srimahabharat - (book 4) virata parva - chapters 61 to 71

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 

Book 4
Chapter 61

 1 [vai]
      āhūyamānas tu sa tena saṃkhye; mahāmanā dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putraḥ
      nivartitas tasya girāṅkuśena; gajo yathāmatta ivāṅkuśena
  2 so 'mṛṣyamāṇo vacasābhimṛṣṭo; mahārathenāti rathas tarasvī
      paryāvavartātha rathena vīro; bhogī yathā pādatalābhimṛṣṭaḥ
  3 taṃ prekṣya karṇaḥ parivartamānaṃ; nivartya saṃstabhya ca viddha gātraḥ
      duryodhanaṃ dakṣiṇato 'bhyagacchat; pārthaṃ nṛvīro yudhi hemamālī
  4 bhīṣmas tataḥ śāṃtanavo nivṛtya; hiraṇyakakṣyāṃs tvarayaṃs turaṃgān
      duryodhanaṃ paścimato 'bhyarakṣat; pārthān mahābāhur adhijya dhanvā
  5 droṇaḥ kṛpaś caiva viviṃśatiś ca; duḥśāsanaś caiva nivṛtya śīghram
      sarve purastād vitateṣu cāpā; duryodhanārthaṃ tvaritābhyupeyuḥ
  6 sa tāny anīkāni nivartamānāny; ālokya pūrṇaughanibhāni pārthaḥ
      haṃso yathā megham ivāpatantaṃ; dhanaṃjayaḥ pratyapatat tarasvī
  7 te sarvataḥ saṃparivārya pārtham; astrāṇi divyāni samādadānāḥ
      vavarṣur abhyetya śaraiḥ samantān; meghā yathā bhūdharam ambuvegaiḥ
  8 tato 'stram astreṇa nivārya teṣāṃ; gāṇḍīvadhanvā kurupuṃgavānām
      saṃmohanaṃ śatrusaho 'nyad astraṃ; prāduścakāraindrir apāraṇīyam
  9 tato diśaś cānudiśo vivṛtya; śaraiḥ sudhārair niśitaiḥ supuṅkhaiḥ
      gāṇḍīvaghoṣeṇa manāṃsi teṣāṃ; mahābalaḥ pravyathayāṃ cakāra
  10 tataḥ punar bhīmaravaṃ pragṛhya; dorbhyāṃ mahāśaṅkham udāraghoṣam
     vyanādayat sa pradiśo diśaḥ khaṃ; bhuvaṃ ca pārtho dviṣatāṃ nihantā
 11 te śaṅkhanādena kurupravīrāḥ; saṃmohitāḥ pārtha samīritena
     utsṛjya cāpāni durāsadāni; sarve tadā śānti parā babhūvuḥ
 12 tathā visaṃjñeṣu pareṣu pārthaḥ; smṛtvā tu vākyāni tathottarāyāḥ
     niryāhi madhyād iti matsyaputram; uvāca yāvat kuravo visaṃjñāḥ
 13 ācārya śāradvatayoḥ suśukle; karṇasya pītaṃ ruciraṃ ca vastram
     drauṇeś ca rājñaś ca tathaiva nīle; vastre samādatsva narapravīra
 14 bhīṣmasya saṃjñāṃ tu tathaiva manya; jānāti me 'strapratighātam eṣaḥ
     etasya vāhān kuru savyatas tvam; evaṃ hi yātavyam amūḍha saṃjñaiḥ
 15 raśmīn samutsṛjya tato mahātmā; rathād avaplutya virāṭa putraḥ
     vastrāṇy upādāya mahārathānāṃ; tūrṇaṃ punaḥ svaṃ ratham āruroha
 16 tato 'nvaśāsac caturaḥ sadaśvān; putro virāṭasya hiraṇyakakṣyān
     te tad vyatīyur dhvajinām anīkaṃ; śvetā vahanto 'rjunam ājimadhyāt
 17 tathā tu yāntaṃ puruṣapravīraṃ; bhīṣmaḥ śarair abhyahanat tarasvī
     sa cāpi bhīṣmasya hayān nihatya; vivyādha pārśve daśabhiḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ
 18 tato 'rjuno bhīṣmam apāsya yuddhe; viddhvāsya yantāram ariṣṭadhanvā
     tasthau vimukto rathavṛndamadhyād; rāhuṃ vidāryeva sahasraraśmiḥ
 19 labdhvā tu saṃjñāṃ ca kurupravīraḥ; pārthaṃ samīkṣyātha mahendrakalpam
     raṇād vimuktaṃ sthitam ekam ājau; sa dhārtarāṣṭras tvarito babhāṣe
 20 ayaṃ kathaṃ svid bhavatāṃ vimuktas; taṃ vai prabadhnīta yathā na mucyet
     tam abravīc chāṃtanavaḥ prahasya; kva te gatā buddhir abhūt kva vīryam
 21 śāntiṃ parāśvasya yathā sthito 'bhūr; utsṛjya bāṇāṃś ca dhanuś ca citram
     na tv eva bībhatsur alaṃ nṛśaṃsaṃ; kartuṃ na pāpe 'sya mano niviṣṭam
 22 trailokyahetor na jahet svadharmaṃ; tasmān na sarve nihatā raṇe 'smin
     kṣipraṃ kurūn yāhi kurupravīra; vijitya gāś ca pratiyātu pārthaḥ
 23 duryodhanas tasya tu tan niśamya; pitāmahasyātma hitaṃ vaco 'tha
     atītakāmo yudhi so 'ty amarṣī; rājā viniḥśvasya babhūva tūṣṇīm
 24 tad bhīṣma vākyaṃ hitam īkṣya sarve; dhanaṃjayāgniṃ ca vivardhamānam
     nivartanāyaiva mano nidadhyur; duryodhanaṃ te parirakṣamāṇāḥ
 25 tān prasthitān prītamanāḥ sa pārtho; dhanaṃjayaḥ prekṣya kurupravīrān
     ābhāṣamāṇo 'nuyayau muhūrtaṃ; saṃpūjayaṃs tatra gurūn mahātmā
 26 pitāmahaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ sa vṛddhaṃ; droṇaṃ guruṃ ca pratipūjya mūrdhnā
     drauṇiṃ kṛpaṃ caiva gurūṃś ca sarvāñ; śarair vicitrair abhivādya caiva
 27 duryodhanasyottama ratnacitraṃ; ciccheda pārtho mukuṭaṃ śareṇa
     āmantrya vīrāṃś ca tathaiva mānyān; gāṇḍīvaghoṣeṇa vinādya lokān
 28 sa devadattaṃ sahasā vinādya; vidārya vīro dviṣatāṃ manāṃsi
     dhvajena sarvān abhibhūya śatrūn; sa hemajālena virājamānaḥ
 29 dṛṣṭvā prayātāṃs tu kurūn kirīṭī; hṛṣṭo 'bravīt tatra sa matsyaputram
     āvartayāśvān paśavo jitās te; yātāḥ pare yāhi puraṃ prahṛṣṭaḥ

SECTION LXI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having defeated Vikartana's son, Arjuna said unto the son of Virata, 'Take me towards that division where yonder device of a golden palmyra is seen. There our grandfather, Santanu's son, like unto a celestial, waiteth, desirous of an encounter with me.' Thereupon, beholding that mighty host thronged with cars and horses and elephants, Uttara, sorely pierced with arrows, said, 'O hero, I am no longer able to guide thy excellent steeds. My spirits droop and my mind is exceedingly
p. 107
bewildered. All the directions seem to be whirling before my eyes in consequence of the energy of the celestial weapons used by thee and the Kurus. I have been deprived of my senses by the stench of fat and blood and flesh. Beholding all this, from terror my mind is, as it were, cleft in twain. Never before had I beheld such a muster of horses in battle. And at the flapping of fences, and the blare of conchs, the leonine roars made by the warriors and the shrieks of elephants, and the twang of the Gandiva resembling the thunder, I have, O hero, been so stupefied that I have been deprived of both hearing and memory. And, O hero, beholding thee incessantly drawing to a circle, in course of the conflict, the Gandiva which resembleth a circle of fire, my sight faileth me and my heart is rent asunder. And seeing thy fierce form in battle, like that of the wielder of the Pinaka while inflamed with wrath, and looking also at the terrible arrows shot by thee, I am filled with fear. I fail to see when thou takest up thy excellent arrows, when thou fixest them on the bow-string, and when thou lettest them off. And though all this is done before my eyes, yet, deprived of my senses, I do not see it. My spirits are drooping and earth itself seems to be swimming before me. I have no strength to hold the whip and the reins.' Hearing these words, Arjuna said, 'Do thou not fear. Assure thyself. Thou also hast, on the field of battle performed, O bull among men, wonderful feats. Blessed be thou, thou art a prince and born in the illustrious line of Matsyas. It behoveth thee not to feel dispirited in chastising thy foes. Therefore, O prince, stationed on my car, muster all thy fortitude and hold the reins of my steeds, O slayer of foes, when I once more become engaged in battle.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this unto Virata's son, that best of men and foremost of car-warriors, the mighty-armed Arjuna, again addressed the son of Virata, saying. 'Take me without delay to the van of Bhishma's division. I will cut off his very bow-string in the battle. Thou shalt behold today the celestial weapons of blazing beauty, shot by me, look like flashes of lightning disporting amid the clouds in the sky. The Kauravas shall behold the gold decked back of my Gandiva today, and assembled together the foe shall dispute, saying,--By which hand of his, the right or the left, doth he should? And I shall cause a dreadful river (of death) to flow today towards the other world with blood for its waters and cars for its eddies, and elephants for its crocodiles. I shall today, with my straight arrows, extirpate the Kuru forest having hands and feet and heads and backs and arms for the branches of its trees. Alone, bow in hand, vanquishing the Kuru host, a hundred paths shall open before me like those of a forest in conflagration. Struck by me thou shalt today behold the Kuru army moving round and round like a wheel (unable to fly off the field). I shall show thee today my excellent training in arrows and weapons. Stay thou on my car firmly, whether the ground be smooth or uneven. I can pierce with my winged arrows even the mountain of Sumeru that stands touching the very heavens. I slew of old, at Indra's command, hundreds and thousands
p. 108
of Paulomas and Kalakhanjas in battle. I have obtained my firmness of grasp from Indra, and my lightness of hand from Brahman, and I have learnt various modes of fierce attack and defence amid crowds of foes from Prajapati. I vanquished, on the other side of the great ocean, sixty thousands of car-warriors--all fierce archers--residing in Hiranyapura. Behold, now I defeat the multitudinous host of the Kurus like a tempest scattering a heap of cotton. With my fiery arrows I shall today set the Kuru-forest to fire, having banners for its trees, the foot-soldiers for its shrubs, and the car-warriors for its beasts of prey. Like unto the wielder of the thunderbolt overthrowing the Danavas, alone I shall, with my straight arrows, bring down from the chambers of their cars the mighty warrior of the Kuru army stationed therein and struggling in the conflict to the best of their power. I have obtained from Rudra the Raudra, from Varuna the Varuna from Agni the Agneya, from the god of Wind the Vayava, and from Sakra the thunderbolt and other weapons. I shall certainly exterminate the fierce Dhartarashtra-forest though protected by many leonine warriors. Therefore, O Virata's son, let thy fears be dispelled.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus assured by Savyasachin, the son of Virata penetrated into that fierce array of cars protected by Bhishma. The son of Ganga, however, of fierce deeds, cheerfully withstood the mighty-armed hero advancing from desire of vanquishing the heroes in battle. Jishnu, then, confronting Bhishma, cut off his standard clean off at the roots by shooting a gold-decked arrow pierced by which it fell to the ground. And at this, four mighty warriors, Dussasana and Vikarna and Dussaha and Vivingsati, skilled in weapons and endued with great energy, and all decked with handsome garlands and ornaments, rushed towards that terrible bowman. And advancing towards Vibhatsu--that fierce archer, these all encompassed him around. Then the heroic Dussasana pierced the son of Virata with a crescent-shaped arrow and he pierced Arjuna with another arrow in the breast. And Jishnu, confronting Dussasana, cut off by means of a sharp-edged arrow furnished with vulturine wings his adversary's bow plaited with gold, and then pierced his person in the breast by means of five arrows. And afflicted by the arrows of Partha. Dussasana fled, leaving the combat. Then Vikarna, the son of Dhritarashtra, pierced Arjuna--that slayer of hostile heroes, by means of sharp and straight arrows furnished with vulturine wings. But the son of Kunti within a moment hit him also in the forehead with straight shafts. And pierced by Arjuna, he fell down from his car. And at this, Dussaha, supported by Vivingsati, covered Arjuna with a cloud of sharp arrows, impelled by the desire of rescuing his brother. Dhananjaya, however, without the least anxiety, pierced both of them almost at the same instant by means of couple of keen-edged arrows and then slew the steeds of both. And there upon, both those sons of Dhritarashtra, deprived of their steeds and their bodies mangled were taken away by the warrior behind them who had rushed forward with
p. 109
other cars. Then the unvanquished Vibhatsu, the mighty son of Kunti, decked with diadem and sure of aim, simultaneously attacked all sides with his arrows.'"

Book 4
Chapter 62

  1 [vai]
      tato vijitya saṃgrāme kurūn govṛṣabhekṣaṇaḥ
      samānayām āsa tadā virāṭasya dhanaṃ mahat
  2 gateṣu ca prabhagneṣu dhārtarāṣṭreṣu sarvaśaḥ
      vanān niṣkramya gahanād bahavaḥ kuru sainikāḥ
  3 bhayāt saṃtrastamanasaḥ samājagmus tatas tataḥ
      muktakeśā vyadṛśyanta sthitāḥ prāñjalayas tadā
  4 kṣutpipāsāpariśrāntā videśa sthā vicetasaḥ
      ūcuḥ praṇamya saṃbhrāntāḥ pārtha kiṃ karavām ate
  5 [arj]
      svasti vrajata bhadraṃ vo na bhetavyaṃ kathaṃ cana
      nāham ārtāñ jighāṃsāmi bhṛśam āśvāsayāmi vaḥ
  6 [vai]
      tasya tām abhayāṃ vācaṃ śrutvā yodhāḥ samāgatāḥ
      āyuḥ kīrtiyaśo dābhis tam āśir bhir anandayan
  7 tato nivṛttāḥ kuravaḥ prabhagnā vaśam āsthitāḥ
      panthānam upasaṃgamya phalguno vākyam abravīt
  8 rājaputra pratyavekṣa samānītāni sarvaśaḥ
      gokulāni mahābāho vīra gopālakaiḥ saha
  9 tato 'harāhṇe yāsyāmo virāṭanagaraṃ prati
      āśvāsya pāyayitvā ca pariplāvya ca vājinaḥ
  10 gacchantu tvaritāś caiva gopālāḥ preṣitās tvayā
     nagare priyam ākhyātuṃ ghoṣayantu ca te jayam
 11 [vai]
     uttaras tvaramāṇo 'tha dūtān ājñāpayat tataḥ
     vacanād arjunasyaiva ācakṣadhvaṃ jayaṃ mama

SECTION LXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O thou of the Bharata race, all the great car-warriors of the Kurus, united together, began to assail Arjuna to the best of their might from all sides. But that hero of immeasurable soul completely covered all those mighty car-warriors with clouds of arrows, even as the mist covereth the mountains. And the roars of huge elephants and conchs, mingling together, produced a loud up roar. And penetrating through the bodies of elephants and horses as also through steel coats of mail, the arrows shot by Partha fell by thousands. And shooting shafts with the utmost celerity, the son of Pandu seemed in that contest to resemble the blazing sun of an autumnal midday. And afflicted with fear, the car-warriors began to leap down from their cars and the horse-soldiers from horse-back, while the foot-soldiers began to fly in all directions. And loud was the clatter made by Arjuna's shafts as they cleft the coats of mail belonging to mighty warriors, made of steel, silver, and copper. And the field was soon covered with the corpses of warriors mounted on elephants and horses, all mangled by the shafts of Partha of great impetuosity like unto sighing snakes. And then it seemed as if Dhananjaya, bow in hand, was dancing on the field of battle. And sorely affrighted at the twang of the Gandiva resembling the noise of the thunder, many were the combatants that fled from that terrible conflict. And the field of battle was bestrewn with severed heads decked with turbans, ear-rings and necklaces of gold, and the earth looked beautiful by being scattered all over with human trunks mangled by shafts, and arms having bows in their grasp and hands decked with ornaments. And, O bull of the Bharata race, in consequence of heads cut off by whetted shafts ceaselessly falling on the ground, it seemed as if a shower of stones fell from the sky. And that Partha of formidable prowess, displaying his fierceness, now ranged the field of battle, pouring the terrible fire of his wrath upon the sons of Dhritarashtra. And beholding the fierce prowess of Arjuna who thus scorched the hostile host, the Kuru warriors, in the very presence of Duryodhana, became dispirited and ceased to fight. And, O Bharata, having struck terror into that host and routed those mighty car-warriors, that fore-most of victors, ranged on the field. And the son of Pandu then created on the field of battle a dreadful river of blood, with waving billows, like unto the river of death that is created by Time at the end of the Yuga, having the dishevelled
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hair of the dead and the dying for its floating moss and straw, with bows and arrows for its boats, fierce in the extreme and having flesh and animal juices for its mire. And coats of mail and turbans floated thick on its surface. And elephants constituted its alligators and the cars its rafts. And marrow and fat and blood constituted its currents. And it was calculated to strike terror into the hearts of the spectators. And dreadful to behold, and fearful in the extreme, and resounding with the yells of ferocious beasts, keen edged weapons constituted its crocodiles. And Rakshasas and other cannibals haunted it from one end to the other. And strings of pearls constituted its ripples, and various excellent ornaments, its bubbles. And having swarms of arrows for its fierce eddies and steeds for its tortoises, it was incapable of being crossed. And the mighty car warrior constituted its large island, and it resounded with the bleat of conchs and the sound of drums. And the river of blood that Partha created was incapable of being crossed. Indeed, so swift-handed was Arjuna that the spectators could not perceive any interval between his taking up an arrow, and fixing it on the bow-string, and letting it off by a stretch of the Gandiva.'"

Book 4
Chapter 63

  1 [vai]
      avajitya dhanaṃ cāpi virāṭo vāhinīpatiḥ
      prāviśan nagaraṃ hṛṣṭaś caturbhiḥ saha pāṇḍavaiḥ
  2 jitvā trigartān saṃgrāme gāś caivādāya kevalāḥ
      aśobhata mahārājaḥ saha pārthaiḥ śriyā vṛtaḥ
  3 tam āsanagataṃ vīraṃ suhṛdāṃ prītivardhanam
      upatasthuḥ prakṛtayaḥ samastā brāhmaṇaiḥ saha
  4 sabhājitaḥ sa sainyas tu pratinandyātha matsyarāj
      visarjayām āsa tadā dvijāṃś ca prakṛtīs tathā
  5 tataḥ sa rājā matsyānāṃ virāṭo vāhinīpatiḥ
      uttaraṃ paripapraccha kva yāta iti cābravīt
  6 ācakhyus tasya saṃhṛṣṭāḥ striyaḥ kanyāś ca veśmani
      antaḥpura carāś caiva kurubhir godhanaṃ hṛtam
  7 vijetum abhisaṃrabdha eka evāti sāhasāt
      bṛhannaḍā sahāyaś ca niryātaḥ pṛthivīṃ jayaḥ
  8 upayātān ati rathān droṇaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ kṛpam
      karṇaṃ duryodhanaṃ caiva droṇaputraṃ ca ṣaḍ rathān
  9 rājā virāṭo 'tha bhṛśaṃ prataptaḥ; śrutvā sutaṃ hy ekarathena yātam
      bṛhannaḍā sārathim ājivardhanaṃ; provāca sarvān atha mantrimukhyān
  10 sarvathā kuravas te hi ye cānye vasudhādhipāḥ
     trigartān nirjitāñ śrutvā na sthāsyanti kadā cana
 11 tasmād gacchantu me yodhā baleṇa mahatā vṛtāḥ
     uttarasya parīpsārthaṃ ye trigartair avikṣatāḥ
 12 hayāṃś ca nāgāṃś ca rathāṃś ca śīghraṃ; padātisaṃghāṃś ca tataḥ pravīrān
     prasthāpayām āsa sutasya hetor; vicitraśastrābharaṇopapannān
 13 evaṃ sa rājā matsyānāṃ virāṭo 'kṣauhiṇīpatiḥ
     vyādideśātha tāṃ kṣipraṃ vāhinīṃ caturagniṇīm
 14 kumāram āśu jānīta yadi jīvati vā na vā
     yasya yantā gataḥ ṣaṇḍho manye 'haṃ na sa jīvati
 15 tam abravīd dharmarājaḥ prahasya; virāṭam ārtaṃ kurubhiḥ prataptam
     bṛhannaḍā sārathiś cen narendra; pare na neṣyanti tavādya gās tāḥ
 16 sarvān mahī pān sahitān kurūṃś ca; tathaiva devāsurayakṣanāgān
     alaṃ vijetuṃ samare sutas te; svanuṣṭhitaḥ sārathinā hi tena
 17 athottareṇa prahitā dūtās te śīghragāminaḥ
     virāṭanagaraṃ prāpya jayam āvedayaṃs tadā
 18 rājñas tataḥ samācakhyau mantrī vijayam uttamam
     parājayaṃ kurūṇāṃ cāpy upāyāntaṃ tathottaram
 19 sarvā vinirjitā gāvaḥ kuravaś ca parājitāḥ
     uttaraḥ saha sūtena kuśalī ca paraṃtapa
 20 [kanka]
     diṣṭyā te nirjitā gāvaḥ kuravaś ca parājitāḥ
     diṣṭyā te jīvitaḥ putraḥ śrūyate pārthivarṣabha
 21 nādbhutaṃ tv eva manye 'haṃ yat te putro 'jayat kurūn
     dhruva eva jayas tasya yasya yantā bṛhannaḍā
 22 [vai]
     tato virāṭo nṛpatiḥ saṃprahṛṣṭatanū ruhaḥ
     śrutvā tu vijayaṃ tasya kumārasyāmitaujasaḥ
     āchādayitvā dūtāṃs tān mantriṇaḥ so 'bhyacodayat
 23 rājamārgāḥ kriyantāṃ me patākābhir alaṃ kṛtāḥ
     puṣpopahārair arcyantāṃ devatāś cāpi sarvaśaḥ
 24 kumārā yodhamukhyāś ca gaṇikāś ca svalaṃ kṛtāḥ
     vāditrāṇi ca sarvāṇi pratyudyāntu sutaṃ mama
 25 ghaṇḍā paṇavakaḥ śīghraṃ mattam āruhya vāraṇam
     śṛṅgāṭakeṣu sarveṣu ākhyātu vijayaṃ mama
 26 uttarā ca kumārībhir bahvībhir abhisaṃvṛtā
     śṛṅgāraveṣābharaṇā pratyudyātu bṛhannaḍām
 27 śrutvā tu tad vacanaṃ pārthivasya; sarve punaḥ svastikapāṇayaś ca
     bheryaś ca tūryāṇi ca vārijāś ca; veṣaiḥ parārdhyaiḥ pramadāḥ śubhāś ca
 28 tathaiva sūtāḥ saha māgadhaiś ca; nandī vādyāḥ praṇavās tūryavādyāḥ
     purād virāṭasya mahābalasya; pratyudyayuḥ putram anantavīryam
 29 prasthāpya senāṃ kanyāś ca gaṇikāś ca svalaṃkṛtāḥ
     matsyarājo mahāprājñaḥ prahṛṣṭa idam abravīt
     akṣān āhara sairandhir kaṅkadyūtaṃ pravartatām
 30 taṃ tathā vādinaṃ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavaḥ pratyabhāṣata
     na devitavyaṃ hṛṣṭena kitaveneti naḥ śrutam
 31 na tvām adya mudā yuktam ahaṃ devitum utsahe
     priyaṃ tu te cikīrṣāmi vartatāṃ yadi manyase
 32 [virāṭa]
     striyo gāvo hiraṇyaṃ ca yac cānyad vasu kiṃ cana
     na me kiṃ cit tvayā rakṣyam antareṇāpi devitum
 33 [kanka]
     kiṃ te dyūtena rājendra bahudoṣeṇa mānada
     devane bahavo doṣās tasmāt tatparivarjayet
 34 śrutas te yadi vā dṛṣṭaḥ pāṇḍavo vai yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     sa rājyaṃ sumahat sphītaṃ bhrātṝṃś ca tridaśopamān
 35 dyūte hāritavān sarvaṃ tasmād dyūtaṃ na rocaye
     atha vā manyase rājan dīvyāva yadi rocate
 36 [vai]
     pravartamāne dyūte tu matsyaḥ pāṇḍavam abravīt
     paśya putreṇa me yuddhe tādṛśāḥ kuravo jitāḥ
 37 tato 'bravīn matsyarājaṃ dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     bṛhannaḍā yasya yantā kathaṃ sa na vijeṣyati
 38 ity uktaḥ kupito rājā matsyaḥ pāṇḍavam abravīt
     samaputreṇa me ṣaṇḍhaṃ brahma bandho praśaṃsati
 39 vācyāvācyaṃ na jānīṣe nūnaṃ mām avamanyase
     bhīṣmadroṇamukhān sarvān kasmān na sa vijeṣyati
 40 vayasyatvāt tu te brahmann aparādham imaṃ kṣame
     nedṛśaṃ te punar vācyaṃ yadi jīvitum icchasi
 41 [yudhisṭhira]
     yatra droṇas tathā bhīṣmo drauṇir vaikartanaḥ kṛpaḥ
     duryodhanaś ca rājendra tathānye ca mahārathāḥ
 42 marudgaṇaiḥ parivṛtaḥ sākṣād api śatakratuḥ
     ko 'nyo bṛhannaḍāyās tān pratiyudhyeta saṃgatān
 43 [virāṭa]
     bahuśaḥ pratiṣiddho 'si na ca vācaṃ niyacchasi
     niyantā cen na vidyeta na kaś cid dharmam ācaret
 44 [vai]
     tataḥ prakupito rājā tam akṣeṇāhanad bhṛśam
     mukhe yudhiṣṭhiraṃ kopān naivam ity eva bhartsayan
 45 balavat pratividdhasya nastaḥ śoṇitam āgamat
     tad aprāptaṃ mahīṃ pārthaḥ pāṇibhyāṃ pratyagṛhṇata
 46 avaikṣata ca dharmātmā draupadīṃ pārśvataḥ sthitām
     sā veda tam abhiprāyaṃ bhartuś cittavaśānugā
 47 pūrayitvā ca sauvarṇaṃ pātraṃ kāṃsyam aninditā
     tac choṇitaṃ pratyagṛhṇād yat prasusrāva pāṇavāt
 48 athottaraḥ śubhair gandhair mālyaiś ca vividhais tathā
     avakīryamāṇaḥ saṃhṛṣṭo nagaraṃ svairam āgamat
 49 sabhājyamānaḥ pauraiś ca strībhir jānapadais tathā
     āsādya bhavanadvāraṃ pitre sa pratyahārayat
 50 tato dvār sthaḥ praviśyaiva virāṭam idam abravīt
     bṛhan naḍā sahāyas te putro dvāry uttaraḥ sthitaḥ
 51 tato hṛṣṭo matsyarājaḥ kṣattāram idam abravīt
     praveśyatām ubhau tūrṇaṃ darśanepsur ahaṃ tayoḥ
 52 kṣattāraṃ kururājas tu śanaiḥ karṇa upājapat
     uttaraḥ praviśatv eko na preveśyā bṛhannaḍā
 53 etasya hi mahābāho vratam etat samāhitam
     yo mamāṅge vraṇaṃ kuryāc choṇitaṃ vāpi darśayet
     anyatra saṃgrāmaganān na sa jīved asaṃśayam
 54 na mṛṣyād bhṛśasaṃkruddho māṃ dṛṣṭvaiva sa śoṇitam
     virāṭam iha sāmātyaṃ hanyāt sabalavāhanam

SECTION LXIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then while a great havoc was being made among the Kurus, Santanu's son, Bhishma, and grandsire of the Bharatas rushed at Arjuna, taking up an excellent bow adorned with gold, and many arrows also of keen points and capable of piercing into the very vitals of the foe and afflicting him sorely. And in consequence of a white umbrella being held over his head, that tiger among men looked beautiful like unto a hill at sunrise. And the son of Ganga, blowing his conch cheered the sons of Dhritarashtra, and wheeling along his right came upon Vibhatsu and impeded his course. And that slayer of hostile heroes, the son of Kunti, beholding him approach, received him with a glad heart, like a hill receiving a rain-charged cloud. And Bhishma, endued with great energy, pierced Partha's flag-staff with eight arrows. The arrows reaching the flag-staff of Pandu's son, struck the blazing ape and those creatures also stationed in the banner-top. And then the son of Pandu, with a mighty javelin of sharp-edge cut of Bhishma's umbrella which instantly fell on the ground. And then the light-handed son of Kunti struck his adversary's flag-staff also with many shafts, and then his steeds and then the couple of drivers that protected Bhishma's flanks. And unable to bear this, Bhishma though cognisant of the Pandava's might, covered Dhananjaya with a powerful celestial weapon. And the son of Pandu, of immeasurable soul, hurling in return a celestial weapon at
p. 111
[paragraph continues] Bhishma, received that from Bhishma like a hill receiving a deep mass of clouds. And the encounter that took place between Partha and Bhishma, was fierce and the Kaurava warriors with their troops stood as lookers on. And in the conflict between Bhishma and the son of Pandu, shafts striking against shafts shone in the air like fireflies in the season of rains. And, O king, in consequence of Partha's shooting arrows with both his right and left hands, the bent Gandiva seemed like a continuous circle of fire. And the son of Kunti then covered Bhishma with hundreds of sharp and keen-edged arrows, like a cloud covering the mountain-breast with its heavy downpour. And Bhishma baffled with the own arrows that arrowy shower, like the bank resisting the swelling sea, and covered the son of Pandu in return. And those warriors, cut into a thousand pieces in battle, fell fast in the vicinity of Falguna's car. And then there was a downpour, from the car of Pandu's son, of arrows furnished with golden wing, and raining through the sky like a flight of locusts. And Bhishma again repelled that arrowy shower with hundreds of whetted shafts shot by him. And then the Kauravas exclaimed.--Excellent! Excellent!--Indeed, Bhishma hath performed an exceedingly difficult feat inasmuch as he hath fought with Arjuna. Dhananjaya is mighty and youthful, and dexterous and swift of hand. Who else, save Bhishma, the son of Santanu, or Krishna, the son of Devaki, or the mighty son of Bharadwaja, the foremost of preceptors, is able to bear the impetus of Partha in battle? And repelling weapons with weapons, those two bulls of the Bharata race, both endued with great might, fought on playfully and infatuated the eyes of all created beings. And those illustrious warriors ranged on the field of battle, using the celestials weapons obtained from Prajapati and Indra, and Agni and the fierce Rudra, and Kuvera, and Varuna, and Yama, and Vayu. And all beings were greatly surprised, upon beholding those warriors engaged in combat. And they all exclaimed,--Bravo Partha of long arms? Bravo Bhishma! Indeed, this application of celestial weapons that is being witnessed in the combat between Bhishma and Partha is rare among human beings."
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus raged that conflict with weapons between those warriors conversant with all weapons. And when that conflict of celestial weapons ceased, then commenced a conflict with arrows. And Jishnu approaching his opponent, cut of with an arrow sharp like a razor the gold-decked bow of Bhishma. Within the twinkling of the eye, however, Bhishma, that mighty-armed and great car-warrior, took up another bow and stringed it. And inflamed with wrath, he showered upon Dhananjaya a cloud of arrows. And Arjuna, too, endued with great energy, rained upon Bhishma innumerable sharp-pointed and keen-edged arrows. And Bhishma also shot clouds of arrows upon Pandu's son. And conversant with celestial weapons and engaged in shooting and each other, arrows of keen points, no distinction, O king, could then be perceived between those illustrious warriors. And that mighty car-warrior, Kunti's son, covered with a diadem, and the heroic son of
p. 112
[paragraph continues] Santanu, obscured the ten directions with their arrows. And the Pandava covered Bhishma, and Bhishma also covered the Pandava, with clouds of shafts. And, O king, wonderful was this combat that took place in this world of men. And the heroic warriors that protected Bhishma's car, slain by the son of Pandu, fell prostrate, O monarch, beside the car of Kunti's son. And the feathery arrows of Svetavahana, shot from the Gandiva, fell in all directions as if with the object of making a wholesale slaughter of the foe. And issuing forth from his car those blazing arrows furnished with golden wings looked like rows of swans in the sky. And all the celestials with Indra, stationed in the firmament, gazed with wonder upon another celestial weapon hurled with great force by that wonderful archer Arjuna. And beholding that wonderful weapon of great beauty, the mighty Gandiva, Chitrasena, highly pleased, addressed the lord of celestials, saying, 'Behold these arrows shot by Partha coursing through the sky in one continuous line. Wonderful is the dexterity of Jishnu in evolving this celestial weapon! Human beings are incapable of shooting such a weapon, for it does not exist among men. How wonderful again is this concourse of mighty weapons existing from days of old! No interval can be perceived between his taking up the arrows, fixing them on the bow-string, and letting them off by stretching the Gandiva. The soldiers are incapable of even looking at the son of Pandu, who is like unto the midday sun blazing in the sky. So also none ventures to look at Bhishma, the son of Ganga. Both are famous for their achievements, and both are of fierce prowess. Both are equal in feats of heroism, and both are difficult of being vanquished in battle.'
'Thus addressed by the Gandharva about that combat between Partha and Bhishma, the lord of the celestials, O Bharata, paid proper respect unto both by a shower of celestial flowers. Meanwhile, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, assailed Arjuna on the left side, while that drawer of the bow with either hands was on the point of piercing him. And at this, Vibhatsu, laughing aloud, cut off with an arrow of keen edge and furnished with vulturine wings, the bow of Bhishma, that hero of solar effulgence. And then Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, pierced Bhishma in the breast with ten shafts although the latter was contending with all his prowess. And sorely afflicted with pain Ganga's son of mighty arms and irresistible in battle, stood for a long time leaning on the pole of his car. And beholding him deprived of consciousness the driver of his car-steeds, calling to mind the instructions about protecting the warriors when in a swoon, led him away for safety.'"

Book 4
Chapter 64

 1 [vai]
      tato rājñaḥ suto jyeṣṭhaḥ prāviśat pṛthivīṃ jayaḥ
      so 'bhivādya pituḥ pādau dharmarājam apaśyata
  2 sa taṃ rudhirasaṃsiktam anekāgram anāgasam
      bhūmāv āsīnam ekānte sairandhryā samupasthitam
  3 tataḥ papraccha pitaraṃ tvaramāṇa ivottaraḥ
      kenāyaṃ tāḍito rājan kena pāpam idaṃ kṛtam
  4 [virāṭa]
      mayāyaṃ tāḍito jihmo na cāpy etāvad arhati
      praśasyamāne yaḥ śūre tvayi ṣaṇḍhaṃ praśaṃsati
  5 [uttara]
      akāryaṃ te kṛtaṃ rājan kṣipram eva prasādyatām
      mā tvā brahma viṣaṃ ghoraṃ sa mūlam api nirdahet
  6 [vai]
      saputrasya vacaḥ śrutvā virāṭo rāṣṭravardhanaḥ
      kṣamayām āsa kaunteyaṃ bhasma channam ivānalam
  7 kṣamayantaṃ tu rājānaṃ pāṇḍavaḥ pratyabhāṣata
      ciraṃ kṣāntam idaṃ rājan na manyur vidyate mama
  8 yadi hy etat pated bhūmau rudhiraṃ mama nastataḥ
      sarāṣṭras tvaṃ mahārāja vinaśyethā na saṃśayaḥ
  9 na dūṣayāmi te rājan yac ca hanyād adūṣakam
      balavantaṃ mahārāja kṣipraṃ dāruṇam āpnuyāt
  10 śoṇite tu vyatikrānte praviveśa bṛhannaḍā
     abhivādya virāṭaṃ ca kaṅkaṃ cāpy upatiṣṭhata
 11 kṣamayitvā tu kauravyaṃ raṇād uttaram āgatam
     praśaśaṃsa tato matsyaḥ śṛṇvataḥ savyasācinaḥ
 12 tvayā dāyādavān asmi kaikeyīnandivardhana
     tvayā me sadṛśaḥ putro na bhūto na bhaviṣyati
 13 padaṃ padasahasreṇa yaś caran nāparādhnuyāt
     tena karṇena te tāta katham āsīt samāgamaḥ
 14 manuṣyaloke sakale yasya tulyo na vidyate
     yaḥ samudra ivākṣobhyaḥ kālāgnir iva duḥsahaḥ
     tena bhīṣmeṇa te tāta katham āsīt samāgamaḥ
 15 ācāryo vṛṣṇivīrāṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca yo dvijaḥ
     sarvakṣatrasya cācāryaḥ sarvaśasta bhṛtāṃ varaḥ
     tena droṇena te tāta katham āsīt samāgamaḥ
 16 ācārya putro yaḥ śūraḥ sarvaśasta bhṛtām api
     aśvatthāmeti vikhyātaḥ kathaṃ tena samāgamaḥ
 17 raṇe yaṃ prekṣya sīdanti hṛtasvā vaṇijo yathā
     kṛpeṇa tena te tāta katham āsīt samāgamaḥ
 18 parvataṃ yo 'bhividhyeta rājaputro maheṣubhiḥ
     duryodhanena te tāta katham āsīt samāgamaḥ
 19 [uttara]
     na mayā nirjitā gāvo na mayā nirjitāḥ pare
     kṛtaṃ tu karma tat sarvaṃ devaputreṇa kena cit
 20 sa hi bhītaṃ dravantaṃ māṃ devaputro nyavārayat
     sa cātiṣṭhad rathopasthe vajrahastanibho yuvā
 21 tena tā nirjitā gāvas tena te kuravo jitāḥ
     tasya tat karma vīrasya na mayā tāta tat kṛtam
 22 sa hi śāradvataṃ droṇaṃ droṇaputraṃ ca vīryavān
     sūtaputraṃ ca bhīṣmaṃ ca cakāra vimukhāñ śaraiḥ
 23 duryodhanaṃ ca samare sa nāgam iva yūthapam
     prabhagnam abravīd bhītaṃ rājaputraṃ mahābalam
 24 na hāstinapure trāṇaṃ tava paśyāmi kiṃ cana
     vyāyāmena parīpsasva jīvitaṃ kauravātma ja
 25 na mokṣyase palāyaṃs tvaṃ rājan yuddhe manaḥ kuru
     pṛthivīṃ bhokṣyase jitvā hato vā svargam āpsyasi
 26 sa nivṛtto naravyāghro muñcan vajranibhāñ śarān
     sacivaiḥ saṃvṛto rājā rathe nāga iva śvasan
 27 tatra me romaharṣo 'bhūd ūrustambhaś ca māriṣa
     yad abhraghanasaṃkāśam anīkaṃ vyadhamac charaiḥ
 28 tat praṇudya rathānīkaṃ siṃhasaṃhanano yuvā
     kurūṃs tān prahasan rājan vāsāṃsy apaharad balī
 29 ekena tena vīreṇa ṣaḍ rathāḥ parivāritāḥ
     śārdūleneva mattena mṛgās tṛṇacarā vane
 30 [virāṭa]
     kva sa vīro mahābāhur devaputro mahāyaśāḥ
     yo me dhanam avājaiṣīt kurubhir grastam āhave
 31 icchām itam ahaṃ draṣṭum arcituṃ ca mahābalam
     yena me tvaṃ ca gāvaś ca rakṣitā deva sūnunā
 32 [uttara]
     antardhānaṃ gatas tāta devaputraḥ pratāpavān
     sa tu śvo vā paraṣvo vā manye prādur bhaviṣyati
 33 [vai]
     evam ākhyāyamānaṃ tu channaṃ satreṇa pāṇḍavam
     vasantaṃ tatra nājñāsīd virāṭaḥ pārtham arjunam
 34 tataḥ pārtho 'bhyanujñāto virāṭena mahātmanā
     pradadau tānivāsāṃsi virāṭa duhituḥ svayam
 35 uttarā tu mahārhāṇi vividhāni tanūni ca
     pratigṛhyābhavat prītā tani vāsāṃsi bhāminī
 36 mantrayitvā tu kaunteya uttareṇa rahas tadā
     itikartavyatāṃ sarvāṃ rājany atha yudhiṣṭhire
 37 tatas tathā tad vyadadhād yathāvat puruṣarṣabha
     saha putreṇa matsyasya prahṛṣṭo bharatarṣabhaḥ

SECTION LXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Bhishma had fled, leaving the van of battle, the illustrious son of Dhritarashtra hoisting high flag approached Arjuna, bow in hand and setting up a loud roar. And with a spear-headed shaft shot from his bow stretched to the ear, he pierced on the forehead of that terrible bowman of fierce prowess, Dhanajaya, ranging amidst the foes. And pierced with that keen shaft of golden point on the forehead, that hero of famous deeds looked resplendent, O king, like unto a beautiful hill with a single peak. And cut by that arrow, the warm life-blood gushed out profusely from the wound. And the blood trickling down his body shone beautifully like a wreath of golden flowers. And struck by Duryodhana with the shaft, the swift-handed Arjuna of unfailing strength, swelling with rage, pierced the king in return, taking up arrows that were endued with the energy of snakes of virulent poison. And Duryodhana of formidable energy attacked Partha, and Partha also, that foremost of heroes, attacked Duryodhana. And it was that those foremost of men, both born in the race of Ajamida, struck each other alike in the combat. And then (seated) on an infuriate elephant huge as a mountain and supported by four cars, Vikarna rushed against Jishnu, the son of Kunti. And beholding that huge elephant, advancing with speed, Dhananjaya struck him on the head between the temples with an iron arrow of great impetus shot from the bow-string stretched to the ear. And like the thunderbolt hurled by Indra splitting a mountain, that arrow furnished with vulturine wings, shot by Partha, penetrated, up to the very feathers, into the body of that elephant huge as hill. And sorely afflicted by the shaft, that lord of the elephant species began to tremble, and deprived of strength fell down on the ground in intense anguish, like the peak of mountain riven by thunder. And that best of elephants falling down on the earth, Vikarna suddenly alighting in great terror, ran back full eight hundred paces and ascended on the car of Vivingsati. And having slain with that thunder-like arrow that elephant huge as a mighty hill and looking like a mass of clouds, the son of Pritha smote Duryodhana in the breast with another arrow of the same kind. And both the elephant and the king having thus been wounded, and Vikarna having broken and fled along with the supporters of the king's car, the other warriors, smitten with the arrows shot from the Gandiva, fled from the field in panic. And beholding the elephant slain by Partha, and all the other warriors running away, Duryodhana, the foremost of the Kurus, turning away his car precipitately fled in that direction where Partha was not. And when Duryodhana was fast running away in alarm, pierced by that arrow and vomitting forth blood, Kiritin, still eager for battle and capable of enduring every enemy, thus censured him from wrath, 'Sacrificing thy great fame and glory, why dost thou fly away, turning the back? Why are not those trumpet? sounded now, as they were when
p. 114
thou hadst set out from thy kingdom? Lo, I am an obedient servant of Yudhishthira, myself being the third son of Pritha, standing here for battle. Turn back, show me thy face, O son of Dhritarashtra, and bear in thy mind the behaviour of kings. The name Duryodhana bestowed on thee before is hereby rendered meaningless. When thou runnest away, leaving the battle, where is thy persistence in battle? Neither do I behold thy body-guards. O Duryodhana, before nor behind. O foremost of men, fly thou away and save thy life which is dear from the hands of Pandu's son.'"

Book 4
Chapter 65

 1 [vai]
      tatas tṛtīye divase bhrātaraḥ pañca pāṇḍavāḥ
      snātāḥ śuklāmbara dharāḥ samaye caritavratāḥ
  2 yudhiṣṭhiraṃ puraskṛtya sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ
      abhipadmā yathā nāgā bhrājamānā mahārathāḥ
  3 virāṭasya sabhāṃ gatvā bhūmipālāsaneṣv atha
      niṣeduḥ pāvakaprakhyāḥ sarve dhiṣṇyeṣv ivāgnayaḥ
  4 teṣu tatropaviṣṭeṣu virāṭaḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ
      ājagāma sabhāṃ kartuṃ rājakāryāṇi sarvaśaḥ
  5 śrīmataḥ pāṇḍavān dṛṣṭvā jvalataḥ pāvakān iva
      atha matsyo 'bravīt kaṅkaṃ devarūpam avasthitam
      marudgaṇair upāsīnaṃ tridaśānām iveśvaram
  6 sa kilākṣāti vāpas tvaṃ sabhāstāro mayā kṛtaḥ
      atha rājāsane kasmād upaviṣṭo 'sy alaṃ kṛtaḥ
  7 parihāsepsayā vākyaṃ virāṭasya niśamya ta
      smayamāno 'rjuno rājann idaṃ vacanam abravīt
  8 indrasyāpy āsanaṃ rājann ayam āroḍhum arhati
      brahmaṇyaḥ śutavāṃs tyāgī yajñaśīlo dṛḍhavrataḥ
  9 ayaṃ kurūṇām ṛṣabhaḥ kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      asya kīrtiḥ sthitā loke sūryasyevodyataḥ prabhā
  10 saṃsaranti diśaḥ sarvā yaśaso 'sya gabhastayaḥ
     uditasyeva sūryasya tejaso 'nu gabhastayaḥ
 11 enaṃ daśasahasrāṇi kuñjarāṇāṃ tarasvinām
     anvayuḥ pṛṣṭhato rājan yāvad adhyāvasat kurūn
 12 triṃśad enaṃ sahasrāṇi rathāḥ kāñcanamālinaḥ
     sadaśvair upasaṃpannāḥ pṛtṭhato 'nuyayuḥ sadā
 13 enam aṣṭa śatāḥ sūtāḥ sumṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalāḥ
     astuvan māgadhair sārdhaṃ purā śakram ivarṣayaḥ
 14 enaṃ nityam upāsand akuravaḥ kiṃkarā yathā
     sarve ca rājan rājāno dhaneśvaram ivāmarāḥ
 15 eṣa sarvān mahīpālān karam āhārayat tadā
     vaiśyān iva mahārāja vivaśān svavaśān api
 16 aṣṭāśīti sahasrāṇi snātakānāṃ mahātmanām
     upajīvanti rājānam enaṃ sucaritavratam
 17 eṣa vṛddhān anāthāṃś ca vyaṅgān paṅgūṃś ca mānavān
     putravat pālayām āsa prajā dharmeṇa cābhibho
 18 eṣa dharme dame caiva krodhe cāpi yatavrataḥ
     mahāprasāda brahmaṇyaḥ satyavādī ca pārthivaḥ
 19 śrīpratāpena caitasya tapyate sa suyodhanaḥ
     sagaṇaḥ saha karṇena saubalenāpi vā vibhuḥ
 20 na śakyante hy asy aguṇāḥ prasaṃkhyātuṃ nareśvara
     eṣa dharmaparo nityam ānṛśaṃsyaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
 21 evaṃ yukto mahārājaḥ pāṇḍavaḥ pārthivarṣabhaḥ
     kathaṃ nārhati rājārham āsanaṃ pṛthivīpatiḥ

SECTION LXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus summoned to battle by the illustrious hero, Dhritarashtra's son turned back stung by those censures, like an infuriate and mighty elephant pricked by a hook. And stung by those reproaches and unable to bear them, that mighty and brave car-warrior endued with great swiftness, turned back on his car, like a snake that is trampled under foot. And beholding Duryodhana turn back with his wounds, Karna, that hero among men, decked with a golden necklace, stopped the king on the way and soothing him, himself proceeded along the north of Duryodhana's car to meet Partha in battle. And the mighty-armed Bhishma also, the son of Santanu, turning back his steeds decked with gold, enormous in size, and of tawny hue, rushed bow in hand, for protecting Duryodhana from Partha's hand. And Drona and Kripa and Vivingsati and Dussasana and others also, quickly turning back, rushed forward with speed with drawn bows and arrows fixed on the bow-strings, for protecting Duryodhana. And beholding those divisions advance towards him like the swelling surges of the ocean, Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, quickly rushed at them like a crane rushing at a descending cloud. And with celestial weapons in their hands, they completely surrounded the son of Pritha and rained on him from all sides a perfect shower of shafts, like clouds showering on the mountain breast a heavy downpour of rain, And warding off with weapons, all the weapons of those bulls among the Kurus, the wielder of the Gandiva who was capable of enduring all foes, evolved another irresistible weapon obtained from Indra, called Sanmohana. And entirely covering the cardinal and other directions with sharp and keen-edged arrows furnished with beautiful feathers, that mighty hero stupefied their senses with the twang of the Gandiva. And once more, taking up with both his hands that large conch of loud blare, Partha, that slayer of foes, blew it with force and filled the cardinal and other points, the whole earth, and sky, with that noise. And those foremost of the Kuru heroes were all deprived of their senses
p. 115
by the sound of that conch blown by Partha. And all of them stood still, their bows, from which they were never separated, dropping down from their hands. And when the Kuru army became insensible, Partha calling to mind the words of Uttara, addressed the son of the Matsya king, saying, 'O best of men, go thou among the Kurus, so long as they remain insensible, and bring away the white garments of Drona and Kripa, and the yellow and handsome ones of Karna, as also the blue ones of the king and Drona's son. Methinks, Bhishma is not stupefied, for he knoweth how to counteract this weapon of mine. So, pass thou on, keeping his steeds to thy left; for those that are sensible should thus be avoided,' Hearing these words, the illustrious son of Matsya, giving up the reins of the steeds, jumped down from the car and taking off the garments of the warriors, came back to his place. And the son of Virata then urged the four handsome steeds with flanks adorned with golden armours. And those white steeds, urged on, took Arjuna away from the midst of battle-field and beyond the array of the infantry bearing standards in their hands. And, Bhishma, beholding that best of men thus going away, struck him with arrows. And Partha, too, having slain Bhishma's steeds, pierced him with ten shafts. And abandoning Bhishma on the field of battle, having first slain his car-driver, Arjuna with a good-looking bow in hand came out of that multitude of cars, like the sun emerging from the clouds. And Dhritarashtra's son, that foremost of heroes among the Kurus, recovering his senses, saw the son of Pritha standing like the lord of the celestials, alone on the battle-field. And he said in hurry (unto Bhishma), 'How hath this one escape from thee? Do thou afflict him in such a way that he may not escape.' And at this, Santanu's son, smiling, said unto him, 'Where had been this sense of thine, and where had been thy prowess too, when thou hadst been in a state of unconsciousness renouncing thy arrows and handsome bow? Vibhatsu is not addicted to the commission of atrocious deeds; nor is his soul inclined to sin. He renounceth not his principles even for the sake of the three worlds. It is for this only that all of us have not been slain in this battle. O thou foremost of Kuru heroes, go back to the city of the Kurus, and let Partha also go away, having conquered the kine. Do thou never foolishly throw away thy own good. Indeed, that which leadeth to one's welfare ought to be accomplished.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having listened to the words of the grandsire that tended to his own welfare, the wrathful king Duryodhana no longer eager for battle, drew a deep sigh and became silent. And reflecting that the advice of Bhishma was beneficial and seeing that the Pandavas gaining in strength, the other warriors also, desirous of protecting Duryodhana, resolved to return. And beholding those foremost of Kuru heroes departing for their city, Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, with a cheerful heart followed them for a while, desirous of addressing and worshipping them. And having worshipped the aged grandsire--the son of Santanu, as also the preceptor Drona, and having saluted with
p. 116
beautiful arrows Drona's son and Kripa and other venerable ones among the Kurus, the son of Pritha broke into fragments Duryodhana's crown decked with precious gems, with another arrow. And having saluted all the venerable and brave warriors thus, he filled the three worlds with the twang of the Gandiva. And suddenly blowing his conch called Devadatta, the hero pierced the hearts of all his foes. And having humbled the hostile, he looked resplendent on his car decked with a handsome flag. And beholding the Kurus depart, Kiritin cheerfully said unto Matsya's son, 'Turn back thy steeds; thy kine have been recovered; the foe is going away and do thou also return to thy city with a cheerful heart.' And the celestials also, having witnessed that most wonderful encounter between Falguna and the Kurus, were highly delighted, and went to their respective abodes, reflecting upon Partha's feats.'"

Book 4
Chapter 66

  1 [virāṭa]
      yady eṣa rājā kauravyaḥ kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      katamo 'syārjuno bhrātā bhīmaś ca katamo balī
  2 nakulaḥ sahadevo vā draupadī vā yaśasvinī
      yadā dyūte jitāḥ pārthā na prajñāyanta te kva cit
  3 [arj]
      ya eṣa ballavo brūte sūdas tava narādhipa
      eṣa bhīmo mahābāhur bhīmavegaparākramaḥ
  4 eṣa krodhavaśān hatvā parvate gandhamādane
      saugandhikāni divyāni kṛṣṇārthe samupāharat
  5 gaṅgharva eṣa vai hantā kīcakānāṃ durātmanām
      vyāghrān ṛkṣān varāhāṃś ca hatavān strī pure tava
  6 yaś cāsīd aśvabandhas te nakulo 'yaṃ paraṃtapaḥ
      gosaṃkhyaḥ sahadevaś ca mādrīputrau mahārathau
  7 śṛṅgāraveṣābharaṇau rūpavantau yaśasvinau
      nānā rathasahasrāṇāṃ samarthau puruṣarṣabhau
  8 eṣā padmapalāśākṣī sumadhyā cāruhāsinī
      sairandhrī draupadī rājan yatkṛte kīcakā hatāḥ
  9 arjuno 'haṃ mahārāja vyaktaṃ te śrotram āgataḥ
      bhīmād avarajaḥ pārtho yamābhyāṃ cāpi pūrvajaḥ
  10 uṣitāḥ sma mahārāja sukhaṃ tava niveśane
     ajñātavāsam uṣitā garbhavāsa iva prajāḥ
 11 [vai]
     yadārjunena te vīrāḥ kathitāḥ pañca pāṇḍavāḥ
     tadārjunasya vairāṭiḥ kathayām āsa vikramam
 12 ayaṃ sa dviṣatāṃ madhye mṛgāṇām iva kesarī
     acarad rathavṛndeṣu nighnaṃs teṣāṃ varān varān
 13 anena viddho mātaṅgo mahān ekkeṣuṇā hataḥ
     hiraṇyakakṣyaḥ saṃgrāme dantābhyām agaman mahīm
 14 anena vijitā gāvo jitāś ca kuravo yudhi
     asya śaṅkhapraṇādena karṇau me badhirī kṛtau
 15 tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā matsyarājaḥ pratāpavān
     uttaraṃ pratyuvācedam abhipanno yudhiṣṭhire
 16 prasādanaṃ pāṇḍavasya prāptakālaṃ hi rocaye
     uttarāṃ ca prayacchāmi pārthāya yadi te matam
 17 [uttara]
     arcyāḥ pūjyāś ca mānyāś ca prāptakālaṃ ca me matam
     pūjyantāṃ pūjanārhāś ca mahābhāgāś ca pāṇḍavāḥ
 18 [virāṭa]
     ahaṃ khalv api saṃgrāme śatrūṇāṃ vaśam āgataḥ
     mokṣito bhīmasenena gāvaś ca vijitās tathā
 19 eteṣāṃ bāhuvīryeṇa yad asmākaṃ jayo mṛdhe
     vayaṃ sarve sahāmātyāḥ kuntīputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram
     prasādayāmo bhadraṃ te sānujaṃ pāṇḍavarṣabham
 20 yad asmābhir ajānad bhiḥ kiṃ cid ukto narādhipaḥ
     kṣantum arhati tat sarvaṃ dharmātmā hy eṣa pāṇḍavaḥ
 21 [vai]
     tato virāṭaḥ paramābhituṣṭaḥ; sametya rājñā samayaṃ cakāra
     rājyaṃ ca sarvaṃ visasarja tasmai; sa daṇḍakośaṃ sa puraṃ mahātmā
 22 pāṇḍavāṃś ca tataḥ sarvān matsyarājaḥ pratāpavān
     dhanaṃjayaṃ puraskṛtya diṣṭyā diṣṭyeti cābracīt
 23 samupāghrāya mūrdhānaṃ saṃśliṣya ca punaḥ punaḥ
     yudhiṣṭhiraṃ ca bhīmaṃ ca mādrīputrau ca pāṇḍavau
 24 nātṛpyad darśane teṣāṃ virāṭo vāhinīpatiḥ
     saṃprīyamāṇo rājānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram athābravīt
 25 diṣṭyā bhavantaḥ saṃprāptāḥ sarve kuśalino vanāt
     diṣṭyā ca pāritaṃ kṛcchram ajñātaṃ vai durātmabhiḥ
 26 idaṃ ca rājyaṃ naḥ pārthā yac cānyad vasu kiṃ cana
     pratigṛhṇantu sat sarvaṃ kaunteyā aviśaṅkayā
 27 uttarāṃ pratigṛhṇātu savyasācī dhanaṃjayaḥ
     ayaṃ hy aupayiko bhartā tasyāḥ puruṣasattamaḥ
 28 evam ukto dharmarājaḥ pārtham aikṣad dhanaṃjayam
     īkṣitaś cārjuno bhrātrā matsyaṃ vacanam abravīt
 29 pratigṛhṇāmy ahaṃ rājan snuṣāṃ duhitaraṃ tava
     yuktaś cāvāṃ hi saṃbandho matsyabhāratasattamau

SECTION LXVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having vanquished the Kurus in battle, that one with eyes like those of a bull brought back that profuse cattle wealth of Virata. And while the Dhritarashtra, after their rout, were going away, a large number of Kuru-soldiers issuing out of the deep forest appeared with slow steps before Partha, their hearts afflicted with fear. And they stood before him with joined palms and with hair dishevelled. And fatigued with hunger and thirst, arrived in a foreign land, insensible with terror, and confused in mind, they all bowed down unto the son of Pritha and said,--We are thy slaves.'
"Arjuna said, 'Welcome, blessed be ye. Go ye away. Ye have no cause of fear. I will not take the lives of them that are afflicted. Ye have my assurance of protection.
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of assurance, the assembled warriors greeted him with benedictions in praise of his achievements and fame and wishing him long life. And the Kauravas were unable to confront Arjuna while after routing the foe he proceeded towards the city of Virata, like an elephant with rent temples. And having routed the whole army of the Kuru like a violent wind scattering the clouds, that slayer of foes, Partha, regardfully addressing the prince of Matsya, said, 'It is known to thee alone, O child, that the sons of Pritha are all living with thy father. Do not eulogise them upon entering the city, for then the king of the Matsyas may hide himself in fear. On the other hand, entering the city, do thou proclaim in the presence of thy father that the deed is thy own, saying,--By me hath the army of the Kurus been vanquished and by me have the kine been recovered from the foe!'
p. 117
"Uttara said, 'The feat thou hast achieved is beyond my power. I do not possess the ability to achieve it. I shall not, however, O Savyasachin, discover thee to my father, as long as thou wilt not tell me to do it.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having vanquished the hostile army and wrested the whole of the cattle wealth from the Kurus, Jishnu returned again to the cemetery and having approached the same Sami tree stood there with body mangled by the arrows of the enemy. Then that terrible monkey blazing like fire ascended into the sky with those other creatures in the flag-staff. And the illusion created (by Viswakarma) melted away and Uttara's own banner bearing the device of a lion was set up on the car again. And having replaced the arrows and quivers of those foremost of the Kuru princes, and also that other weapon the (Gandiva) which enhances the fierceness of a battle, the illustrious prince of Matsya set out for the city with a glad heart, having Kiritin as his charioteer. And having achieved an exceedingly mighty feat and slain the foe, Partha also, that slayer of foes, binding his hair into a braid as before, took the reins from Uttara's hands. And that illustrious hero entered the city of Virata, with a cheerful heart rehabilitating himself as Vrihannala, the car-driver of Uttara.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'When all the Kauravas utterly routed and vanquished, set out in a dejected mood for Hastinapura, Falguna, on his way back, addressed Uttara, saying, 'O prince, O hero of mighty arms, seeing the kine escorted in advance of us by the cowherds, we shall enter Virata's metropolis in the afternoon, having tended the steeds with drink and a bath. Let the cowherds, despatched by thee, speedily repair to the city with the good news and proclaim thy victory.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Agreeable to Arjuna's words, Uttara speedily ordered the messengers, saying, 'Go ye and proclaim the king's victory. The foe hath been routed, and the kine have been recovered. And the Matsya and the Bharata princes having thus consulted together re-approached the same Sami tree. And gratified with the victory they had won, and arrived at the foot of the Sami tree, they wore on their persons and took up on their car the ornaments and robes they had left there. And having vanquished the whole hostile army and recovered the whole of the wealth from the Kurus, the heroic son of Virata returned to the city with Vrihannala as his car-driver.'"

Book 4
Chapter 67

 1 [viraṭa]
      kimarthaṃ pāṇḍavaśreṣṭha bhāryāṃ duhitaraṃ mama
      pratigrahītuṃ nemāṃ tvaṃ mayā dattām ihecchasi
  2 [arj]
      antaḥpure 'ham uṣitaḥ sadā paśyan sutāṃ tava
      rahasyaṃ ca prakāśaṃ ca viśvastā pitṛvan mayi
  3 priyo bahumataś cāhaṃ nartako gītakovidaḥ
      ācāryavac ca māṃ nityaṃ manyate duhitā tava
  4 vahaḥ sthayā tayā rājan saha saṃvatsaroṣitaḥ
      ati śaṅkā bhavet sthāne tava lokasya cābhibho
  5 tasmān nimantraye tvāhaṃ duhituḥ pṛthivīpate
      śuddho jitendriyo dāntas tasyāḥ śuddhiḥ kṛtā mayā
  6 snuṣāyā duhitur vāpi putre cātmani vā punaḥ
      atra śaṅkāṃ na paśyāmi ten aśuddhir bhaviṣyati
  7 abhiṣaṅgād ahaṃ bhīto mithyācārāt paraṃtapa
      snuṣārtham uttarāṃ rājan pratigṛhṇāmi te sutām
  8 svasrīyo vāsudevasya sākṣād deva śiśur yathā
      dayitaś cakrahastasya bāla evāstra kovidaḥ
  9 abhimanyur mahābāhuḥ putro mama viśāṃ patau
      jāmātā tava yukto vai bhartā ca duhitus tava
  10 [virāṭa]
     upapannaṃ kuruśreṣṭhe kuntīputre dhanaṃjaye
     ya evaṃ dharmanityaś ca jātajñānaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
 11 yatkṛtyaṃ manyase pārtha kriyatāṃ tadanantaram
     sarve kāmāḥ samṛddhā me saṃbandhī yasya me 'rjunaḥ
 12 [vai]
     evaṃ bruvati rājendre kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     anvajānāt sa saṃyogaṃ samaye matsyapārthayoḥ
 13 tato mitreṣu sarveṣu vāsudeve ca bhārata
     preṣayām āsa kaunteyo virāṭaś ca mahīpatiḥ
 14 tatas trayodaśe varṣe nivṛtte pañca pāṇḍavāḥ
     upaplavye virāṭasya samapadyanta sarvaśaḥ
 15 tasmin vasaṃś ca bībhatsur ānināya janārdanam
     ānartebhyo 'pi dāśārhān abhimanyuṃ ca pāṇḍavaḥ
 16 kāśirājaś ca śaibyaś ca prīyamāṇau yudhiṣṭhire
     akṣauhiṇībhyāṃ sahitāv āgatau pṛthivīpate
 17 akṣauhiṇyā ca tejasvī yajñaseno mahābalaḥ
     draupadyāś ca sutā vīrāḥ śikhaṇḍī cāparājitaḥ
 18 dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca durdharṣaḥ sava śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
     samastākṣauhiṇī pālā yajvāno bhūridakṣiṇāḥ
     sarve śastrāstrasaṃpannāḥ sarve śūrās tanutyajaḥ
 19 tān āgatān abhiprekṣya matsyo dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
     prīto 'bhavad duhitaraṃ dattvā tām abhimanyave
 20 tataḥ prayupayāteṣu pārthiveṣu tatas tataḥ
     tatrāgamad vāsudeva vanamālī halāyudhaḥ
     kṛtavarmā ca hārdikyo yuyudhānaś ca sātyakiḥ
 21 anādhṛṣṭis tathākrūraḥ sāmbo niśaṭha eva ca
     abhimanyum upādāya saha mātrā paraṃtapāḥ
 22 indrasenādayaś caiva rathais taiḥ susamāhitaiḥ
     āyayuḥ sahitāḥ sarve parisaṃvatsaroṣitāḥ
 23 daśanāgasahasrāṇi hayānāṃ ca śatāyutam
     rathānām arbudaṃ pūrṇaṃ nikharvaṃ ca padātinām
 24 vṛṣṇyandhakāś ca bahavo bhojāś ca paramaujasaḥ
     anvyayur vṛṣṇiśārdūlaṃ vāsudevaṃ mahādyutim
 25 pāribarhaṃ dadau kṛṣṇaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām
     striyo ratnāni vāsāṃsi pṛthakpṛthag anekaśaḥ
     tato vivāho vidhivad vavṛte matsyapārthayoḥ
 26 tataḥ śaṅkhāś ca bheryaś ca gomukhāḍambarās tathā
     pārthaiḥ saṃyujyamānasya nedur matsyasya veśmani
 27 uccāvacān mṛgāñ jaghnur medhyāṃś ca śataśaḥ paśūn
     surā maireya pānāni prabhūtāny abhyahārayan
 28 gāyanākhyāna śīlāś ca naṭā vaitālikās tathā
     stuvantas tān upātiṣṭhan sūtāś ca saha māgadhaiḥ
 29 sudeṣṇāṃ ca puraskṛtya matsyānāṃ ca varastriyaḥ
     ājagmuś cārusarvāṅgyaḥ sumṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalāḥ
 30 varṇopapannās tā nāryo rūpavatyaḥ svalaṃ kṛtāḥ
     sarvāś cābhyabhavat kṛṣṇā rūpeṇa yaśasā śriyā
 31 parivāryottarāṃ tās tu rājaputrīm alaṃ kṛtām
     sutām iva mahendrasya puraskṛtyopatasthire
 32 tāṃ pratyagṛhṇāt kaunteyaḥ sutasyārthe dhanaṃjayaḥ
     saubhadrasyānavadyāṅgīṃ virāṭa tanayāṃ tadā
 33 tatrātiṣṭhan mahārājo rūpam indrasya dhārayan
     snuṣāṃ tāṃ pratijagrāha kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 34 pratigṛhya ca tāṃ pārthaḥ puraskṛtya janārdanam
     vivāhaṃ kārayām āsa saubhadrasya mahātmanaḥ
 35 tasmai sapta sahasrāṇi hayānāṃ vātaraṃhasām
     dve ca nāgaśate mukhye prādād bahudhanaṃ tadā
 36 kṛte vivāhe tu tadā dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     brāhmaṇebhyo dadau vittaṃ yad upāharad acyutaḥ
 37 gosahasrāṇi ratnāni vastrāṇi vividhāni ca
     bhūṣaṇāni ca mukhyāni yānāni śayanāni ca
 38 tan mahotsava saṃkāśaṃ hṛṣṭapuṣṭa janāvṛtam
     nagaraṃ matsyarājasya śuśubhe bharatarṣabha

SECTION LXVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having speedily recovered his wealth Virata owning a large army entered his city with a cheerful heart, accompanied by the four Pandavas. And having vanquished the Trigartas in battle and
p. 118
recovered all the kine, that mighty monarch, along with the sons of Pritha, looked resplendent and blazed forth in beauty. And as the brave king, that enhancer of the joys of friends, was seated on his throne, all his subjects headed by the Brahmanas stood before him. And worshipped by them, the king of the Matsyas, at the head of his army, saluted the Brahmanas and his subjects in return and dismissed them cheerfully. And Virata, the king of the Matsyas owning a large army, enquired after Uttara, saying, 'Where hath Uttara gone?' And the women and the maidens of the palace and the other females living in the inner apartments joyfully said unto him, 'Our kine having been seized by the Kurus, Bhuminjaya incensed at this and from excess of bravery hath issued forth alone with only Vrihannala as his second, for vanquishing the six mighty car-warriors, Bhishma the son of Santanu, and Kripa, and Karna, and Duryodhana, and Drona, and Drona's son who have all come with the Kuru army.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then king Virata, hearing that his brave son had gone forth with only one car and with Vrihannala as his car-driver, became filled with grief, and addressing his chief counsellors, said, 'Without doubt, the Kauravas and other lords of earth, learning the defeat of the Trigartas, will never keep their ground. Therefore, let those of my warriors that have not been wounded by the Trigartas go out, accompanied by a mighty force, for the protection of Uttara.' And saying this, the king speedily despatched, for the sake of his son, horses and elephants and cars and a large number of foot-soldiers, equipped and decked with various kinds of weapons and ornaments. And it was thus that Virata, the king of the Matsyas, owning a large army, quickly ordered out a large division consisting of four kinds of troops. And having done this, he said, 'Learn ye, without loss of time whether the prince liveth still or not! I myself think that he who hath got a person of the neuter sex for his car-driver is not alive.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then king Yudhishthira the just, smilingly said unto the afflicted king Virata, 'If, O monarch, Vrihannala hath been his charioteer, the foe will never be able to take away thy kine today. Protected by that charioteer, thy son will be able to vanquish in battle all the lords of earth allied with the Kurus, indeed, even the gods and the Asuras and the Siddhas and the Yakshas together.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Meanwhile, the swift-footed messengers despatched by Uttara, having reached Virata's city, gave tidings of the victory. And the minister-in-chief then informed the king of everything, viz., the great victory that had been won, the defeat of the Kurus, and the expected arrival of Uttara. And he said, 'All the kine have been brought back, the Kurus have been defeated, and Uttara, that slayer of foes, is well with his car-driver.' Then Yudhishthira said, 'By good luck it is that the kine have been recovered and the Kurus routed. I do not, however, regard it strange that thy son should have vanquished the Kurus, for his victory is assured that hath Vrihannala for his charioteer.'
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"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing of the victory of his son possessed of immeasurable might, king Virata became so glad that the bristles of his body stood erect. And having made presents of raiments unto the messengers, he ordered his ministers, saying, 'Let the highways be decorated with flags, and let all the gods and goddesses be worshipped with flowery offerings. And let princes and brave warriors, and musicians and harlots decked in ornaments, march out to receive my son. And let the bellman, speedily riding an intoxicated elephant, proclaim my victory at places where four roads meet. And let Uttara, too, in gorgeous attire and surrounded by virgins and chanters of eulogies, go forth to receive my son.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having listened to these words of the king, all the citizens with auspicious things in hand, and many amongst them with cymbals and trumpets and conchs, and beautiful women attired in gorgeous robes, and reciters of auspicious and sacred hymns, accompanied by encomiasts and minstrels, and drummers and other kinds of musicians issued forth from the city of the mighty Virata to welcome Uttara of immeasurable prowess. And having despatched troops and maidens and courtezens decked in ornaments, the wise king of the Matsyas cheerfully said these words, 'O Sairindhri, fetch the dice. And, O Kanka, let the play commence.' The son of Pandu replied, saying, 'We have heard it said that one whose heart is filled with joy should not play with a cunning gambler. I do not therefore, dare gamble with thee that are so transported with joy. I am ever desirous of doing what is for thy good. Let the play, however, commence if it pleases thee.'
"Virata said, 'My female slaves and kine, my gold and whatsoever other wealth I have, nothing of all this shall thou be able to protect today even if I do not gamble.' Kanka said in reply, 'O monarch, O bestower of honours, what business hast thou with gamble which is attended with numerous evils? Gambling is fraught with many evils; it should, therefore, be shunned. Thou mayst have seen or at least heard of Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu. He lost his extensive and prosperous kingdom and his god-like brothers at dice. For this, I am averse to gambling. But if thou likest, O king, I will play.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'While the play was going on, Matsya said unto the son of Pandu, 'Lo, the Kauravas that are so formidable have been vanquished in battle by my son.' Upon this, the illustrious king Yudhishthira said, 'Why should not he conquer that hath Vrihannala for his charioteer?'
'Thus addressed, King Matsya became angry and said unto Pandu's son, 'Thou wretch of a Brahmana, dost thou compare one of the neuter sex with my son! Hast thou no knowledge of what is proper and what improper for one to say? Without doubt, thou disregardest me. Why should not my son vanquish all those with Bhishma and Drona as their leaders? O Brahmana, for friendship only I pardon thee this thy offence.
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[paragraph continues] Thou must not, however, say so again if thou wishest to live.'
"Yudhishthira said, 'There where Bhishma and Drona and Drona's son and the son of Vikartana and Kripa and king Duryodhana and other royal and mighty car-warriors are assembled or there where Indra himself is surrounded by the Maruts, what other person than Vrihannala can fight, encountering them all! None hath been, none will be, his equal in strength of arms! Indeed, it is Vrihannala only whose heart is filled with joy at sight of a terrible conflict. It is he who had vanquished the celestials and the Asuras and human beings fighting together. With such a one for his ally, why should not thy son conquer the foe? Virata said, 'Repeatedly forbidden by me, thou dost not yet restrain thy tongue. If there is none to punish, no one would practise virtue.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, the king inflamed with anger forcibly struck Yudhishthira in the face with a dice, and reproached him angrily, saying, 'Let it not occur again! And having been violently struck, blood began to flow from his nose. But the son of Pritha held it in his hands before it fell on the ground. And the virtuous Yudhishthira then glanced at Draupadi who was standing by his side. Ever obedient to the wishes of her lord, the faultless Draupadi, understanding his meaning, and bringing a golden vessel filled with water, received the blood that flowed from his nose. Meanwhile; Uttara, entertained with sweet perfumes of diverse kinds and decked with floral chaplets, slowly entered the city, received with respect by the citizens, the women, and the people of the provinces. And approaching the gate of the palace he sent the news of his arrival to his father. And the porter then, approaching the king, said, 'Thy son Uttara, waiteth at the gate with Vrihannala as his companion.' And the Matsya king, with a cheerful heart, said unto him, 'Do thou usher both, as I am very anxious to see them.' Then Yudhishthira, the king of t e Kurus, gently whispered unto the ears of the warder, 'Let Uttara enter alone; Vrihannala must not come in. Such is the vow of that hero of mighty arms that whoever causeth a wound on my person or sheddeth my blood except in battle, shall not live. Inflamed with rage he will never bear patiently to see me bleeding, but will slay Virata even now with his counsellors and troops and steeds.'"

SECTION LXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Bhuminjaya, the eldest son of the king, entered, and having worshipped the feet of his father approached Kanka. And he beheld Kanka covered with blood, and seated on the ground at one end of the court, and waited upon by the Sairindhri. And seeing
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this, Uttara asked his father in a hurry, saying, 'By whom, O king, hath this one been struck? By whom hath this sinful act been perpetrated?'
"Virata said, 'This crooked Brahmana hath been struck by me. He deserveth even more than this. When I was praising thee, he praised that person of the third sex.'
"Uttara said, 'Thou hast, O king, committed an improper act. Do thou speedily propitiate him so that the virulent poison of a Brahmana's curse may not consume thee to thy roots!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard the words of his son, Virata, that enhancer of the limits of his kingdom, began to soothe Kunti's son, who was like unto a fire hid in ashes, for obtaining his forgiveness. And unto the king desirous of obtaining his pardon the Pandava replied, 'O king, I have long ago forgiven it. Anger I have none. Had this blood from my nostrils fallen on the ground, then, without doubt, thou, O monarch, wouldst have been destroyed with thy kingdom. I do not, however, blame thee, O king, for having struck an innocent person. For, O king, they that are powerful generally act with unreasoning severity.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'When the bleeding had stopped, Vrihannala entered (the council-room) and having saluted both Virata and Kanka, stood silent. And the king, having appeased the chief of the Kurus, began to praise, in Savyasachin's hearing, Uttara who had returned from the battle. And the king said, 'O enhancer of the joys of Kekaya's princess, in thee have I truly a son! I never had nor shall have, a son that is equal to thee! How, indeed, couldst thou, O Child, encounter that Karna who leaveth not a single mark unhit amongst even a thousand that he may aim at all at once? How couldst thou, O child, encounter that Bhishma who hath no equal in the whole world of men? How also couldst thou, O child, encounter Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that preceptor of the Vrishnis and Kauravas, twice-born one who may be regarded as the preceptor of all the Kshatriyas? How couldst thou meet in battle the celebrated Aswatthaman? How couldst thou, O child, encounter that Duryodhana, the prince who is capable of piercing even a mountain with his mighty arrows? My foes have all been thrashed. A delicious breeze seems to blow around me. And since thou hast recovered in battle the whole of my wealth that had been seized by the Kurus, it seems that all those mighty warriors were struck with panic. Without doubt, thou, O bull amongst men, has routed the foe and snatched away from them my wealth of kine, like his prey from a tiger.'"

ECTION LXIX

"Uttara said, 'The kine have not been recovered by me, nor have the foe been vanquished by me. All that hath been accomplished by the son of a deity. Capable of striking like a thunderbolt, that youth of celestial origin, beholding me running away in fear, stopped me and himself mounted on my car. It was by him that the kine have been recovered and the Kauravas vanquished. The deed, O father, is that hero's and not mine. It was he that repulsed with arrows Kripa and Drona and Drona's son of powerful energy, and the Suta's son and Bhishma. That mighty hero then spoke unto the affrighted prince Duryodhana who was running away like the leader of a head of elephants, these words, 'O prince of the Kuru race, I do not see that thou art safe by any means even at Hastinapura. Protect thy life by putting forth thy might. Thou shalt not escape me by flight. Therefore, make up thy mind for fight. If victorious, the sovereignty of the earth will be thine, or if slain, heaven itself will be thine.'
'Thus addressed, king Duryodhana--that tiger among men surrounded by his counsellors,--sighing on his car like a snake turned back, showered arrows endued with the speed and force of thunderbolts. Beholding all this, venerable sire, my thighs began to quake. Then that celestial youth pierced with arrows the Kuru army consisting of leonine warriors. And having pierced and afflicted that crowd of cars, that youth, stout as the lion, laughed at them and robbed them of their clothes and attires. Indeed, the six great car-warriors of the Kurus were vanquished by that hero alone, even like herds of animals ranging in the forest by a single tiger in rage.'
"Virata said, 'Where is that mighty-armed and famous youth of celestial origin, that hero who recovered in battle my wealth that had been seized by the Kurus? I am anxious to behold and worship that mighty warrior of celestial origin who hath saved thee and my kine also.'
"Uttara replied, 'The mighty son of a deity disappeared there and then. I think, however, that he will show himself either tomorrow or the day after.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Virata, that owner of a large army, remained ignorant of the son of Pandu who was thus described unto him by Uttara, and who was living in the palace in disguise. And permitted by the high-souled Virata, Partha presented with his own hands the garments he had brought, unto Virata's daughter. And the beautiful Uttara, obtaining those new and costly clothes of diverse kinds, became highly glad, along with the son of the Matsya king.'"

SECTION LXX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, on the third day, attired in white robes after a bath, and decked in ornaments of all kinds, those great car-warriors, the five Pandava brothers, having accomplished their row, and with Yudhishthira at their head, looked resplendent as they entered the palace-gate like five intoxicated elephants. And having entered the council-hall of Virata, they took their seats on the thrones reserved for kings, and shone brilliantly like fires on the sacrificial altar. And after Pandavas had taken their seats, Virata, that lord of earth, came there for holding his council and discharging other royal offices. And beholding the illustrious Pandavas blazing like fires, the king reflected for a moment. And them, filled with wrath, the Matsya king spoke unto Kanka seated there like a celestial and looking like the lord of celestials surrounded by the Maruts. And he said, 'A player at dice thou wert employed by me as a courtier! How couldst thou occupy the royal seat thus attired in handsome robes and ornaments?"
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Virata, O king, and desirous of jesting with him, Arjuna smilingly said in reply, 'This person, O king, deserveth to occupy the same seat with Indra himself. Devoted to the Brahmanas, acquainted with the Vedas, indifferent to luxury and carnal enjoyments, habitually performing sacrifices, steady in vows, this one, indeed, is the very embodiment of virtue, The foremost of all Persons endued with energy and superior to every body on earth in intelligence, devoted to asceticism, he is conversant with various weapons. No other person among the mobile and immobile creatures of the three worlds possesseth or will ever possess such knowledge of weapons. And there is none even amongst the gods, or Asuras, or men, or Rakshasas, or Gandharvas, or Yaksha chiefs, or Kinnaras--or mighty Uragas, who is like him. Endued with great foresight and energy, beloved by the citizens and inhabitants of the provinces, he is the mightiest of car-warriors amongst the sons of Pandu. A performer of sacrifices, devoted to morality, and of subdued passions, like unto a great Rishi, this royal sage is celebrated over all the worlds. Possessed of great strength and great intelligence, able and truthful, he hath all his senses under complete control. Equal unto Indra in wealth and Kuvera in hoarding, he is the protector of the worlds like unto Manu himself of mighty prowess. Endued with great might, he is even such. Kind unto all creatures he is no other than the bull of the Kuru race, king Yudhishthira the just. The achievements of this king resemble the sun himself of blazing effulgence. And his fame hath travelled in all directions like the rays of that luminary. And like the rays following the risen sun of blazing effulgence, ten thousand swift elephants followed him, O king, when he dwelt among the Kurus. And, O king, thirty thousand cars decked in gold and drawn by the best steeds, also used to follow him then. And
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full eight hundred bards adorned with ear-rings set with shining gems, and accompanied by minstrels, recited his praises in those days, like the Rishis adorning Indra. And, O king, the Kauravas and other lords of earth always waited upon him like slaves, as the celestials upon Kuvera. This eminent king, resembling the bright-rayed sun, made all lords of earth pay tribute unto him like persons of the agricultural class. And eighty-eight thousands of high-souled Snatakas depended for their subsistence upon this king practising excellent vows. This illustrious lord protected the aged and the helpless, the maimed and the blind, as his sons, and he ruled over his subjects virtuously. Steady in morality and self-control, capable of restraining his anger, bountiful, devoted to the Brahmanas, and truthful, this one is the son of Pandu. The prosperity and prowess of this one afflict king Suyodhana with his followers including Kama and Suvala's son. And, O lord of men, the virtues of this one are incapable of being enumerated. This son of Pandu is devoted to morality and always abstains from injury. Possessed of such attributes, doth not this bull among kings, this son of Pandu, deserve, O monarch, to occupy a royal seat?'"

SECTION LXXI

"Virata said, 'If this one, indeed, be the Kuru king Yudhisthira the son of Kunti, which amongst these is his brother Arjuna, and which, the mighty Bhima. Which of these is Nakula, and which Sahadeva and where is the celebrated Draupadi? After their defeat at dice, the sons of Pritha have not been heard of by any one.'
"Arjuna said, 'Even this one, O king, who is called Vallava and is thy cook, is that Bhima of mighty arms and terrible prowess and furious impetus. It was he who slew the furious Rakshasas on the mountains of Gandhamadana, and procured for Krishna celestial flowers of great fragrance. Even he is that Gandharva, who slew the Kichaka of wicked soul and it was he who killed tigers and bears and boars in the inner apartment of thy palace. He who had been the keeper of thy horse is that slayer of foes called Nakula, and this one is Sahadeva, the keeper of thy kine. Both these sons of Madri are great car-warriors, possessed of great fame and beauty of person. These two bulls of the Bharata race, attired in handsome robes and decked in excellent ornaments, are a match for a thousand great car-warriors. And even this lady of eyes like lotus-petals and slender-waist and sweet smiles is Drupada's daughter, thy wife's Sairindhri, for whose sake, O king, the Kichakas were slain. I am, O king, Arjuna who, it is evident, thou hast heard, is that son of Pritha, who is Bhima's junior and the senior of
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the twins! We have, O king, happily passed in thy abode the period of non-discovery, like infants in the womb!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Arjuna had pointed out those heroes--the five Pandavas, the son of Virata then spoke of Arjuna's prowess. And Uttara once again identified the sons of Pritha. And the prince said, 'That one whose complexion is bright like that of pure gold, who is stout like a full-grown lion, whose nose is so prominent, whose eyes are large and expansive, and whose face is broad and of coppery hue, is the king of the Kurus. And behold, that one whose tread is like that of an infuriate elephant, whose complexion is like that of heated gold, whose shoulders are broad and expanded, and whose arms are long and thick, is Vrikodara. And he who stands by his side, that youth of darkish hue, who is like unto a leader of a herd of elephants, whose shoulders are broad like those of a lion, whose tread is like that of a mighty elephant, and whose eyes are large and expansive like lotus-leaves, is Arjuna that foremost of bowmen. All lo, close to the king, are those foremost of men, the twins, like unto Vishnu and Indra, and who have no equals, in the world of men, in beauty, might, and behaviour. And close by them, behold, standeth Krishna, beautiful as gold, like unto the very embodiment of light, possessing the complexion of the blue lotus, like unto a celestial damsel, and resembling the living embodiment of Lakshmi herself.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Virata's son began to describe the prowess of Arjuna, saying, 'Even this one is he that slew the foe, like unto a lion devastating a flock of deer. Even he ranged through, crowds of hostile cars, slaying their best of car-warriors. By him was slain a huge, infuriate elephant by means of a single arrow. Pierced by him, that huge beast having its flanks adorned with an armour of gold, fell down piercing the earth with his tusks. By him have the kine been recovered and the Kauravas vanquished in battle. My ears have been deafened by the blare of his conch. It was by this hero of fierce deeds that Bhishma and Drona, along with Duryodhana, were vanquished. That achievement is his and not mine.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of his, the mighty king of the Matsyas, considering himself guilty of having offended Yudhishthira, said unto Uttara in reply, 'I think the time hath come for me to propitiate the sons of Pandu. And, if thou likest, I shall bestow my daughter Uttara upon Arjuna.'
"Uttara said, 'Worthy of our adorations and worship and respect, the time hath come for worshipping the illustrious sons of Pandu who deserve to be worshipped by us.'
"Virata said, 'When brought under the foe's subjection in battle, it was Bhimasena that rescued me. My kine also have been recovered by Arjuna. It is through the might of their arms that we have obtained victory in battle. Such being the case, all of us, with our counsellors, shall propitiate Yudhishthira the son of Kunti. Blessed be thou, with
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all thy brothers, O bull among the sons of Pandu. If, O king, we have ever said or done anything in ignorance to offend thee, it behoveth thee to forgive us. The son of Pandu is virtuous.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the high-souled Virata, delighted greatly, approached king Yudhishthira and made an alliance with him, and offered him his whole kingdom together with the sceptre and treasury and metropolis. And addressing all the Pandavas, and especially Dhananjaya, the mighty king of the Matsyas repeatedly said, 'By good luck it is that I see you.' And having again and again embraced Yudhishthira and Bhima and the sons of Madri, and smelt their heads, Virata, that owner of a large army, was not satiated with gazing at them. And being highly pleased, he said unto king Yudhishthira, 'By good luck it is that I see you safe from woods. By good luck it is that ye have accomplished with difficulty the period of exile, undiscovered by those wicked wights. I make over my entire kingdom to the sons of Pritha, and what else I have. Let the sons of Pandu accept these without the slightest hesitation. And let Dhananjaya, called also Savyasachin, accept the hand of Uttara: for that best of men is fit to be her lord.' Thus addressed, king Yudhishthira the just cast a look upon Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha. And looked at by his brother, Arjuna said unto the Matsya king, 'O monarch, I accept thy daughter as my daughter-in-law. And alliance of this kind between the Matsya and the Bharatas is, indeed, desirable.'"

SECTION LXXII

"Virata said, 'Why, O best among the Pandavas, dost thou not wish to accept as wife this my daughter that I bestow upon thee?'
"Arjuna said, 'Residing in thy inner apartments, I had occasion always to behold thy daughter, and she too, alone or in company trusted me as her father. Well-versed in singing and dancing, I was liked and regarded by her, and, indeed, thy daughter always regardeth me as her protector. O king, I lived for one whole year with her though she had attained the age of puberty. Under these circumstances, thyself or other men may not without reason, entertain suspicions against her or me. Therefore, O king, myself who am pure, and have my senses under control, beg to thee, O monarch, thy daughter as my daughter-in-law. Thus do I attest her purity. There is no difference between a daughter-in-law and a daughter, as also between a son and son's own-self. By adopting this course, therefore, her purity will be proved. I am afraid of slanderous and false accusations. I accept, therefore, O king, thy daughter Uttara as my daughter-in-law. Surpassing all in
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knowledge of weapons, resembling a celestial youth in beauty, my son, the mighty-armed Abhimanyu is the favourite nephew of Vasudeva, the wielder of the discus. He, O king, is fit to be thy son-in-law and the husband of thy daughter.'
"Virata said, 'It behoveth the best of the Kurus, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, who is so virtuous and wise, to say this. O son of Pritha, do thou carry out what thou thinkest should be done after this. He that hath Arjuna for the father of his son-in-law, hath all his desires gratified.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'The monarch having said this, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, gave his assent to what was thus agreed upon between the Matsya king and Arjuna. And, O Bharata, the son of Kunti sent invitations to Vasudeva and to all his friends and relatives, and Virata also did the same. And then, after the expiry of the thirteenth year, the five Pandavas took up their abode in one of Virata's towns called Upaplavya, and Vibhatsu, the son of Pandu, brought over Abhimanyu and Janardana, and also many people of the Dasarha race from the Anarta country. And the king of Kasi, and also Saivya, being very friendly to Yudhishthira, arrived there, each accompanied by an Akshauhini of troops. And the mighty Drupada, also with the heroic sons of Draupadi and the unvanquished Sikhandin, and that foremost of wielder of weapons, the invincible Dhrishtadyumna came there with another Akshauhini of troops. And all the kings that came were not only lords of Akshauhini, but performers of sacrifices with gifts in profusion to Brahmanas, conversant with the Vedas endued with heroism, and ready to die in battle. And beholding them arrived, that foremost of virtuous men, the king of the Matsyas, adored them duly, and entertained their troops and servants and carriers of burdens. And he was highly pleased to bestow his daughter upon Abhimanyu. And after the kings had come there from different parts of the country, there came Vasudeva decked in floral garlands, and Halayudha, and Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, and Yuyudhana, the son of Satyaki, and Anadhristi and Akrura, and Samva and Nisatha. And these repressers of foes came there bringing with them Abhimanyu and his mother. And Indrasena and others, having lived at Dwaraka for one whole year, came there, bringing with them the well adorned cars of the Pandavas. And there came also ten thousand elephants and ten thousand cars, and hundred millions of horses and hundred billions of foot-soldiers, and innumerable Vrishni and Andhaka and Bhoja warriors of great energy, in the train of that tiger among the Vrishnis, Vasudeva of great effulgence. And Krishna gave unto each of the illustrious sons of Pandu numerous female slaves, and gems and robes. And then the nuptial festival set in between the families of the Matsya king and the Pandavas. And then conchs and cymbals and horns and drums and other musical instruments appointed by the Pandavas, began to play in the palace of Virata. And deer of various kinds and clean animals by hundreds were
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slain. And wines of various kinds and intoxicating juices of trees were profusely collected. And mimes and bards and encomiasts, versed in singing and legendary lore, waited upon the kings, and chanted their praises and genealogies. And the matrons of the Matsyas of symmetrical bodies and limbs, and wearing ear-rings of pearls and gems, headed by Sudeshna, came to the place where the marriage knot was to be tied. And amongst those beautiful females of fair complexion and excellent ornaments, Krishna was the foremost in beauty and fame and splendour. And they all came there, leading forth the princess Uttara decked in every ornament and resembling the daughter of the great Indra himself. And then Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, accepted Virata's daughter of faultless limbs on behalf of his son by Subhadra. And that great king, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, who stood there like Indra, also accepted her as his daughter-in-law. And having accepted her, the son of Pritha, with Janardana before him, caused the nuptial ceremonies to be performed of the illustrious son of Subhadra. And Virata then gave him (as dowry) seven thousand steeds endued with the speed of the wind and two hundred elephants of the best kind and much wealth also. And having duly poured libations of clarified butter on the blazing fire, and paid homage unto the twice-born ones, Virata offered to the Pandavas his kingdom, army, treasury, and his own self. And after the marriage had taken place, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, gave away unto the Brahmanas all the wealth that had been brought by Krishna of unfading glory. And he also gave away thousands of kine, and diverse kinds of robes, and various excellent ornaments, and vehicles, and beds, delicious viands of various kinds, and cardinal drinks of diverse species. And the king also made gifts of land unto the Brahmanas with due rites, and also cattle by thousands. And he also gave away thousands of steeds and much gold and much wealth of other kinds, unto persons of all ages. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the city of the Matsya king, thronged with men cheerful and well-fed, shone brightly like a great festival.'"

The end of Virata Parva

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguli ji for the collection)