissteedstowardsDrona'sson,ParthagaveDronaanopportunitytoleavethefield.Andthereuponthelatter,woundedinthatterribleencounter,andhismailandbannergonespedawaybytheaidofswifthorses.'"

SECTIONLIX

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Then,Omightyking,Drona'ssonrushedtoanencounterwithArjunainbattle.Andbeholdinghisrushtotheconflictlikeahurricane,showeringshaftslikearainchargedcloudPritha'ssonreceivedhimwithacloudofarrows.Andterriblewastheencounter

betweenthem,likethatbetweenthegodsandtheDanavas.AndtheyshotarrowsateachotherlikeVirataandVasava.Andthewelkinbeingenvelopedonallsideswitharrows,thesunwascompletelyhidden,andtheairitselfwashushed.And,Oconquerorofhostilecities,astheyassailedandstruckeachother,loudsoundsaroseasofbamboosonfire.And,Oking,Aswatthaman'shorsesbeingsorelyafflictedbyArjuna,theybecamebewilderedandcouldnotascertainwhichwaytogo.AndasPritha'ssonrangedonthefield,thepowerfulsonofDronafindinganopportunity,cutoffthestringoftheGandivawithanarrowfurnishedwithahorse-shoeheadAndbeholdingthatextraordinaryfeatofhis,thecelestialsapplaudedhimhighly.Andexclaiming--'Welldone'!---'Welldone'!DronaandBhishma,andKarna,andthemightywarriorKripa,allapplaudedthatfeatofhisgreatly.AndthesonofDrona,drawinghis

excellentbow,piercedwithhisshafts,furnishedwiththefeathersoftheKankabird,thebreastofPartha,thatbullamongwarriors.Thereupon,withaloudlaughter,themighty-armedsonofPrithaattachedastrongandfreshstringtoGandiva.Andmoisteninghisbow-stringwiththesweatthatstoodonhisforeheadresemblingthecrescentmoon,Pritha'ssonadvancedtowardshisadversary,evenasaninfuriatedleaderofaherdofelephantsrushethatanotherelephant.Andtheencounterthattookplacebetweenthosetwomatchlessheroesonthefieldofbattlewasexceedinglyfierceandmadethebristlesofthespectatorsstandontheirends.Andasthoseheroesenduedwithmightyenergyfoughton,the



twomightyelephants,theKurusbeheldthemwithwonder.Andthosebravebullsamongmenassailedeachotherwitharrowsofsnakyformsandresemblingblazingfires.AndasthecoupleofquiversbelongingtothePandavawasinexhaustible,thatherowasabletoremainonthefieldimmovableasamountain.AndasAswatthaman'sarrows,inconsequenceofhisceaselessdischargeinthatconflict,werequicklyexhausted,itwasforthisthatArjunaprevailedoverhisadversary.ThenKarna,drawinghislargebowwithgreatforcetwangedthebow-string.Andthereuponaroseloudexclamationof'Oh'!and'Alas'!AndPritha'sson,castinghiseyestowardsthespotwherethatbowwastwanged,beheldbeforehimthesonofRadha.Andatthatsighthiswrathwasgreatlyexcited.AndinflamedwithireanddesirousofslayingKarna,thatbulloftheKururacestaredathimwithrollingeyes.And,Oking,beholdingParthaturnawayfromAswatthaman'sside,theKuruwarriorsdischargedthousandsofarrowsonArjuna.Andthemighty-armedDhananjaya,thatconqueroroffoes,leavingDrona'sson,allonasuddenrushedtowardsKarna.AndrushingtowardsKarna,witheyesreddenedinangerthesonofKunti,desirousofasinglecombatwithhim,saidthesewords."

SECTIONLX

"Arjunasaid,'Thetime,OKarna,hathnowcomeformakinggoodthy

loquaciousboastinthemidstoftheassembly,viz.,thatthereisnoneequaltotheeinfight.Today,OKarna,contendingwithmeinterribleconflict,thoushaltknowthyownstrength,andshaltnolongerdisregardothers.Abandoninggoodbreeding,thouhadstutteredmanyharshwords,butthisthatthouendeavouresttodo,is,Ithink,exceedinglydifficult.Dothounow,ORadha'sson,contendingwithmeinthesightoftheKurus,makegoodwhatthouhadstsaidbeforeindisregardofmyself.ThouwhohadstwitnessedPanchala'sprincessoutragedbyvillainsinthemidstofthecourt,dothounowreapthefruitofthatactofthine.Fetteredbythebondsofmoralitybefore,Idesistedfromvengeancethen.Beholdnow,OsonofRadha,thefruitofthatwrathinconflictathand.Owickedwight,wehavesufferedmuchmiseryinthatforestforfulltwelve;years.Reapthoutodaythefruitsofourconcentratedvengeance.

Come,OKarna,copewithmeinbattle.LetthesethyKauravawarriorswitnesstheconflict.Hearingthesewords,Karnareplied,'Dothou,OPartha,accomplishindeedwhatthousaystinwords.Theworldknowsthatthywordsverilyexceedthydeed.Thatthouhadstforeborneformerlywasowingtothyinabilitytodoanything.Ifwewitnessthyprowessevennow,wemayacknowledgeitstruth.Ifthypastforbearancewasduetothyhavingbeenboundbythebondsofmorality,trulythouartequallyboundnowalthoughthouregardestthyselffree.Havingasthousayst,passedthyexileinthewoodsinstrictaccordancewiththypledgeandbeingthereforeweakenedbypractisinganasceticcourseoflife,howcanstthoudesireacombatwithmenow!OPritha'sson,ifSakrahimselffightonthyside,stillIwouldfeelnoanxietyinputtingforthmyprowess.Thywish,OsonofKunti,isabouttobegratified.Dothoufightwithme

now,andbeholdmystrength.'Hearingthis,Arjunasaid,'Evennow,ORadha'sson,thouhadstfledfrombattlewithme,anditisforthisthatthoulivestalthoughthyyoungerbrotherhathbeenslain.Whatotherperson,savethee,havingbeheldhisyoungerbrotherslaininbattlewouldhimselfflyfromthefield,andboastasthoudost,amidgoodandtruemen?'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'HavingsaidthesewordsuntoKarna,theinvincibleVibhatsurushedathimandchargedavolley,ofshaftscapableofpenetratingthroughacoatofmail.Butthatmightycar-warrior,



Karna,receivedwithgreatalacritythatdischargewithanarrowyshowerofhisown,heavyasthedownpouroftheclouds.Andthatfiercevolleyofarrowscoveredallsidesandseverallypiercedthesteedsandarmsandleathernfencesofthecombatants.Andincapableofputtingupwiththatassault,ArjunacutoffthestringsofKarna'squiverbymeansofastraightandsharparrow.Thereupon,takingoutfromhisquiveranotherarrow,KarnapiercedthePandavainthehandatwhichthelatter'sholdofthebowwasloosened.Andthenthemighty-armedParthacutoffKarna'sbowintofragments.AndKarnarepliedbyhurlingadartathisadversary,butArjunacutitoffbymeansofhisarrows.AndthenthewarriorsthatfollowedthesonofRadharushedincrowdsatArjuna,butParthasentthemalltotheabodeofYamabymeansofarrowsshotfromtheGandiva.AndVibhatsuslewthesteedsofKarnabymeansofsharpandtougharrowsshotfromthebow-stringdrawntotheear,anddeprivedoflifetheydroppeddownontheground.Andtakinganothersharpandblazingarrowenduedwithgreatenergy,themightysonofKuntipiercedthebreastofKama.Andthatarrow,cleavingthroughhismail,penetratedintohisbody.Andatthis,Karna'svisionwasobscuredandhissenseslefthim.Andregainingconsciousness,hefeltagreatpain,andleavingthecombatfledinanorthernlydirection.Andatthis,themightycar-warriorArjunaandUttara,bothbegantoaddresshimcontumely.'"

SECTIONLXI

"Vaisampayanasaid,'HavingdefeatedVikartana'sson,ArjunasaiduntothesonofVirata,'Takemetowardsthatdivisionwhereyonderdeviceofagoldenpalmyraisseen.Thereourgrandfather,Santanu'sson,likeuntoacelestial,waiteth,desirousofanencounterwithme.'Thereupon,beholdingthatmightyhostthrongedwithcarsandhorsesandelephants,Uttara,sorelypiercedwitharrows,said,'Ohero,Iamnolongerabletoguidethyexcellentsteeds.Myspiritsdroopandmymindisexceedinglybewildered.AllthedirectionsseemtobewhirlingbeforemyeyesinconsequenceoftheenergyofthecelestialweaponsusedbytheeandtheKurus.Ihavebeendeprivedofmysensesbythestenchoffatandbloodandflesh.Beholdingallthis,fromterrormymindis,asitwere,cleft

intwain.NeverbeforehadIbeheldsuchamusterofhorsesinbattle.Andattheflappingoffences,andtheblareofconchs,theleonineroarsmadebythewarriorsandtheshrieksofelephants,andthetwangoftheGandivaresemblingthethunder,Ihave,Ohero,beensostupefiedthatIhavebeendeprivedofbothhearingandmemory.And,Ohero,beholdingtheeincessantlydrawingtoacircle,incourseoftheconflict,theGandivawhichresemblethacircleoffire,mysightfailethmeandmyheartisrentasunder.Andseeingthyfierceforminbattle,likethatofthewielderofthePinakawhileinflamedwithwrath,andlookingalsoattheterriblearrowsshotbythee,Iamfilledwithfear.Ifailtoseewhenthoutakestupthyexcellentarrows,whenthoufixestthemonthebow-string,andwhenthoulettestthemoff.Andthoughallthisisdonebeforemyeyes,yet,deprivedofmysenses,Idonotseeit.Myspirits

aredroopingandearthitselfseemstobeswimmingbeforeme.Ihavenostrengthtoholdthewhipandthereins.'Hearingthesewords,Arjunasaid,'Dothounotfear.Assurethyself.Thoualsohast,onthefieldofbattleperformed,Obullamongmen,wonderfulfeats.Blessedbethou,thouartaprinceandbornintheillustriouslineofMatsyas.Itbehoveththeenottofeeldispiritedinchastisingthyfoes.Therefore,Oprince,stationedonmycar,musterallthyfortitudeandholdthereinsofmysteeds,Oslayeroffoes,whenIoncemorebecomeengagedinbattle.'



"Vaisampayanacontinued,'HavingsaidthisuntoVirata'sson,thatbestofmenandforemostofcar-warriors,themighty-armedArjuna,againaddressedthesonofVirata,saying.'TakemewithoutdelaytothevanofBhishma'sdivision.Iwillcutoffhisverybow-stringinthebattle.Thoushaltbeholdtodaythecelestialweaponsofblazingbeauty,shotbyme,looklikeflashesoflightningdisportingamidthecloudsinthesky.TheKauravasshallbeholdthegolddeckedbackofmyGandivatoday,andassembledtogetherthefoeshalldispute,saying,--Bywhichhandofhis,therightortheleft,dothheshould?AndIshallcauseadreadfulriver(ofdeath)toflowtodaytowardstheotherworldwithbloodforitswatersandcarsforitseddies,andelephantsforitscrocodiles.Ishalltoday,withmystraightarrows,extirpatetheKuruforesthavinghandsandfeetandheadsandbacksandarmsforthebranchesofitstrees.Alone,bowinhand,vanquishingtheKuruhost,ahundredpathsshallopenbeforemelikethoseofaforestinconflagration.StruckbymethoushalttodaybeholdtheKuruarmymovingroundandroundlikeawheel(unabletoflyoffthefield).Ishallshowtheetodaymyexcellenttraininginarrowsandweapons.Staythouonmycarfirmly,whetherthegroundbesmoothoruneven.IcanpiercewithmywingedarrowseventhemountainofSumeruthatstandstouchingtheveryheavens.Islewofold,atIndra'scommand,hundredsandthousandsofPaulomasandKalakhanjasinbattle.IhaveobtainedmyfirmnessofgraspfromIndra,andmylightnessofhandfromBrahman,andIhavelearntvariousmodesoffierceattackanddefenceamidcrowdsoffoesfromPrajapati.Ivanquished,onthe

othersideofthegreatocean,sixtythousandsofcar-warriors--allfiercearchers--residinginHiranyapura.Behold,nowIdefeatthemultitudinoushostoftheKuruslikeatempestscatteringaheapofcotton.WithmyfieryarrowsIshalltodaysettheKuru-foresttofire,havingbannersforitstrees,thefoot-soldiersforitsshrubs,andthecar-warriorsforitsbeastsofprey.LikeuntothewielderofthethunderboltoverthrowingtheDanavas,aloneIshall,withmystraightarrows,bringdownfromthechambersoftheircarsthemightywarrioroftheKuruarmystationedthereinandstrugglingintheconflicttothebestoftheirpower.IhaveobtainedfromRudratheRaudra,fromVarunatheVarunafromAgnitheAgneya,fromthegodofWindtheVayava,andfromSakrathethunderboltandotherweapons.IshallcertainlyexterminatethefierceDhartarashtra-forestthoughprotectedbymany

leoninewarriors.Therefore,OVirata'sson,letthyfearsbedispelled.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThusassuredbySavyasachin,thesonofViratapenetratedintothatfiercearrayofcarsprotectedbyBhishma.ThesonofGanga,however,offiercedeeds,cheerfullywithstoodthemighty-armedheroadvancingfromdesireofvanquishingtheheroesinbattle.Jishnu,then,confrontingBhishma,cutoffhisstandardcleanoffattherootsbyshootingagold-deckedarrowpiercedbywhichitfelltotheground.Andatthis,fourmightywarriors,DussasanaandVikarnaandDussahaandVivingsati,skilledinweaponsandenduedwithgreatenergy,andalldeckedwithhandsomegarlandsandornaments,rushedtowardsthatterriblebowman.AndadvancingtowardsVibhatsu--thatfiercearcher,theseallencompassedhimaround.ThentheheroicDussasanapiercedthesonof

Viratawithacrescent-shapedarrowandhepiercedArjunawithanotherarrowinthebreast.AndJishnu,confrontingDussasana,cutoffbymeansofasharp-edgedarrowfurnishedwithvulturinewingshisadversary'sbowplaitedwithgold,andthenpiercedhispersoninthebreastbymeansoffivearrows.AndafflictedbythearrowsofPartha.Dussasanafled,leavingthecombat.ThenVikarna,thesonofDhritarashtra,piercedArjuna--thatslayerofhostileheroes,bymeansofsharpandstraightarrowsfurnishedwithvulturinewings.ButthesonofKuntiwithinamomenthithimalsointheforeheadwithstraightshafts.AndpiercedbyArjuna,hefelldownfromhiscar.Andatthis,Dussaha,supportedby



Vivingsati,coveredArjunawithacloudofsharparrows,impelledbythedesireofrescuinghisbrother.Dhananjaya,however,withouttheleastanxiety,piercedbothofthemalmostatthesameinstantbymeansofcoupleofkeen-edgedarrowsandthenslewthesteedsofboth.Andthereupon,boththosesonsofDhritarashtra,deprivedoftheirsteedsandtheirbodiesmangledweretakenawaybythewarriorbehindthemwhohadrushedforwardwithothercars.ThentheunvanquishedVibhatsu,themightysonofKunti,deckedwithdiademandsureofaim,simultaneouslyattackedallsideswithhisarrows.'"

SECTIONLXII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Then,OthouoftheBharatarace,allthegreatcar-warriorsoftheKurus,unitedtogether,begantoassailArjunatothebestoftheirmightfromallsides.Butthatheroofimmeasurablesoulcompletelycoveredallthosemightycar-warriorswithcloudsofarrows,evenasthemistcovereththemountains.Andtheroarsofhugeelephantsandconchs,minglingtogether,producedalouduproar.Andpenetratingthroughthebodiesofelephantsandhorsesasalsothroughsteelcoatsofmail,thearrowsshotbyParthafellbythousands.Andshootingshaftswiththeutmostcelerity,thesonofPanduseemedinthatcontesttoresembletheblazingsunofanautumnalmidday.Andafflictedwithfear,

thecar-warriorsbegantoleapdownfromtheircarsandthehorse-soldiersfromhorse-back,whilethefoot-soldiersbegantoflyinalldirections.AndloudwastheclattermadebyArjuna'sshaftsastheycleftthecoatsofmailbelongingtomightywarriors,madeofsteel,silver,andcopper.Andthefieldwassooncoveredwiththecorpsesofwarriorsmountedonelephantsandhorses,allmangledbytheshaftsofParthaofgreatimpetuositylikeuntosighingsnakes.AndthenitseemedasifDhananjaya,bowinhand,wasdancingonthefieldofbattle.AndsorelyaffrightedatthetwangoftheGandivaresemblingthenoiseofthethunder,manywerethecombatantsthatfledfromthatterribleconflict.Andthefieldofbattlewasbestrewnwithseveredheadsdeckedwithturbans,ear-ringsandnecklacesofgold,andtheearthlookedbeautifulbybeingscatteredalloverwithhumantrunksmangledbyshafts,andarms

havingbowsintheirgraspandhandsdeckedwithornaments.And,ObulloftheBharatarace,inconsequenceofheadscutoffbywhettedshaftsceaselesslyfallingontheground,itseemedasifashowerofstonesfellfromthesky.AndthatParthaofformidableprowess,displayinghisfierceness,nowrangedthefieldofbattle,pouringtheterriblefireofhiswrathuponthesonsofDhritarashtra.AndbeholdingthefierceprowessofArjunawhothusscorchedthehostilehost,theKuruwarriors,intheverypresenceofDuryodhana,becamedispiritedandceasedtofight.And,OBharata,havingstruckterrorintothathostandroutedthosemightycar-warriors,thatfore-mostofvictors,rangedonthefield.AndthesonofPanduthencreatedonthefieldofbattleadreadfulriverofblood,withwavingbillows,likeuntotheriverofdeaththatiscreatedbyTimeattheendoftheYuga,havingthe

dishevelledhairofthedeadandthedyingforitsfloatingmossandstraw,withbowsandarrowsforitsboats,fierceintheextremeandhavingfleshandanimaljuicesforitsmire.Andcoatsofmailandturbansfloatedthickonitssurface.Andelephantsconstituteditsalligatorsandthecarsitsrafts.Andmarrowandfatandbloodconstituteditscurrents.Anditwascalculatedtostriketerrorintotheheartsofthespectators.Anddreadfultobehold,andfearfulintheextreme,andresoundingwiththeyellsofferociousbeasts,keenedgedweaponsconstituteditscrocodiles.AndRakshasasandothercannibalshaunteditfromoneendtotheother.Andstringsofpearlsconstituted



itsripples,andvariousexcellentornaments,itsbubbles.Andhavingswarmsofarrowsforitsfierceeddiesandsteedsforitstortoises,itwasincapableofbeingcrossed.Andthemightycarwarriorconstituteditslargeisland,anditresoundedwiththebleatofconchsandthesoundofdrums.AndtheriverofbloodthatParthacreatedwasincapableofbeingcrossed.Indeed,soswift-handedwasArjunathatthespectatorscouldnotperceiveanyintervalbetweenhistakingupanarrow,andfixingitonthebow-string,andlettingitoffbyastretchoftheGandiva.'"

SECTIONLXIII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'ThenwhileagreathavocwasbeingmadeamongtheKurus,Santanu'sson,Bhishma,andgrandsireoftheBharatasrushedatArjuna,takingupanexcellentbowadornedwithgold,andmanyarrowsalsoofkeenpointsandcapableofpiercingintotheveryvitalsofthefoeandafflictinghimsorely.Andinconsequenceofawhiteumbrellabeingheldoverhishead,thattigeramongmenlookedbeautifullikeuntoahillatsunrise.AndthesonofGanga,blowinghisconchcheeredthesonsofDhritarashtra,andwheelingalonghisrightcameuponVibhatsuandimpededhiscourse.Andthatslayerofhostileheroes,thesonofKunti,beholdinghimapproach,receivedhimwithagladheart,likea

hillreceivingarain-chargedcloud.AndBhishma,enduedwithgreatenergy,piercedPartha'sflag-staffwitheightarrows.Thearrowsreachingtheflag-staffofPandu'sson,strucktheblazingapeandthosecreaturesalsostationedinthebanner-top.AndthenthesonofPandu,withamightyjavelinofsharp-edgecutofBhishma'sumbrellawhichinstantlyfellontheground.Andthenthelight-handedsonofKuntistruckhisadversary'sflag-staffalsowithmanyshafts,andthenhissteedsandthenthecoupleofdriversthatprotectedBhishma'sflanks.Andunabletobearthis,BhishmathoughcognisantofthePandava'smight,coveredDhananjayawithapowerfulcelestialweapon.AndthesonofPandu,ofimmeasurablesoul,hurlinginreturnacelestialweaponatBhishma,receivedthatfromBhishmalikeahillreceivingadeepmassofclouds.AndtheencounterthattookplacebetweenParthaandBhishma,was

fierceandtheKauravawarriorswiththeirtroopsstoodaslookerson.AndintheconflictbetweenBhishmaandthesonofPandu,shaftsstrikingagainstshaftsshoneintheairlikefirefliesintheseasonofrains.And,Oking,inconsequenceofPartha'sshootingarrowswithbothhisrightandlefthands,thebentGandivaseemedlikeacontinuouscircleoffire.AndthesonofKuntithencoveredBhishmawithhundredsofsharpandkeen-edgedarrows,likeacloudcoveringthemountain-breastwithitsheavydownpour.AndBhishmabaffledwiththeownarrowsthatarrowyshower,likethebankresistingtheswellingsea,andcoveredthesonofPanduinreturn.Andthosewarriors,cutintoathousandpiecesinbattle,fellfastinthevicinityofFalguna'scar.Andthentherewasadownpour,fromthecarofPandu'sson,ofarrowsfurnishedwithgoldenwing,andrainingthroughtheskylikeaflightoflocusts.AndBhishma

againrepelledthatarrowyshowerwithhundredsofwhettedshaftsshotbyhim.AndthentheKauravasexclaimed.--Excellent!Excellent!--Indeed,BhishmahathperformedanexceedinglydifficultfeatinasmuchashehathfoughtwithArjuna.Dhananjayaismightyandyouthful,anddexterousandswiftofhand.Whoelse,saveBhishma,thesonofSantanu,orKrishna,thesonofDevaki,orthemightysonofBharadwaja,theforemostofpreceptors,isabletobeartheimpetusofParthainbattle?Andrepellingweaponswithweapons,thosetwobullsoftheBharatarace,bothenduedwithgreatmight,foughtonplayfullyandinfatuatedtheeyesofallcreatedbeings.Andthoseillustriouswarriorsrangedonthefieldof



battle,usingthecelestialsweaponsobtainedfromPrajapatiandIndra,andAgniandthefierceRudra,andKuvera,andVaruna,andYama,andVayu.Andallbeingsweregreatlysurprised,uponbeholdingthosewarriorsengagedincombat.Andtheyallexclaimed,--BravoParthaoflongarms?BravoBhishma!Indeed,thisapplicationofcelestialweaponsthatisbeingwitnessedinthecombatbetweenBhishmaandParthaisrareamonghumanbeings."

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thusragedthatconflictwithweaponsbetweenthosewarriorsconversantwithallweapons.Andwhenthatconflictofcelestialweaponsceased,thencommencedaconflictwitharrows.AndJishnuapproachinghisopponent,cutofwithanarrowsharplikearazorthegold-deckedbowofBhishma.Withinthetwinklingoftheeye,however,Bhishma,thatmighty-armedandgreatcar-warrior,tookupanotherbowandstringedit.Andinflamedwithwrath,heshowereduponDhananjayaacloudofarrows.AndArjuna,too,enduedwithgreatenergy,raineduponBhishmainnumerablesharp-pointedandkeen-edgedarrows.AndBhishmaalsoshotcloudsofarrowsuponPandu'sson.Andconversantwithcelestialweaponsandengagedinshootingandeachother,arrowsofkeenpoints,nodistinction,Oking,couldthenbeperceivedbetweenthoseillustriouswarriors.Andthatmightycar-warrior,Kunti'sson,coveredwithadiadem,andtheheroicsonofSantanu,obscuredthetendirectionswiththeirarrows.AndthePandavacoveredBhishma,andBhishmaalsocoveredthePandava,withcloudsofshafts.And,Oking,wonderfulwasthis

combatthattookplaceinthisworldofmen.AndtheheroicwarriorsthatprotectedBhishma'scar,slainbythesonofPandu,fellprostrate,Omonarch,besidethecarofKunti'sson.AndthefeatheryarrowsofSvetavahana,shotfromtheGandiva,fellinalldirectionsasifwiththeobjectofmakingawholesaleslaughterofthefoe.Andissuingforthfromhiscarthoseblazingarrowsfurnishedwithgoldenwingslookedlikerowsofswansinthesky.AndallthecelestialswithIndra,stationedinthefirmament,gazedwithwonderuponanothercelestialweaponhurledwithgreatforcebythatwonderfularcherArjuna.Andbeholdingthatwonderfulweaponofgreatbeauty,themightyGandiva,Chitrasena,highlypleased,addressedthelordofcelestials,saying,'BeholdthesearrowsshotbyParthacoursingthroughtheskyinonecontinuousline.WonderfulisthedexterityofJishnuinevolvingthiscelestialweapon!Humanbeingsare

incapableofshootingsuchaweapon,foritdoesnotexistamongmen.Howwonderfulagainisthisconcourseofmightyweaponsexistingfromdaysofold!Nointervalcanbeperceivedbetweenhistakingupthearrows,fixingthemonthebow-string,andlettingthemoffbystretchingtheGandiva.ThesoldiersareincapableofevenlookingatthesonofPandu,whoislikeuntothemiddaysunblazinginthesky.SoalsononeventurestolookatBhishma,thesonofGanga.Botharefamousfortheirachievements,andbothareoffierceprowess.Bothareequalinfeatsofheroism,andbotharedifficultofbeingvanquishedinbattle.'

'ThusaddressedbytheGandharvaaboutthatcombatbetweenParthaandBhishma,thelordofthecelestials,OBharata,paidproperrespectuntobothbyashowerofcelestialflowers.Meanwhile,Bhishma,thesonof

Santanu,assailedArjunaontheleftside,whilethatdrawerofthebowwitheitherhandswasonthepointofpiercinghim.Andatthis,Vibhatsu,laughingaloud,cutoffwithanarrowofkeenedgeandfurnishedwithvulturinewings,thebowofBhishma,thatheroofsolareffulgence.AndthenDhananjaya,thesonofKunti,piercedBhishmainthebreastwithtenshaftsalthoughthelatterwascontendingwithallhisprowess.AndsorelyafflictedwithpainGanga'ssonofmightyarmsandirresistibleinbattle,stoodforalongtimeleaningonthepoleofhiscar.Andbeholdinghimdeprivedofconsciousnessthedriverofhiscar-steeds,callingtomindtheinstructionsaboutprotectingthe



warriorswheninaswoon,ledhimawayforsafety.'"

SECTIONLXIV

"Vaisampayanasaid,'AfterBhishmahadfled,leavingthevanofbattle,theillustrioussonofDhritarashtrahoistinghighflagapproachedArjuna,bowinhandandsettingupaloudroar.Andwithaspear-headedshaftshotfromhisbowstretchedtotheear,hepiercedontheforeheadofthatterriblebowmanoffierceprowess,Dhanajaya,rangingamidstthefoes.Andpiercedwiththatkeenshaftofgoldenpointontheforehead,thatherooffamousdeedslookedresplendent,Oking,likeuntoabeautifulhillwithasinglepeak.Andcutbythatarrow,thewarmlife-bloodgushedoutprofuselyfromthewound.Andthebloodtricklingdownhisbodyshonebeautifullylikeawreathofgoldenflowers.AndstruckbyDuryodhanawiththeshaft,theswift-handedArjunaofunfailingstrength,swellingwithrage,piercedthekinginreturn,takinguparrowsthatwereenduedwiththeenergyofsnakesofvirulentpoison.AndDuryodhanaofformidableenergyattackedPartha,andParthaalso,thatforemostofheroes,attackedDuryodhana.Anditwasthatthoseforemostofmen,bothbornintheraceofAjamida,struckeachotheralikeinthecombat.Andthen(seated)onaninfuriateelephanthugeasamountainandsupportedbyfourcars,VikarnarushedagainstJishnu,thesonofKunti.

Andbeholdingthathugeelephant,advancingwithspeed,Dhananjayastruckhimontheheadbetweenthetempleswithanironarrowofgreatimpetusshotfromthebow-stringstretchedtotheear.AndlikethethunderbolthurledbyIndrasplittingamountain,thatarrowfurnishedwithvulturinewings,shotbyPartha,penetrated,uptotheveryfeathers,intothebodyofthatelephanthugeashill.Andsorelyafflictedbytheshaft,thatlordoftheelephantspeciesbegantotremble,anddeprivedofstrengthfelldownonthegroundinintenseanguish,likethepeakofmountainrivenbythunder.Andthatbestofelephantsfallingdownontheearth,Vikarnasuddenlyalightingingreatterror,ranbackfulleighthundredpacesandascendedonthecarofVivingsati.Andhavingslainwiththatthunder-likearrowthatelephanthugeasamightyhillandlookinglikeamassofclouds,thesonofPrithasmoteDuryodhanainthebreastwith

anotherarrowofthesamekind.Andboththeelephantandthekinghavingthusbeenwounded,andVikarnahavingbrokenandfledalongwiththesupportersoftheking'scar,theotherwarriors,smittenwiththearrowsshotfromtheGandiva,fledfromthefieldinpanic.AndbeholdingtheelephantslainbyPartha,andalltheotherwarriorsrunningaway,Duryodhana,theforemostoftheKurus,turningawayhiscarprecipitatelyfledinthatdirectionwhereParthawasnot.AndwhenDuryodhanawasfastrunningawayinalarm,piercedbythatarrowandvomittingforthblood,Kiritin,stilleagerforbattleandcapableofenduringeveryenemy,thuscensuredhimfromwrath,'Sacrificingthygreatfameandglory,whydostthouflyaway,turningtheback?Whyarenotthosetrumpet?soundednow,astheywerewhenthouhadstsetoutfromthykingdom?Lo,IamanobedientservantofYudhishthira,myselfbeingthethirdsonofPritha,

standinghereforbattle.Turnback,showmethyface,OsonofDhritarashtra,andbearinthymindthebehaviourofkings.ThenameDuryodhanabestowedontheebeforeisherebyrenderedmeaningless.Whenthourunnestaway,leavingthebattle,whereisthypersistenceinbattle?NeitherdoIbeholdthybody-guards.ODuryodhana,beforenorbehind.Oforemostofmen,flythouawayandsavethylifewhichisdearfromthehandsofPandu'sson.'"



SECTIONLXV

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Thussummonedtobattlebytheillustrioushero,Dhritarashtra'ssonturnedbackstungbythosecensures,likeaninfuriateandmightyelephantprickedbyahook.Andstungbythosereproachesandunabletobearthem,thatmightyandbravecar-warriorenduedwithgreatswiftness,turnedbackonhiscar,likeasnakethatistrampledunderfoot.AndbeholdingDuryodhanaturnbackwithhiswounds,Karna,thatheroamongmen,deckedwithagoldennecklace,stoppedthekingonthewayandsoothinghim,himselfproceededalongthenorthofDuryodhana'scartomeetParthainbattle.Andthemighty-armedBhishmaalso,thesonofSantanu,turningbackhissteedsdeckedwithgold,enormousinsize,andoftawnyhue,rushedbowinhand,forprotectingDuryodhanafromPartha'shand.AndDronaandKripaandVivingsatiandDussasanaandothersalso,quicklyturningback,rushedforwardwithspeedwithdrawnbowsandarrowsfixedonthebow-strings,forprotectingDuryodhana.Andbeholdingthosedivisionsadvancetowardshimliketheswellingsurgesoftheocean,Dhananjaya,thesonofPritha,quicklyrushedatthemlikeacranerushingatadescendingcloud.Andwithcelestialweaponsintheirhands,theycompletelysurroundedthesonofPrithaandrainedonhimfromallsidesaperfectshowerofshafts,likecloudsshoweringonthemountainbreastaheavydownpourofrain,Andwardingoffwithweapons,alltheweaponsofthosebullsamongtheKurus,thewielderoftheGandivawhowascapableofenduringallfoes,evolved

anotherirresistibleweaponobtainedfromIndra,calledSanmohana.Andentirelycoveringthecardinalandotherdirectionswithsharpandkeen-edgedarrowsfurnishedwithbeautifulfeathers,thatmightyherostupefiedtheirsenseswiththetwangoftheGandiva.Andoncemore,takingupwithbothhishandsthatlargeconchofloudblare,Partha,thatslayeroffoes,blewitwithforceandfilledthecardinalandotherpoints,thewholeearth,andsky,withthatnoise.AndthoseforemostoftheKuruheroeswerealldeprivedoftheirsensesbythesoundofthatconchblownbyPartha.Andallofthemstoodstill,theirbows,fromwhichtheywereneverseparated,droppingdownfromtheirhands.AndwhentheKuruarmybecameinsensible,ParthacallingtomindthewordsofUttara,addressedthesonoftheMatsyaking,saying,'Obestofmen,gothouamongtheKurus,solongastheyremaininsensible,andbringaway

thewhitegarmentsofDronaandKripa,andtheyellowandhandsomeonesofKarna,asalsotheblueonesofthekingandDrona'sson.Methinks,Bhishmaisnotstupefied,forheknowethhowtocounteractthisweaponofmine.So,passthouon,keepinghissteedstothyleft;forthosethataresensibleshouldthusbeavoided,'Hearingthesewords,theillustrioussonofMatsya,givingupthereinsofthesteeds,jumpeddownfromthecarandtakingoffthegarmentsofthewarriors,camebacktohisplace.AndthesonofViratathenurgedthefourhandsomesteedswithflanksadornedwithgoldenarmours.Andthosewhitesteeds,urgedon,tookArjunaawayfromthemidstofbattle-fieldandbeyondthearrayoftheinfantrybearingstandardsintheirhands.And,Bhishma,beholdingthatbestofmenthusgoingaway,struckhimwitharrows.AndPartha,too,havingslainBhishma'ssteeds,piercedhimwithtenshafts.And

abandoningBhishmaonthefieldofbattle,havingfirstslainhiscar-driver,Arjunawithagood-lookingbowinhandcameoutofthatmultitudeofcars,likethesunemergingfromtheclouds.AndDhritarashtra'sson,thatforemostofheroesamongtheKurus,recoveringhissenses,sawthesonofPrithastandinglikethelordofthecelestials,aloneonthebattle-field.Andhesaidinhurry(untoBhishma),'Howhaththisoneescapefromthee?Dothouafflicthiminsuchawaythathemaynotescape.'Andatthis,Santanu'sson,smiling,saiduntohim,'Wherehadbeenthissenseofthine,andwherehadbeenthyprowesstoo,whenthouhadstbeeninastateofunconsciousness



renouncingthyarrowsandhandsomebow?Vibhatsuisnotaddictedtothecommissionofatrociousdeeds;norishissoulinclinedtosin.Herenouncethnothisprinciplesevenforthesakeofthethreeworlds.Itisforthisonlythatallofushavenotbeenslaininthisbattle.OthouforemostofKuruheroes,gobacktothecityoftheKurus,andletParthaalsogoaway,havingconqueredthekine.Dothouneverfoolishlythrowawaythyowngood.Indeed,thatwhichleadethtoone'swelfareoughttobeaccomplished.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Havinglistenedtothewordsofthegrandsirethattendedtohisownwelfare,thewrathfulkingDuryodhananolongereagerforbattle,drewadeepsighandbecamesilent.AndreflectingthattheadviceofBhishmawasbeneficialandseeingthatthePandavasgaininginstrength,theotherwarriorsalso,desirousofprotectingDuryodhana,resolvedtoreturn.AndbeholdingthoseforemostofKuruheroesdepartingfortheircity,Dhananjaya,thesonofPritha,withacheerfulheartfollowedthemforawhile,desirousofaddressingandworshippingthem.Andhavingworshippedtheagedgrandsire--thesonofSantanu,asalsothepreceptorDrona,andhavingsalutedwithbeautifularrowsDrona'ssonandKripaandothervenerableonesamongtheKurus,thesonofPrithabrokeintofragmentsDuryodhana'scrowndeckedwithpreciousgems,withanotherarrow.Andhavingsalutedallthevenerableandbravewarriorsthus,hefilledthethreeworldswiththetwangoftheGandiva.AndsuddenlyblowinghisconchcalledDevadatta,theheropiercedtheheartsofall

hisfoes.Andhavinghumbledthehostile,helookedresplendentonhiscardeckedwithahandsomeflag.AndbeholdingtheKurusdepart,KiritincheerfullysaiduntoMatsya'sson,'Turnbackthysteeds;thykinehavebeenrecovered;thefoeisgoingawayanddothoualsoreturntothycitywithacheerfulheart.'Andthecelestialsalso,havingwitnessedthatmostwonderfulencounterbetweenFalgunaandtheKurus,werehighlydelighted,andwenttotheirrespectiveabodes,reflectinguponPartha'sfeats.'"

SECTIONLXVI

"Vaisampayanasaid,'HavingvanquishedtheKurusinbattle,thatonewitheyeslikethoseofabullbroughtbackthatprofusecattlewealthofVirata.AndwhiletheDhritarashtra,aftertheirrout,weregoingaway,alargenumberofKuru-soldiersissuingoutofthedeepforestappearedwithslowstepsbeforePartha,theirheartsafflictedwithfear.Andtheystoodbeforehimwithjoinedpalmsandwithhairdishevelled.Andfatiguedwithhungerandthirst,arrivedinaforeignland,insensiblewithterror,andconfusedinmind,theyallboweddownuntothesonofPrithaandsaid,--Wearethyslaves.'

"Arjunasaid,'Welcome,blessedbeye.Goyeaway.Yehavenocauseoffear.Iwillnottakethelivesofthemthatareafflicted.Yehavemyassuranceofprotection.

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Hearingthesewordsofassurance,theassembledwarriorsgreetedhimwithbenedictionsinpraiseofhisachievementsandfameandwishinghimlonglife.AndtheKauravaswereunabletoconfrontArjunawhileafterroutingthefoeheproceededtowardsthecityofVirata,likeanelephantwithrenttemples.AndhavingroutedthewholearmyoftheKurulikeaviolentwindscatteringtheclouds,thatslayeroffoes,Partha,regardfullyaddressingtheprinceofMatsya,said,'Itisknowntotheealone,Ochild,thatthesonsofPrithaarealllivingwiththyfather.Donoteulogisethemuponenteringthecity,forthen



thekingoftheMatsyasmayhidehimselfinfear.Ontheotherhand,enteringthecity,dothouproclaiminthepresenceofthyfatherthatthedeedisthyown,saying,--BymehaththearmyoftheKurusbeenvanquishedandbymehavethekinebeenrecoveredfromthefoe!'

"Uttarasaid,'Thefeatthouhastachievedisbeyondmypower.Idonotpossesstheabilitytoachieveit.Ishallnot,however,OSavyasachin,discovertheetomyfather,aslongasthouwiltnottellmetodoit.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'HavingvanquishedthehostilearmyandwrestedthewholeofthecattlewealthfromtheKurus,JishnureturnedagaintothecemeteryandhavingapproachedthesameSamitreestoodtherewithbodymangledbythearrowsoftheenemy.Thenthatterriblemonkeyblazinglikefireascendedintotheskywiththoseothercreaturesintheflag-staff.Andtheillusioncreated(byViswakarma)meltedawayandUttara'sownbannerbearingthedeviceofalionwassetuponthecaragain.AndhavingreplacedthearrowsandquiversofthoseforemostoftheKuruprinces,andalsothatotherweaponthe(Gandiva)whichenhancesthefiercenessofabattle,theillustriousprinceofMatsyasetoutforthecitywithagladheart,havingKiritinashischarioteer.Andhavingachievedanexceedinglymightyfeatandslainthefoe,Parthaalso,thatslayeroffoes,bindinghishairintoabraidasbefore,tookthereinsfromUttara'shands.AndthatillustriousheroenteredthecityofVirata,withacheerfulheartrehabilitatinghimselfasVrihannala,the

car-driverofUttara.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'WhenalltheKauravasutterlyroutedandvanquished,setoutinadejectedmoodforHastinapura,Falguna,onhiswayback,addressedUttara,saying,'Oprince,Oheroofmightyarms,seeingthekineescortedinadvanceofusbythecowherds,weshallenterVirata'smetropolisintheafternoon,havingtendedthesteedswithdrinkandabath.Letthecowherds,despatchedbythee,speedilyrepairtothecitywiththegoodnewsandproclaimthyvictory.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'AgreeabletoArjuna'swords,Uttaraspeedilyorderedthemessengers,saying,'Goyeandproclaimtheking'svictory.Thefoehathbeenrouted,andthekinehavebeenrecovered.Andthe

MatsyaandtheBharataprinceshavingthusconsultedtogetherre-approachedthesameSamitree.Andgratifiedwiththevictorytheyhadwon,andarrivedatthefootoftheSamitree,theyworeontheirpersonsandtookupontheircartheornamentsandrobestheyhadleftthere.AndhavingvanquishedthewholehostilearmyandrecoveredthewholeofthewealthfromtheKurus,theheroicsonofViratareturnedtothecitywithVrihannalaashiscar-driver.'"

SECTIONLXVII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'HavingspeedilyrecoveredhiswealthVirataowninga

largearmyenteredhiscitywithacheerfulheart,accompaniedbythefourPandavas.AndhavingvanquishedtheTrigartasinbattleandrecoveredallthekine,thatmightymonarch,alongwiththesonsofPritha,lookedresplendentandblazedforthinbeauty.Andasthebraveking,thatenhancerofthejoysoffriends,wasseatedonhisthrone,allhissubjectsheadedbytheBrahmanasstoodbeforehim.Andworshippedbythem,thekingoftheMatsyas,attheheadofhisarmy,salutedtheBrahmanasandhissubjectsinreturnanddismissedthemcheerfully.AndVirata,thekingoftheMatsyasowningalargearmy,enquiredafterUttara,saying,'WherehathUttaragone?'Andthewomenandthemaidens



ofthepalaceandtheotherfemaleslivingintheinnerapartmentsjoyfullysaiduntohim,'OurkinehavingbeenseizedbytheKurus,BhuminjayaincensedatthisandfromexcessofbraveryhathissuedforthalonewithonlyVrihannalaashissecond,forvanquishingthesixmightycar-warriors,BhishmathesonofSantanu,andKripa,andKarna,andDuryodhana,andDrona,andDrona'ssonwhohaveallcomewiththeKuruarmy.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThenkingVirata,hearingthathisbravesonhadgoneforthwithonlyonecarandwithVrihannalaashiscar-driver,becamefilledwithgrief,andaddressinghischiefcounsellors,said,'Withoutdoubt,theKauravasandotherlordsofearth,learningthedefeatoftheTrigartas,willneverkeeptheirground.Therefore,letthoseofmywarriorsthathavenotbeenwoundedbytheTrigartasgoout,accompaniedbyamightyforce,fortheprotectionofUttara.'Andsayingthis,thekingspeedilydespatched,forthesakeofhisson,horsesandelephantsandcarsandalargenumberoffoot-soldiers,equippedanddeckedwithvariouskindsofweaponsandornaments.AnditwasthusthatVirata,thekingoftheMatsyas,owningalargearmy,quicklyorderedoutalargedivisionconsistingoffourkindsoftroops.Andhavingdonethis,hesaid,'Learnye,withoutlossoftimewhethertheprincelivethstillornot!Imyselfthinkthathewhohathgotapersonoftheneutersexforhiscar-driverisnotalive.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThenkingYudhishthirathejust,smilinglysaiduntotheafflictedkingVirata,'If,Omonarch,Vrihannalahathbeenhischarioteer,thefoewillneverbeabletotakeawaythykinetoday.Protectedbythatcharioteer,thysonwillbeabletovanquishinbattleallthelordsofearthalliedwiththeKurus,indeed,eventhegodsandtheAsurasandtheSiddhasandtheYakshastogether.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Meanwhile,theswift-footedmessengersdespatchedbyUttara,havingreachedVirata'scity,gavetidingsofthevictory.Andtheminister-in-chieftheninformedthekingofeverything,viz.,thegreatvictorythathadbeenwon,thedefeatoftheKurus,andtheexpectedarrivalofUttara.Andhesaid,'Allthekinehavebeenbroughtback,theKurushavebeendefeated,andUttara,thatslayerof

foes,iswellwithhiscar-driver.'ThenYudhishthirasaid,'BygoodluckitisthatthekinehavebeenrecoveredandtheKurusrouted.Idonot,however,regarditstrangethatthysonshouldhavevanquishedtheKurus,forhisvictoryisassuredthathathVrihannalaforhischarioteer.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Hearingofthevictoryofhissonpossessedofimmeasurablemight,kingViratabecamesogladthatthebristlesofhisbodystooderect.Andhavingmadepresentsofraimentsuntothemessengers,heorderedhisministers,saying,'Letthehighwaysbedecoratedwithflags,andletallthegodsandgoddessesbeworshippedwithfloweryofferings.Andletprincesandbravewarriors,andmusiciansandharlotsdeckedinornaments,marchouttoreceivemyson.Andletthebellman,speedilyridinganintoxicatedelephant,proclaimmyvictoryat

placeswherefourroadsmeet.AndletUttara,too,ingorgeousattireandsurroundedbyvirginsandchantersofeulogies,goforthtoreceivemyson.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Havinglistenedtothesewordsoftheking,allthecitizenswithauspiciousthingsinhand,andmanyamongstthemwithcymbalsandtrumpetsandconchs,andbeautifulwomenattiredingorgeousrobes,andrecitersofauspiciousandsacredhymns,accompaniedbyencomiastsandminstrels,anddrummersandotherkindsofmusiciansissuedforthfromthecityofthemightyViratatowelcomeUttaraof



immeasurableprowess.Andhavingdespatchedtroopsandmaidensandcourtezensdeckedinornaments,thewisekingoftheMatsyascheerfullysaidthesewords,'OSairindhri,fetchthedice.And,OKanka,lettheplaycommence.'ThesonofPandureplied,saying,'Wehavehearditsaidthatonewhoseheartisfilledwithjoyshouldnotplaywithacunninggambler.Idonottherefore,daregamblewiththeethataresotransportedwithjoy.Iameverdesirousofdoingwhatisforthygood.Lettheplay,however,commenceifitpleasesthee.'

"Viratasaid,'Myfemaleslavesandkine,mygoldandwhatsoeverotherwealthIhave,nothingofallthisshallthoubeabletoprotecttodayevenifIdonotgamble.'Kankasaidinreply,'Omonarch,Obestowerofhonours,whatbusinesshastthouwithgamblewhichisattendedwithnumerousevils?Gamblingisfraughtwithmanyevils;itshould,therefore,beshunned.ThoumaysthaveseenoratleastheardofYudhishthira,thesonofPandu.Helosthisextensiveandprosperouskingdomandhisgod-likebrothersatdice.Forthis,Iamaversetogambling.Butifthoulikest,Oking,Iwillplay.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Whiletheplaywasgoingon,MatsyasaiduntothesonofPandu,'Lo,theKauravasthataresoformidablehavebeenvanquishedinbattlebymyson.'Uponthis,theillustriouskingYudhishthirasaid,'WhyshouldnotheconquerthathathVrihannalaforhischarioteer?'

'Thusaddressed,KingMatsyabecameangryandsaiduntoPandu'sson,'ThouwretchofaBrahmana,dostthoucompareoneoftheneutersexwithmyson!Hastthounoknowledgeofwhatisproperandwhatimproperforonetosay?Withoutdoubt,thoudisregardestme.WhyshouldnotmysonvanquishallthosewithBhishmaandDronaastheirleaders?OBrahmana,forfriendshiponlyIpardontheethisthyoffence.Thoumustnot,however,saysoagainifthouwishesttolive.'

"Yudhishthirasaid,'TherewhereBhishmaandDronaandDrona'ssonandthesonofVikartanaandKripaandkingDuryodhanaandotherroyalandmightycar-warriorsareassembledortherewhereIndrahimselfissurroundedbytheMaruts,whatotherpersonthanVrihannalacanfight,

encounteringthemall!Nonehathbeen,nonewillbe,hisequalinstrengthofarms!Indeed,itisVrihannalaonlywhoseheartisfilledwithjoyatsightofaterribleconflict.ItishewhohadvanquishedthecelestialsandtheAsurasandhumanbeingsfightingtogether.Withsuchaoneforhisally,whyshouldnotthysonconquerthefoe?Viratasaid,'Repeatedlyforbiddenbyme,thoudostnotyetrestrainthytongue.Ifthereisnonetopunish,noonewouldpractisevirtue.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Sayingthis,thekinginflamedwithangerforciblystruckYudhishthirainthefacewithadice,andreproachedhimangrily,saying,'Letitnotoccuragain!Andhavingbeenviolentlystruck,bloodbegantoflowfromhisnose.ButthesonofPrithahelditinhishandsbeforeitfellontheground.AndthevirtuousYudhishthira

thenglancedatDraupadiwhowasstandingbyhisside.Everobedienttothewishesofherlord,thefaultlessDraupadi,understandinghismeaning,andbringingagoldenvesselfilledwithwater,receivedthebloodthatflowedfromhisnose.Meanwhile;Uttara,entertainedwithsweetperfumesofdiversekindsanddeckedwithfloralchaplets,slowlyenteredthecity,receivedwithrespectbythecitizens,thewomen,andthepeopleoftheprovinces.Andapproachingthegateofthepalacehesentthenewsofhisarrivaltohisfather.Andtheporterthen,approachingtheking,said,'ThysonUttara,waitethatthegatewithVrihannalaashiscompanion.'AndtheMatsyaking,withacheerfulheart,



saiduntohim,'Dothouusherboth,asIamveryanxioustoseethem.'ThenYudhishthira,thekingofteKurus,gentlywhispereduntotheearsofthewarder,'LetUttaraenteralone;Vrihannalamustnotcomein.Suchisthevowofthatheroofmightyarmsthatwhoevercausethawoundonmypersonorsheddethmybloodexceptinbattle,shallnotlive.Inflamedwithragehewillneverbearpatientlytoseemebleeding,butwillslayVirataevennowwithhiscounsellorsandtroopsandsteeds.'"

SECTIONLXVIII

"Vaisampayanasaid,'ThenBhuminjaya,theeldestsonoftheking,entered,andhavingworshippedthefeetofhisfatherapproachedKanka.AndhebeheldKankacoveredwithblood,andseatedonthegroundatoneendofthecourt,andwaiteduponbytheSairindhri.Andseeingthis,Uttaraaskedhisfatherinahurry,saying,'Bywhom,Oking,haththisonebeenstruck?Bywhomhaththissinfulactbeenperpetrated?'

"Viratasaid,'ThiscrookedBrahmanahathbeenstruckbyme.Hedeservethevenmorethanthis.WhenIwaspraisingthee,hepraisedthatpersonofthethirdsex.'

"Uttarasaid,'Thouhast,Oking,committedanimproperact.Dothou

speedilypropitiatehimsothatthevirulentpoisonofaBrahmana'scursemaynotconsumetheetothyroots!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Havingheardthewordsofhisson,Virata,thatenhancerofthelimitsofhiskingdom,begantosootheKunti'sson,whowaslikeuntoafirehidinashes,forobtaininghisforgiveness.AnduntothekingdesirousofobtaininghispardonthePandavareplied,'Oking,Ihavelongagoforgivenit.AngerIhavenone.Hadthisbloodfrommynostrilsfallenontheground,then,withoutdoubt,thou,Omonarch,wouldsthavebeendestroyedwiththykingdom.Idonot,however,blamethee,Oking,forhavingstruckaninnocentperson.For,Oking,theythatarepowerfulgenerallyactwithunreasoningseverity.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Whenthebleedinghadstopped,Vrihannalaentered(thecouncil-room)andhavingsalutedbothVirataandKanka,stoodsilent.Andtheking,havingappeasedthechiefoftheKurus,begantopraise,inSavyasachin'shearing,Uttarawhohadreturnedfromthebattle.Andthekingsaid,'OenhancerofthejoysofKekaya'sprincess,intheehaveItrulyason!Ineverhadnorshallhave,asonthatisequaltothee!How,indeed,couldstthou,OChild,encounterthatKarnawholeavethnotasinglemarkunhitamongstevenathousandthathemayaimatallatonce?Howcouldstthou,Ochild,encounterthatBhishmawhohathnoequalinthewholeworldofmen?Howalsocouldstthou,Ochild,encounterDrona,thatforemostofallwieldersofweapons,thatpreceptoroftheVrishnisandKauravas,twice-bornonewhomayberegardedasthepreceptorofalltheKshatriyas?Howcouldstthoumeetinbattlethe

celebratedAswatthaman?Howcouldstthou,Ochild,encounterthatDuryodhana,theprincewhoiscapableofpiercingevenamountainwithhismightyarrows?Myfoeshaveallbeenthrashed.Adeliciousbreezeseemstoblowaroundme.AndsincethouhastrecoveredinbattlethewholeofmywealththathadbeenseizedbytheKurus,itseemsthatallthosemightywarriorswerestruckwithpanic.Withoutdoubt,thou,Obullamongstmen,hasroutedthefoeandsnatchedawayfromthemmywealthofkine,likehispreyfromatiger.'"



SECTIONLXIX

"Uttarasaid,'Thekinehavenotbeenrecoveredbyme,norhavethefoebeenvanquishedbyme.Allthathathbeenaccomplishedbythesonofadeity.Capableofstrikinglikeathunderbolt,thatyouthofcelestialorigin,beholdingmerunningawayinfear,stoppedmeandhimselfmountedonmycar.ItwasbyhimthatthekinehavebeenrecoveredandtheKauravasvanquished.Thedeed,Ofather,isthathero'sandnotmine.ItwashethatrepulsedwitharrowsKripaandDronaandDrona'ssonofpowerfulenergy,andtheSuta'ssonandBhishma.ThatmightyherothenspokeuntotheaffrightedprinceDuryodhanawhowasrunningawayliketheleaderofaheadofelephants,thesewords,'OprinceoftheKururace,IdonotseethatthouartsafebyanymeansevenatHastinapura.Protectthylifebyputtingforththymight.Thoushaltnotescapemebyflight.Therefore,makeupthymindforfight.Ifvictorious,thesovereigntyoftheearthwillbethine,orifslain,heavenitselfwillbethine.'

'Thusaddressed,kingDuryodhana--thattigeramongmensurroundedbyhiscounsellors,--sighingonhiscarlikeasnaketurnedback,showeredarrowsenduedwiththespeedandforceofthunderbolts.Beholdingallthis,venerablesire,mythighsbegantoquake.ThenthatcelestialyouthpiercedwitharrowstheKuruarmyconsistingofleoninewarriors.Andhavingpiercedandafflictedthatcrowdofcars,thatyouth,stoutasthe

lion,laughedatthemandrobbedthemoftheirclothesandattires.Indeed,thesixgreatcar-warriorsoftheKuruswerevanquishedbythatheroalone,evenlikeherdsofanimalsrangingintheforestbyasingletigerinrage.'

"Viratasaid,'Whereisthatmighty-armedandfamousyouthofcelestialorigin,thatherowhorecoveredinbattlemywealththathadbeenseizedbytheKurus?Iamanxioustobeholdandworshipthatmightywarriorofcelestialoriginwhohathsavedtheeandmykinealso.'

"Uttarareplied,'Themightysonofadeitydisappearedthereandthen.Ithink,however,thathewillshowhimselfeithertomorroworthedayafter.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Virata,thatownerofalargearmy,remainedignorantofthesonofPanduwhowasthusdescribeduntohimbyUttara,andwhowaslivinginthepalaceindisguise.Andpermittedbythehigh-souledVirata,Parthapresentedwithhisownhandsthegarmentshehadbrought,untoVirata'sdaughter.AndthebeautifulUttara,obtainingthosenewandcostlyclothesofdiversekinds,becamehighlyglad,alongwiththesonoftheMatsyaking.'"

SECTIONLXX

"Vaisampayanasaid,'Then,onthethirdday,attiredinwhiterobesafterabath,anddeckedinornamentsofallkinds,thosegreatcar-warriors,thefivePandavabrothers,havingaccomplishedtheirrow,andwithYudhishthiraattheirhead,lookedresplendentastheyenteredthepalace-gatelikefiveintoxicatedelephants.Andhavingenteredthecouncil-hallofVirata,theytooktheirseatsonthethronesreservedforkings,andshonebrilliantlylikefiresonthesacrificialaltar.AndafterPandavashadtakentheirseats,Virata,thatlordofearth,camethereforholdinghiscouncilanddischargingotherroyaloffices.AndbeholdingtheillustriousPandavasblazinglikefires,thekingreflected



foramoment.Andthem,filledwithwrath,theMatsyakingspokeuntoKankaseatedtherelikeacelestialandlookinglikethelordofcelestialssurroundedbytheMaruts.Andhesaid,'Aplayeratdicethouwertemployedbymeasacourtier!Howcouldstthouoccupytheroyalseatthusattiredinhandsomerobesandornaments?"

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'HearingthesewordsofVirata,Oking,anddesirousofjestingwithhim,Arjunasmilinglysaidinreply,'Thisperson,Oking,deservethtooccupythesameseatwithIndrahimself.DevotedtotheBrahmanas,acquaintedwiththeVedas,indifferenttoluxuryandcarnalenjoyments,habituallyperformingsacrifices,steadyinvows,thisone,indeed,istheveryembodimentofvirtue,TheforemostofallPersonsenduedwithenergyandsuperiortoeverybodyonearthinintelligence,devotedtoasceticism,heisconversantwithvariousweapons.Nootherpersonamongthemobileandimmobilecreaturesofthethreeworldspossessethorwilleverpossesssuchknowledgeofweapons.Andthereisnoneevenamongstthegods,orAsuras,ormen,orRakshasas,orGandharvas,orYakshachiefs,orKinnaras--ormightyUragas,whoislikehim.Enduedwithgreatforesightandenergy,belovedbythecitizensandinhabitantsoftheprovinces,heisthemightiestofcar-warriorsamongstthesonsofPandu.Aperformerofsacrifices,devotedtomorality,andofsubduedpassions,likeuntoagreatRishi,thisroyalsageiscelebratedoveralltheworlds.Possessedofgreatstrengthandgreatintelligence,ableandtruthful,hehathallhissensesunder

completecontrol.EqualuntoIndrainwealthandKuverainhoarding,heistheprotectoroftheworldslikeuntoManuhimselfofmightyprowess.Enduedwithgreatmight,heisevensuch.KinduntoallcreaturesheisnootherthanthebulloftheKururace,kingYudhishthirathejust.Theachievementsofthiskingresemblethesunhimselfofblazingeffulgence.Andhisfamehathtravelledinalldirectionsliketheraysofthatluminary.Andliketheraysfollowingtherisensunofblazingeffulgence,tenthousandswiftelephantsfollowedhim,Oking,whenhedweltamongtheKurus.And,Oking,thirtythousandcarsdeckedingoldanddrawnbythebeststeeds,alsousedtofollowhimthen.Andfulleighthundredbardsadornedwithear-ringssetwithshininggems,andaccompaniedbyminstrels,recitedhispraisesinthosedays,liketheRishisadorningIndra.And,Oking,theKauravasandotherlordsofearth

alwayswaiteduponhimlikeslaves,asthecelestialsuponKuvera.Thiseminentking,resemblingthebright-rayedsun,madealllordsofearthpaytributeuntohimlikepersonsoftheagriculturalclass.Andeighty-eightthousandsofhigh-souledSnatakasdependedfortheirsubsistenceuponthiskingpractisingexcellentvows.Thisillustriouslordprotectedtheagedandthehelpless,themaimedandtheblind,ashissons,andheruledoverhissubjectsvirtuously.Steadyinmoralityandself-control,capableofrestraininghisanger,bountiful,devotedtotheBrahmanas,andtruthful,thisoneisthesonofPandu.TheprosperityandprowessofthisoneafflictkingSuyodhanawithhisfollowersincludingKamaandSuvala'sson.And,Olordofmen,thevirtuesofthisoneareincapableofbeingenumerated.ThissonofPanduisdevotedtomoralityandalwaysabstainsfrominjury.Possessedofsuchattributes,

dothnotthisbullamongkings,thissonofPandu,deserve,Omonarch,tooccupyaroyalseat?'"

SECTIONLXXI

"Viratasaid,'Ifthisone,indeed,betheKurukingYudhisthirathesonofKunti,whichamongsttheseishisbrotherArjuna,andwhich,themightyBhima.WhichoftheseisNakula,andwhichSahadevaandwhereis



thecelebratedDraupadi?Aftertheirdefeatatdice,thesonsofPrithahavenotbeenheardofbyanyone.'

"Arjunasaid,'Eventhisone,Oking,whoiscalledVallavaandisthycook,isthatBhimaofmightyarmsandterribleprowessandfuriousimpetus.ItwashewhoslewthefuriousRakshasasonthemountainsofGandhamadana,andprocuredforKrishnacelestialflowersofgreatfragrance.EvenheisthatGandharva,whoslewtheKichakaofwickedsoulanditwashewhokilledtigersandbearsandboarsintheinnerapartmentofthypalace.HewhohadbeenthekeeperofthyhorseisthatslayeroffoescalledNakula,andthisoneisSahadeva,thekeeperofthykine.BoththesesonsofMadriaregreatcar-warriors,possessedofgreatfameandbeautyofperson.ThesetwobullsoftheBharatarace,attiredinhandsomerobesanddeckedinexcellentornaments,areamatchforathousandgreatcar-warriors.Andeventhisladyofeyeslikelotus-petalsandslender-waistandsweetsmilesisDrupada'sdaughter,thywife'sSairindhri,forwhosesake,Oking,theKichakaswereslain.Iam,Oking,Arjunawho,itisevident,thouhastheard,isthatsonofPritha,whoisBhima'sjuniorandtheseniorofthetwins!Wehave,Oking,happilypassedinthyabodetheperiodofnon-discovery,likeinfantsinthewomb!'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'AfterArjunahadpointedoutthoseheroes--thefivePandavas,thesonofViratathenspokeofArjuna'sprowess.And

UttaraonceagainidentifiedthesonsofPritha.Andtheprincesaid,'Thatonewhosecomplexionisbrightlikethatofpuregold,whoisstoutlikeafull-grownlion,whosenoseissoprominent,whoseeyesarelargeandexpansive,andwhosefaceisbroadandofcopperyhue,isthekingoftheKurus.Andbehold,thatonewhosetreadislikethatofaninfuriateelephant,whosecomplexionislikethatofheatedgold,whoseshouldersarebroadandexpanded,andwhosearmsarelongandthick,isVrikodara.Andhewhostandsbyhisside,thatyouthofdarkishhue,whoislikeuntoaleaderofaherdofelephants,whoseshouldersarebroadlikethoseofalion,whosetreadislikethatofamightyelephant,andwhoseeyesarelargeandexpansivelikelotus-leaves,isArjunathatforemostofbowmen.Alllo,closetotheking,arethoseforemostofmen,thetwins,likeuntoVishnuandIndra,andwhohavenoequals,intheworld

ofmen,inbeauty,might,andbehaviour.Andclosebythem,behold,standethKrishna,beautifulasgold,likeuntotheveryembodimentoflight,possessingthecomplexionofthebluelotus,likeuntoacelestialdamsel,andresemblingthelivingembodimentofLakshmiherself.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'ThenVirata'ssonbegantodescribetheprowessofArjuna,saying,'Eventhisoneishethatslewthefoe,likeuntoaliondevastatingaflockofdeer.Evenherangedthrough,crowdsofhostilecars,slayingtheirbestofcar-warriors.Byhimwasslainahuge,infuriateelephantbymeansofasinglearrow.Piercedbyhim,thathugebeasthavingitsflanksadornedwithanarmourofgold,felldownpiercingtheearthwithhistusks.ByhimhavethekinebeenrecoveredandtheKauravasvanquishedinbattle.Myearshavebeendeafenedbythe

blareofhisconch.ItwasbythisherooffiercedeedsthatBhishmaandDrona,alongwithDuryodhana,werevanquished.Thatachievementishisandnotmine.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Hearingthesewordsofhis,themightykingoftheMatsyas,consideringhimselfguiltyofhavingoffendedYudhishthira,saiduntoUttarainreply,'IthinkthetimehathcomeformetopropitiatethesonsofPandu.And,ifthoulikest,IshallbestowmydaughterUttarauponArjuna.'



"Uttarasaid,'Worthyofouradorationsandworshipandrespect,thetimehathcomeforworshippingtheillustrioussonsofPanduwhodeservetobeworshippedbyus.'

"Viratasaid,'Whenbroughtunderthefoe'ssubjectioninbattle,itwasBhimasenathatrescuedme.MykinealsohavebeenrecoveredbyArjuna.Itisthroughthemightoftheirarmsthatwehaveobtainedvictoryinbattle.Suchbeingthecase,allofus,withourcounsellors,shallpropitiateYudhishthirathesonofKunti.Blessedbethou,withallthybrothers,ObullamongthesonsofPandu.If,Oking,wehaveeversaidordoneanythinginignorancetooffendthee,itbehoveththeetoforgiveus.ThesonofPanduisvirtuous.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Thenthehigh-souledVirata,delightedgreatly,approachedkingYudhishthiraandmadeanalliancewithhim,andofferedhimhiswholekingdomtogetherwiththesceptreandtreasuryandmetropolis.AndaddressingallthePandavas,andespeciallyDhananjaya,themightykingoftheMatsyasrepeatedlysaid,'BygoodluckitisthatIseeyou.'AndhavingagainandagainembracedYudhishthiraandBhimaandthesonsofMadri,andsmelttheirheads,Virata,thatownerofalargearmy,wasnotsatiatedwithgazingatthem.Andbeinghighlypleased,hesaiduntokingYudhishthira,'BygoodluckitisthatIseeyousafefromwoods.Bygoodluckitisthatyehaveaccomplishedwithdifficultytheperiodofexile,undiscoveredbythosewickedwights.I

makeovermyentirekingdomtothesonsofPritha,andwhatelseIhave.LetthesonsofPanduacceptthesewithouttheslightesthesitation.AndletDhananjaya,calledalsoSavyasachin,acceptthehandofUttara:forthatbestofmenisfittobeherlord.'Thusaddressed,kingYudhishthirathejustcastalookuponDhananjaya,thesonofPritha.Andlookedatbyhisbrother,ArjunasaiduntotheMatsyaking,'Omonarch,Iacceptthydaughterasmydaughter-in-law.AndallianceofthiskindbetweentheMatsyaandtheBharatasis,indeed,desirable.'"

SECTIONLXXII

"Viratasaid,'Why,ObestamongthePandavas,dostthounotwishtoacceptaswifethismydaughterthatIbestowuponthee?'

"Arjunasaid,'Residinginthyinnerapartments,Ihadoccasionalwaystobeholdthydaughter,andshetoo,aloneorincompanytrustedmeasherfather.Well-versedinsinginganddancing,Iwaslikedandregardedbyher,and,indeed,thydaughteralwaysregardethmeasherprotector.Oking,Ilivedforonewholeyearwithherthoughshehadattainedtheageofpuberty.Underthesecircumstances,thyselforothermenmaynotwithoutreason,entertainsuspicionsagainstherorme.Therefore,Oking,myselfwhoampure,andhavemysensesundercontrol,begtothee,Omonarch,thydaughterasmydaughter-in-law.ThusdoIattestherpurity.Thereisnodifferencebetweenadaughter-in-lawandadaughter,

asalsobetweenasonandson'sown-self.Byadoptingthiscourse,therefore,herpuritywillbeproved.Iamafraidofslanderousandfalseaccusations.Iaccept,therefore,Oking,thydaughterUttaraasmydaughter-in-law.Surpassingallinknowledgeofweapons,resemblingacelestialyouthinbeauty,myson,themighty-armedAbhimanyuisthefavouritenephewofVasudeva,thewielderofthediscus.He,Oking,isfittobethyson-in-lawandthehusbandofthydaughter.'

"Viratasaid,'ItbehoveththebestoftheKurus,Dhananjaya,thesonofKunti,whoissovirtuousandwise,tosaythis.OsonofPritha,dothou



carryoutwhatthouthinkestshouldbedoneafterthis.HethathathArjunaforthefatherofhisson-in-law,hathallhisdesiresgratified.'

"Vaisampayanacontinued,'Themonarchhavingsaidthis,Yudhishthira,thesonofKunti,gavehisassenttowhatwasthusagreeduponbetweentheMatsyakingandArjuna.And,OBharata,thesonofKuntisentinvitationstoVasudevaandtoallhisfriendsandrelatives,andVirataalsodidthesame.Andthen,aftertheexpiryofthethirteenthyear,thefivePandavastookuptheirabodeinoneofVirata'stownscalledUpaplavya,andVibhatsu,thesonofPandu,broughtoverAbhimanyuandJanardana,andalsomanypeopleoftheDasarharacefromtheAnartacountry.AndthekingofKasi,andalsoSaivya,beingveryfriendlytoYudhishthira,arrivedthere,eachaccompaniedbyanAkshauhinioftroops.AndthemightyDrupada,alsowiththeheroicsonsofDraupadiandtheunvanquishedSikhandin,andthatforemostofwielderofweapons,theinvincibleDhrishtadyumnacametherewithanotherAkshauhinioftroops.AndallthekingsthatcamewerenotonlylordsofAkshauhini,butperformersofsacrificeswithgiftsinprofusiontoBrahmanas,conversantwiththeVedasenduedwithheroism,andreadytodieinbattle.Andbeholdingthemarrived,thatforemostofvirtuousmen,thekingoftheMatsyas,adoredthemduly,andentertainedtheirtroopsandservantsandcarriersofburdens.AndhewashighlypleasedtobestowhisdaughteruponAbhimanyu.Andafterthekingshadcometherefromdifferentpartsofthecountry,therecameVasudevadeckedinfloralgarlands,and

Halayudha,andKritavarman,thesonofHridika,andYuyudhana,thesonofSatyaki,andAnadhristiandAkrura,andSamvaandNisatha.AndtheserepressersoffoescametherebringingwiththemAbhimanyuandhismother.AndIndrasenaandothers,havinglivedatDwarakaforonewholeyear,camethere,bringingwiththemthewelladornedcarsofthePandavas.Andtherecamealsotenthousandelephantsandtenthousandcars,andhundredmillionsofhorsesandhundredbillionsoffoot-soldiers,andinnumerableVrishniandAndhakaandBhojawarriorsofgreatenergy,inthetrainofthattigeramongtheVrishnis,Vasudevaofgreateffulgence.AndKrishnagaveuntoeachoftheillustrioussonsofPandunumerousfemaleslaves,andgemsandrobes.AndthenthenuptialfestivalsetinbetweenthefamiliesoftheMatsyakingandthePandavas.Andthenconchsandcymbalsandhornsanddrumsandothermusical

instrumentsappointedbythePandavas,begantoplayinthepalaceofVirata.Anddeerofvariouskindsandcleananimalsbyhundredswereslain.Andwinesofvariouskindsandintoxicatingjuicesoftreeswereprofuselycollected.Andmimesandbardsandencomiasts,versedinsingingandlegendarylore,waiteduponthekings,andchantedtheirpraisesandgenealogies.AndthematronsoftheMatsyasofsymmetricalbodiesandlimbs,andwearingear-ringsofpearlsandgems,headedbySudeshna,cametotheplacewherethemarriageknotwastobetied.Andamongstthosebeautifulfemalesoffaircomplexionandexcellentornaments,Krishnawastheforemostinbeautyandfameandsplendour.Andtheyallcamethere,leadingforththeprincessUttaradeckedineveryornamentandresemblingthedaughterofthegreatIndrahimself.AndthenDhananjaya,thesonofKunti,acceptedVirata'sdaughteroffaultless

limbsonbehalfofhissonbySubhadra.Andthatgreatking,Yudhishthira,thesonofKunti,whostoodtherelikeIndra,alsoacceptedherashisdaughter-in-law.Andhavingacceptedher,thesonofPritha,withJanardanabeforehim,causedthenuptialceremoniestobeperformedoftheillustrioussonofSubhadra.AndViratathengavehim(asdowry)seventhousandsteedsenduedwiththespeedofthewindandtwohundredelephantsofthebestkindandmuchwealthalso.Andhavingdulypouredlibationsofclarifiedbutterontheblazingfire,andpaidhomageuntothetwice-bornones,VirataofferedtothePandavashiskingdom,army,treasury,andhisownself.Andafterthemarriagehadtakenplace,



Yudhishthira,thesonofDharma,gaveawayuntotheBrahmanasallthewealththathadbeenbroughtbyKrishnaofunfadingglory.Andhealsogaveawaythousandsofkine,anddiversekindsofrobes,andvariousexcellentornaments,andvehicles,andbeds,deliciousviandsofvariouskinds,andcardinaldrinksofdiversespecies.AndthekingalsomadegiftsoflanduntotheBrahmanaswithduerites,andalsocattlebythousands.Andhealsogaveawaythousandsofsteedsandmuchgoldandmuchwealthofotherkinds,untopersonsofallages.And,ObulloftheBharatarace,thecityoftheMatsyaking,throngedwithmencheerfulandwell-fed,shonebrightlylikeagreatfestival.'"

TheendofVirataParva

FOOTNOTES

1.BrahmaVadini--NilakanthaexplainsthisasKrishna-kirtanasila.

2.ThisspeechofVaisampayanaisnotincludedinsometextswithinthesecondsection.Toincludeit,however,inthethird,isevidentlyamistake.

3.TheslokacommencingwithAdushtaandendingratheshuchadoesnotoccurintextsexceptthoseinBengal.

4.Adifferencereadingisobservablehere.Thesense,however,isthesame.

5.Anindependentfemaleartisanworkinginanotherperson'shouse.--Wilson.

6.SomeoftheBengaltextandSarvastramayaforSarvamantramaya.Theformerisevidentlyincorrect.

7.Thisisaverydifficultsloka.NilakanthaadoptsthereadingSanjayet.TheBengaleditionsreadSanjapet.Ifthelatterbethecorrectreading,themeaningthenwouldbe,--'Letnonetalkaboutwhattranspiresinthepresenceoftheking.Forthoseeventhatarepoor,regarditasa

gravefault.'Thesenseevidentlyisthattheoccurrencesinrespectofakingwhichonewitnessesshouldnotbedivulged.Eventheythatarepowerlessregardsuchdivulgenceofwhatoccursinrespectofthemasaninsulttothem,and,therefore,inexcusable.

8.TheBengaleditions,readRajnaintheinstrumentalcase.FollowingamanuscripttextofaPanditofmyacquaintanceIreadRajnasinthegenitive.

9.Mahishasura,thesonofRambhasura.DurgahadtofightformanymanyyearsbeforeshecouldslaythisformidableAsura.ThestoryoccursintheMarkandeyaPurana.Tothisday,BengalduringthegreatDurgaPujafestivalinautumn,worshipsthegoddesswithgreatveneration.

10.Literally,onethatrescuesfromdifficulty.

11.KamacharaisexplainedbyNilakanthathus,althoughinotherplacesitbearsaquitedifferentmeaning.

12.Krita--attack;Pratikrita--wardingitoff;Sankata--clenchedSometextsreadSankatakais.Themeaningthenwouldbe'casedingauntlets.'

13.Bhuti,Hri,Sri,KirtiandKantiarerespectivelythefeminine



embodimentsofProsperity,Modesty,Beauty,FameandLoveliness.

14.WhatDraupadimeansisthatinsteadofpassingherdaysinjoyandhappiness,insteadofbeingabletowishtimetobestationarywithher,sheisobligedinconsequenceofhermisery,towishtimetopassoffquickly.

15.Jayateasyas--i.e.,shefromwhomoneisborn.

16.Sometextsread,Vilwamnagaviodhara--i.e.,'Asanelephantliftsupavelafruit.'

17.Verimeansbothakettle-drumandatrumpet.Thelatterhoweverconveysabettermeaninghere.

18.Literature,forceofhisthighs.

19.WhatBhimasaysisthis.--ThenGandharvas,yourhusbands,arealwaysobedienttothee!Iftheyhavebeenabletodotheeaservice,theyhaveonlyrepaidadebt.

20.Krita-krita--Nilakanthaexplainsthistomean'imaginingthemselvestohaveachievedsuccessintheirmission'forhavinglearntofKichaka'sdeath,theycouldreadilyguessthepresenceofthePandavasthere.This

istoofar-fetchedanddoesnotatallagreewiththespiritoftheirreporttoDuryodhanabelow.AndthenthesamewordoccursintheverylastlineoftheSection.Itakeitthatinbothplacesthewordhasbeenusedinthesamesense.

21.Thisisaverydifficultsloka.IamnotsurethatIhaveunderstooditalright.BothNilakanthaandArjunaMisraaresilent.Insteadofdepending,however,onmyownintelligence,IhaveconsultedseveralfriendswhohavereadtheMahabharatathoroughly.Thegrammaticalstructureiseasy.Theonlydifficultyconsistsinthesecondhalfofthesloka.Themeaning,however,IhavegivenisconsistentwiththetenorofBhishma'sadvice.

22.Indicatingtheunobstructedcompletionofthesacrifice.

23.Thewordtirthaheremeans,asNilakantharightlyexplainsspiesandnotholyspots.

24.SatramisexplainedbyNilakanthatomeanhere'falsedisguise.'Ithink,however,suchaninterpretationtobefar-fetched.Itevidentlymeans'forest',--theuseof'pravisteshu'inconnectionwithitalmostsettlesthepoint.

25.ThisslokaisnotcorrectlyprintedinanyofthetextsthatIhaveseen.ThereadingthatIadoptisthatthesecondwordistheparticipleoftherootbudhandnottheinstrumentalofbudhi;thelastwordagain

ofthesecondlineisacompoundofvalavatsuandavaleshuinsteadof(asprintedinmanybooks)valavatswavaleshu.Anyotherreadingwouldcertainlybeincorrect.IhavenotconsultedtheBombaytext.

26.Bhagasaslit.,eachinitsproperplace.Itmayalsomean,'accordingtotheirrespectivedivision.'

27.Kalyana-patalamisexplainedbyNilakanthatomeansuvarnapattachchaditam.



28.OneofthegeneralsofVirata.

29.Somedifferencesofreadingarenoticeablehere,forYasaswinausometextsreadManaswinau,andforVahusamravdhau-Vahusanrambhat;andforNakha-naki--Ratha-rathi.

30.SometextsreadGhanabivaforGhanarva.Thelatterisunquestionablybetterinform.

31.ThewordintheoriginalisMuhurtaequalto48minutes.Nilakanthapointsoutveryingeniouslythatthenightbeingtheseventhofthedarkfortnight,themoonwouldnotrisetillafter14Dandasfromthehourofsunset,aDandabeingequalto24minutes.AMuhurta,thereforeimpliesnot48minutesexactly,butsometime.

32.SomeVikshyainam,NilakanthaexplainsSamaasawordspokenbyBhimaforassuringthecaptiveVirata,andVikshyaas'assuring'or'consolingbyaglance.'Perhapsthisisright.

33.TheadjectiveBhima-sankasasasexplainedbyNilakanthaisinthissense,quotingthecelebratedsimileofValmiki.

34.TounderstandthecomparisonwouldrequireinthereaderaknowledgeofthemechanismoftheIndianVina.Briefly,theVinaconsistsofa

bambooofaboutcubitsattachedtotwogourdstowardsitsends.Alongthebamboowhichservesthepurposeofafinger-board,isthemainchordandseveralthinnerwires.Allthesepassoveranumberoffrets,twoandahalfheptachords,representingthetotalcompassoftheinstrument.ThewiresresttowardstheirendsontwopiecesofivorycalledUpadhanasinSanskritorSwarisinUrdu.

35.Somereadkaniasiforvaviasi.Bothwordsarethesame,andmeanthesamething.

36.Vedi-Vilagnamadhya--Vediinthisconnectionmeansawaspandnot,asexplainedbyMallinathainhiscommentaryoftheKumarasambhava,asacrificialplatform.Iwouldremarkinpassingthatmanyofthemost

poeticandstrikingadjectivesinboththeRaghuandtheKumarasambhavaofKalidasaareborrowedunblushinglyfromtheRamayanaandtheMahabharata.

37.Padmapatrabha-nibhamayalsomean'ofthesplendourofthegemcalledMarakata.'Nilakantha,however,showsthatthiswouldmilitateagainsttheadjectiveKankojwalatwachambelow.

38.TheprincessbeingofthecomplexionofburnishedgoldandArjunadarkasamassofclouds,thecomparisonisexceedinglyappropriate.TheVaishnavapoetsofBengalnevertireofthissimileinspeakingofRadhaandKrishnainthegrovesofVrindavana.

39.Thewordsintheoriginalispranayam,lit.,love.Nilakantha,however,explainsitasmeaningmodesty,humility.Ithink,Nilakanthaisright.TherelationsbetweenArjunaandtheprincesswerelikethosebetweenfatheranddaughter.

40.ThisslokaisnotcorrectlyprintedinanyofthetextsthatIhaveseen.TheBurdwanPanditsreadtat-samim.ThisIthink,iscorrect,butthenasasadainthesingularwhentheotherverbsarealldualseemstobecorrect.Thepoetmusthaveusedsomeotherverbinthedualforasasada.



41.SometextsreadDiptasyaforDiptayam.

42.Thisslokadoesnotoccurineverytext.Thisisatypicalillustrationoftheroundaboutway,frequentlyadoptedbySanskritwriters,ofexpressingasimpletruth.TheexcuseinthepresentinstanceconsistsinDrona'sunwillingnesstoidentifythesolitaryherowithArjuna,inthemidstofallhishearers.NadijiisanexclamationreferringtoBhishma,thesonoftheriverGanga.Lankesa-vanari-ketuissimply'ape-bannered,'orasrenderedinthetext,havingthedevastatorofthegardensofLanka'slordforthesignofhisbanner.Nagahvayais'namedaftertree'forArjunaisthenameofanIndiantree.Nagri-sunuis'Indra'sson',--Indrabeingthefoeofmountain,forformerlyitwashewhocutoffthewingsofallmountainsandcompelledthemtobestationary.HefailedonlyinthecaseofMainaka,thesonofHimavat.

43.Indianinsectsofaparticularkind.

44.Mosteditionsreadchapaswhichisevidentlywrong.Thecorrectreadingisavapas,meaningquiver.TheBurdwanPanditsgivethislatterreading.

45.Somereadchandrargha-darsanas.Thecorrectreadingischandrardha-darsanas.

46.Mosteditionsreadhema-punkhaandsilasitaintheinstrumentalplural;thecorrectreadingistheirnominativepluralforms.

47.Sayakameanshere,asexplainedbyNilakantha,asword,andnotashaft.

48.Fromthecolourofhissteeds.

49.Nilakanthaspendsmuchlearningandingenuityinmakingoutthatsixty-fiveyearsinthisconnectionmeansthirty-twoyearsofordinaryhumancomputation.

50.Sometextsread,--'Onelargemeteorfell.'

51.Insomeeditionsread,--Bharatadwijam,andMaha-hardamformaha-drumam.Themeaningwouldthenbe,--'Thebanners(ofthehostilearmy)begantotrembleinthesky,andlargelakeswereagitated."

52.SometextsreadMaharatham(incorrectly)forhiranmayan.Indeed,Maharathamwouldgivenomeaninginthisconnection.TheincompleteeditionoftheRoyPressundertheauspicesofthePrincipaloftheCalcuttaSanskritCollegeaboundswithsuchincorrectreadingsandmisprints.

53.TheRoyPresseditionaddsherealinewhichlooksverymuchlikean

interpolation.

54.ThetruereadingisAcharyainthedualnumber,meaningDronaandKripa.Sometextsreadthewordinthesingularform.Nilakanthanoticesboththesereading,butprefersthedualtothesingular.

55.Themeaningisratherdoubtful.Duryodhanaseemstosaythat'thehostileappearanceofArjunahasbeenanactofimprudenceonhispart.ThePandavas,aftertheexpiryofthethirteenthyear,wouldclaimtheirkingdom.I,Duryodhana,mayormaynotaccedetotheirdemand.When,



therefore,itwasnotcertainthatArjunawouldberefusedbyme,hishostileappearanceisunwise.Hehascomesureofvictory,buthemayyetbedefeated.'

56.Thesenseseemstobethatwhenmoralistsevenarepuzzledinjudgingoftheproprietyorotherwiseoftheiracts,itcaneasilybeimaginedthatthePandavas,howevervirtuous,have,inthematterofthistheirappearance,actedwrongly,for,afterall,thethirteenthyearmaynothavereallybeenoverasbelievedbythem.Or,itmaymean,thatasregardsourpresencehere,wehavenotactedimprudentlywhenevenmoralistscannotalwaysarriveatrightconclusion.ItseemsthatforthisDuryodhanaproceedstojustifythatpresenceinthefollowingsentences

mahabharata . virata parva - volume 4

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