srimahabharat - virata parva (book 4) chapters - 31 to 60

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

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

Virata Parva

Book 4
Chapter 31

1 [vai]
      niryāya nagarāc chūrā vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ
      trigartān aspṛśan matsyāḥ sūrye pariṇate sati
  2 te trigartāś ca matsyāś ca saṃrabdhā yuddhadurmadāḥ
      anyonyam abhigarjanto goṣu gṛddhā mahābalāḥ
  3 bhīmāś ca mattamātaṅgās tomarāṅkuśacoditāḥ
      grāmaṇīyaiḥ samārūḍhāḥ kuśalair hastisādibhiḥ
  4 teṣāṃ samāgamo ghoras tumulo lomaharṣaṇaḥ
      devāsurasamo rājann āsīt sūryevilambati
  5 udatiṣṭhad rajo bhaumaṃ na prajñāyata kiṃ cana
      pakṣiṇaś cāpatan bhūmau sainyena rajasāvṛtāḥ
  6 iṣubhir vyatisaṃyadbhir ādityo 'ntaradhīyata
      khadyotair iva saṃyuktam antarikṣaṃ vyarājata
  7 rukmapṛṣṭhāni cāpāni vyatiṣaktāni dhanvinām
      patatāṃ lokavīrāṇāṃ savyadakṣiṇam asyatām
  8 rathā rathaiḥ samājagmuḥ pādātaiś ca padātayaḥ
      sādibhiḥ sādinaś caiva gajaiś cāpi mahāgajāḥ
  9 asibhiḥ paṭṭiśaiḥ prāsaiḥ śaktibhis tomarair api
      saṃrabdhāḥ samare rājan nijaghnur itaretaram
  10 nighnantaḥ samare 'nyonyaṃ śūrāḥ parighabāhavaḥ
     na śekur abhisaṃrabdhāḥ śūrān kartuṃ parāṅmukhān
 11 kḷptottarauṣṭhaṃ sunasaṃ kḷpta keśam alaṃ kṛtam
     adṛśyata śiraś chinnaṃ rajodhvastaṃ sakuṇḍalam
 12 adṛśyaṃs tatra gātrāṇi śaraiś chinnāni bhāgaśaḥ
     śālaskandhanikāśāni kṣatriyāṇāṃ mahāmṛdhe
 13 nāgabhoganikāśaiś ca bāhubhiś candanokṣitaiḥ
     ākīrṇā vasudhā tatra śiro bhiś ca sakuṇḍalaiḥ
 14 upaśāmyad rajo bhaumaṃ rudhireṇa prasarpatā
     kaśmalaṃ prāviśad ghoraṃ nirmaryādam avartata
 15 śatānīkaḥ śataṃ hatvā viśālākṣaś catuḥśatam
     praviṣṭau mahatīṃ senāṃ trigartānāṃ mahārathau
     ārcchetāṃ bahu saṃrabdhau keśākeśi nakhānakhi
 16 lakṣayitvā trigartānāṃ tau praviṣṭau rathavrajam
     jagmatuḥ sūryadattaś ca madirāśvaś ca pṛṣṭhataḥ
 17 virāṭas tatra saṃgrāme hatvā pañcaśatān rathān
     hayānāṃ ca śatāny atra hatvā pañca mahārathān
 18 caran sa vividhān mārgān ratheṣu rathayūthapaḥ
     trigartānāṃ suśarmāṇam ārcchad rukmarathaṃ raṇe
 19 tau vyāvaharatāṃ tatra mahātmānau mahābalau
     anyonyam abhigarjantau goṣṭhe govṛṣabhāv iva
 20 tato rathābhyāṃ rathinau vyatiyāya samantataḥ
     śarān vyasṛjatāṃ śīghraṃ toyadhārā ghanāv iva
 21 anyonyaṃ cātisaṃrabdhau viceratur amarṣaṇau
     kṛtāstrau niśitair bāṇair asi śaktigadā bhṛtau
 22 tato rājā suśarmāṇaṃ vivyādha daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     pañcabhiḥ pañcabhiś cāsya vivyādha caturo hayān
 23 tathaiva matsyarājānaṃ suśarmā yuddhadurmadaḥ
     pañcāśatā śitair bāṇair vivyādha paramāstra vit
 24 tataḥ sainyaṃ samāvṛtya matsyarājasuśarmaṇoḥ
     nābhyajānaṃs tadānyonyaṃ pradoṣe rajasāvṛte

SECTION XXXI

"Vaisampayana said, 'O mighty king, entering into king Virata's service, and dwelling in disguise in his excellent city, the high-souled Pandavas of immeasurable prowess, completed the promised period of non-discovery. And after Kichaka had been slain, that slayer of hostile heroes, the mighty king Virata began to rest his hopes on the sons of Kunti. And it was on the expiry of the thirteenth year of their exile, O Bharata, that Susarman seized Virata's cattle by thousands. And when the cattle had been seized, the herdsman of Virata came with great speed to the city, and saw his sovereign, the king of Matsyas, seated on the throne in the midst of wise councillors, and those bulls among men, the sons of Pandu, and surrounded by brave warriors decked with ear-rings and bracelets. And appearing before that enhancer of his dominion--King Virata seated in court--the herdsman bowed down unto him, and addressed him, saying, 'O foremost of kings, defeating and humiliating us in battle along with our friends the Trigartas are seizing thy cattle by hundreds and by thousands. Do thou, therefore, speedily rescue them. Oh, see that they are not lost to thee.' Hearing these words, the king arrayed for battle the Matsya force abounding in cars and elephants and horses and infantry and standards. And kings and princes speedily put on, each in its proper place, 1 their shining and beautiful armour worthy of being worn by heroes. And Virata's beloved brother, Satanika, put
p. 56
on a coat of mail made of adamantine steel, adorned with burnished gold. And Madirakshya, next in birth to Satanika, put on a strong coat of mail plated with gold 1 and capable of resisting every weapon. And the coat of mail that the king himself of the Matsyas put on was invulnerable and decked with a hundred suns, a hundred circles, a hundred spots, and a hundred eyes. And the coat of mail that Suryadatta 2 put on was bright as the sun, plated with gold, and broad as a hundred lotuses of the fragrant (Kahlara) species. And the coat of mail that Virata's eldest son, the heroic Sanksha, put on was impenetrable and made of burnished steel, and decked with a hundred eyes of gold. And it was thus that those god-like and mighty warriors by hundreds, furnished with weapons, and eager for battle, each donned his corselet. And then they yoked unto their excellent cars of white-hue steeds equipped in mail. And then was hoisted--Matsya's glorious standard on his excellent car decked with gold and resembling the sun or the moon in its effulgence. And other Kshatriya warriors also raised on their respective cars gold-decked standards of various shapes and devices. And king Matsya then addressed his brother Satanika born immediately after him, saying, 'Kanka and Vallava and Tantripala and Damagranthi of great energy will, as it appears to me fight, without doubt. Give thou unto them cars furnished with banners and let them case their persons in beautiful coats of mail that should be both invulnerable and easy to wear. And let them also have weapons. Bearing such martial forms and possessed of arms resembling the trunk of mighty elephants, I can never persuade myself that they cannot fight.' Hearing these words of the king, Satanika, O monarch, immediately ordered cars for those sons of Pritha, viz., the royal Yudhishthira, and Bhima, and Nakula, and Sahadeva, and commanded by the king, the charioteers, with cheerful hearts and keeping loyalty in view, very soon got cars ready (for the Pandavas). And those repressers of foes then donned those beautiful coats of mail, invulnerable and easy to wear, that Virata had ordered for those heroes of spotless fame. And mounted on cars yoked with good steeds, those smiters of hostile ranks, those foremost of men, the sons of Pritha, set out with cheerful hearts. Indeed, those mighty warriors skilled in fight, those bulls of the Kuru race and sons of Pandu, those four heroic brothers possessed of prowess incapable of being baffled, mounting on cars decked with gold, together set out, following Virata's wake. And infuriate elephants of terrible mien, full sixty years of age, with shapely tusks and rent temples and juice trickling down and looking (on that account) like cloud pouring rain and mounted by trained warriors skilled in fight, followed the king like unto moving hills. And the principal warriors of Matsya who cheerfully followed the king had eight thousand cars, a thousand elephants and
p. 57
sixty thousand horses. And, O bull among the Bharatas, that force of Virata, O king, as it marched forth marking the footprints of the cattle looked exceedingly beautiful. And on its march that foremost of armies owned by Virata, crowded with soldiers armed with strong weapons, and abounding in elephants, horses and cars, looked really splendid.'"

Book 4
Chapter 32

 1 [vai]
      tamasābhiplute loke rajasā caiva bhārata
      vyatiṣṭhan vai muhūrtaṃ tu vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ
  2 tato 'ndhakāraṃ praṇudann udatiṣṭhata candramāḥ
      kurvāṇo vimalāṃ rātriṃ nandayan kṣatriyān yudhi
  3 tataḥ prakāśam āsādya punar yuddham avartata
      ghorarūpaṃ tatas te sma nāvekṣanta parasparam
  4 tataḥ suśarmā traigartaḥ saha bhrātrā yavīyasā
      abhyadravan matsyarājaṃ rathavrātena sarvaśaḥ
  5 tato rathābhyāṃ praskandya bhrātarau kṣatriya rṣabhau
      gadāpāṇī susaṃrabdhau samabhyadravatāṃ hayān
  6 tathaiva teṣāṃ tu balāni tāni; kruddhāny athānyonyam abhidravanti
      gadāsikhaḍgaiś ca paraśvadhaiś ca; prāsaiś ca tīkṣṇāgrasupītadhāraiḥ
  7 balaṃ tu matsyasya balena rājā; sarvaṃ trigartādhipatiḥ suśarmā
      pramathya jitvā ca prasahya matsyaṃ; virāṭam ojasvinam abhyadhāvat
  8 tau nihatya pṛthag dhuryāv ubhau ca pārṣṇisārathī
      virathaṃ matsyarājānaṃ jīvagrāham agṛhṇatām
  9 tam unmathya suśarmā tu rudatīṃ vadhukām iva
      syandanaṃ svaṃ samāropya prayayau śīghravāhanaḥ
  10 tasmin gṛhīte virathe virāṭe balavattare
     prādravanta bhayān matsyās trigartair arditā bhṛśam
 11 teṣu saṃtrāsyamāneṣu kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     abhyabhāṣan mahābāhuṃ bhīmasenam ariṃdamam
 12 matsyarājaḥ parāmṛṣṭas trigartena suśarmaṇā
     taṃ mokṣaya mahābāho na gacched dviṣatāṃ vaśam
 13 uṣitāḥ smaḥ sukhaṃ sarve sarvakāmaiḥ supūjitāḥ
     bhīmasena tvayā kāryā tasya vāsasya niṣkṛtiḥ
 14 [bhīmas]
     aham enaṃ paritrāsye śāsanāt tava pārthiva
     paśya me sumahat karma yudhyataḥ saha śatrubhiḥ
 15 svabāhubalam āśritya tiṣṭha tvaṃ bhrātṛbhiḥ saha
     ekāntam āśrito rājan paśya me 'dya parākramam
 16 suskandho 'yaṃ mahāvṛkṣo gadā rūpa iva sthitaḥ
     enam eva samārujya drāvayiṣyāmi śātravān
 17 [vai]
     taṃ mattam iva mātaṅgaṃ vīkṣamāṇaṃ vanaspatim
     abravīd bhrātaraṃ vīraṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 18 mā bhīma sāhasaṃ kārṣīs tiṣṭhatv eṣa vanaspatiḥ
     mā tvā vṛkṣeṇa karmāṇi kurvāṇam ati mānuṣam
     janāḥ samavabudhyeran bhīmo 'yam iti bhārata
 19 anyad evāyudhaṃ kiṃ cit pratipadyasva mānuṣam
     cāpaṃ vā yadi vā śaktiṃ nistriṃśaṃ vā paraśvadham
 20 yad eva mānuṣaṃ bhīma bhaved anyair alakṣitam
     tad evāyudham ādāya mokṣayāśu mahīpatim
 21 yamau ca cakrarakṣau te bhavitārau mahābalau
     vyūhataḥ samare tāta matsyarājaṃ parīpsataḥ
 22 tataḥ samastās te sarve turagān abhyacodayan
     divyam astraṃ vikurvāṇās trigartān pratyamarṣaṇāḥ
 23 tān nivṛttarathān dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavān sā mahācamūḥ
     vairāṭī paramakruddhā yuyudhe paramādbhutam
 24 sahasraṃ nyavadhīt tatra kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     bhīmaḥ saptaśatān yodhān paralokam adarśayat
     nakulaś cāpi saptaiva śatāni prāhiṇoc charaiḥ
 25 śatāni trīṇi śūrāṇāṃ sahadevaḥ pratāpavān
     yudhiṣṭhira samādiṣṭo nijaghne puruṣarṣabhaḥ
     bhittvā tāṃ mahatīṃsenāṃ trigartānāṃ nararṣabha
 26 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā tvaramāṇo mahārathaḥ
     abhidrutya suṣarmāṇaṃ śarair abhyatudad bhṛśam
 27 suśarmāpi susaṃkruddhas tvaramāṇo yudhiṣṭhiram
     avidhyan navabhir bāṇaiś caturbhiś caturo hayān
 28 tato rājann āśu kārī kuntīputro vṛkodaraḥ
     samāsādya suśarmāṇam aśvān asya vyapothayat
 29 pṛṣṭhagopau ca tasyātha hatvā paramasāyakaiḥ
     athāsya sārathiṃ kruddho rathopasthād apāharat
 30 cakrarakṣaś ca śūraś ca śoṇāśvo nāma viśrutaḥ
     sa bhayād dvairathaṃ dṛṣṭvā traigartaṃ prājahat tadā
 31 tato virāṭaḥ praskandya rathād atha suśarmaṇaḥ
     gadām asya parāmṛśya tam evājaghnivān balī
     sa cacāra gadāpāṇir vṛddho 'pi taruṇo yathā
 32 bhīmas tu bhīmasaṃkāśo rathāt praskandya kuṇḍalī
     trigartarājam ādatta siṃhakśudra mṛgaṃ yathā
 33 tasmin gṛhīte virathe trigartānāṃ mahārathe
     abhajyata balaṃ sarvaṃ traigartaṃ tadbhayāturam
 34 nivartya gās tataḥ sarvāḥ pāṇḍuputrā mahābalāḥ
     avajitya suśarmāṇaṃ dhanaṃ cādāya sarvaśaḥ
 35 svabāhubalasaṃpannā hrīniṣedhā yatavratāḥ
     saṃgrāmaśiraso madhye tāṃ rātriṃ sukhino 'vasan
 36 tato virāṭaḥ kaunteyān ati mānuṣavikramān
     arcayām āsa vittena mānena ca mahārathān
 37 [virāṭa]
     yathaiva mama ratnāni yuṣmākaṃ tāni vai tathā
     kāryaṃ kuruta taiḥ sarve yathākāmaṃ yathāsukham
 38 dadāny alaṃ kṛtāḥ kanyā vasūni vividhāni ca
     manasaś cāpy abhipretaṃ yad vaḥ śatrunibarhaṇāḥ
 39 yuṣmākaṃ vikramād adya mukto 'haṃ svastimān iha
     tasmād bhavanto matsyānām īśvarāḥ sarva eva hi
 40 [vai]
     tathābhivādinaṃ matsyaṃ kauraveyāḥ pṛthak pṛthak
     ūcuḥ prāñjalayaḥ sarve yudhiṣṭhirapurogamāḥ
 41 pratinandāma te vākyaṃ sarvaṃ caiva viśāṃ pate
     etenaiva pratītāḥ smo yat tvaṃ mukto 'dya śatrubhiḥ
 42 athābravīt prītamanā matsyarājo yudhiṣṭhiram
     punar eva mahābāhur virāṭo rājasattamaḥ
     ehi tvām abhiṣekṣyāmi matsyarājo 'stu no bhavān
 43 manasaś cāpy abhipretaṃ yat te śatrunibarhaṇa
     tat te 'haṃ saṃpradāsyāmi sarvam arhati no bhavān
 44 ratnāni gāḥ suvarṇaṃ ca maṇimuktam athāpi vā
     vaiyāghrapadya viprendra sarvathaiva namo 'stu te
 45 tvatkṛte hy adya paśyāmi rājyam ātmānam eva ca
     yataś ca jātaḥ saṃrambhaḥ sa ca śatrur vaśaṃgataḥ
 46 tato yudhiṣṭhiro matsyaṃ punar evābhyabhāṣata
     pratinandāmi te vākyaṃ mano jñaṃ matsyabhāṣase
 47 ānṛśaṃsya paro nityaṃ susukhaḥ satataṃ bhava
     gacchantu dūtās tvaritaṃ nagaraṃ tava pārthiva
     suhṛdāṃ priyam ākhyātuṃ ghoṣayantu ca te jayam
 48 tatas tad vacanān matsyo dūtān rājā samādiśat
     ācakṣadhvaṃ puraṃ gatvā saṃgrāme vijayaṃ mama
 49 kumārāḥ samalaṃ kṛtyaparyāgacchantu me purāt
     vāditrāṇi ca sarvāṇi gaṇikāś ca svalaṃ kṛtāḥ
 50 te gatvā kevalāṃ rātrim atha sūryodayaṃ prati
     virāṭasya purābhyāśe dūtā jayam aghoṣayan

SECTION XXXII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Marching out of the city, those heroic smiters the Matsyas, arrayed in order of battle, overtook the Trigartas when the sun had passed the meridian. And both excited to fury and both desirous of having the king, the mighty Trigartas and the Matsyas, irrepressible in battle, sent up loud roars. And then the terrible and infuriate elephants ridden over by the skilful combatants of both sides were urged on with spiked clubs and hooks. And the encounter, O king, that took place when the sun was low in the horizon, between the infantry and cavalry and chariots and elephants of both parties, was like unto that of old between the gods and the Asuras, terrible and fierce and sufficient for making one's hair stand on end and calculated to increase the population of Yama's kingdom. And as the combatants rushed against one another, smiting and slashing, thick clouds of dust began to rise, so that nothing could be discovered. And covered with the dust raised by the contending armies, birds began to drop down on the earth. And the sun himself disappeared behind the thick cloud of arrows shot, and the firmament looked bright as if with myriads of the fireflies. And shifting their bows, the staves of which were decked with gold, from one hand to another, those heroes began to strike each other down, discharging their arrows right and left. And cars encountered cars, and foot-soldiers fought with foot-soldiers, and horse-men with horsemen, and elephants with mighty elephants. And they furiously encountered one another with swords and axes, bearded darts and javelins, and iron clubs. And although, O king, those mighty-armed warriors furiously assailed one another in that conflict, yet neither party succeeded in prevailing over the other. And severed heads, some with beautiful noses, some with upper lips deeply gashed, some decked with ear-rings, and some divided with wounds about the well-trimmed hair were seen rolling on the ground covered with dust. And soon the field of battle was overspread with the limbs of Kshatriya warriors, cut off by means of arrows and lying like trunks of Sala trees. And scattered over with heads decked in ear-rings, and sandal-besmeared arms looking like the bodies of snakes, the field of battle became exceedingly beautiful. And as cars encountered cars, and horsemen encountered horsemen, and foot-soldiers fought with
p. 58
foot-soldiers, and elephants met with elephants, the frightful dust soon became drenched with torrents of blood. And some amongst the combatants began to swoon away, and the warriors began to fight reckless of consideration of humanity, friendship and relationship. And both their course and sight obstructed by the arrowy shower, vultures began to alight on the ground. But although those strong-armed combatants furiously fought with one another, yet the heroes of neither party succeeded in routing their antagonists. And Satanika having slain a full hundred of the enemy and Visalaksha full four hundred, both those mighty warriors penetrated into the heart of the great Trigarta host. And having entered into the thick of the Trigarta host, those famous and mighty heroes began to deprive their antagonists of their senses by causing a closer conflict to set in--a conflict, in which the combatants seized one another by the hair and tore one another with their nails. 1 And eyeing the point where the cars of the Trigartas had been mustered in strong numbers, those heroes at last directed their attack towards it. And that foremost of car-warriors, king Virata also, with Suryadatta in his van and Madiraksha in his rear, having destroyed in that conflict five hundred cars, eight hundred horses, and five warriors on great cars, displayed various skilful manoeuvres on his car on that field of battle. And at last the king came upon the ruler of the Trigartas mounted on a golden chariot. And those high-souled and powerful warriors, desirous of fighting, rushed roaring against each like two bulls in a cow-pen. Then that bull among men, irrepressible in battle, Susarman, the king of the Trigartas, challenged Matsya to a single combat on car. Then those warriors excited to fury rushed against each other on their cars and began to shower their arrows upon each other like clouds pouring torrents of rain. 2 And enraged with each other, those fierce warriors, both skilled in weapons, both wielding swords and darts and maces, then moved about (on the field of battle) assailing each other with whetted arrows. Then king Virata pierced Susarman with ten shafts and each of his four horses also with five shafts. And Susarman also, irresistible in battle and conversant with fatal weapons, pierced king of Matsya with fifty whetted shafts. And then, O mighty monarch, in consequence of the dust on the field of battle, the soldiers of both Susarman and Matsya's king could not distinguish one another.'"

Book 4
Chapter 33

 1 [vai]
      yāte trigartaṃ matsye tu paśūṃs tān svān parīpsati
      duryodhanaḥ sahāmātyo virāṭam upayād atha
  2 bhīṣmo droṇaś ca karṇaś ca kṛpaś ca paramāstra vit
      drauṇiś ca saubalaś caiva tathā duḥkśāsanaḥ prabhuḥ
  3 viviṃśatir vikarṇaś ca citrasenaś ca vīryavān
      durmukho duḥsahaś caiva ye caivānye marā rathāḥ
  4 ete matsyān upāgamya virāṭasya mahīpateḥ
      ghoṣān vidrāvya tarasā godhanaṃ jahrur ojasā
  5 ṣaṣṭiṃ gavāṃ sahasrāṇi kuravaḥ kālayanti te
      mahatā rathavaṃśena parivārya samantataḥ
  6 gopālānāṃ tu ghoṣeṣu hanyatāṃ tar mahārathaiḥ
      ārāvaḥ sumahān āsīt saṃprahāre bhayaṃkare
  7 gavādhyakṣas tu saṃtrasto ratham āsthāya sa tvaraḥ
      jagāma nagarāyaiva parikrośaṃs tadārtavat
  8 sa praviśya puraṃ rājño nṛpa veśmābhyayāt tataḥ
      avatīrya rathāt tūrṇam ākhyātuṃ praviveśa ha
  9 dṛṣṭvā bhūmiṃjayaṃ nāma putraṃ matsyasya māninam
      tasmai tat sarvam ācaṣṭa rāṣṭrasya paśukarṣaṇam
  10 ṣaṣṭiṃ gavāṃ sahasrāṇi kuravaḥ kālayanti te
     tad vijetuṃ samuttiṣṭha godhanaṃ rāṣṭravardhanam
 11 rājaputra hitaprepsuḥ kṣipraṃ niryāhi vai svayam
     tvāṃ hi matsyo mahīpālaḥ śūnyapālam ihākarot
 12 tvayā pariṣado madhye ślāghate sa narādhipaḥ
     putro mamānurūpaś ca śūraś ceti kulodvahaḥ
 13 iṣvastre nipuṇo yodhaḥ sadā vīraś ca me sutaḥ
     tasya tat satyam evāstu manuṣyendrasya bhāṣitam
 14 āvartaya kurūñ jitvā paśūn paśumatāṃ vara
     nirdahaiṣām anīkāni bhīmena śaratejasā
 15 dhanuścyutai rukmapuṅkhaiḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     dviṣatāṃ bhindhy anīkāni gajānām iva yūthapaḥ
 16 pāśopadhānāṃ jyātantrīṃ cāpadaṇḍāṃ mahāsvanām
     śaravarṇāṃ dhanur vīṇāṃ śatrumadhye pravādaya
 17 śvetā rajatasaṃkāśā rathe yujyantu te hayāḥ
     dhvajaṃ ca siṃhaṃ sauvarṇam ucchrayantu tavābhibhoḥ
 18 rukmapaṅkhāḥ prasannāgrā muktā hastavatā tvayā
     chādayantu śarāḥ sūryaṃ rājñām āyur nirodhinaḥ
 19 raṇe jitvā kurūn sarvān varja pāṇir ivāsurān
     yaśo mahad avāpya tvaṃ praviśedaṃ puraṃ punaḥ
 20 tvaṃ hi rāṣṭrasya paramā gatir matsyapateḥ sutaḥ
     gatimanto bhavantv adya sarve viṣayavāsinaḥ
 21 strīmadhya uktas tenāsau tad vākyam abhayaṃkaram
     antaḥpure ślāghamāna idaṃ vacanam abravīt

SECTION XXXIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O Bharata, when the world was enveloped in dust and the gloom of night, the warriors of both sides, without breaking the order of battle, desisted for a while. 1 And then, dispelling the darkness the moon arose illumining the night and gladdening the hearts of the Kshatriya warriors. And when everything became visible, the battle once more began. And it raged on so furiously that the combatants could not distinguish one another. And then Trigarta's lord, Susarman with his younger brother, and accompanied by all his cars, rushed towards the king of Matsya. And descending from their cars, those bulls among Kshatriyas, the (royal) brothers, mace in hand, rushed furiously towards the cars of the foe. And the hostile hosts fiercely assailed each other with maces and swords and scimitars, battle-axes and bearded darts with keen edges and points of excellent temper. And king Susarman, the lord of the Trigartas having by his energy oppressed and defeated the whole army of the Matsyas, impetuously rushed towards Virata himself endued with great energy. And the two brothers having severally slain Virata's two steeds and his charioteer, as also those soldiers that protected his rear, took him captive alive, when deprived of his car. Then afflicting him sorely, like a lustful man afflicting a defenceless damsel, Susarman placed Virata on his own car, and speedily rushed out of the field. And when the powerful Virata, deprived of his car, was taken captive, the Matsyas, harrassed solely by the Trigartas, began to flee in fear in all directions. And beholding them panic-stricken, Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, addressed that subduer of foes, the mighty-armed Bhima, saying, 'The king of the Matsyas hath been taken by the Trigartas. Do thou, O mighty-armed one, rescue him, so that he may not fall under the power of the enemy. As we have lived happily in Virata's city, having every desire of ours gratified, it behoveth thee, O Bhimasena, to discharge that debt (by liberating the king).' Thereat Bhimasena replied, 'I will liberate him, O king, at thy command. Mark the feat I achieve (today) in battling with the foe, relying solely on the might of my arms. Do thou, O king, stay aside, along with our brothers and witness my prowess today. Uprooting this mighty tree of huge trunk looking like a mace, I will rout the enemy.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding Bhima casting his eyes on that tree like a mad elephant, the heroic king Yudhishthira the just spake unto his brother, saying, 'Do not, O Bhima, commit such a rash act. Let the tree stand there. Thou must not achieve such feats in a super-human
p. 60
manner by means of that tree, for if thou dost, the people, O Bharata, will recognise thee and say, This is Bhima. Take thou, therefore, some human weapon such as a bow (and arrows), or a dart, or a sword, or a battle-axe. And taking therefore, O Bhima, some weapon that is human, liberate thou the king without giving anybody the means of knowing thee truly. The twins endued with great strength will defend thy wheels. Fighting together, O child, liberate the king of the Matsyas!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the mighty Bhimasena endued with great speed, quickly took up an excellent bow and impetuously shot from it a shower of arrows, thick as the downpour of a rain-charged cloud. And Bhima then rushed furiously towards Susarman of terrible deeds, and assuring Virata with the words--O good king! 1 said unto the lord of the Trigartas,--Stay! Stay! Seeing Bhima like unto Yama himself in his rear, saying, Stay! Stay! Do thou witness this mighty feat,--this combat that is at hand!--the bull among warriors, Susarman, seriously considered (the situation), and taking up his bow turned back, along with his brothers. Within the twinkling of an eye, Bhima destroyed those cars that sought to oppose him. And soon again hundreds of thousands of cars and elephants and horses and horsemen and brave and fierce bowmen were overthrown by Bhima in the very sight of Virata. And the hostile infantry also began to be slaughtered by the illustrious Bhima, mace in hand. And beholding that terrible onslaught, Susarman, irrepressible in fight, thought within himself, 'My brother seems to have already succumbed in the midst of his mighty host. Is my army going to be annihilated?' And drawing his bow-string to his ear Susarman then turned back and began to shoot keen-edged shafts incessantly. And seeing the Pandavas return to the charge on their car, the Matsya warriors of mighty host, urging on their steeds, shot excellent weapons for grinding the Trigarta soldiers. And Virata's son also, exceedingly exasperated began to perform prodigious fears of valour. And Kunti's son Yudhishthira slew a thousand (of the foe), and Bhima showed the abode of Yama unto seven thousand. And Nakula sent seven hundred (to their last account) by means of his shafts. And powerful Sahadeva also, commanded by Yudhishthira, slew three hundred brave warriors. And having slain such numbers, that fierce and mighty warrior, Yudhishthira, with weapons upraised, rushed against Susarman. And rushing impetuously at Susarman, that foremost of car-warriors, king Yudhishthira, assailed him with vollies of shafts. And Susarman also, in great rage, quickly pierced Yudhishthira with nine arrows, and each of his four steeds with four arrows. Then, O king, Kunti's son Bhima of quick movements, approaching Susarman crushed his steeds. And having slain also those soldiers that protected his rear, he dragged from the car his
p. 61
antagonist's charioteer to the ground. And seeing the king of Trigarta's car without a driver, the defender of his car-wheels, the famous and brave Madiraksha speedily came to his aid. And thereat, leaping down from Susarman's car, and securing the latter's mace the powerful Virata ran in pursuit of him. And though old, he moved on the field, mace in hand, even like a lusty youth. And beholding Susarman flee Bhima addressed him, saying, 'Desist, O Prince! This flight of thine is not proper! With this prowess of thine, how couldst thou wish to carry off the cattle by force? How also, forsaking thy follower, dost thou droop so amidst foes? Thus addressed by Pritha's son, the mighty Susarman, that lord of countless cars saying unto Bhima, Stay! Stay!--suddenly turned round and rushed at him. Then Bhima, the son of Pandu, leaping down from his car, as he alone could do, 1 rushed forward with great coolness, desirous of taking Susarman's life. And desirous of seizing Trigarta's king advancing towards him, the mighty Bhimasena rushed impetuously towards him, even like a lion rushing at a small deer. And advancing impetuously, the mighty-armed Bhima seized Susarman by the hair, and lifting him up in wrath, dashed him down on the ground. And as he lay crying in agony, the mighty-armed Bhima kicked him at the head, and placing his knee on his breast dealt him severe blows. And sorely afflicted with that kicking, the king of Trigartas became senseless. And when the king of the Trigartas deprived of his car, had been seized thus, the whole Trigarta army stricken with panic, broke and fled in all directions, and the mighty sons of Pandu, endued with modesty and observant of vows and relying on the might of their own arms, after having vanquished Susarman, and rescued the kine as well as other kinds of wealth and having thus dispelled Virata's anxiety, stood together before that monarch. And Bhimasena then said, 'This wretch given to wicked deeds doth not deserve to escape me with life. But what can I do? The king is so lenient!' And then taking Susarman by the neck as he was lying on the ground insensible and covered with dust, and binding him fast, Pritha's son Vrikodara placed him on his car, and went to where Yudhishthira was staying in the midst of the field. And Bhima then showed Susarman unto the monarch. And beholding Susarman in that plight, that tiger among men king Yudhishthira smilingly addressed Bhima--that ornament of battle,--saying, 'Let this worst of men be set free.' Thus addressed, Bhima spoke unto the mighty Susarman, saying, 'If, O wretch, thou wishest to live, listen to those words of mine. Thou must say in every court and assembly of men,--I am a slave. On this condition only I will grant thee thy life. Verily, this is the law about the vanquished.' Thereupon his elder brother affectionately addressed Bhima, saying, 'If thou regardest us as an authority, liberate this wicked wight. He hath already become king Virata's slave. And turning then
p. 62
to Susarman, he said, 'Thou art freed. Go thou a free man, and never act again in this way.'"

Book 4
Chapter 34

1 [uttara]
      adyāham anugaccheyaṃ dṛḍhadhanvā gavāṃ padam
      yadi me sārathiḥ kaś cid bhaved aśveṣu kovidaḥ
  2 tam eva nādhigacchāmi yo me yantā bhaven naraḥ
      paśyadhvaṃ sāradhiṃ kṣipraṃ mama yuktaṃ prayāsyataḥ
  3 aṣṭāviṃśati rātraṃ vā māsaṃ vā nūnam antataḥ
      yat tad āsī mahad yuddhaṃ tatra me sārathir hataḥ
  4 sa labheyaṃ yadi tv anyaṃ hara yānavidaṃ naram
      tvarāvān adya yātvāhaṃ samucchritamahādhvajam
  5 vigāhya tatparānīkaṃ gajavājir athākulam
      śastrapratāpa nirvīryān kurūñ jitvānaye paśūn
  6 duryodhanaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ karṇaṃ vaikartanaṃ kṛpam
      droṇaṃ ca saha putreṇa maheṣvāsān samāgatān
  7 vitrāsayitvā saṃgrāme dānavān iva vajrabhṛt
      anenaiva muhūrtena punaḥ pratyānaye paśūn
  8 śūnyam āsādya kuravaḥ prayānty ādāya godhanam
      kiṃ nu śakyaṃ mayā kartuṃ yad ahaṃ tatra nābhavam
  9 paśyeyur adya me vīryaṃ kuravas te samāgatāḥ
      kiṃ nu pārtho 'rjunaḥ sākṣād ayam asmān prabādhate
  10 [vai]
     tasya tad vacanaṃ strīṣu bhāṣataḥ sma punaḥ punaḥ
     nāmarṣayata pāñcālī bībhatsoḥ parikīrtanam
 11 athainam upasaṃgamya strīmadhyāt sā tapasvinī
     vrīḍamāneva śanakair idaṃ vacanam abravīt
 12 yo 'sau bṛhad vāraṇābho yuvā supriya darśanaḥ
     bṛhannaḍeti vikhyātaḥ pārthasyāsīt sa sārathiḥ
 13 dhanuṣy anavaraś cāsīt tasya śiṣyo mahātmanaḥ
     dṛṣṭapūrvo mayā vīra carantyā pāṇḍavān prati
 14 yadā tat pāvako dāvam adahat khāṇḍavaṃ mahat
     arjunasya tadānena saṃgṛhītā hayottamāḥ
 15 tena sārathinā pārthaḥ sarvabhūtāni sarvaśaḥ
     ajayat khāṇḍava prasthe na hi yantāsti tādṛśaḥ
 16 yeyaṃ kumārī suśroṇī bhaginī te yavīyasī
     asyāḥ sa vacanaṃ vīrakariṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
 17 yadi vai sārathiḥ sa syāt kurūn sarvān asaṃśayam
     jitvā gāś ca samādāya dhruvam āgamanaṃ bhavet
 18 evam uktaḥ sa sairandhyā bhaginīṃ pratyabhāṣata
     gaccha tvam anavadyāṅgi tām ānaya bṛhannaḍām
 19 sā bhrātrā preṣitā śīghram agacchan nartanā gṛham
     yatrāste sa mahābāhuś channaḥ satreṇa pāṇḍavaḥ

SECTION XXXIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira Susarman was overwhelmed with shame and hung down his head. And liberated (from slavery), he went to king Virata, and having saluted the monarch, took his departure. And the Pandavas also replying on the might of their own arms, and endued with modesty and observant of vows, having slain their enemies and liberated Susarman, passed that night happily on the field of battle. And Virata gratified those mighty warriors, the sons of Kunti, possessed of super-human prowess with wealth and honour. And Virata said, "All these gems of mine are now as much mine as yours. Do ye according to your pleasure live here happily. And ye smiter of foes in battle, I will bestow on you damsels decked with ornaments, wealth in plenty, and other things that ye may like. Delivered from perils today by your prowess, I am now crowned with victory. Do ye all become the lords of the Matsyas.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'And when the king of the Matsyas had addressed them thus, those descendants of the Kurus with Yudhishthira at their head, joining their hands, severally replied unto him saying, 'We are well-pleased with all that thou sayest, O monarch. We, however, have been much gratified that thou hast today been freed from thy foes.' Thus answered, that foremost of kings, Virata the lord of the Matsyas, again addressed Yudhishthira, saying, 'Come, we will install thee in sovereignty of the Matsyas. And we will also bestow on thee things that are rare on earth and are objects of desire, for thou deservest everything at our hands. O foremost of Brahmanas of the Vaiyaghra order I will bestow on thee gems and kine and gold and rubies and pearls. I bow unto thee. It is owing to thee that I once more behold today my sons and kingdom. Afflicted and threatened as I had been with disaster and danger, it is through thy prowess that I have not succumbed to the foe.' Then Yudhishthira again addressed the Matsyas, saying, 'Well-pleased are we with the delightful words that thou hast spoken. Mayst thou be ever happy, always practising humanity towards all creatures. Let messengers now, at thy command, speedily repair into the city, in order to communicate the glad tidings to our friends, and proclaim thy victory. Hearing these words of him, king Matsya ordered the messengers, saying,' 'Do ye repair to the city and proclaim my victory in battle. And let damsels and courtesons, decked in ornaments, come out of the city with every kind of musical instruments.' Hearing
p. 63
this command uttered by the king of the Matsyas, the men, laying the mandate on their head, all departed with cheerful hearts. And having repaired to the city that very night, they proclaimed at the hour of sunrise the victory of the king about the city-gates.'"

Book 4
Chapter 35

1 [vai]
      sa tāṃ dṛṣṭvā viśālākṣīṃ rājaputrīṃ sakhīṃ sakhā
      prahasann abravīd rājan kutrāgamanam ity uta
  2 tam abravīd rājaputrī samupetya nararṣabham
      praṇayaṃ bhāvayantī sma sakhīmadhya idaṃ vacaḥ
  3 gāvo rāṣṭrasya kurubhiḥ kālyante no bṛhannaḍe
      tān vijetuṃ mama bhrātā prayāsyati dhanurdharaḥ
  4 naciraṃ ca hatas tasya saṃgrāme rathasārathiḥ
      tena nāsti samaḥ sūto yo 'sya sārathyam ācaret
  5 tasmai prayatamānāya sārathyarthaṃ bṛhannaḍe
      ācacakṣe hayajñāne sairandhrī kauśalaṃ tava
  6 sā sārathyaṃ mama bhrātuḥ kuru sādhu bṛhannaḍe
      purā dūrataraṃ gāvo hriyante kurubhir hi naḥ
  7 athaitad vacanaṃ me 'dya niyuktā na kariṣyasi
      praṇayād ucyamānā tvaṃ parityakṣyāmi jīvitam
  8 evam uktas tu suśroṇyā tayā sakhyā paraṃtapaḥ
      jagāma rājaputrasya sakāśam amitaujasaḥ
  9 taṃ sā vrajantaṃ tvaritaṃ prabhinnam iva kuñjaram
      anvagacchad viśālākṣī śiśur gajavadhūr iva
  10 dūrād eva tu taṃ prekṣya rājaputrābhyabhāṣata
     tvayā sārathinā pārthaḥ khāṇḍave 'gnim atarpayat
 11 pṛthivīm ajayat kṛtsnāṃ kuntīputro dhanaṃjayaḥ
     sairandhrī tvāṃ samācaṣṭa sā hi jānāti pāṇḍavān
 12 saṃyaccha māmakān aśvāṃs tathaiva tvaṃ bṛhannaḍā
     kurubhir yotsyamānasya godhanāni parīpsataḥ
 13 arjunasya kilāsīs tvaṃ sārathir dayitaḥ purā
     tvayājayat sahāyena pṛthivīṃ pāṇḍavarṣabhaḥ
 14 evam uktā pratyuvāca rājaputraṃ bṛhannaḍā
     kā śaktir mama sārathyaṃ kartuṃ saṃgrāmamūrdhani
 15 gītaṃ vā yadi vā nṛttaṃ vāditraṃ vā pṛthagvidham
     tat kariṣyāmi bhadraṃ te sārathyaṃ tu kuto mayi
 16 [uttara]
     bṛhannaḍe gāyano vā nartano vā punar bhava
     kṣipraṃ me ratham āsthāya nigṛhṇīṣva hayottamān
 17 [vai]
     sa tatra narma saṃyuktam akarot pāṇḍavo bahu
     uttarāyāḥ pramukhataḥ sarvaṃ jānann ariṃdama
 18 ūrdhvam utkṣipya kavacaṃ śarīre pratyamuñcata
     kumāryas tatra taṃ dṛṣṭvā prāhasan pṛthulocanāḥ
 19 sa tu dṛṣṭvā vimuhyantaṃ svayam evottaras tataḥ
     kavacena mahārheṇa samanahyad bṛhannaḍām
 20 sa bibhrat kavacaṃ cāgryaṃ svayam apy aṃśumat prabham
     dhvajaṃ ca siṃham ucchritya sārathye samakalpayat
 21 dhanūṃṣi ca mahārhāṇi bāṇāṃś ca rucirān bahūn
     ādāya prayayau vīraḥ sa bṛhannaḍa sārathiḥ
 22 athottarā ca kanyāś ca sakhyas tām abruvaṃs tadā
     bṛhannaḍe ānayethā vāsāṃsi rucirāṇi naḥ
 23 pāñcāli kāryaṃ sūkṣmāṇi citrāṇi vividhāni ca
     vijitya saṃgrāmagatān bhīṣmadroṇamukhān kurūn
 24 atha tā bruvatīḥ kanyāḥ sahitāḥ pāṇḍunandanaḥ
     pratyuvāca hasan pārtho meghadundubhi niḥsvanaḥ
 25 yady uttaro 'yaṃ saṃgrāme vijeṣyati mahārathān
     athāhariṣye vāsāṃsi divyāni rucirāṇi ca
 26 evam uktvā tu bībhatsus tataḥ prācodayad dhayān
     kurūn abhimukhāñ śūro nānā dhvajapatākinaḥ

SECTION XXXV

"Vaisampayana said, 'When the king of the Matsyas, anxious of recovering the kine, had set out in pursuit of the Trigartas, Duryodhana with his counsellors invaded the dominions of Virata. And Bhishma and Drona, and Karna, and Kripa acquainted with the best of weapons, Aswatthaman, and Suvala's son, and Dussasana, O lord of men, and Vivingsati and Vikarna and Chitrasena endued with great energy, and Durmukha and Dussaha,--these and many other great warriors, coming upon the Matsya dominion speedily drove off the cowherds of king Virata and forcibly took away the kine. And the Kauravas, surrounding all sides with a multitude of cars, seized sixty thousands of kine. And loud was the yell of woe set up by the cowherds smitten by those warriors in that terrible conflict. And the chief of the cowherds, greatly affrighted speedily mounted on a chariot and set out for the city, bewailing in affliction. And entering the city of the king, he proceeded to the place, and speedily alighting from the chariot, got in for relating (what had happened). And beholding the proud son of Matsya, named Bhuminjaya, he told him everything about the seizure of the royal kine. And he said, the Kauravas are taking away sixty thousand kine. Rise, therefore, O enhancer of the kingdom's glory, for brining back thy cattle. O prince, if thou art desirous of achieving (the kingdom's) good set out thyself without loss of time. Indeed, the king of the Matsyas left thee in the empty city. The king (thy father) boasteth of thee in court, saying, 'My son, equal unto me, is a hero and is the supporter of (the glory of) my race. My son is a warrior skilled in arrows and weapons and is always possessed of great courage.'--Oh, let the words of that lord of men be true! O chief of herd-owners, bring thou back the kine after vanquishing the Kurus, and consume thou their troops with the terrific energy of thy arrows. Do thou like a leader of elephants rushing at a herd, pierce the ranks of the foe with straight arrows of golden wings, discharged from thy bow. Thy bow is even like a Vina. Its two ends represent the ivory pillows; its string, the main chord; its staff, the finger-board; and the arrows shot from it musical notes. Do thou strike in the midst of the foe that Vina of musical sound. 1 Let thy
p. 64
steeds, O lord, of silvery hue, be yoked unto thy car, and let thy standard be hoisted, bearing the emblem of the golden lion. Let thy keen-edged arrows endued with wings of gold, shot by thy strong arms, obstruct the path of those kings and eclipse the very sun. Vanquishing all the Kurus in battle like unto the wielder of the thunderbolt defeating the Asuras, return thou again to the city having achieved great renown. Son of Matsya's king, thou art the sole refuge of this kingdom, as that foremost of virtuous warriors, Arjuna is of the sons of Pandu. Even like Arjuna of his brothers, thou art, without doubt, the refuge of those dwelling within these dominions. Indeed, we, the subject of this realm, have our protector in thee.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by the cowherd in the presence of the females, in words breathing courage, the prince indulging in self-commendation within the female apartments, spoke these words.'"

Book 4
Chapter 36

1 [vai]
      sa rājadhānyā niryāya vairāṭiḥ pṛthivīṃ jayaḥ
      prayāhīty abravīt sūtaṃ yatra te kuravo gatāḥ
  2 samavetān kurūn yāvaj jigīśūn avajitya vai
      gāś caiṣāṃ kṣipram ādāya punar āyāmi svaṃ puram
  3 tatas tāṃś codayām āsa sadaśvān pāṇḍunandanaḥ
      te hayā narasiṃhena coditā vātaraṃhasaḥ
      ālikhanta ivākāśam ūhuḥ kāñcanamālinaḥ
  4 nātidūram atho yātvā matsyaputra dhanaṃjayau
      avekṣetām amitraghnau kurūṇāṃ balināṃ balam
      śmaśānam abhito gatvā āsasāda kurūn atha
  5 tad anīkaṃ mahat teṣāṃ vibabhau sāgarasvanam
      sarpamāṇam ivākāśe vanaṃ bahula pādapam
  6 dadṛśe pārthivo reṇur janitas tena sarpatā
      dṛṣṭipraṇāśo bhūtānāṃ divaspṛś narasattama
  7 tad anīkaṃ mahad dṛṣṭvā jagāśvarathasaṃkulam
      karṇaduryodhana kṛpair guptaṃ śāṃtanavena ca
  8 droṇena ca saputreṇa maheṣvāsena dhīmatā
      hṛṣṭaromā bhayodvignaḥ pārthaṃ vairāṭir abravīt
  9 notsahe kurubhir yoddhuṃ romaharṣaṃ hi paśya me
      bahu pravīram atyugraṃ devair api durāsadam
      pratiyoddhuṃ na śakṣyāmi kurusainyam anantakam
  10 nāśaṃse bhāratīṃ senāṃ praveṣṭuṃ bhīmakārmukām
     rathanāgāśvakalilāṃ pattidhvajasamākulām
     dṛṣṭvaiva hi parān ājāv ātmā pravyathatīva me
 11 yatra droṇaś ca bhīṣmaś ca kṛpaḥ karṇo viviṃśatiḥ
     aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca somadatto 'tha bāhlikaḥ
 12 duryodhanas tathā vīro rājā ca rathināṃ varaḥ
     dyutimanto maheṣvāsāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ
 13 dṛṣṭvaiva hi kurūn etān vyūḍhānīkān prahāriṇaḥ
     hṛṣitāni ca romāṇī kaśmalaṃ cāgataṃ mama
 14 [vai]
     aviyāto viyātasya maurkhyād dhūrtasya paśyataḥ
     paridevayate mandaḥ sakāśe savyasācinaḥ
 15 trigartān sa pitā yātaḥ śūnye saṃpraṇidhāya tām
     sarvāṃ senām upādāya na me santīha sainikāḥ
 16 so 'ham eko bahūn bālaḥ kṛtāstrān akṛtaśramaḥ
     pratiyoddhuṃ na śakyāmi nivartasva bṛhan naḍe
 17 [arj]
     bhayena dīnarūpo 'si dviṣatāṃ harṣavardhanaḥ
     na ca tāvat kṛtaṃ kiṃ cit paraiḥ karma raṇājire
 18 svayam eva ca mām āttha vaha māṃ kauravān prati
     so 'haṃ tvāṃ tatra neṣyāmi yatraite bahulā dhvajāḥ
 19 madhyaṃm āmiṣa gṛdhrāṇāṃ kurūṇām ātatāyinām
     neṣyāmi tvāṃ mahābāho pṛthivyām api yudhyatām
 20 tathā strīṣu pratiśrutya pauruṣaṃ puruṣeṣu ca
     katthamāno 'bhiniryāya kimarthaṃ na yuyutsase
 21 na ced vijitya gās tās tvaṃ gṛhān vai pratiyāsyasi
     prahasiṣyanti vīra tvāṃ narā nāryaś ca saṃgatāḥ
 22 aham apy atra sairandhryā stutaḥ sārathya karmaṇi
     na hi śakṣyāmy anirjitya gāḥ prayātuṃ puraṃ prati
 23 stotreṇa caiva sairandhryās tava vākyena tena ca
     kathaṃ na yudhyeyam ahaṃ kurūn sarvān sthiro bhava
 24 [uttara]
     kāmaṃ harantu matsyānāṃ bhūyāṃsaṃ kuravo dhanam
     prahasantu ca māṃ nāryo narā vāpi bṛhannaḍe
 25 [vai]
     ity uktvā prādravad bhīto rathāt praskandya kuṇḍalī
     tyaktvā mānaṃ sa mantātmā visṛjya sa śaraṃ dhanuḥ
 26 [bṛhan]
     naiṣa pūrvaiḥ smṛto dharmaḥ kṣatriyasya palāyanam
     śreyas te maraṇaṃ yuddhe na bhītasya palāyanam
 27 [vai]
     evam uktvā tu kaunteyaḥ so 'vaplutya rathottamāt
     tam anvadhāvad dhāvantaṃ rājaputraṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ
     dīrghāṃ veṇīṃ vidhunvānaḥ sādhu rakte ca vāsasī
 28 vidhūya veṇīṃ dhāvantam ajānanto 'rjunaṃ tadā
     sainikāḥ prāhasan ke cit tathārūpam avekṣya tam
 29 taṃ śīghram abhidhāvantaṃ saṃprekṣya kuravo 'bruvan
     ka eṣa veṣapracchanno bhasmaneva hutāśanaḥ
 30 kiṃ cid asya yathā puṃsaḥ kiṃ cid asya yathā striyaḥ
     sārūpyam arjunasyeva klība rūpaṃ bibharti ca
 31 tad evaitac chiro grīvaṃ tau bāhū parighopamau
     tadvad evāsya vikrāntaṃ nāyam anyo dhanaṃjayāt
 32 amareṣv iva devendro mānuṣeṣu dhanaṃjayaḥ
     ekaḥ so 'smān upāyāyād anyo loke dhanaṃjayāt
 33 ekaḥ putro virāṭasya śūnye saṃnihitaḥ pure
     sa eṣa kila niryāto bālabhāvān na pauruṣāt
 34 satreṇa nūnaṃ channaṃ hi carantaṃ pārtham arjunam
     uttaraḥ sārathiṃ kṛtvā niryāto nagarād bahiḥ
 35 sa no manye dhvajān dṛṣṭvā bhīta eṣa palāyati
     taṃ nūnam eṣa dhāvantaṃ jighṛkṣati dhanaṃjayaḥ
 36 iti sma kuravaḥ sarve vimṛśantaḥ pṛthak pṛthak
     na ca vyavasituṃ kiṃ cid uttaraṃ śaknuvanti te
     channaṃ tathā taṃ satreṇa pāṇḍavaṃ prekṣya bhārata
 37 uttaraṃ tu pradhāvantam anudrutya dhanaṃjayaḥ
     gatvā padaśataṃ tūrṇaṃ keśapakṣe parāmṛśat
 38 so 'rjunena parāmṛṣṭaḥ paryadevayad ārtavat
     bahulaṃ kṛpaṇaṃ caiva virāṭasya sutas tadā
 39 śātakumbhasya śuddhasya śataṃ niṣkān dadāmite
     maṇīn iṣṭau ca vaiḍūryān hemabaddhān mahāprabhān
 40 hemadaṇḍapraticchannaṃ rathaṃ yuktaṃ ca suvrajaiḥ
     mattāṃś ca daśa mātaṅgān muñca māṃ tvaṃ bṛhaṇṇaḍe
 41 [vai]
     evamādīni vākyāni vilapantam acetasam
     prahasya puruṣavyāghro rathasyāntikam ānayat
 42 athainam abravīt pārtho bhayārtaṃ naṣṭacetasam
     yadi notsahase yoddhuṃ śatrubhiḥ śatrukarśana
     ehi me tvaṃ hayān yaccha yudhyamānasya śatrubhiḥ
 43 prayāhy etad rathānīkaṃ madbāhubalarakṣitaḥ
     apradhṛṣyatamaṃ ghoraṃ guptaṃ vīrair mahārathaiḥ
 44 mā bhais tvaṃ rājaputrāgrya kṣatriyo 'si paraṃtapa
     ahaṃ vai kurubhir yotsyāmy avajeṣyāmi te paśūn
 45 praviśyaitad rathānīkam apradhṛṣyaṃ durāsadam
     yantā bhūs tvaṃ naraśreṣṭha yotsye 'haṃ kurubhiḥ saha
 46 evaṃ bruvāṇo bībhatsur vairāṭim aparājitaḥ
     samāśvāsya muhūrtaṃ tam uttaraṃ bharatarṣabha
 47 tata enaṃ viceṣṭantam akāmaṃ bhayapīḍitam
     ratham āropayām āsa pārthaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ

SECTION XXXVI

"Uttara said, 'Firm as I am in the use of the bow, I would set out this very day in the track of the kine if only some one skilled in the management of horses becomes my charioteer. I do not, however, know the man who may be my charioteer. Look ye, therefore, without delay, for a charioteer for me that am prepared for starting. My own charioteer was slain in the great battle that was fought from day to day for a whole month or at least for eight and twenty nights. As soon as I get another person conversant with the management of the steeds. I will immediately set out, hoisting high my own standard. Penetrating into the midst of the hostile army abounding with elephants and horses and chariots, I will bring back the kine, having vanquished the Kurus who are feeble in strength and weak in weapons. Like a second wielder of the thunderbolt terrifying the Danavas, I will bring back the kine this very moment, affrighting in battle Duryodhana and Bhishma and Karna and Kripa and Drona with his son, and other mighty bowmen assembled for fight. Finding none (to oppose), the Kurus are taking away the kine. What can I do when I am not there? The assembled Kurus shall witness my prowess today. And they shall say unto one another, 'Is it Arjuna himself who is opposing us?'
p. 65
[paragraph continues] "Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard these words spoken by the prince, Arjuna fully acquainted with the import of everything, after a little while cheerfully spake in private unto his dear wife of faultless beauty, Krishna, the princess of Panchala, Drupada's daughter of slender make, sprung from the (sacrificial) fire and endued with the virtues of truthfulness and honesty and ever attentive to the good of her husbands. And the hero said, 'Do thou, O beauteous one, at my request say unto Uttara without delay, 'This Vrihannala was formerly the accomplished resolute charioteer of Pandu's son (Arjuna). Tried in many a great battle, even he will be thy charioteer.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words uttered by the prince over and over again in the midst of the women, Panchali could not quietly bear those allusions to Vibhatsu. And bashfully stepping out from among the women, the poor princess of Panchala gently spake unto him these words, 'The handsome youth, looking like a mighty elephant and known by the name of Vrihannala, was formerly the charioteer of Arjuna. A disciple of that illustrious warrior, and inferior to none in use of the bow, he was known to me while I was living with the Pandavas. It was by him that the reins were held of Arjuna's excellent steeds when Agni consumed the forest of Khandava. It was with him as charioteer that Partha conquered all creatures at Khandava-prastha. In fact, there is no charioteer equal unto him.'
"Uttara said, 'Thou knowest, O Sairindhri, this youth. Thou knowest, what this one of the neuter sex may or may not be, I cannot, however, O blessed one, myself request Vrihannala to hold the reins of my horses.'
"Draupadi said, 'Vrihannala, O hero, will without doubt, obey the words of thy younger sister 1--that damsel of graceful hips. If he consents to be thy charioteer, thou wilt, without doubt, return, having vanquished the Kurus and rescued thy kine.'
"Thus addressed by the Sairindhri, Uttara spake unto his sister, 'Go thyself, O thou of faultless beauty, and bring Vrihannala hither?' And despatched by her brother, she hastily repaired to the dancing-hall where that strong-armed son of Pandu was staying in disguise.'"

Book 4
Chapter 37

1 [vai]
      taṃ dṛṣṭvā klīva veṣeṇa rathasthaṃ narapuṃgavam
      śamīm abhimukhaṃ yāntaṃ ratham āropya cottaram
  2 bhīṣmadroṇamukhās tatra kurūṇāṃ rathasattamāḥ
      vitrastamanasaḥ sarve dhanaṃjaya kṛtād bhayāt
  3 tān avekṣya hatotsāhān utpātān api cādbhutān
      guruḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭho bhāradvājo 'bhyabhāṣata
  4 calāś ca vātāḥ saṃvānti rūkṣāḥ paruṣaniḥsvanāḥ
      bhasma varṇaprakāśena tamasā saṃvṛtaṃ nabhaḥ
  5 rūkṣavarṇāś ca jaladā dṛśyante 'dbhutadarśanāḥ
      niḥsaranti ca kośebhyaḥ ṣastrāṇi vividhāni ca
  6 śivāś ca vinadanty etā dīptāyāṃ diśi dāruṇāḥ
      hayāś cāśrūṇi muñcanti dhvajāḥ kampanty akampitāḥ
  7 yādṛśāny atra rūpāṇi saṃdṛśyante bahūny api
      yattā bhavantas tiṣṭhantu syād yuddhaṃ samupasthitam
  8 rakṣadhvam api cātmānaṃ vyūhadhvaṃ vāhinīm api
      vaiśasaṃ ca pratīkṣadhvaṃ rakṣadhvaṃ cāpi godhanam
  9 eṣa vīro maheṣvāsaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
      āgataḥ klība veṣeṇa pārtho nāsty atra saṃśayaḥ
  10 sa eṣa pārtho vikrāntaḥ savyasācī paraṃtapaḥ
     nāyuddhena nivarteta sarvair api marudgaṇaiḥ
 11 kleśitaś ca vane śūro vāsavena ca śikṣitaḥ
     amarṣavaśam āpanno yotsyate nātra saṃśayaḥ
 12 nehāsya pratiyoddhāram ahaṃ paśyāmi kauravāḥ
     mahādevo 'pi pārthena śrūyate yudhi toṣitaḥ
 13 [karṇa]
     sadā bhavān phalgunasya guṇair asmān vikatthase
     na cārjunaḥ kalā pūrṇā mama duryodhanasya vā
 14 [dur]
     yady eṣa pārtho rādheya kṛtaṃ kāryaṃ bhaven mama
     jñātāḥ punaś cariṣyanti dvādaśānyān hi vatsarān
 15 athaiṣa kaś cid evānyaḥ klība veṣeṇa mānavaḥ
     śarair enaṃ suniśitaiḥ pātayiṣyāmi bhūtale
 16 [vai]
     tasmin bruvati tad vākyaṃ dhārtarāṣṭre paraṃtape
     bhīṣmo droṇaḥ kṛpo drauṇiḥ pauruṣaṃ tad apūjayan

SECTION XXXVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus despatched by her elder brother, the far-famed daughter of king Matsya, adorned with a golden necklace, ever obedient to her brother and possessed of a waist slender as that of the
p. 66
wasp, 1 endued with the splendour of Lakshmi herself, 2 decked with the plumes of the peacock of slender make and graceful limbs, her hips encircled by a zone of pearls, her eye-lashes slightly curved, and her form endued with every grace, hastily repaired to the dancing-hall like a flash of lightning rushing towards a mass of dark clouds. 3 And the faultless and auspicious daughter of Virata, of fine teeth and slender-waist, of thighs close unto each other and each like the trunk of an elephant, her person embellished with an excellent garland, sought the son of Pritha like a she-elephant seeking her mate. And like unto a precious gem or the very embodiment of prosperity of Indra, of exceeding beauty and large eyes, that charming and adored and celebrated damsel saluted Arjuna. And saluted by her, Partha asked that maiden of close thighs and golden complexion, saying 'What brings thee hither, a damsel decked in a necklace of gold? Why art thou in such a hurry, O gazelle-eyed maiden? Why is thy face, O beauteous lady, so cheerless? Tell me all this without delay!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding, O king, his friend, the princess of large-eyes (in that plight), her friend (Arjuna) cheerfully enquired of her (in these words) the cause of her arrival there and then. And having approached that bull among men, the princess, standing in the midst of her female attendants, the displaying proper modesty 4, addressed him, saying, 'The kine of this realm, O Vrihannala, are being driven away by the Kurus, and it is to conquer them that my brother will set out bow in hand. Not long ago his own charioteer was slain in battle, and there is none equal unto the one slain that can act as my brother's charioteer. And unto him striving to obtain a charioteer, Sairindhri,
O Vrihannala, hath spoken about thy skill in the management of steeds. Thou wert formerly the favourite charioteer of Arjuna, and it was with thee that that bull among the sons of Pandu had alone subjugated the whole earth. Do thou, therefore, O Vrihannala, act as the charioteer of my brother. (By this time) our kine have surely been driven away by the Kurus to a great distance. Requested by me if thou dost not
p. 67
act up to my words, I who am asking this service of thee out of affection, will give up my life!' Thus addressed by this friend of graceful hips, that oppressor of foes, endued with immeasurable prowess, went into the prince's presence. And like unto a she-elephant running after her young one, the princess possessed of large eyes followed that hero advancing with hasty steps like unto an elephant with rent temples. And beholding him from a distance, the prince himself said, 'With thee as his charioteer, Dhananjaya the son of Kunti had gratified Agni at the Khandava forest and subjugated the whole world! The Sairindhri hath spoken of thee to me. She knoweth the Pandavas. Do thou, therefore, O Vrihannala, hold, as thou didst, the reins of my steeds, desirous as I am of righting with the Kurus and rescuing my bovine wealth. Thou wert formerly the beloved charioteer of Arjuna and it was with thee that that bull among the sons of Pandu had alone subjugated the whole earth!' Thus addressed, Vrihannala replied unto the prince, saying, 'What ability have I to act as a charioteer in the field of battle? If it is song or dance of musical instruments or such other things, I can entertain thee therewith, but where is my skill for becoming a charioteer?'
"Uttara said, 'O Vrihannala, be thou a singer or a dancer, hold thou (for the present), without loss of time, the reins of my excellent steeds, mounting upon my car!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Although that oppressor of foes, the son of Pandu, was acquainted with everything, yet in the presence of Uttara, he began to make many mistakes for the sake of fun. And when he sought to put the coat of mail on his body by raising it upwards, the large-eyed maidens, beholding it, burst out into a loud laughter. And seeing him quite ignorant of putting on armour, Uttara himself equipped Vrihannala with a costly coat of mail. And casing his own person in an excellent armour of solar effulgence, and hoisting his standard bearing the figure of a lion, the prince caused Vrihannala to become his charioteer. And with Vrihannala to hold his reins, the hero set out, taking with him many costly bows and a large number of beautiful arrows. And his friend, Uttara and her maidens then said unto Vrihannala, 'Do thou, O Vrihannala, bring for our dolls (when thou comest back) various kinds of good and fine cloths after vanquishing the Kurus assembled for battle of whom Bhishma and Drona are foremost!' Thus addressed, Partha the son of Pandu, in a voice deep as the roar of the clouds, smilingly said unto that bevy of fair maidens. If, thus 'Uttara can vanquish those mighty warriors in battle, I will certainly bring excellent and beautiful cloths.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said these words, the heroic Arjuna urged the steeds towards the Kuru army over which floated innumerable flags. Just, however, as they were starting elderly dames and maidens, and Brahmanas of rigid vows, beholding Uttara seated on his excellent car with Vrihannala as charioteer and under that great banner hoisted on high, walked round the car to bless the hero. And
p. 68
the women said, 'Let the victory that Arjuna treading like a bull had achieved of old on the occasion of burning the forest of Khandava, be thine, O Vrihannala, when thou encounterest the Kurus today with prince Uttara.'"

Book 4
Chapter 38

1 [vai]
      tāṃ śamīm upasaṃgamya pārtho vairāṭim abravīt
      sukumāraṃ samājñātaṃ saṃgrāme nātikovidam
  2 samādiṣṭo mayā kṣipraṃ dhanūṃṣy avaharottara
      nemāni hi tvadīyāni soḍhuṃ śakyanti me balam
  3 bhāraṃ vāpi guruṃ hartuṃ kuñjaraṃ vā pramarditum
      mama vā bāhuvikṣepaṃ śatrūn iha vijeṣyataḥ
  4 tasmād bhūmiṃjayāroha śamīm etāṃ palāśinīm
      asyāṃ hi pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ dhanūṃṣi nihitāny uta
  5 yuthiṣṭhirasya bhīmasya bībhatṣor yamayos tathā
      dhvajāḥ śarāś ca śūrāṇāṃ divyāni kavacāni ca
  6 atra caitan mahāvīryaṃ dhanuḥ pārthasya gāṇḍivam
      ekaṃ śatasahasreṇa saṃmitaṃ rāṣṭravardhanam
  7 vyāyāmasaham atyarthaṃ tṛṇarājasamaṃ mahat
      sarvāyudhamahāmātraṃ śatrusaṃbādha kārakam
  8 suvarṇavikṛtaṃ divyaṃ ślakṣṇam āyatam avraṇam
      alaṃ bhāraṃ guruṃ voḍhuṃ dāruṇaṃ cārudarśanam
      tādṛśāny eva sarvāṇi balavanti dṛḍhāni ca
  9 [uttara]
      asmin vṛkṣe kilodbaddhaṃ śarīram iti naḥ śrutam
      tad ahaṃ rājaputraḥ san spṛśeyaṃ pāṇinā katham
  10 naivaṃvidhaṃ mayā yuktam ālabdhuṃ kṣatrayoninā
     mahatā rājaputreṇa mantrayajñavidā satā
 11 spṛṣṭavantaṃ śarīraṃ māṃ śavavāham ivāśucim
     kathaṃ vā vyavahāryaṃ vai kurvīthās tvaṃ bṛhannaḍe
 12 [bṛhan]
     vyavahāryaś ca rājendra śuciś caiva bhaviṣyasi
     dhanūṃṣy etāni māṃ bhais tvaṃ śarīraṃ nātra vidyate
 13 dāyādaṃ matsyarājasya kule jātaṃ manasvinam
     kathaṃ tvā ninditaṃ karma kārayeyaṃ nṛpātmaja
 14 [vai]
     evam uktaḥ sa pārthena rathāt praskandya kuṇḍalī
     āruroha śamī vṛkṣaṃ vairāṭir avaśas tadā
 15 tam anvaśāsac chatrughno rathe tiṣṭhan dhanaṃjayaḥ
     pariveṣṭanam eteṣāṃ kṣipraṃ caiva vyapānuda
 16 tathā saṃnahanāny eṣāṃ parimucya samantataḥ
     apaśyad gāṇḍivaṃ tatra caturbhir aparaiḥ saha
 17 teṣāṃ vimucyamānānāṃ dhanur ām arkavarcasām
     viniśreruḥ prabhā divyā grahāṇām udayeṣv iva
 18 sa teṣāṃ rūpam ālokya bhoginām iva jṛmbhatām
     hṛṣṭaromā bhayodvignaḥ kṣaṇena samapadyata
 19 saṃspṛśya tāni cāpāni bhānumanti bṛhanti ca
     vairāṭir arjunaṃ rājann idaṃ vacanam abravīt
 20 [uttara]
     bindavo jātarūpasya śataṃ yasmin nipātitāḥ
     sahasrakoṭi sauvarṇāḥ kasyaitad dhanur uttamam
 21 vāraṇā yasya sauvarṇāḥ pṛṣṭhe bhāsanti daṃśitāḥ
     supārśvaṃ sugrahaṃ caiva kasyaitad dhanuruttamam
 22 tapanīyasya śuddhasya ṣaṣṭir yasyendragopakāḥ
     pṛṣṭhe vibhaktāḥ śobhante kasyaitad dhanur uttamam
 23 sūryā yatra ca sauvarṇās trayo bhāsanti daṃśitāḥ
     tejasā prajvalanto hi kasyaitad dhanur uttamam
 24 śālabhā yatra sauvarṇās tapanīyavicitritāḥ
     suvarṇamaṇicitraṃ ca kasyaitad dhanur uttamam
 25 ime ca kasya nārācāḥ sahasrā lomavāhinaḥ
     samantāt kaladhautāgrā upāsaṃge hiraṇmaye
 26 vipāṭhāḥ pṛthavaḥ kasya gārdhrapatrāḥ śilāśitāḥ
     hāridravarṇāḥ sunasāḥ pītāḥ sarvāyasāḥ śarāḥ
 27 kasyāyam asitāvāpaḥ pañca śārdūlalakṣaṇaḥ
     varāhakarṇa vyāmiśraḥ śarān dhārayate daśa
 28 kasyeme pṛthavo dīrghāḥ sarvapāraśavāḥ śarāḥ
     śatānisapta tiṣṭhanti nārācā rudhirāśanāḥ
 29 kasyeme śukapatrābhaiḥ pūrvair ardhaiḥ suvāsasaḥ
     uttarair āyasaiḥ pītair hemapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ
 30 kasyāyaṃ sāyako dīrghaḥ śilī pṛṣṭhaḥ śilīmukhaḥ
     vaiyāghrakośe nihito hemacitratsarur mahān
 31 suphalaś citrakośaś ca kiṅkiṇī sāyako mahān
     kasya hematsarur divyaḥ khaḍgaḥ paramanirvraṇaḥ
 32 kasyāyaṃ vimalaḥ khaḍgo gavye kośe samarpitaḥ
     hematsarur anādhṛṣyo naiṣadhyo bhārasādhanaḥ
 33 kasya pāñca nakhe kośe sāyako hemavigrahaḥ
     pramāṇa rūpasaṃpannaḥ pīta ākāśasaṃnibhaḥ
 34 kasya hemamaye kośe sutapte pāvakaprabhe
     nistriṃśo 'yaṃ guruḥ pītaḥ saikyaḥ paramanirvraṇaḥ
 35 nirdiśasva yathātattvaṃ mayā pṛṣṭā bṛhannaḍe
     vismayo me paro jāto dṛṣṭvā sarvam idaṃ mahat
 36 [bṛhan]
     yan māṃ pūrvam ihāpṛcchaḥ śatrusenānibarhaṇam
     gāṇḍīvam etat pārthasya lokeṣu viditaṃ dhanuḥ
 37 sarvāyudhamahāmātraṃ śātakumbhapariṣkṛtam
     etat tad arjunasyāsīd gāṇḍīvaṃ paramāyudham
 38 yat tac chatasahasreṇa saṃmitaṃ rāṣṭravardhanam
     yena devān manuṣyāṃś ca pārtho viṣahate mṛdhe
 39 devadānavagandharvaiḥ pūjitaṃ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ
     etad varṣasahasraṃ tu brahmā pūrvam adhārayat
 40 tato 'nantaram evātha prajāpatir adhārayat
     trīṇi pañcaśataṃ caiva śakro 'śīti ca pañca ca
 41 somaḥ pañcaśataṃ rājā tathaiva varuṇaḥ śatam
     pārthaḥ pañca ca ṣaṣṭiṃ ca varṣāṇi śvetavāhanaḥ
 42 mahāvīryaṃ mahad divyam etat tad dhanur uttamam
     pūjitaṃ suramartyeṣu bibharti paramaṃ vapuḥ
 43 supārśvaṃ bhīmasenasya jātarūpagrahaṃ dhanuḥ
     yena pārtho 'jayat kṛtsnāṃ diśaṃ prācīṃ paraṃtapaḥ
 44 indragopaka citraṃ ca yad etac cāru vigraham
     rājño yudhiṣṭhirasyaitad vairāte dhanur uttamam
 45 sūryā yasmiṃs tu sauvarṇāḥ prabhāsante prabhāsinaḥ
     tejasā prajvalanto vai nakulasyaitad āyudham
 46 śalabhā yatra sauvarṇās tapanīyavicitritāḥ
     etan mādrī sutasyāpi sahadevasya kārmukam
 47 ye tv ime kṣura saṃkāśāḥ sahasrā lomavāhinaḥ
     etārjunasya vairāte śarāḥ sarpaviṣopamāḥ
 48 ete jvalantaḥ saṃgrāme tejasā śīghragāminaḥ
     bhavanti vīrasyākṣayyā vyūhataḥ samare ripūn
 49 ye ceme pṛthavo dīrghāś candra bimbārdha darśanāḥ
     ete bhīmasya niśitā ripukṣayakarāḥ śarāḥ
 50 hāridra varṇā ye tv ete hemapuṅkhāḥ śilāśitāḥ
     nakulasya kalāpo 'yaṃ pañca śārdūlalakṣaṇaḥ
 51 yenāsau vyajayat kṛtsnāṃ pratīcīṃ diśam āhave
     kalāpo hy eṣa tasyāsīn mādrīputrasya dhīmataḥ
 52 ye tv ime bhāskarākārāḥ sarvapāraśavāḥ śarāḥ
     ete citrāḥ kriyopetāḥ sahadevasya dhīmataḥ
 53 ye tv ime niśitāḥ pītāḥ pṛthavo dīrghavāsasaḥ
     hemapuṅkhās triparvāṇo rājña ete mahāśarāḥ
 54 yas tvāyaṃ sāyako dīrghaḥ śilī pṛṣṭaḥ śilīmukhaḥ
     arjunasyaiṣa saṃgrāme gurubhārasaho dṛḍhaḥ
 55 vaiyāghrakośas tu mahān bhīmasenasya sāyakaḥ
     gurubhārasaho vidyaḥ śātravāṇāṃ bhayaṃkaraḥ
 56 suphalaś citrakośaś ca hematsarur anuttamaḥ
     nistriṃśaḥ kauravasyaiṣa dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ
 57 yas tu pāñca nakhe kośe nihitaś citrasevane
     nalukasyaiṣa nistriṃśo gurubhārasaho dṛḍhaḥ
 58 yas tv ayaṃ vimalaḥ khaḍgo gavye kośe samarpitaḥ
     sahadevasya viddhy enaṃ sarvabhāra sahaṃ dṛḍham

SECTION XXXVIII

'Vaisampayana said, 'Having issued forth from the city, the dauntless son of Virata addressed his charioteer, saying, 'Proceed whither the Kurus are. Defeating the assembled Kurus who have come hither from desire of victory, and quickly rescuing my kine from them. I will return to the capital.' At these words of the prince, the son of Pandu urged those excellent steeds. And endued with the speed of the wind and decked with necklaces of gold, those steeds, urged by that lion among men, seemed to fly through the air. And they had not proceeded far when those smiters of foes, Dhananjaya and the son of Matsya, sighted the army of the powerful Kurus. And proceeding towards the cemetary, they came upon the Kurus and beheld their army arrayed in order of battle. 1 And that large army of theirs looked like the vast sea or a forest of innumerable trees moving through the sky. And then was seen, O best among the Kurus, the dust raised by that moving army which reached the sky and obstructed the sight of all creatures. And beholding that mighty host abounding in elephants, horses and chariots, and protected by Karna and Duryodhana and Kripa and Santanu's son, and that intelligent and great bowman Drona, with his son (Aswatthaman), the son of Virata, agitated with fear and the bristles on his body standing on their ends, thus spake unto Partha, 'I dare not fight with the Kurus. See, the bristles on my body have stood on their ends. I am incapable of battling with this countless host of the Kurus, abounding in the heroic warriors, that are extremely fierce and difficult of being vanquished even by the celestials. I do not venture to penetrate into the army of the Bharatas consisting of terrible bowmen and abounding in horses and elephants and cars and footsoldiers and banners. My mind is too much perturbed by the very sight of the foe on the field of battle on which stand Drona and Bhishma, and Kripa, and Karna, and Vivingsati, and Aswatthaman and Vikarna, and Saumadatti, and Vahlika, and the heroic king Duryodhana also--that
p. 69
foremost of car-warriors, and many other splendid bowmen, all skilled in battle. My hairs have stood on their ends, and I am fainting with fear at the very sight of these smiters, the Kurus arrayed in order of battle.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'And the low-minded and foolish Uttara out of folly alone, began to bewail (his fate) in the presence of the high-spirited (Arjuna) disguised (as his charioteer) in these words, 'My father hath gone out to meet the Trigartas taking with him his whole army, leaving me in the empty city. There are no troops to assist me. Alone and a mere boy who has not undergone much exercise in arms, I am unable to encounter these innumerable warriors and all skilled in weapons. Do thou, therefore, O Vrihannala, cease to advance!'
"Vrihannala said, 'Why dost thou look so pale through fear and enhance the joy of thy foes? As yet thou hast done nothing on the field of battle with the enemy. It was thou that hadst ordered me, saying, Take me towards the Kauravas. I will, therefore, take thee, thither where those innumerable flags are. I will certainly take thee, O mighty-armed one, into the midst of the hostile Kurus, prepared to fight as they are for the kine like hawks for meat. I would do this, even if I regarded them to have come hither for battling for a much higher stake such as the sovereignty of the earth. Having, at the time of setting out, talked before both men and women so highly of thy manliness, why wouldst thou desist from the fight? If thou shouldst return home without recapturing the kine, brave men and even women, when they meet together, will laugh at thee (in derision). As regards myself, I cannot return to the city without having rescued the kine, applauded as I have been so highly by the Sairindhri in respect of my skill in driving cars. It is for those praises by the Sairindhri and for those words of thine also (that I have come). Why should I not, therefore, give battle to the Kurus? (As regards thyself), be thou still.'
"Uttara said, 'Let the Kurus rob the Matsyas off all their wealth. Let men and women, O Vrihannala, laugh at me. Let my kine perish, let the city be a desert. Let me stand exposed before my father. Still there is no need of battle.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, that much affrighted prince decked in ear-ring jumped down from his car, and throwing down his bow and arrows began to flee, sacrificing honour and pride. Vrihannala, however, exclaimed, 'This is not the practice of the brave, this flight of a Kshatriya from the field of battle. Even death in battle is better than flight from fear.' Having said this, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, coming down from that excellent car ran after that prince thus running away, his own long braid and pure red garments fluttering in the air. And some soldiers, not knowing that it was Arjuna who was thus running with his braid fluttering in the air, burst out into laughter at the sight. And beholding him thus running, the Kurus began to argue, 'Who is this person, thus disguised like fire concealed in ashes?
p. 70
[paragraph continues] He is partly a man and partly a woman. Although bearing a neuter form, he yet resembleth Arjuna. His are the same head and neck, and his the same arms like unto a couple of maces. And this one's gait also is like unto his. He can be none else than Dhananjaya. As Indra is among the celestials, so Dhananjaya is among men. Who else in this world than Dhananjaya, would alone come against us? Virata left a single son of his in the empty city. He hath come out from childishness and not from true heroism. It is Uttara who must have come out of the city, having, without doubt, made as a charioteer Arjuna, the son of Pritha, now living in disguise. It seems that he is now flying away in panic at sight of our army. And without doubt Dhananjaya runneth after him to bring him back.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding the disguised son of Pandu, the Kauravas, O Bharata, began to indulge in these surmises, but they could not come to any definite conclusion. Meanwhile, Dhananjaya, hastily pursuing the retreating Uttara, seized him by the hair within a hundred steps. And seized by Arjuna, the son of Virata began to lament most woefully like one in great affliction, and said, 'Listen, O good Vrihannala, O thou of handsome waist. Turn thou quickly the course of the car. He that liveth meeteth with prosperity. I will give thee a hundred coins of pure gold and eight lapis lazuli of great brightness set with gold, and one chariot furnished with a golden flag-staff and drawn by excellent steeds, and also ten elephants of infuriate prowess. Do thou, O Vrihannala, set me free.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, that tiger among men laughingly dragged Uttara who was almost deprived of his senses and who was uttering these words of lamentation towards the car. And the son of Pritha then addressed the affrighted prince who had nearly lost his senses, saying, 'If, O chastiser of foes, thou dost not venture to fight with enemy, come thou and hold the reins of the steeds as I fight with the foe. Protected by the might of my arms, penetrate thou yon formidable and invincible array of cars guarded by heroic and mighty warriors. Fear not, O chastiser of foes, thou art a Kshatriya and the foremost of royal princess. Why dost thou, O tiger among men, succumb in the midst of the foe? I shall surely fight with the Kurus and recover the kine, penetrating into this formidable and inaccessible array of cars. Be thou my charioteer, O best of men, I will fight with the Kurus.' Thus speaking unto Uttara, the son of Virata, Vibhatsu, heretofore unconquered in battle, for a while comforted him. And then the son of Pritha, that foremost of smiters, raised on the car that fainting and reluctant prince stricken with fear!'"

Book 4
Chapter 39

 1 [uttara]
      suvarṇavikṛtānīmāny āyudhāni mahātmanām
      rucirāṇi prakāśante pārthānām āśu kāriṇām
  2 kva nu svid arjunaḥ pārthaḥ pauravyo vā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca bhīmasenaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
  3 sarva eva mahātmānaḥ sarvāmitra vināśanāḥ
      rājyam akṣaiḥ parākīrya na śrūyante kadā cana
  4 draupadī kva ca pāñcālī strīratnam iti viśrutā
      jitān akṣais tadā kṛṣṇā tān evānvagamad vanam
  5 [arj]
      aham asmy arjunaḥ pārthaḥ sabhāstāro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      ballavo bhīmasenas tu pitus te rasapācakaḥ
  6 aśvabandho 'tha nakulaḥ sahadevas tu gokule
      sairandhīṃ draupadīṃ viddhi yatkṛte kīcakā hatāḥ
  7 [uttara]
      daśa pārthasya nāmāni yāni pūrvaṃ śrutāni me
      prabrūyās tāni yadi me śraddadhyāṃ sarvam eva te
  8 [arj]
      hanta te 'haṃ samācakṣe daśa nāmāni yāni me
      arjunaḥ phalguno jiṣṇuḥ kirīṭī śvetavāhanaḥ
      bībhatsur vijayaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ savyasācī dhanaṃjayaḥ
  9 [uttara]
      kenāsi vijayo nāma kenāsi śvetavāhanaḥ
      kirīṭī nāma kenāsi savyasācī kathaṃ bhavān
  10 arjunaḥ phalguno jiṣṇuḥ kṛṣṇo bībhatsur eva ca
     dhanaṃjayaś ca kenāsi prabrūhi mama tattvataḥ
     śrutā me tasya vīrasya kevalā nāma hetavaḥ
 11 [arj]
     sarvāñ janapadāñ jitvā vittam ācchidya kevalam
     madhye dhanasya tiṣṭhāmi tenāhur māṃ dhanaṃjayam
 12 abhiprayāmi saṃgrāme yad ahaṃ yuddhadurmadā
     nājitvā vinivartāmi tena māṃ vijayaṃ viduḥ
 13 śvetāḥ kāñcanasaṃnāhā rathe yujyanti me hayāḥ
     saṃgrāme yudhyamānasya tenāhaṃ śvetavāhanaḥ
 14 uttarābhyāṃ ca pūrvābhyāṃ phalgunībhyām ahaṃ divā
     jāto himavataḥ pṛṣṭhe tena māṃ phalgunaṃ viduḥ
 15 purā śakreṇa me dattaṃ yudhyato dānavarṣabhaiḥ
     kirīṭaṃ mūrdhni sūryābhaṃ tena māhuḥ kirīṭinam
 16 na kuryāṃ karma bībhatsaṃ yudhyamānaḥ kathaṃ cana
     tena devamanuṣyeṣu bībhatsur iti māṃ viduḥ
 17 ubhau me dakṣiṇau pāṇī gāṇḍīvasya vikarṣaṇe
     tena devamanuṣyeṣu savyasācīti māṃ viduḥ
 18 pṛthivyāṃ caturantāyāṃ varṇo me durlabhaḥ samaḥ
     karomi karma śulkaṃ ca tena mām arjunaṃ viduḥ
 19 ahaṃ durāpo durdharṣo damanaḥ pākaśāsaniḥ
     tena devamanuṣyeṣu jiṣṇu nāmāsmi viśrutaḥ
 20 kṛṣṇa ity eva daśamaṃ nāma cakre pitā mama
     kṛṣṇāvadātasya sataḥ priyatvād bālakasya vai
 21 [vai]
     tataḥ pārthaṃ sa vairāṭir abhyavādayad antikāt
     ahaṃ bhūmiṃ jayo nāma nāmnāham api cottaraḥ
 22 diṣṭyā tvāṃ pārtha paśyāmi svāgataṃ te dhanaṃjaya
     lohitākṣa mahābāho nāgarājakaropama
     yad ajñānād avocaṃ tvāṃ kṣantum arhasi tan mama
 23 yatas tvayā kṛtaṃ pūrvaṃ vicitraṃ karma duṣkaram
     ato bhayaṃ vyatītaṃ me prītiś ca paramā tvayi

SECTION XXXIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Beholding that bull among men seated on the car in the habit of a person of the third sex, driving toward the Sami tree, having taken (the flying) Uttara up, all the great car-warriors of the Kurus with Bhishma and Drona at their head, became affrighted at heart, suspecting the comer to be Dhananjaya. And seeing them so dispirited and marking also the many wonderful portents, that foremost of all wielders of arms, the preceptor Drona, son of Bharadwaja, said, 'Violent and hot are the winds that below, showering gravels in profusion. The sky also is overcast with a gloom of ashy hue. The clouds present the strange sight of being dry and waterless. Our weapons also of various kinds are coming out of their cases. The jackals are yelling hideously affrighted at the conflagrations on all sides. 1 The horses too are shedding tears, and our banners are trembling though moved by none. Such being the inauspicious indications seen, a great danger is at hand. Stay ye with vigilance, Protect ye your own selves and array the troops in order of battle. Stand ye, expecting a terrible slaughter, and guard ye well the kine. This mighty bowman, this foremost of all wielders of weapons, this hero that hath come in the habit of a person of the third sex, is the son of Pritha. There is no doubt of this.' Then addressing Bhishma, the preceptor continued, 'O offspring of the Ganges, apparelled as a woman, this is Kiriti called after a tree, the son of the enemy of the mountains, and having on his banner the sign of devastator of the gardens of Lanka's lord. Vanquishing us he will surely take away the kine today!  2 This chastiser of foes is the valiant son of Pritha surnamed Savyasachin. He doth not desist from conflict even with the gods and demons combined. Put to great hardship in the forest he cometh in wrath. Taught by even Indra himself, he is like unto Indra in battle. Therefore, ye Kauravas, I do not see any hero who can withstand him. It is said that the lord Mahadeva himself, disguised in the attire of a hunter, was gratified by this son of Pritha in battle on the mountains of Himavat.' Hearing these words, Karna said, 'You always censure us by speaking on the virtues of Falguna, Arjuna, however, is
p. 72
not equal to even a full sixteenth part of myself or Duryodhana!' And Duryodhana said, 'If this be Partha, O Radheya, then my purpose hath already been fulfilled, for then, O king, if traced out, the Pandavas shall have to wander for twelve years again. Or, if this one be any other person in a eunuch's garb, I will soon prostrate him on the earth with keen-edged arrows.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'The son of Dhritarashtra, O chastiser of foes, having said this, Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Drona's son all applauded his manliness!'"

Book 4
Chapter 40

  1 [uttara]
      āsthāya vipulaṃ vīra rathaṃ sārathinā mayā
      katamaṃ yāsyase 'nīkam ukto yāsyāmy ahaṃ tvayā
  2 [arj]
      prīto 'smi puruṣavyāghra na bhayaṃ vidyate tava
      sarvān nudāmi te śatrūn raṇe raṇaviśārada
  3 svastho bhava mahābuddhe paśya māṃ śatrubhiḥ saha
      yudhyamānaṃ vimarde 'smin kurvāṇaṃ bhairavaṃ mahat
  4 etān sarvān upāsaṅgān kṣipraṃ badhnīhi me rathe
      etaṃ cāhara nistriṃśaṃ jātarūpapariṣkṛtam
      ahaṃ vai kurubhir yotsyāmy avajeṣyāmi te paśūn
  5 saṃkalpapakṣa vikṣepaṃ bāhuprākāratoraṇam
      tridaṇḍatūṇa saṃbādham anekadhvajasaṃkulam
  6 jyā kṣepaṇaṃ krodhakṛtaṃ nemī ninadadundubhiḥ
      nagaraṃ te mayā guptaṃ rathopasthaṃ bhaviṣyati
  7 adhiṣṭhito mayā saṃkhye ratho gāṇḍīvadhanvanā
      ajeyaḥ śatrusainyānāṃ vairāṭe vyetu te bhayam
  8 [uttara]
      bibhemi nāham eteṣāṃ jānāmi tvāṃ sthiraṃ yudhi
      keśavenāpi saṃgrāme sākṣād indreṇa vā samam
  9 idaṃ tu cintayann eva parimuhyāmi kevalam
      niścayaṃ cāpi durmedhā na gacchāmi kathaṃ cana
  10 evaṃ vīrāṅgarūpasya lakṣaṇair ucitasya ca
     kena karma vipākena klībatvam idam āgatam
 11 manye tvāṃ klība veṣeṇa carantaṃ śūlapāṇinam
     gandharvarājapratimaṃ devaṃ vāpi śatakratum
 12 [arj]
     bhrātur niyogāj jyeṣṭhasya saṃvatsaram idaṃ vratam
     carāmi brahmacaryaṃ vai satyam etad bravīmi te
 13 nāsmi klībo mahābāho paravān dharmasaṃyutaḥ
     samāptavratam uttīrṇaṃ viddhi māṃ tvaṃ nṛpātmaja
 14 [uttara]
     paramo 'nugraho me 'dya yat pratarko na me vṛthā
     na hīdṛśāḥ klība rūpā bhavantīha narottamāḥ
 15 sahāyavān asmi raṇe yudhyeyam amarair api
     sādhvasaṃ tat pranaṣṭaṃ me kiṃ karomi bravīhi me
 16 ahaṃ te saṃgrahīṣyāmi hayāñ śatrurathārujaḥ
     śikṣito hy asmi sārathye tīrthataḥ puruṣarṣabha
 17 dāruko vāsudevasya yathā śakrasya mātaliḥ
     tathā māṃ viddhi sārathye śikṣitaṃ narapuṃgava
 18 yasya yāte na paśyanti bhūmau prāptaṃ padaṃ padam
     dakṣiṇaṃ yo dhuraṃ yuktaḥ sugrīva sadṛśo hayaḥ
 19 yo 'yaṃ dhuraṃ dhuryavaro vāmaṃ vahati śobhanaḥ
     taṃ manye meghapuṣpasya javena sadṛśaṃ hayam
 20 yo 'yaṃ kāñcanasaṃnāhaḥ pārṣṇiṃ vahati śobhanaḥ
     vāmaṃ sainyasya manye taṃ javena balavattaram
 21 yo 'yaṃ vahati te pārṣṇiṃ dakṣiṇām añcitodyataḥ
     balāhakād api mataḥ sa jave vīryavattaraḥ
 22 tvām evāyaṃ ratho voḍhuṃ saṃgrāme 'rhati dhanvinam
     tvaṃ cemaṃ ratham āsthāya yoddhum arho mato mama
 23 [vai]
     tato nirmucya bāhubhyāṃ valayāni sa vīryavān
     citre dundubhisaṃnāde pratyamuñcat tale śubhe
 24 kṛṣṇān bhaṅgīmataḥ keśāñ śvetenodgrathya vāsasā
     adhijyaṃ tarasā kṛtvā gāṇḍīvaṃ vyākṣipad dhanuḥ
 25 tasya vikṣipyamāṇasya dhanuṣo 'bhūn mahāsvanaḥ
     yathā śailasya mahataḥ śailenaivābhijaghnur aḥ
 26 sa nirghatābhavad bhūmir dikṣu vāyur vavau bhṛśam
     bhrāntadvijaṃ khaṃ tadāsīt prakampitamahādrumam
 27 taṃ śabdaṃ kuravo 'jānan visphoḍam aśaner iva
     yad arjuno dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ bāhubhyām ākṣipad rathe

SECTION XL

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having reached that Sami tree, and having ascertained Virata's son to be exceedingly delicate and inexperienced in battle, Partha addressed him, saying, 'Enjoined by me, O Uttara, quickly take down (from this tree) some bows that are there. For these bows of thine are unable to bear my strength, my heavy weight when I shall grind down horses and elephants, and the stretch of my arms when I seek to vanquish the foe. Therefore, O Bhuminjaya, climb thou up this tree of thick foliage, for in this tree are tied the bows and arrows and banners and excellent coats of mail of the heroic sons of Pandu, viz., Yudhishthira and Bhima and Vibhatsu and the twins. There also is that bow of great energy, the Gandiva of Arjuna, which singly is equal to many thousands of other bows and which is capable of extending the limits of a kingdom. Large like a palmyra tree, able to bear the greatest stress, the largest of all weapons, capable of obstructing the foe, handsome, and smooth, and broad, without a knot, and adorned with gold, it is stiff and beautiful in make and beareth the heaviest weight. And the other bows also that are there, of Yudhishthira and Bhima and Vibhatsu and the twins, are equally mighty and tough.'"

Book 4
Chapter 41

 1 [vai]
      uttaraṃ sārathiṃ kṛtvā śamīṃ kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam
      āyudhaṃ sarvam ādāya tataḥ prāyād dhanaṃjayaḥ
  2 dhvajaṃ siṃhaṃ rathāt tasmād apanīya mahārathaḥ
      praṇidhāya śamī mūle prāyād uttarasārathiḥ
  3 daivīṃ māyāṃ rathe yuktvā vihitāṃ viśvakarmaṇā
      kāñcanaṃ siṃhalāṅgūlaṃ dhvajaṃ vānaralakṣaṇam
  4 manasā cintayām āsa prasādaṃ pāvakasya ca
      sa ca tac cintitaṃ jñātvā dhvaje bhūtāny acodayat
  5 sa patākaṃ vicitrāṅgaṃ sopāsaṅgaṃ mahārathaḥ
      ratham āsthāya bībhatsuḥ kaunteyaḥ śvetavāhanaḥ
  6 badhāsiḥ sa tanutrāṇaḥ pragṛhītaśarāsanaḥ
      tataḥ prāyād udīcīṃ sa kapipravara ketanaḥ
  7 svanavantaṃ mahāśaṅkhaṃ balavān arimardanaḥ
      prādhamad balam āsthāya dviṣatāṃ lomaharṣaṇam
  8 tata te javanā dhuryā jānubhyām agaman mahīm
      uttaraś cāpi saṃtrasto rathopastha upāviśat
  9 saṃsthāpya cāśvān kaunteyaḥ samudyamya ca raśmibhiḥ
      uttaraṃ ca pariṣvajya samāśvāsayad arjunaḥ
  10 mā bhais tvaṃ rājaputrāgrya kṣatriyo 'si paraṃtapa
     kathaṃ puruṣaśārdūla śatrumadhye viṣīdasi
 11 śrutās te śaṅkhaśabdāś ca bherīśabdāś ca puṣkalāḥ
     kuñjarāṇāṃ ca nadatāṃ vyūḍhānīkeṣu tiṣṭhatām
 12 sa tvaṃ katham ihānena śaṅkhaśabdena bhīṣitaḥ
     viṣaṇṇarūpo vitrastaḥ puruṣaḥ prākṛto yathā
 13 [uttara]
     śrutā me śaṅkhaśabdāś ca bherīśabdāś ca puṣkalāḥ
     kuñjarāṇāṃ ca ninadā vyūḍhānīkeṣu tiṣṭhatām
 14 naivaṃvidhaḥ śaṅkhaśabdaḥ purā jātu mayā śrutaḥ
     dhvajasya cāpi rūpaṃ me dṛṣṭapūrvaṃ na hīdṛśam
     dhanur aś caiva nirghoṣaḥ śrutapūrvo na me kva cit
 15 asya śaṅkhasya śabdena dhanuṣo nisvanena ca
     rathasya ca ninādena mano muhyati me bhṛśam
 16 vyākulāś ca diśaḥ sarvā hṛdayaṃ vyathatīva me
     dhvajena pihitāḥ sarvā diśo na pratibhānti me
     gāṇḍīvasya ca śabdena kauṇau me badhirī kṛtau
 17 [arj]
     ekānte ratham āsthāya padbhyāṃ tvam avapīḍaya
     dṛḍhaṃ ca raśmīn saṃyaccha śaṅkhaṃ dhmāsyāmy ahaṃ punaḥ
 18 [vai]
     tasya śaṅkhasya śabdena rathanemi svanena ca
     gāṇḍīvasya ca ghoṣeṇa pṛthivīsamakampata
 19 [droṇa]
     yathā rathasya nirghoṣo yathā śaṅkha udīryate
     kampate ca yathā bhūmir naiṣo 'nyaḥ savyasācinaḥ
 20 śastrāṇi na prakāśante na prahṛṣyanti vājinaḥ
     agnayaś ca na bhāsante samiddhās tan na śobhanam
 21 praty ādityaṃ ca naḥ sarve mṛgā ghorapravādinaḥ
     dhvajeṣu ca nilīyante vāyasās tan na śobhanam
     śakunāś cāpasavyā no vedayanti mahad bhayam
 22 gomāyur eṣa senāyā ruvan madhye 'nudhāvati
     anāhataś ca niṣkrānto mahad vedayate bhayam
     bhavatāṃ romakūpāṇi prahṛṣṭāny upalakṣaye
 23 parābhūtā ca vaḥ senā na kaś cid yoddhum icchati
     vivarṇamukha bhūyiṣṭhāḥ sarve yoghā vicetasaḥ
     gāḥ saṃprasthāpya tiṣṭhāmo vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ

SECTION XLI

"Uttara said, 'It hath been heard by us that a corpse is tied in this tree. How can I, therefore, being a prince by birth, touch it with my hands? Born in the Kshatriya order, and the son of a great king, and always observant of mantras and vows, it is not becoming of me to touch it. Why shouldst thou, O Vrihannala, make me a polluted and
p. 73
unclean bearer of corpses, by compelling me to come in contact with a corpse?'
"Vrihannala said, 'Thou shalt, O king of kings, remain clean and unpolluted. Do not fear, there are only bows in this tree and not corpses. Heir to the king of the Matsyas, and born in a noble family, why should I, O prince, make thee do such a reproachable deed?'
"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Partha, Virata's son, decked in ear-rings, alighted from the car, and climbed up that Sami tree reluctantly. And staying on the car, Dhananjaya, that slayer of enemies, said, unto him, 'Speedily bring thou down those bows from the top of the tree. And cutting off their wrappings first and then the ropes with which they were tied, the prince beheld the Gandiva there along with four other bows. And as they were united, the splendour of those bows radiant as the sun, began to shine with great effulgence like unto that of the planets about the time of their rising. And beholding the forms of those bows, so like unto sighing snakes, he become afflicted with fear and in a moment the bristles of his body stood on their ends. And touching those large bows of great splendour, Virata's son, O king, thus spake unto Arjuna!'"

Book 4
Chapter 42

 1 [vai]
      atha duryodhano rājā samare bhīṣmam abravīt
      droṇaṃ ca rathaśārdūlaṃ kṛkpaṃ ca sumahāratham
  2 ukto 'yam artha ācāryo mayā karṇena cāsakṛt
      punar eva ca vakṣyāmi na hi tṛpyāmi taṃ bruvan
  3 parājitair hi vastavyaṃ taiś ca dvādaśa vatsarān
      vane janapade 'jñātair eṣa eva paṇo hi naḥ
  4 teṣāṃ na tāvan nirvṛttaṃ vartate tu trayodaśam
      ajñātavāsaṃ bībhatsur athāsmābhiḥ samāgataḥ
  5 anivṛtte tu nirvāse yadi bībhatsur āgataḥ
      punar dvādaśa varṣāṇi vane vatsyanti pāṇḍavāḥ
  6 lobhād vā te na jānīyur asmān vā moha āviśat
      hīnātiriktam eteṣāṃ bhīṣmo veditum arhati
  7 arthānāṃ tu punar dvaidhe nityaṃ bhavati saṃśayaḥ
      anyathā cintito hy arthaḥ punar bhavati cānyathā
  8 uttaraṃ mārgamāṇānāṃ matsyasenāṃ yuyutsatām
      yadi bībhatsur āyātas teṣāṃ kaḥ syāt parāṅmukhaḥ
  9 trigartānāṃ vayaṃ hetor matsyān yoddhum ihāgatāḥ
      matsyānāṃ viprakārāṃs te bahūn asmān akīrtayan
  10 teṣāṃ bhayābhipannānāṃ tad asmābhiḥ pratiśrutam
     prathamaṃ tair grahītavyaṃ matsyānāṃ godhanaṃ mahat
 11 saptamīm aparāhṇe vai tathā nas taiḥ samāhitam
     aṣṭamyāṃ punar asmābhir ādityasyodayaṃ prati
 12 te vā gāvo na paśyanti yadi va syuḥ parājitāḥ
     asmān vāpy atisaṃdhāya kuryur matsyena saṃgatam
 13 atha vā tān upāyāto matsyo jānapadaiḥ saha
     sarvayā senayā sārdham asmān yoddhum upāgataḥ
 14 teṣām eva mahāvīryaḥ kaś cid eva puraḥsaraḥ
     asmāñ jetum ihāyāto matsyo vāpi svayaṃ bhavet
 15 yady eṣa rājā matsyānāṃ yadi bībhatsur āgataḥ
     sarvair yoddhavyam asmābhir iti naḥ samayaḥ kṛtaḥ
 16 atha kasmāt sthitā hy ete ratheṣu rathasattamāḥ
     bhīṣmo droṇaḥ kṛpaś caiva vikarṇo drauṇir eva ca
 17 saṃbhrāntamanasaḥ sarve kāle hy asmin mahārathāḥ
     nānyatra yuddhāc chreyo 'sti tathātmā praṇidhīyatām
 18 ācchinne godhane 'smākam api devena varjiṇā
     yamena vāpi saṃgrāme ko hāstinapuraṃ vrajet
 19 śarair abhipraṇunnānāṃ bhagnānāṃ gahane vane
     ko hi jīvet padātīnāṃ bhaved aśveṣu saṃśayaḥ
     ācāryaṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā tathā nītir vidhīyatām
 20 jānāti hi mataṃ teṣām atas trāsayatīva naḥ
     arjunenāsya saṃprītim adhikām upalakṣaye
 21 tathā hi dṛṣṭvā bībhatsum upāyāntaṃ praśaṃsati
     yathā senā na bhajyeta tathā nītir vidhīyatām
 22 adeśikā mahāraṇye grīṣme śatruvaśaṃ gatā
     yathā na vibhramet senā tathā nītir vidhīyatām
 23 aśvānāṃ heṣitaṃ śrutvā kā praśaṃsā bhavet pare
     sthāne vāpi vrajanto vā sadā heṣanti vājinaḥ
 24 sadā ca vāyavo vānti nityaṃ varṣati vāsavaḥ
     stanayitnoś ca nirghoṣaḥ śrūyate bahuśas tathā
 25 kim atra kāryaṃ pārthasya kathaṃ vā sa praśasyate
     anyatra kāmād dveṣād vā roṣād vāsmāsu kevalāt
 26 ācāryā vai kāruṇikāḥ prājñāś cāpāya darśinaḥ
     naite mahābhaye prāpte saṃpraṣṭavyāḥ kathaṃ cana
 27 prāsādeṣu vicitreṣu goṣṭhīṣv āvasatheṣu ca
     kathā vicitrāḥ kurvāṇāḥ piṇḍitās tatra śobhanāḥ
 28 bahūny āścaryarūpāṇi kurvanto janasaṃsadi
     iṣvastre cāru saṃdhāne paṇḍitās tatra śobhanāḥ
 29 pareṣāṃ vivara jñāne manuṣyācariteṣu ca
     annasaṃskāra doṣeṣu paṇḍitās tatra śobhanāḥ
 30 paṇḍitān pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā pareṣāṃ guṇavādinaḥ
     vidhīyatāṃ tathā nītir yatha vadhyeta vai paraḥ
 31 gāvaś caiva pratiṣṭhantāṃ senāṃ vyūhantu māciram
     ārakṣāś ca vidhīyantāṃ yatra yotsyāmahe parān

SECTION XLII

"Uttara said, 'To what warrior of fame doth this excellent bow belong, on which are a hundred golden bosses and which hath such radiant ends? Whose is this excellent bow of good sides and easy hold, on the staff of which shine golden elephants of such brightness? Whose is this excellent bow, adorned with three scores of Indragoapkas  1 of pure gold, placed on the back of the staff at proper intervals? Whose is this excellent bow, furnished with three golden suns of great effulgence, blazing forth with such brilliancy? Whose is this beautiful bow which is variegated with gold and gems, and on which are golden insects set with beautiful stones? Whose are these arrows furnished with wing around, numbering a thousand, having golden heads, and cased in golden quivers? Who owneth these large shafts, so thick, furnished with vulturine wings whetted on stone, yellowish in hue, sharp-pointed, well-tempered, and entirely made of iron? Whose is this sable quiver,  2 bearing five images of tigers, which holdeth shafts intermixed with boar-eared arrows altogether numbering ten? Whose are these seven hundred arrows, long and thick,
p. 74
capable of drinking (the enemy's) blood, and looking like the crescent-shaped moon?  1 Whose are these gold-crested arrows whetted on stones, the lower halves of which are well-furnished with wings of the hue of parrots' feather and the upper halves, of well-tempered steels?  2 Whose is this excellent sword irresistible, and terrible to adversaries, with the mark of a toad on it, and pointed like a toad's head?  3 Cased in variegated sheath of tiger-skin, whose is this large sword of excellent blade and variegated with gold and furnished with tinkling bells? Whose is this handsome scimitar of polished blade and golden hilt? Manufactured in the country of the Nishadas, irresistible, incapable of being broken, whose is this sword of polished blade in a scabbard of cow-skin? Whose is this beautiful and long sword, sable in hue as the sky, mounted with gold, well-tempered, and cased in a sheath of goat-skin? Who owneth this heavy, well-tempered, and broad sword, just longer than the breadth of thirty fingers, polished by constant clash with other's weapons and kept in a case of gold, bright as fire? Whose is this beautiful scimitar of sable blade covered with golden bosses, capable of cutting through the bodies of adversaries, whose touch is as fatal as that of a venomous snake which is irresistible and exciteth the terror of foes? Asked by me, O Vrihannala, do thou answer me truly. Great is my wonder at the sight of all these excellent objects.'"

Book 4
Chapter 43

 1 [karṇa]
      sarvān āyuṣmato bhītān saṃtrastān iva lakṣaye
      ayuddhamanasaś caiva sarvāṃś caivānavasthitān
  2 yady eṣa rājā matsyānāṃ yadi bībhatsur āgataḥ
      aham āvārayiṣyāmi veleva makarālayam
  3 mama cāpapramuktānāṃ śarāṇāṃ nataparvaṇām
      nāvṛttir gacchatām asti sarpāṇām iva sarpatām
  4 rukmapuṅkhāḥ sutīkṣṇāgrā muktā hastavatā mayā
      chādayantu śarāḥ pārthaṃ śalabhā iva pādapam
  5 śarāṇāṃ puṅkhasaktānāṃ maurvyābhihatayā dṛḍham
      śrūyatāṃ talayoḥ śabdo bheryor āhatayor iva
  6 samāhito hi bībhatsur varṣāṇy aṣṭau ca pañca ca
      jātasnehaś ca yuddhasya mayi saṃprahariṣyati
  7 pātrī bhūtaś ca kaunteyo brāhmaṇo guṇavān iva
      śaraughān pratigṛhṇātu mayā muktān sahasraśaḥ
  8 eṣa caiva maheṣvāsas triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ
      ahaṃ cāpi kuruśreṣṭhā arjunān nāvaraḥ kva cit
  9 itaś cetaś ca nirmuktaiḥ kāñcanair gārdhravājitaiḥ
      dṛśyatām adya vai vyoma khadyotair iva saṃvṛtam
  10 adyāham ṛṇam akṣayyaṃ purā vācā pratiśrutam
     dhārtarāṣṭrasya dāsyāmi nihatya samare 'rjunam
 11 antarā chidyamānānāṃ puṅkhānāṃ vyatiśīryatām
     śalabhānām ivākāśe pracāraḥ saṃpradṛśyatām
 12 indrāśanisamasparśaṃ mahendrasamatejasam
     ardayiṣyāmy ahaṃ pārtham ulkābhir iva kuñjaram
 13 tam agnim iva durdharṣam asi śaktiśarendhanam
     pāṇḍavāgnim ahaṃ dīptaṃ pradahantam ivāhitān
 14 ava vegapuro vāto rathaughastanayitnumān
     śaradhāro mahāmeghaḥ śamayiṣyāmi pāṇḍavam
 15 matkārmukavinirmuktāḥ pārtham āśīviṣopamāḥ
     śarāḥ samabhisarpantu valmīkam iva pannagāḥ
 16 jāmadagnyān mayā hy astraṃ yat prāptam ṛṣisattamāt
     tad upāśritya vīryaṃ ca yudhyeyam api vāsavam
 17 dhvajāgre vānaras tiṣṭhan bhallena nihato mayā
     adyaiva patatāṃ bhūmau vinadan bhairavān ravān
 18 śatror mayābhipannānāṃ bhūtānāṃ dhvajavāsinām
     diśaḥ pratiṣṭhamānānām astu śabdo divaṃ gataḥ
 19 adya duryodhanasyāhaṃ śalyaṃ hṛdi cirasthitam
     sa mūlam uddhariṣyāmi bībhatsuṃ pātayan rathāt
 20 hatāśvaṃ virathaṃ pārthaṃ pauruṣe paryavasthitam
     niḥśvasantaṃ yathā nāgam adya paśyantu kauravāḥ
 21 kāmaṃ gacchantu kuravo dhanam ādāya kevalam
     ratheṣu vāpi tiṣṭhanto yuddhaṃ paśyantu māmakam

SECTION XLIII

"Vrihannala said, 'That about which thou hath first enquired is Arjuna's bow, of world-wide fame, called Gandiva, capable of devastating hostile hosts. Embellished with gold, this Gandiva, the highest and largest of all weapons belonged to Arjuna. Alone equal unto a hundred thousand weapons, and always capable of extending the confines of kingdoms, it is with this that Partha vanquisheth in battle both men and celestials. Worshipped ever by the gods, the Danavas and the Gandharvas and variegated with excellent colours, this large and smooth bow is without a knot or stain anywhere. Shiva held it first for a thousand years. Afterwards Prajapati held it for five hundred and three years. After that Sakra, for five and eighty years. And then Soma held it for five hundred years. And after that Varuna held it for a hundred years. And finally Partha,
p. 75
surnamed Swetavahana, 1 hath held it for five and sixty years. 2 Endued with great energy and of high celestial origin, this is the best of all bows. Adored among gods and men, it hath a handsome form. Partha obtained this beautiful bow from Varuna. This other bow of handsome sides and golden handle is Bhima's with which that son of Pritha, that chastiser of foes, had conquered the whole of the eastern regions. This other excellent bow of beautiful shape, adorned with images of Indragopakas, belongeth, O Virata's son, to king Yudhishthira. This other weapon with golden suns of blazing splendour shedding a dazzling effulgence around, belongeth to Nakula. And this bow adorned with golden images of insects and set also with gems and stones, belongeth to that son of Madri who is called Sahadeva. These winged arrows, thousand in number, sharp as razors and destructive as the poison of snakes, belong, O Virata's son, to Arjuna. When shooting them in battle against foes, these swift arrows blaze forth more brilliantly and become inexhaustible. And these long and thick shafts resembling the lunar crescent in shape, keen-edged and capable of thinning the enemy's ranks, belong to Bhima. And this quiver bearing five images of tigers, full of yellowish shafts whetted on stone and furnished with golden wings belong to Nakula. This is the quiver of the intelligent son of Madri, with which he had conquered in battle the whole of the western regions. And these arrows, all effulgent as, the sun, painted all over with various colours, and capable of destroying enemies by thousands are those of Sahadeva. And these short and well-tempered and thick shafts, furnished with long feathers and golden heads, and consisting of three knots, belong to king Yudhishthira. And this sword with blade long and carved with the image of a toad and head shaped as a toad's mouth, strong and irresistible belongeth to Arjuna. Cased in a sheath of tiger-skin, of long blade, handsome and irresistible, and terrible to adversaries, this sword belongeth to Bhimasena. Of excellent blade and cased in a well-painted sheath, and furnished with a golden hilt, this handsome sword belongeth to the wise Kaurava--Yudhishthira the just. And this sword of strong blade, irresistible and intended for various excellent modes of fight and cased in a sheath of goat-skin, belongeth to Nakula. And this huge scimitar, cased in a sheath of cow-skin, strong and irresistible belongeth to Sahadeva.'"

Book 4
Chapter 44

  1 [kṛpa]
      sadaiva tava rādheya yuddhe krūratarā matiḥ
      nārthānāṃ prakṛtiṃ vettha nānubandham avekṣase
  2 nayā hi bahavaḥ santi śāstrāṇy āśritya cintitāḥ
      teṣāṃ yuddhaṃ tu pāpiṣṭhaṃ vedayanti purā vidaḥ
  3 deśakālena saṃyuktaṃ yuddhaṃ vijayadaṃ bhavet
      hīnakālaṃ tad eveha phalavan na bhavaty uta
      deśe kāle ca vikrāntaṃ kalyāṇāya vidhīyate
  4 ānukūlyena kāryāṇām antaraṃ saṃvidhīyatām
      bhāraṃ hi rathakārasya na vyavasyanti paṇḍitāḥ
  5 paricintya tu pārthena saṃnipāto na naḥ kṣamaḥ
      ekaḥ kurūn abhyarakṣad ekaś cāgnim atarpayat
  6 ekaś ca pañcavarṣāṇi brahmacaryam adhārayat
      ekaḥ subhadrām āropya dvairathe kṛṣṇam āhvayat
      asminn eva vane kṛṣṇo hṛtāṃ kṛṣṇām avājayat
  7 ekaś ca pañcavarṣāṇi śakrād astrāṇy aśikṣata
      ekaḥ sāmyaminīṃ jitvā kurūṇām akarod yaśaḥ
  8 eko gandharvarājānaṃ citrasenam ariṃdamaḥ
      vijigye tarasā saṃkhye senāṃ cāsya sudurjayām
  9 tathā nivātakavacāḥ kālakhañjāś ca dānavāḥ
      daivatair apy avadhyās te ekena yudhi pātitāḥ
  10 ekena hi tvayā karṇa kiṃnāmeha kṛtaṃ purā
     ekaikena yathā teṣāṃ bhūmipālā vaśīkṛtāḥ
 11 indro 'pi hi na pārthena saṃyuge yoddhum arhati
     yas tenāśaṃsate yoddhuṃ kartavyaṃ tasya bheṣajam
 12 āśīviṣasya kruddhasya pāṇim udyamya dakṣiṇam
     avimṛśya pradeśiṇyā daṃṣṭrām ādātum icchasi
 13 atha vā kuñjaraṃ mattam eka eva caran vane
     anaṅkuśaṃ samāruhya nagaraṃ gantum icchasi
 14 samiddhaṃ pāvakaṃ vāpi ghṛtamedo vasā hutam
     ghṛtāktaś cīravāsās tvaṃ madhyenottartum icchasi
 15 ātmānaṃ yaḥ samudbadhya kaṇḍhe baddhvā mahāśilām
     samudraṃ pratared dorbhyāṃ tatra kiṃnāma pauruṣam
 16 akṛtāstraḥ kṛtāstraṃ vai balavantaṃ sudurbalaḥ
     tādṛśaṃ karṇa yaḥ pārthaṃ yoddhum icchet sa durmatiḥ
 17 asmābhir eṣa nikṛto varṣāṇīha trayodaśa
     siṃhaḥ pāśavinirmukto na naḥ śeṣaṃ kariṣyati
 18 ekānte pārtham āsīnaṃ kūpe 'gnim iva saṃvṛtam
     ajñānād abhyavaskandya prāptāḥ smo bhayam uttamam
 19 saha yudhyāmahe pārtham āgataṃ yuddhadurmadam
     sainyās tiṣṭhantu saṃnaddhā vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ
 20 droṇo duryodhano bhīṣmo bhavān drauṇis tathā vayam
     sarve yudhyāmahe pārthaṃ karṇa mā sāhasaṃ kṛthāḥ
 21 vayaṃ vyavasitaṃ pārthaṃ vajrapāṇim ivodyatam
     ṣaḍ rathāḥ pratiyudhyema tiṣṭhema yadi saṃhatāḥ
 22 vyūḍhānīkāni sainyāni yattāḥ paramadhanvinaḥ
     yudhyāmahe 'rjunaṃ saṃkhye dānavā vāsavaṃ yathā

SECTION XLIV

"Uttara said, 'Indeed, these weapons adorned with gold, belonging to the light-handed and high-souled Partha, look exceedingly beautiful. But where are that Arjuna, the son of Pritha, and Yudhishthira of the Kuru race, and Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Bhimasena, the sons of Pandu? Having lost their kingdom at dice, the high-souled Pandavas, capable of destroying all foes, are no longer heard of. Where also is Draupadi, the princess of Panchala, famed as the gem among women, who followed the sons of Pandu after their defeat at dice to the forest?'
"Arjuna said, 'I am Arjuna, called also Partha. Thy father's courtier is Yudhishthira and thy father's cook Vallava is Bhimasena, the groom of horses is Nakula, and Sahadeva is in the cow-pen. And know thou that the Sairindhri is Draupadi, for whose sake the Kichakas have been slain.'
"Uttara said, 'I would believe all this if thou canst enumerate the ten names of Partha, previously heard by me!'
"Arjuna said, 'I will, O son of Virata, tell thee my ten names. Listen thou and compare them with what thou hadst heard before. Listen to them with close attention and concentrated mind. They are Arjuna, Falguna, Jishnu, Kiritin, Swetavahana, Vibhatsu, Vijaya, Krishna, Savyasachin and Dhananjaya."
"Uttara said, 'Tell me truly why art thou called Vijaya, and why Swetavahana. Why art thou named Krishna and why Arjuna and Falguna and Jishnu and Kiritin and Vibhatsu, and for what art thou Dhananjaya and Savyasachin? I have heard before about the origin of the several names of that hero, and can put faith in thy words if thou canst tell me all about them.'
"Arjuna said, 'They called me Dhananjaya because I lived in the midst of wealth, having subjugated all the countries and taking away their treasures. They called me Vijaya because when I go out to battle with invincible kings, I never return (from the field) without vanquishing them. I am called Swetavahana because when battling with the foe, white horses decked in golden armour are always yoked unto my car. They call me Falguna because I was born on the breast of the Himavat on a day when the constellation Uttara Falguna was on the ascendent. I am named Kiritin from a diadem, resplendent like the sun, having been placed of old on my head by Indra during my encounter with the powerful Danavas. I am known as Vibhatsu among gods and men, for my never having committed a detestable deed on the battle-field. And since both of my hands are capable of drawing the Gandiva, I am known as Savyasachin among gods and men. They call me Arjuna because my complexion is very rare within the four boundaries of the earth and because also my acts are always stainless. I am known among human beings and celestials by the name of Jishnu, because I am unapproachable
p. 77
and incapable of being kept down, and a tamer of adversaries and son of the slayer of Paka. And Krishna, my tenth appellation, was given to me by my father out of affection towards his black-skinned boy of great purity.'
"Vaisampayana continued, "The son of Virata then, approaching nearer saluted Partha and said, 'My name is Bhuminjaya, and I am also called Uttara. It is by good luck, O Partha, that I behold thee. Thou art welcome, O Dhananjaya. O thou with red eyes, and arms that are mighty and each like unto the trunk of an elephant, it behoveth thee to pardon what I said unto thee from ignorance. And as wonderful and difficult have been the feats achieved by thee before, my fears have been dispelled, and indeed the love I bear to thee is great.'"

Book 4
Chapter 45

 1 [aṣvatth]
      na ca tāvaj jitā gāvo na ca sīmāntaraṃ gatāḥ
      na hāstinapuraṃ prāptās tvaṃ ca karṇa vikatthase
  2 saṃgrāmān subahūñ jitvā labdhvā ca vipulaṃ dhanam
      vijitya ca parāṃ bhūmiṃ nāhuḥ kiṃ cana pauruṣam
  3 pacaty agnir avākyas tu tūṣṇīṃ bhāti divākaraḥ
      tūṣṇīṃ dhārayate lokān vasudhā sa carācarān
  4 cāturvarṇyasya karmāṇi vihitāni manīṣibhiḥ
      dhanaṃ yair adhigantavyaṃ yac ca kurvan na duṣyati
  5 adhītya brāhmaṇo vedān yājayeta yajeta ca
      kṣatriyo dhanur āśritya jayetaiva na yājayet
      vaiśyo 'dhigamya dravyāṇi brahmakarmāṇi kārayet
  6 vartamānā yathāśāstraṃ prāpya cāpi mahīm imām
      sat kurvanti mahābhāgā rugūn suvigunān api
  7 prāpya dyūtena ko rājyaṃ kṣatriyas toṣṭum arhati
      tathā nṛśaṃsarūpeṇa yathānyaḥ prākṛto janaḥ
  8 tathāvāpteṣu vitteṣuko vikatthed vicakṣaṇaḥ
      nikṛtyā vañcanā yogaiś caran vaitaṃsiko yathā
  9 katamad dvairathaṃ yuddhaṃ yatrājaiṣīr dhanaṃjayam
      nakulaṃ sahadevaṃ ca dhanaṃ yeṣāṃ tvayā hṛtam
  10 yudhiṣṭhiro jitaḥ kasmin bhīmaś ca balināṃ varaḥ
     indraprasthaṃ tvayā kasmin saṃgrāme nirjitaṃ purā
 11 kathaiva katamaṃ yuddhaṃ yasmin kṛṣṇā jitā tvayā
     ekavastrā sabhāṃ nītā duṣṭakarman rajasvalā
 12 mūlam eṣāṃ mahat kṛttaṃ sārārthī candanaṃ yathā
     karma kārayithāḥ śūra tatva kiṃ viduro 'bravīt
 13 yathāśakti manuṣyāṇāṃ śamam ālakṣayāmahe
     anyeṣāṃ caiva sattvānām api kīṭa pipīlike
 14 draupadyās taṃ parikleśaṃ na kṣantuṃ pāṇḍavo 'rhati
     duḥkhāya dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ prādurbhūto dhanaṃjayaḥ
 15 tvaṃ punaḥ paṇḍito bhūtvā vācaṃ vaktum ihecchasi
     vairānta karaṇo jiṣṇur na naḥ śeṣaṃ kariṣyati
 16 naiṣa devān na gandharvān nāsurān na ca rākṣasān
     bhayād iha na yudhyeta kuntīputro dhanaṃjayaḥ
 17 yaṃ yam eṣo 'bhisaṃkruddhaḥ saṃgrāme 'bhipatiṣyati
     vṛkṣaṃ guruḍa vegena vinihatya tam eṣyati
 18 tvatto viśiṣṭaṃ vīryeṇa dhanuṣy amara rāṭ samam
     vāsudeva samaṃ yuddhe taṃ pārthaṃ ko na pūjayet
 19 daivaṃ daivena yudhyeta mānuṣeṇa ca mānuṣam
     astreṇāstraṃ samāhanyāt ko 'rjunena samaḥ pumān
 20 putrād anantaraḥ śiṣya iti dharmavido viduḥ
     etenāpi nimittena priyo droṇasya pāṇḍavaḥ
 21 yathā tvam akaror dyūtam indraprasthaṃ yathāharaḥ
     yathānaiṣīḥ sabhāṃ kṛṣṇāṃ tathā yudhyasva pāṇḍavam
 22 ayaṃ te mātulaḥ prājñaḥ kṣatradharmasya kovidaḥ
     durdyūta devī gāndhāraḥ śakunir yudhyatām iha
 23 nākṣān kṣipati gāṇḍīvaṃ na kṛtaṃ dvāparaṃ na ca
     jvalato niśitān bāṇāṃs tīkṣṇān kṣipati gāṇḍivam
 24 na hi gāṇḍīvanirmuktā gārdhrapatrāḥ sutejanāḥ
     antareṣv avatiṣṭhanti girīṇām api dāraṇāḥ
 25 antakaḥ śamano mṛtyus tathāgnir vaḍavāmukhaḥ
     kuryur ete kva cic cheṣaṃ na tu kruddho dhanaṃjayaḥ
 26 yudhyatāṃ kāmam ācāryo nāhaṃ yotsye dhanaṃjayam
     matsyo hy asmābhir āyodhyo yady āgacched gavāṃ padam

SECTION XLV

"Uttara said, 'O hero, mounting on this large car with myself as driver, which division of the (hostile) army wouldst thou penetrate? Commanded by thee, I would drive thee thither?'
"Arjuna said, 'I am pleased with thee, O tiger among men. Thou hast no cause of fear. I will rout all thy foes in battle, O great warrior, And, O thou of mighty arms, be at thy ease. Accomplishing great and terrible feats in the melee, I will fight with thy foes. Tie quickly all those quivers to my car, and take (from among those) a sword of polished blade and adorned with gold.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Uttara cast off all inactivity. And he speedily alighted from the tree, bringing with him Arjuna's weapons. Then Arjuna addressed him, saying, 'Yes, I will fight with the Kurus and recover thy kine. Protected by me, the top of this car will be to thee as a citadel. The passages and alleys and other divisions of this car will be the streets and edifices of that fortified city. These my arms will be its ramparts and gateways. This treble pole and my quiver will constitute defensive works inaccessible to the foe. This my banner--single and grand--will it not alone be equal unto those of thy city? This my bow-string will constitute the catapults and cannons for vomiting forth missiles on the besiezing ghost. My excited wrath will make that fortress formidable, and the clatter of my car-wheels--will it not resemble the kettle-drums of thy capital? Ridden by myself wielding the Gandiva, this car will be incapable of being vanquished by the hostile host, O son of Virata, let thy fear be dispelled.'
"Uttara said, 'I am no longer afraid of these. I know thy steadiness in battle, which is even like unto that of Kesava or Indra himself. But reflecting on this, I am continually bewildered. Foolish as I am, I am
p. 78
incapable of arriving at certain conclusion. By what distressful circumstances could a person of such handsome limbs and auspicious signs become deprived of manhood! Indeed, thou seemest to me to be Mahadeva, or Indra, or the chief of the Gandharvas, dwelling in the guise only of one of the third sex.'
"Arjuna said, 'I tell thee truly that I am only observing this vow for a whole year agreeable to the behest of my elder brother. O thou of mighty arms, I am not truly one of the neuter sex, but I have adopted this vow of eunuchism from subservience to another's will and from desire of religious merit. O prince, know me now to have completed my vow.'
"Uttara said, 'Thou hast conferred a great favour on me today, for I now find that my suspicion was not altogether unfounded. Indeed, such a person as thou, O best of men, cannot be of the neuter sex. I have now an ally in battle. I can now fight with the celestials themselves. My fears have been dispelled. What shall I do? Command me now. Trained in driving cars by a learned preceptor I will, O bull among men, hold the reins of thy horses that are capable of breaking the ranks of hostile cars. Know me, O bull among men, to be as competent a charioteer as Daruka of Vasudeva, or Matali of Sakra. The horse that is yoked unto the right-hand pole (of thy car) and whose hoofs as they light on the ground are scarcely visible when running, is like unto Sugriva of Krishna. This other handsome horse, the foremost of his race, that is yoked unto the left pole, is, I regard, equal in speed to Meghapushpa. This (third) beautiful horse, clad in golden mail, yoked unto the rear-pole on the left, is, I regard, Sivya equal in speed to but superior in strength. And this (fourth) horse, yoked to the rear-pole on the right, is regarded as superior to Valahaka in speed and strength. This car is worthy of bearing on the field of battle a bowman like thee, and thou also art worthy of fighting on this car. This is what I think!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Arjuna, endued with great energy, took off the bracelets from his arms and wore on his hands a pair of beautiful gloves embroidered with gold. And he then tied his black and curling locks with a piece of white cloth. And seated on that excellent car with face turned to the east, the mighty-armed hero, purifying his body and concentrating his soul, recalled to his mind all his weapons. And all the weapons came, and addressing the royal son of Partha, said, 'We are here, O illustrious one. We are thy servants, O son of Indra.' And bowing unto them, Partha received them unto his hands and replied unto them, saying, 'Dwell ye all in my memory.' And obtaining all his weapons, the hero looked cheerful. And quickly stringing his bow, the Gandiva, he twanged it. And the twang of that bow was as loud as the collision of two mighty bulls. And dreadful was the sound that filled the earth, and violent was the wind that blew on all sides. And thick was
p. 79
the shower of fallen meteors  1 and all sides were enveloped in gloom. And the birds began to totter in the skies and large trees began to shake.  2 And loud as the burst of the thunder, the Kurus knew from that sound that it was Arjuna that drew with his hands the string of his best of bows from his car. And Uttara said, 'Thou, O best of Pandavas, art alone. These mighty car-warriors are many. How wilt thou vanquish in battle all these that are skilled in every kind of weapon? Thou, O son of Kunti, art without a follower, while the Kauravas have many. It is for this, O thou of mighty arms, that I stay beside thee, stricken with fear.' Bursting out into loud laughter, Partha said unto him, 'Be not afraid, O hero, what friendly follower had I while fighting with the mighty Gandharvas on the occasion of the Ghoshayatra? Who was my ally while engaged in the terrific conflict at Khandava against so many celestials and Danavas? Who was my ally when I fought, on behalf of the lord of the celestials against the mighty Nivatakavachas and the Paulomas! And who was my ally, O child, while I encountered in battle innumerable kings at the Swayamvara to the princess of Panchala? Trained in arms by the preceptor Drona, by Sakra, and Vaisravana, and Yama, and Varuna, and Agni, and Kripa, and Krishna of Madhu's race, and by the wielder of the Pinaka (Siva), why shall I not fight with these? Drive thou my car speedily, and let thy heart's fever be dispelled.'"

Book 4
Chapter 46

1 [bhīsma]
      sādhu paśyati vai droṇaḥ kṛpaḥ sādhv anupaśyati
      karṇas tu kṣatradharmeṇa yathāvad yoddhum icchati
  2 ācāryo nābhiṣaktavyaḥ puruṣeṇa vijānatā
      deśakālau tu saṃprekṣya yoddhavyam iti me matiḥ
  3 yasya sūryasamāḥ pañca sapatnāḥ syuḥ prahāriṇaḥ
      katham abhyudaye teṣāṃ na pramuhyeta paṇḍitaḥ
  4 svārthe sarve vimuhyanti ye 'pi dharmavido janāḥ
      tasmād rājan bravīmy eṣa vākyaṃ te yadi rocate
  5 karṇo yad abhyavocan nas tejaḥ saṃjananāya tat
      ācārya putraḥ kṣamatāṃ mahat kāryam upasthitam
  6 nāyaṃ kālo virodhasya kaunteye samupasthite
      kṣantavyaṃ bhavatā sarvam ācāryeṇa kṛpeṇa ca
  7 bhavatāṃ hi kṛtāstratvaṃ yathāditye prabhā tathā
      yathā candramaso lakṣma sarvathā nāpakṛṣyate
      evaṃ bhavatsu brāhmaṇyaṃ brahmāstraṃ ca pratiṣṭhitam
  8 catvāra ekato vedāḥ kṣātram ekatra dṛśyate
      naitat samastam ubhayaṃ kaśmiṃś cid anuśuśrumaḥ
  9 anyatra bhāratācāryāt saputrād iti me matiḥ
      brahmāstraṃ caiva vedāś ca naitad anyatra dṛśyate
  10 ācārya putraḥ kṣamatāṃ nāyaṃ kālaḥ svabhedane
     sarve saṃhatya yudhyāmaḥ pākaśāsanim āgatam
 11 balasya vyasanānīha yāny uktāni manīṣibhiḥ
     mukhyo bhedo hi teṣāṃ vai pāpiṣṭho viduṣāṃ mataḥ
 12 [aṣvatth]
     ācārya eva kṣamatāṃ śāntir atra vidhīyatām
     abhiṣajyamāne hi gurau tadvṛttaṃ roṣakāritam
 13 [vai]
     tato duryodhano droṇaṃ kṣamayām āsa bhārata
     saha karṇena bhīṣmeṇa kṛpeṇa ca mahātmanā
 14 [droṇa]
     yad eva prathamaṃ vākyaṃ bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo 'bravīt
     tenaivāhaṃ prasanno vai pramam atra vidhīyatām
 15 yathā duryodhane 'yatte nāgaḥ spṛśati sainikān
     sāhasad yadi vā mohāt tathā nītir vidhīyatām
 16 vanavāse hy anirvṛtte darśayen na dhanaṃjayaḥ
     dhanaṃ vālabhamāno 'tra nādya naḥ kṣantum arhati
 17 yathā nāyaṃ samāyujyād dhārtarāṣṭrān kathaṃ cana
     yathā ca na parājayyāt tathā nītir vidhīyatām
 18 uktaṃ duryodhanenāpi purastād vākyam īdṛśam
     tad anusmṛtya gāṅgeya yathāvad vaktum arhasi

SECTION XLVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'Making Uttara his charioteer, and circumambulating the Sami tree, the son of Pandu set out taking all his weapons with him. And that mighty car-warrior set out with Uttara as the driver of his car, having taken down that banner with the lion's figure and deposited it at the foot of the Sami tree. And he hoisted on that car his own golden banner bearing the figure of an ape with a lion's tail, which was a celestial illusion contrived by Viswakarman himself. For, as soon, indeed, as he had thought of that gift of Agni, than the latter, knowing his wish, ordered those superhuman creatures (that usually sat there) to take their place in that banner. And furnished with a beautiful flag of handsome make, with quivers attached to it, and adored with gold, that excellent flag-staff of celestial beauty than quickly
p. 80
fell from the firmament on his car.  1 And beholding that banner arrived on his car, the hero circumambulated it (respectively). And then the ape-bannered Vibhatsu, the son of Kunti, called also Swetavahana, with fingers cased in leathern fences of the Iguana skin, and taking up his bow and arrows set out in a northernly direction. And that grinder of foes, possessed of great strength, then forcibly blew his large conch-shell, of thundering sound, capable of making the bristles of foes to stand on their ends. And at the sound of that conch, those steeds endued with swiftness dropped down on the ground on their knees. And Uttara also, greatly affrighted, sat down on the car. And thereupon the son of Kunti took the reins himself and raising the steeds, placed them in their proper positions. And embracing Uttara, he encouraged him also, saying, 'Fear not, O foremost of princes, thou art, O chastiser of foes, a Kshatriya by birth. Why, O tiger among men, dost thou become so dispirited in the midst of foes? Thou must have heard before the blare of many conchs and the note of many trumpets, and the roar also of many elephants in the midst of ranks arrayed for battled. Why art thou, therefore, so dispirited and agitated and terrified by the blare of this conch, as if thou wert an ordinary person?'
"Uttara said, 'Heard have I the blare of many a conch and many a trumpet and the roar of many an elephant stationed in the battle-array, but never have I heard before the blare of such conch. Nor have I ever seen a banner like this. Never before have I heard also the twang of a bow such as this. Truly, sir, with the blare of this conch, the twang of this bow, the superhuman cries of the creatures stationed on this banner, and the battle of this car, my mind is greatly bewildered. My perception of the directions also is confused, and my heart is painfully afflicted. The whole firmament seemeth to me to have been covered by this banner, and everything seemeth to be hidden from my view! My ears also have been deafened by the twang of the Gandiva! 2
"Arjuna said, 'Firmly stand thou on the car, pressing thy feet on it, and tightly catch hold of the bridles, for I will blow the conch again.'
"Vaisampayana said, 'Arjuna then blew his conch again, that conch which filled foes with grief and enhanced the joy of friends. And the sound was so loud that it seemed to split hills and mountains, and pierce mountain-caves and the cardinal points. And Uttara once again sat down on the car, clinging to it in fear. And with the blare of the conch and the rattle of the car-wheels, and the twang of the Gandiva, the earth itself seemed to tremble. And beholding Uttara's fight, Dhananjaya began to comfort him again.'
p. 81
"Meanwhile, Drona said, 'From the rattle of the car, and from the manner in which the clouds have enveloped the sky and the earth itself trembles, this warrior can be none else than Savyasachin. Our weapons do not shine, our steeds are dispirited, and our fires, though fed with fuel, do not blare up. All this is ominous. All our animals are setting up a frightful howl, gazing towards the sun. The crows are perching on our banners. All this is ominous. Yon vultures and kites on our right portend a great danger. That jackal also, running through our ranks, waileth dismally. Lo, it hath escaped unstruck. All this portends a heavy calamity. The bristles also of ye all are on their ends. Surely, this forebodes a great destruction of Kshatriyas in battle. Things endued with light are all pale; beasts and birds look fierce; and there are to be witnessed many terrific portents indicative of the destruction of Kshatriyas. And these omens forebode great havoc among ourselves. O king, thy ranks seem to be confounded by these blazing meteors, and thy animals look dispirited and seem to be weeping. Vultures and kites are wheeling all around thy troops. Thou shalt have to repent upon beholding thy army afflicted by Partha's arrows. Indeed, our ranks seem to have been already vanquished, for none is eager to go to fight. All our warriors are of pale face, and almost deprived of their senses. Sending the kine ahead we should stand here, ready to strike, with all our warriors arrayed in order of battle."

Book 4
Chapter 47

1 [bhīsma]
      kalāṃśās tāta yujyante muhūrtāś ca dināni ca
      ardhamāsāś ca māsāś ca nakṣatrāṇi grahās tathā
  2 ṛtavaś cāpi yujyante tathā saṃvatsarā api
      evaṃ kālavibhāgena kālacakraṃ pravartate
  3 teṣāṃ kālātirekeṇa jyotiṣāṃ ca vyatikramāt
      pañcame pañcame varṣe dvau māsāv upajāyataḥ
  4 teṣām abhyadhikā māsāḥ pañca dvādaśa ca kṣapāḥ
      trayodaśānāṃ varṣāṇām iti me vartate matiḥ
  5 sarvaṃ yathāvac caritaṃ yad yad ebhiḥ pariśrutam
      evam etad dhruvaṃ jñātvā tato bībhatsur āgataḥ
  6 sarve caiva mahātmānaḥ sarve dharmārthakovidāḥ
      yeṣāṃ yudhiṣṭhiro rājā kasmād dharme 'parādhnuyuḥ
  7 alubdhāś caiva kaunteyāḥ kṛtavantaś ca duṣkaram
      na cāpi kevalaṃ rājyam iccheyus te 'nupāyataḥ
  8 tadaiva te hi vikrāntum īṣuḥ kauravanandanāḥ
      dharmapāśanibaddhās tu na celuḥ kṣatriya vratāt
  9 yac cānṛta iti khyāyed yac ca gacchet parābhavam
      vṛṇuyur maraṇaṃ pārthā nānṛtatvaṃ kathaṃ cana
  10 prāpte tu kāle prāptavyaṃ notsṛjeyur nararṣabhāḥ
     api vajrabhṛtā guptaṃ tathā vīryā hi pāṇḍavāḥ
 11 pratiyudhyāma samare sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varam
     tasmād yad atra kalyāṇaṃ loke sad bhir anuṣṭhitam
     tat saṃvidhīyatāṃ kṣipraṃ mā no hy artho 'tigāt parān
 12 na hi paśyāmi saṃgrāme kadā cid api kaurava
     ekāntasiddhiṃ rājendra saṃprāptaś ca dhanaṃjayaḥ
 13 saṃpravṛtte tu saṃgrāme bhāvābhāvau jayājayau
     avaśyam ekaṃ spṛśato dṛṣṭam etad asaṃśayam
 14 tasmād yuddhāvacarikaṃ karma vā dharmasaṃhitam
     kriyatām āśu rājendra saṃprāpto hi dhanaṃjayaḥ
 15 [dur]
     nāhaṃ rājyaṃ pradāsyāmi pāṇḍavānāṃ pitāmaha
     yuddhāvacārikaṃ yat tu tac chīghraṃ saṃvidhīyatām
 16 [bhīsma]
     atra yā māmakī buddhiḥ śrūyatāṃ yadi rocate
     kṣipraṃ balacaturbhāgaṃ gṛhya gaccha puraṃ prati
     tato 'paraś caturbhāgo gāḥ samādāya gacchatu
 17 vayaṃ tv ardhena sainyena pratiyotsyāma pāṇḍavam
     matsyaṃ vā punar āyātam atha vāpi śatakratum
 18 ācāryo madhyatas tiṣṭhatv aśvatthāmā tu savyataḥ
     kṛpaḥ śāradvato dhīmān pārśvaṃ rakṣatu dakṣiṇam
 19 agrataḥ sūtaputras tu karṇas tiṣṭhatu daṃśitaḥ
     ahaṃ sarvasya sainasya paścāt sthāsyāmi pālayan

SECTION XLVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'King Duryodhana then, on the field of battle said unto Bhishma, and unto Drona--that tiger among warriors, and unto Kripa--that mighty car-warrior, these words, 'Both myself and Kama had said this unto the preceptors 1 I refer to the subject again, for I am not satisfied with having said it once. Even this was the pledge of the sons of Pandu that if defeated (at dice) they would reside to our knowledge in countries and woods for twelve years, and one more year unknown to us. That thirteenth year, instead of being over, is yet running. Vibhatsu, therefore, who is still to live undiscovered hath appeared before us. And if Vibhatsu hath come before the term of exile is at end, the Pandavas shall have to pass another twelve years in the woods. Whether it is due to forgetfulness (on their part) induced by desire of dominion, or whether it is a mistake of ours, it behoveth
p. 82
[paragraph continues] Bhishma to calculate the shortness or excess (of the promised period). When an object of desire may or may not be attained, a doubt necessarily attaches to one of the alternatives, and what is decided in one way often ends differently.  1 Even moralists are puzzled in judging of their own acts.  2 As regards ourselves, we have come hither to fight with the Matsyas and to seize their kine stationed towards the north. If, meanwhile, it is Arjuna that hath come, what fault can attach to us? We have come hither to fight against the Matsyas on behalf of the Trigartas; and as numerous were the acts represented unto us of the oppressions committed by the Matsyas. it was for this that we promised aid to the Trigartas who were overcome with fear. And it was agreed between us that they should first seize, on the afternoon of the seventh lunar day, the enormous wealth of kine that the Matsyas have, and that we should, at sunrise of the eighteen day of the moon, seize these kine when the king of the Matsyas would be pursuing those first seized. It may be that the Trigartas are now bringing a way the kine, or being defeated, are coming towards us for negotiating with the king of the Matsyas. Or, it may be, that having driven the Trigartas off, the king of the Matsyas, at the head of this people and his whole army of fierce warriors, appeareth on the scene and advanceth to make night-attacks upon us. It may be that some one leader among them, endued with mighty energy, is advancing for vanquishing us, or, it may be that the king himself of the Matsyas is come. But be it the king of the Matsyas or Vibhatsu, we must all fight him. Even this hath been our pledge. Why are all these of foremost car-warriors,--Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Vikarna and Drona's son,--now sitting on their cars, panic-stricken? At present there is nothing better than fighting. Therefore, make up your minds. If, for the cattle we have seized, an encounter takes place with the divine wielder himself of the thunderbolt or even with Yama, who is there that will be liable to reach Hastinapura? Pierced by the shafts (of the foe), how will the foot-soldiers, in flying through the deep forest with their backs on the field, escape with life, when escape for the cavalry is doubtful? Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Karna said, 'Disregarding the preceptor, make all arrangements. He knoweth well
p. 83
the intentions of the Pandavas and striketh terror in our hearts. I see that his affection for Arjuna is very great. Seeing him only coming, he chanteth his praises. Make ye such arrangements that our troops may not break. Everything is in confusion for Drona's having only heard the neigh of (Arjuna's) steeds. Make ye such arrangements that these troops, come to a distant land in this hot season and in the midst of this mighty forest, may not fall into confusion and be subjugated by the foe. The Pandavas are always the special favourites of the preceptor. The selfish Pandavas have stationed Drona amongst us. Indeed, he betrayeth himself by his speech. Who would ever extol a person upon hearing the neigh only of his steeds? Horses always neigh, whether walking or standing, the winds blow at all times; and Indra also always showereth rain. The roar of the clouds may frequently be heard. What hath Partha to do with these, and why is he to be praised for these? All this (on Drona's part), therefore, is due only to either the desire of doing good to Arjuna or to his wrath and hatred towards us. Preceptors are wise, and sinless, and very kind to all creatures. They, however, should never be consulted at times of peril. It is in luxurious palaces, and assemblies and pleasure-gardens, that learned men, capable of making speeches, seem to be in their place. Performing many wonderful things, in the assembly, it is there that learned men find their place, or even there where sacrificial utensils and their proper placing and washing are needed. In a knowledge of the lapses of others, in studying the characters of men, in the science of horses and elephants and cars, in treating the diseases of asses and camels and goats and sheeps and kine, in planning buildings and gateways, and in pointing out the defects of food and drink, the learned are truly in their own sphere. Disregarding learned men that extol the heroism of the foe, make ye such arrangements that the foe may be destroyed. Placing the kine securely, array the troops in order of battle. Place guards in proper places so that we may fight the foe.'"

Book 4
Chapter 48

 1 [vai]
      tathā vyūḍheṣv anīkeṣu kauraveyair mahārathaiḥ
      upāyād arjunas tūrṇaṃ rathaghoṣeṇa nādayan
  2 dadṛśus te dhvajāgraṃ vai śuśruvuś ca rathasvanam
      dodhūyamānasya bhṛśaṃ gāṇḍīvasya ca nisvanam
  3 tatas tat sarvam ālokya droṇo vacanam abravīt
      mahāratham anuprāptaṃ dṛṣṭvā gāṇḍīvadhanvinam
  4 etad dhvajāgraṃ pārthasya dūrataḥ saṃprakāśate
      eṣa ghoṣaḥ sa jalado roravīti ca vānaraḥ
  5 eṣa tiṣṭhan rathaśreṣṭho rathe rathavarapraṇut
      utkarṣati dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ gāṇḍīvam aśanisvanam
  6 imau hi bāṇau sahitau pādayor me vyavasthitau
      aparau cāpy atikrāntau karṇau saṃspṛśya me śarau
  7 niruṣya hi vanevāsaṃ kṛtvā karmāti mānuṣam
      abhivādayate pārthaḥ śrotre ca paripṛcchati
  8 [arj]
      iṣupāte ca senāyā hayān saṃyaccha sārathe
      yāvat samīkṣe sainye 'smin kvāsau kuru kulādhamaḥ
  9 sarvān anyān anādṛtya dṛṣṭvā tam ati māninam
      tasya mūrdhni patiṣyāmi tata ete parājitāḥ
  10 eṣa vyavasthito droṇo drauṇiś ca tadanantaram
     bhīṣmaḥ kṛpaś ca karṇaś ca maheṣvāsā vyavasthitāḥ
 11 rājānaṃ nātra paśyāmi gāḥ samādāya gacchati
     dakṣiṇaṃ mārgam āsthāya śaṅke jīva parāyaṇaḥ
 12 utsṛjyaitad rathānīkaṃ gaccha yatra suyodhanaḥ
     tatraiva yotsye vairāṭe nāsti yuddhaṃ nirāmiṣam
     taṃ jitvā vinivartiṣye gāḥ samādāya vai punaḥ
 13 [vai]
     evam uktaḥ sa vairāṭir hayān saṃyamya yatnataḥ
     niyamya ca tato raśmīn yatra te kurupuṃgavāḥ
     acodayat tato vāhān yato duryodhanas tataḥ
 14 utsṛjya rathavaṃśaṃ tu prayāte śvetavāhane
     abhiprāyaṃ viditvāsya droṇo vacanam abravīt
 15 naiṣo 'ntareṇa rājānaṃ bībhatsuḥ sthātum icchati
     tasya pārṣṇiṃ grahīṣyāmo javenābhiprayāsyataḥ
 16 na hy enam abhisaṃkruddham eko yudhyeta saṃyuge
     anyo devāt sahasrākṣāt kṛṣṇād vā devakī sutāt
 17 kiṃ no gāvaḥ kariṣyanti dhanaṃ vā vipulaṃ tathā
     duryodhanaḥ pārtha jale purā naur iva majjati
 18 tathaiva gatvā bībhatsur nāma viśrāvya cātmanaḥ
     śalabhair iva tāṃ senāṃ śaraiḥ śīghram avākirat
 19 kīryamāṇāḥ śaraughais tu yodhās te pārtha coditaiḥ
     nāpaśyan nāvṛtāṃ bhūmim antarikṣaṃ ca patribhiḥ
 20 teṣāṃ nātmanino yuddhe nāpayāne 'bhavan matiḥ
     śīghratvam eva pārthasya pūjayanti sma cetasā
 21 tataḥ śaṅkhaṃ pradadhmau sa dviṣatāṃ lomaharṣaṇam
     visphārya ca dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ dhvaje bhūtāny acodayat
 22 tasya śaṅkhasya śabdena rathanemi svanena ca
     amānuṣāṇāṃ teṣāṃ ca bhūtānāṃ dhvajavāsinām
 23 ūrdhvaṃ pucchān vidhunvānā rebhamāṇāḥ samantataḥ
     gāvaḥ pratinyavartanta diśam āsthāya dakṣiṇām

SECTION XLVIII

"Karna said, 'I behold all these blessed ones, looking as if alarmed and panic-struck and unresolved and unwilling to fight. If he that is come is the king of the Matsyas or Vibhatsu, even I will resist him as the banks resist the swelling sea. Shot from my bow these straight and flying arrows, like gliding snakes, are all sure of aim. Discharged by my light hands, these keen-edged arrows furnished with golden wings shall cover Partha all over, like locusts shrouding a tree. Strongly pressed by these winged arrows, the bow-string will cause these my leathern fences
p. 84
to produce sounds that will be heard to resemble those of a couple of kettle-drums. Having been engaged in ascetic austerities for the (last) eight and five years, Vibhatsu will strike me but mildly in this conflict, and the son of Kunti having become a Brahmana endued with good qualities, hath thus become a fit person to quietly receive shafts by thousands shot by me. This mighty bowman is indeed, celebrated over the three worlds. I, too, am, by no means, inferior to Arjuna, that foremost of human beings. With golden arrows furnished with vulturine wings shot on all sides, let the firmament seem today to swarm with fire-flies. Slaying Arjuna in battle, I will discharge today that debt, difficult of repayments, but promised of old by me unto Dhritarashtra's son. When man is there, even amongst all the gods and the Asuras, that will endure to stand in the teeth of the straight arrows shot from my bow? Let my flying arrows, winged and depressed at the middle, present the spectacle of the coursing of the fire-flies through the welkin. Hard though he be as Indra's thunderbolt and possessed of the energy of the chief of the celestials, I will surely grind Partha, even as one afflicts an elephant by means of burning brands. A heroic and mighty car-warrior as he is, and the foremost of all wielders of weapons I shall seize the unresisting Partha, even like Garuda seizing a snake. Irresistible like fire, and fed by the fuel of swords, darts, and arrows, the blazing Pandava-fire that consumeth foes, will be extinguished even by myself who am like unto a mighty cloud incessantly dropping an arrowy shower,--the multitude of cars (I will lead) constituting its thunder, and the speed of my horses, the wind in advance. Discharged from my bow, my arrows like venomous snakes will pierce Partha's body, like serpent penetrating through an ant-hill. Pierced with well-tempered and straight shafts endued with golden wings and great energy, behold ye today the son of Kunti decked like a hill covered with Karnikara flowers. Having obtained weapons from that best of ascetics--the son of Jamadagni, I would, relying on their energy, fight with even the celestials. Struck with my javelin, the ape stationed on his banner-top shall fall down today on the ground, uttering terrible cries. The firmament will today be filled with the cries of the (super-human) creatures stationed in the flagstaff of the foe, and afflicted by me, they will fly away in all directions. I shall today pluck up by the roots the long-existing dart in Duryodhan's heart by throwing Arjuna down from his car. The Kauravas will today behold Partha with his car broken, his horses killed, his valour gone, and himself sighing like a snake. Let the Kauravas, following their own will go away taking this wealth of kine, or, if they wish, let them stay on their cars and witness my combat.'"

Book 4
Chapter 49

1 [vai]
      sa śatrusenāṃ tarasā praṇudya; gās tā vijityātha dhanurdharāgryaḥ
      duryodhanāyābhimukhaṃ prayāto; bhūyo 'rjunaḥ priyam ājau cikīrṣan
  2 goṣu prayātāsu javena matsyān; kirīṭinaṃ kṛtakāryaṃ ca matvā
      duryodhanāyābhimukhaṃ prayāntaṃ; kurupravīrāḥ sahasābhipetuḥ
  3 teṣām anīkāni bahūni gāḍḍhaṃ; vyūḍhāni dṛṣṭvā balula dhvajāni
      matsyasya putraṃ dviṣatāṃ nihantā; vairāṭim āmantrya tato 'bhyuvāca
  4 etena tūrṇaṃ pratipādayemāñ; śvetān hayān kāñcanaraśmi yoktrān
      javena sarveṇa kuru prayatnam; āsādayaitad rathasiṃhavṛndam
  5 gajo gajeneva mayā durātmā; yo yoddhum ākāṅkṣati sūtaputraḥ
      tam eva māṃ prāpaya rājaputra; duryodhanāpāśraya jātadarpam
  6 sa tair hayair vātajavair bṛhad bhiḥ; putro virāṭasya suvarṇakakṣyaiḥ
      vidhvaṃsayaṃs tadrathinām anīkaṃ; tato 'vahat pāṇḍavam ājimadhye
  7 taṃ citraseno viśikhair vipāṭhaiḥ; saṃgrāmajic chatrusaho jayaś ca
      pratyudyayur bhāratam āpatantaṃ; mahārathāḥ karṇam abhīpsamānāḥ
  8 tataḥ sa teṣāṃ puruṣapravīraḥ; śarāsanārciḥ śaravegatāpaḥ
      vrātān rathānām adahat sa manyur; vanaṃ yathāgniḥ kurupuṃgavānām
  9 tasmiṃs tu yuddhe tumule pravṛtte; pārthaṃ vikarṇo 'tirathaṃ rathena
      vipāṭha varṣeṇa kurupravīro; bhīmena bhīmānujam āsasāda
  10 tato vikarṇasya dhanur vikṛṣya; jāmbūnadāgryopacitaṃ dṛḍhajyam
     apātayad dhvajam asya pramathya; chinnadhvajaḥ so 'py apayāj javena
 11 taṃ śātravāṇāṃ gaṇabādhitāraṃ; karmāṇi kurvāṇam amānuṣāṇi
     śatruṃ tapaḥ kopam amṛṣyamāṇaḥ; samarpayat kūrmanakhena pārtham
 12 sa tena rājñātirathena viddho; vigāhamāno dhvajinīṃ kurūṇām
     śatruṃ tapaṃ pañcabhir āśu viddhvā; tato 'sya sūtaṃ daśabhir jaghāna
 13 tataḥ sa viddho bharatarṣabheṇa; bāṇena gātrāvaraṇātigena
     gatāsur ājau nipapāta bhūmau; nago ganāgrād iva vātarugṇaḥ
 14 ratharṣabhās te tu ratharṣabheṇa; vīrā raṇe vīratareṇa bhagnāḥ
     cakampire vātavaśena kāle; prakamiptānīva mahāvanāni
 15 hatās tu pārthena narapravīrā; bhūmau yuvānaḥ suṣupuḥ suveṣāḥ
     vasu pradā vāsavatulyavīryāḥ; parājitā vāsava jena saṃkhye
     suvarṇakārṣṇāyasa varma naddhā; nāgā yathā haivavatāḥ pravṛddhāḥ
 16 tathā sa śatrūn samare vinighnan; gāṇḍīvadhanvā puruṣapravīraḥ
     cacāra saṃkhye pradiśo diśaś ca; dahann ivāgnir vanam ātapānte
 17 prakīrṇaparṇāni yathā vasante; viśātayitvātyanilo nudan khe
     tathā sapatnān vikiran kirīṭī; cacāra saṃkhye 'ti ratho rathena
 18 śoṇāśvavāhasya hayān nihatya; vaikartana bhrātur adīnasattvaḥ
     ekena saṃgrāmajitaḥ śareṇa; śiro jahārātha kirīṭamālī
 19 tasmin hate bhrātari sūtaputro; vaikartano vīryam athādadānaḥ
     pragṛhya dantāv iva nāgarājo; maharṣabhaṃ vyāghra ivābhyadhāvat
 20 sa pāṇḍavaṃ dvādaśabhiḥ pṛṣatkair; vaikartanaḥ śīghram upājaghāna
     vivyādha gātreṣu hayāṃś ca sarvān; virāṭa putraṃ ca śarair nijaghne
 21 sa hastinevābhihato gajendraḥ; pragṛhya bhallān niśitān niṣaṅgāt
     ā karṇa pūrṇaṃ ca dhanur vikṛṣya; vivyādha bāṇair atha sūtaputram
 22 athāsya bāhūruśiro lalāṭaṃ; grīvāṃ rathāṅgāni parāvamardī
     sthitasya bāṇair yudhi nirbibheda; gāṇḍīvamuktair aśaniprakāśaiḥ
 23 sa pārtha muktair viśikhaiḥ praṇunno; gajo gajeneva jitas tarasvī
     vihāya saṃgrāmaśiraḥ prayāto; vaikartanaḥ pāṇḍava bāṇataptaḥ

SECTION XLIX

"Kripa said, 'O Radheya, thy crooked heart always inclineth to war. Thou knowest not the true nature of things; nor dost thou take into account their after-consequences. There are various kinds of expedients inferrable from the scriptures. Of these, a battle hath been regarded by those acquainted with the past, as the most sinful. It is only when time and place are favourable that military operations can lead to success. In the present instance, however, the time being unfavourable, no good results will be deprived. A display of prowess in proper time and place becometh beneficial. It is by the favourableness or otherwise (of time and place) that the opportuneness of an act is determined. Learned men can never act according to the ideas of a car-maker. Considering all this, an encounter with Partha is not advisible for us. Alone he saved the Kurus (from the Gandharvas), and alone he satiated Agni. Alone he led the life of a Brahmacharin for five years (on the breast of Himavat). Taking up Subhadra on his car, alone he challenged Krishna to single combat. Alone he fought with Rudra who stood before him as a forester. It was in this very forest that Partha rescued Krishna while she was being taken away (by Jayadratha). It is he alone that hath, for five years, studied the science of weapons under Indra. Alone vanquishing all foes he hath spread the fame of the Kurus. Alone that chastiser of foes vanquished in battle Chitrasena, the king of the Gandharvas and in a moment his invincible troops also. Alone he overthrew in battle the fierce Nivatakavachas and the Kalakhanchas, that were both incapable of being slain by the gods themselves. What, however, O Kama, hath been achieved by thee single-handed like any of the sons of Pandu, each of whom had alone subjugated many lords of earth? Even Indra himself is unfit to encounter Partha in battle. He, therefore, that desireth to fight with Arjuna should take a sedative. As to thyself, thou desirest to take out the fangs of an angry snake of virulent poison by stretching forth thy right hand and extending thy forefinger. Or, wandering alone in the forest thou desirest to ride an infuriate elephant and go to a boar without a hook in hand. Or, rubbed over with clarified butter and dressed in silken robes, thou desirest to pass through the midst of a blazing fire fed with fat and tallow and clarified butter. Who is there that would, binding his own hands and feet and tying a huge stone unto his neck, cross the ocean swimming with his bare arms? What manliness is there in such an act? O Kama, he is a fool that would, without, skill in weapons and without strength, desire to fight with Partha who is so mighty and skilled in weapons? Dishonestly deceived by us and liberated from thirteen years' exile, will not the illustrious hero annihilate us? Having ignorantly come to a place where Partha lay concealed like fire hidden in a well, we have, indeed, exposed to a great danger. But irresistible though he be
p. 86
in battle, we should fight against him. Let, therefore, our troops, clad in mail, stand here arrayed in ranks and ready to strike. Let Drona and Duryodhana and Bhishma and thyself and Drona's son and ourselves, all fight with the son of Pritha. Do not O Kama, act so rashly as to fight alone. If we six car-warriors be united, we can then be a match for and fight with that son of Pritha who is resolved to fight and who is as fierce as the wielder of the thunderbolt. Aided by our troops arrayed in ranks, ourselves--great bowmen--standing carefully will fight with Arjuna even as the Danavas encounter Vasava in battle.'"

Book 4
Chapter 50

 1 [vai]
      apayāte tu rādheye duryodhana purogamāḥ
      anīkena yathā svena śarair ārcchanta pāṇḍavam
  2 bahudhā tasya sainyasya vyūḍhasyāpatataḥ śaraiḥ
      abhiyānīyam ājñāya vairāṭir idam abravīt
  3 āsthāya ruciraṃ jiṣṇo rathaṃ sārathinā mayā
      katamad yāsyase 'nīka mukto yāsyāmy ahaṃ tvayā
  4 [arj]
      lohitākṣam ariṣṭaṃ yaṃ vaiyāghram anupaśyasi
      nīlāṃ patākām āśritya rathe tiṣṭhantam uttara
  5 kṛpasyaitad rathānīkaṃ prāpayasvaitad eva mām
      etasya darśayiṣyāmi śīghrāstraṃ dṛḍhadhanvinaḥ
  6 kamaṇḍalur dhvaje yasya śātakumbhamayaḥ śubhaḥ
      ācārya eṣa vai droṇaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
  7 suprasannamanā vīra kuruṣvainaṃ pradakṣiṇam
      atraiva cāvirodhena eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ
  8 yadi me prathamaṃ droṇaḥ śarīre prahariṣyati
      tato 'sya prahariṣyāmi nāsya kopo bhaviṣyati
  9 asyāvidūre tu dhanur dhvajāgre yasya dṛśyate
      ācāryasyaiṣa putro vai aśvatthāmā mahārathaḥ
  10 sadā mamaiṣa mānyaś ca sarvaśastrabhṛtām api
     etasya tvaṃ rathaṃ prāpya nivartethāḥ punaḥ punaḥ
 11 ya eṣa tu rathānīke suvarṇakavacāvṛtaḥ
     senāgryeṇa tṛtīyena vyavahāryeṇa tiṣṭhati
 12 yasya nāgo dhvajāgre vai hemaketana saṃśritaḥ
     dhṛtarāṣṭrātmajaḥ śrīmān eṣa rājā suyodhanaḥ
 13 etasyābhimukhaṃ vīra rathaṃ pararathārujaḥ
     prāpayasvaiṣa tejo 'bhipramāthī yuddhadurmadaḥ
 14 eṣa droṇasya śiṣyāṇāṃ śīghrāstraḥ prathamo mataḥ
     etasya darśayiṣyāmi śīghrāstraṃ vipulaṃ śaraiḥ
 15 nāgakakṣyā tu rucirā dhvajāgre yasya tiṣṭhati
     eṣa vaikartanaḥ karṇo viditaḥ pūrvam eva te
 16 etasya ratham āsthāya rādheyasya durātmanaḥ
     yatto bhavethāḥ saṃgrāme spardhaty eṣa mayā sadā
 17 yas tu nīlānusāreṇa pañca tāreṇa ketunā
     hastāvāpī bṛhad dhanvā rathe tiṣṭhati vīryavān
 18 yasya tārārka citro 'sau rathe dhvajavaraḥ sthitaḥ
     yasyaitat pāṇḍuraṃ chatraṃ vimalaṃ mūrdhni tiṣṭhati
 19 mahato rathavaṃśasya nānā dhvajapatākinaḥ
     balāhakāgre sūryo vā ya eṣa pramukhe sthitha
 20 haimaṃ candrārkasaṃkāśaṃ kavacaṃ yasya dṛśyate
     jātarūpaśiras trāṇas trāsayann iva me manaḥ
 21 eṣa śāṃtanavo bhīṣmaḥ sarveṣāṃ naḥ pitāmahaḥ
     rājaśriyāvabaddhas tu duryodhana vaśānugaḥ
 22 paścād eṣa prayātavyo na me vighnakaro bhavet
     etena yudhyamānasya yattaḥ saṃyaccha me hayān
 23 tato 'bhyavahad avyagro vairāṭiḥ savyasācinam
     yatrātiṣṭhat kṛpo rājan yotsyamāno dhanaṃjayam

SECTION L

"Aswatthaman said, 'The kine, O Karna, have not yet been won, nor have they yet crossed the boundary (of their owner's dominions), nor have they yet reached Hastinapura. Why dost thou, therefore, boast of thyself? Having won numerous battles, and acquired enormous wealth, and vanquished hostile hosts, men of true heroism speak not a word of their prowess. Fire burneth mutely and mutely doth the sun shine. Mutely also doth the Earth bear creatures, both mobile and immobile. The Self-existent hath sanctioned such offices for the four orders that having recourse to them each may acquire wealth without being censurable. A Brahmana, having studied the Vedas, should perform sacrifices himself, and officiate at the sacrifices of others. And a Kshatriya, depending upon the bow, should perform sacrifices himself but should never officiate at the sacrifices of others. And of Vaisya, having earned wealth, should cause the rites enjoined in the Vedas to be performed for himself. A Sudra should always wait upon and serve the other three orders. As regards those that live by practising the profession of flowers and vendors of meat, they may earn wealth by expedients fraught with deceit and fraud. Always acting according to the dictates of the scriptures, the exalted sons of Pandu acquired the sovereignty of the whole earth, and they always act respectfully towards their superiors, even if the latter prove hostile to them. What Kshatriya is there that expressed delight at having obtained a kingdom by means of dice, like this wicked and shameless son of Dhritarashtra? Having acquired wealth in this way by deceit and fraud like a vendor of meat, who that is wise boast of it? In what single combat didst thou vanquish Dhananjaya, or Nakula, or Sahadeva, although thou hast robbed them of their wealth? In what battle didst thou defeat Yudhishthira, or Bhima that foremost of strong men? In what battle was Indraprastha conquered by thee? What thou hast done, however, O thou of wicked deeds, is to drag that princess to court while she was
p. 87
ill and had but one raiment on? Thou hast cut the mighty root, delicate as the sandal, of the Pandava tree. Actuated by desire of wealth, when thou madest the Pandavas act as slaves, rememberest thou what Vidura said! We see that men and others, even insects and ants, show forgiveness according to their power of endurance. The son of Pandu, however, is incapable of forgiving the sufferings of Draupadi. Surely, Dhananjaya cometh here for the destruction of the sons of Dhritarashtra. It is true, affecting great wisdom, thou art for making speeches but will not Vibhatsu, that slayer of foes, exterminate us all! If it be gods, or Gandharvas or Asuras, or Rakshasas, will Dhananjaya the son of Kunti, desist to fight from panic? Inflamed with wrath upon whomsoever he will fall, even him he will overthrow like a tree under the weight of Garuda! Superior to thee in prowess, in bowmanship equal unto the lord himself of the celestials, and in battle equal unto Vasudeva himself, who is there that would not praise Partha? Counteracting celestial weapons with celestial, and human weapons with human, what man is a match for Arjuna? Those acquainted with the scriptures declare that a disciple is no way inferior to a son, and it is for this that the son of Pandu is a favourite of Drona. Employ thou the means now which thou hadst adopted in the match at dice,--the same means, viz., by which thou hadst subjugated Indraprastha, and the same means by which thou hadst dragged Krishna to the assembly! This thy wise uncle, fully conversant with the duties of the Kshatriya order--this deceitful gambler Sakuni, the prince of Gandhara, let him fight now! The Gandiva, however, doth not cast dice such as the Krita or the Dwapara, but it shooteth upon foes blazing and keen-edged shafts by myriads. The fierce arrows shot from the Gandiva, endued with great energy and furnished with vulturine wings, car, pierce even mountains. The destroyer of all, named Yama, and Vayu, and the horse-faced Agni, leave some remnant behind, but Dhananjaya inflamed with wrath never doth so. As thou hadst, aided by thy uncle, played a dice in the assembly so do fight in this battle protected by Suvala's son. Let the preceptor, if he chooses fight; I shall not, however, fight with Dhananjaya. We are to fight with the king of the Matsyas, if indeed, he cometh in the track of the kine.'"

begin from book 4 chapter  51 (Virata parva)

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 51

1 [vai]
      tāny anīkāny adṛśyanta kurūṇām ugradhanvinām
      saṃsarpanto yathā meghā gharmānte mandamārutāḥ
  2 abhyāśe vājinas tasthuḥ samārūḍhāḥ prahāribhiḥ
      bhīmarūpāś ca mātaṅgās tomarāṅkuśacoditāḥ
  3 tataḥ śakraḥ suragaṇaiḥ samāruhya sudarśanam
      sahopāyāt tadā rājan viśvāśvi marutāṃ gaṇaiḥ
  4 tad deva yakṣagandharvamahoragasamākulam
      śuśubhe 'bhravinirmuktaṃ grahair iva nabhastalam
  5 astrāṇāṃ ca balaṃ teṣāṃ mānuṣeṣu prayujyatām
      tac ca ghoraṃ mahad yuddhaṃ bhīṣmārjunasamāgame
  6 śataṃ śatasahasrāṇām yatra sthūṇā hiraṇmayāḥ
      maṇiratnamayāś cānyāḥ prāsādam upadhārayan
  7 tatra kāmagamaṃ divyaṃ sarvaratnavibhūṣitam
      vimānaṃ devarājasya śuśubhe khecaraṃ tadā
  8 tatra devās trayas triṃśat tiṣṭhanti saha vāsavāḥ
      gandharvā rākṣasāḥ sarpāḥ pitaraś ca maharṣibhiḥ
  9 tathā rājā vasu manā balākṣaḥ supratardanaḥ
      aṣṭakaś ca śibiś caiva yayātir nahuṣo gayaḥ
  10 manuḥ kṣepo raghur bhānuḥ kṛśāśvaḥ sagaraḥ śalaḥ
     vimāne devarājasya samadṛśyanta suprabhāḥ
 11 agner īśasya somasya varuṇasya prajāpateḥ
     tathā dhātur vidhātuś ca kuberasya yamasya ca
 12 alambusograsenasya gardharvasya ca tumburoḥ
     yathābhāgaṃ yathoddeśaṃ vimānāni cakāśire
 13 sarvadeva nikāyāś ca siddhāś ca paramarṣayaḥ
     arjunasya karūṇāṃ ca draṣṭuṃ yuddham upāgatāḥ
 14 divyānāṃ tatra mālyānāṃ gandhaḥ puṇyo 'tha sarvaśaḥ
     prasasāra vasantāgre vanānām iva puṣpitām
 15 raktāraktāni devānāṃ samadṛśyanta tiṣṭhatām
     ātapatrāṇi vāsāṃsi srajaś ca vyajanāni ca
 16 upaśāmyad rajo bhaumaṃ sarvaṃ vyāptaṃ marīcibhiḥ
     divyān gandhān upādāya vāyur yodhān asevata
 17 prabhāsitam ivākāśaṃ citrarūpam alaṃ kṛtam
     saṃpatad bhiḥ sthitaiś caiva nānāratnāvabhāsitaiḥ
     vimānair vividhaiś citrair upānītaiḥ surottamaiḥ

SECTION LI

"Bhishma said, 'Drona's son observeth well, and Kripa, too observeth rightly. As for Kama, it is only out of regard for the duties of the Kshatriya order that he desireth to fight. No man of wisdom can blame the preceptor. I, however, am of opinion that fight we must, considering both the time and the place. Why should not that man be bewildered
p. 88
who hath five adversaries effulgent as five suns, who are heroic combatants and who have just emerged from adversity? Even those conversant with morality are bewildered in respect of their own interests. It is for this, O king, that I tell thee this, whether my words be acceptable to you or not. What Karna said unto thee was only for raising our (drooping) courage. As regards thyself, O preceptor's son, forgive everything. The business at hand is very grave. When the son of Kunti hath come, this is not the time for quarrel. Everything should now be forgiven by thyself and the preceptor Kripa. Like light in the sun, the mastery of all weapons doth reside in you. As beauty is never separated from Chandramas, so are the Vedas and the Brahma weapon both established in you. It is often seen that the four Vedas dwell in one object and Kshatriya attributes in another. We have never heard of these two dwelling together in any other person than the preceptor of the Bharata race and his son. Even this is what I think. In the Vedantas, in the Puranas, and in old histories, who save Jamadagni, O king, would be Drona's superior? A combination of the Brahma weapon with the Vedas,--this is never to be seen anywhere else. O preceptor's son, do thou forgive. This is not the time for disunion. Let all of us, uniting, fight with Indra's son who hath come. Of all the calamities that may befall an army that have been enumerated by men of wisdom, the worst is disunion among the leaders. Aswatthaman said, 'O bull among men, these thy just observations, need not be uttered in our presence; the preceptor, however, filled with wrath, had spoken of Arjuna's virtues. The virtues of even an enemy should be admitted, while the faults of even one's preceptor may be pointed out; therefore one should, to the best of his power, declare the merits of a son or a disciple.'
"Duryodhana said, 'Let the preceptor grant his forgiveness and let peace be restored. If the preceptor be at one with us, whatever should be done (in view of the present emergency) would seem to have been already done.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Bharata, Duryodhana assisted by Kama and Kripa, and the high-souled Bhishma pacified Drona.'
"Drona said, 'Appeased I have already been at the words first spoken by Bhishma, the son of Santanu. Let such arrangements be made that Partha may not be able to approach Duryodhana in battle. And let such arrangements be made that king Duryodhana may not be captured by the foe, in consequence either of his rashness or want of judgment. Arjuna hath not, to be sure, revealed himself before the expiry of the term of exile. Nor will he pardon this act (of ours) today, having only recovered the kine. Let such arrangements, therefore, be made that he may not succeed in attacking Dhritarashtra's son and defeating our troops. Like myself (who am doubtful of the completion of period of exile) Duryodhana also had said so before. Bearing it in mind, it behoveth the son of Ganga to say what is true.'"

Book 4
Chapter 52

 1 [vai]
      etasminn antare tatra mahāvīryaparākramaḥ
      ājagāma mahāsattvaḥ kṛpaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
      arjunaṃ prati saṃyoddhuṃ yuddhārthī sa mahārathaḥ
  2 tau rathau sūryasaṃkāśau yotsyamānau mahābalau
      śāradāv iva jīmūtau vyarocetāṃ vyavasthitau
  3 pārtho 'pi viśrutaṃ loke gāṇḍīvaṃ paramāyudham
      vikṛṣya cikṣepa bahūn nārācān marmabhedinaḥ
  4 tān aprāptāñ śitair bāṇair nārācān raktabhojanān
      kṛpaś ciccheda pārthasya śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
  5 tataḥ pārthaś ca saṃkruddhaś citrān mārgān pradarśayan
      diśaḥ saṃchādayan bāṇaiḥ pradiśaś ca mahārathaḥ
  6 ekachāyam ivākāśaṃ prakurvan sarvataḥ prabhuḥ
      pradhādayad ameyātmā pārthaḥ śaraśataiḥ kṛpam
  7 sa śarair arpitaḥ kruddhaḥ śitair agniśikhopamaiḥ
      tūrṇaṃ śarasahasreṇa pārtham apratimaujasam
      arpayitvā mahātmānaṃ nanāda samare kṛpaḥ
  8 tataḥ kanakapuṅkhāgrair vīraḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
      tvaran gāṇḍīvanirmuktair arjunas tasya vājinaḥ
      caturbhiś caturas tīkṣṇair avidhyat parameṣubhiḥ
  9 te hayā niśitair viddhā jvalad bhir iva pannagaiḥ
      utpetuḥ sahasā sarve kṛpaḥ sthānād athācyavat
  10 cyutaṃ tu gautamaṃ sthānāt samīkṣya kurunandanaḥ
     nāvidhyat paravīraghno rakṣamāṇo 'sya gauravam
 11 sa tu labdhvā punaḥ sthānaṃ gautamaḥ savyasācinam
     vivyādha daśabhir bāṇais tvaritaḥ kaṅkapatribhiḥ
 12 tataḥ pārtho dhanus tasya bhallena niśitena ca
     cicchedaikena bhūyaś ca hastāc cāpam athāharat
 13 athāsya kavacaṃ bāṇair niśitair marmabhedibhiḥ
     vyadhaman na ca pārtho 'sya śarīram avapīḍayat
 14 tasya nirmucyamānasya kavacāt kāya ābabhau
     samaye mucyamānasya sarpasyeva tanur yathā
 15 chinne dhanuṣi pārthena so 'nyad ādāya kārmukam
     cakāra gautamaḥ sajyaṃ tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 16 sa tad apy asya kaunteyaś ciccheda nataparvaṇā
     evam anyāni cāpāni bahūni kṛtahastavat
     śāradvatasya ciccheda pāṇḍavaḥ paravīhra hā
 17 sa chinnadhanur ādāya atha śaktiṃ pratāpavān
     prāhiṇot pāṇḍuputrāya pradīptām aśanīm iva
 18 tām arjunas tadāyāntīṃ śaktiṃ hemavibhūṣitām
     viyad gatāṃ maholkābhaṃ ciccheda daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     sāpatad daśadhā chinnā bhūmau pārthena dhīmatā
 19 yugamadhye tu bhallais tu tataḥ sa sadhanuḥ kṛpaḥ
     tam āśu niśitaiḥ pārthaṃ bibheda daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
 20 tataḥ pārtho mahātejā viśikhān agnitejasaḥ
     cikṣepa samare kruddhas trayodaśa śilāśitān
 21 athāsya yugam ekena caturbhiś caturo hayān
     ṣaṣṭhena ca śiraḥ kāyāc chareṇa rathasāratheḥ
 22 tribhis triveṇuṃ samare dvābhyām akṣau mahābalaḥ
     dvādaśena tu bhallena cakartāsya dhvajaṃ tathā
 23 tato varja nikāśena phalgunaḥ prahasann iva
     trayodaśenendrasamaḥ kṛpaṃ vakṣasy atāḍayat
 24 sa chinnadhanvā viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ
     gadāpāṇir avaplutya tūrṇaṃ cikṣepa tāṃ gadām
 25 sā tu muktā gadā gurvī kṛpeṇa supariṣkṛtā
     arjunena śarair nunnā prati mārgam athāgamat
 26 tato yodhāḥ parīpsantaḥ śāradvatam amarṣaṇam
     sarvataḥ samare pārthaṃ śaravarṣair avākiran
 27 tato virāṭasya sutaḥ savyam āvṛtya vājinaḥ
     yamakaṃ maṇḍalaṃ kṛtvā tān yodhān pratyavārayat
 28 tataḥ kṛpam upādāya virathaṃ te nararṣabhāḥ
     ajājahrur mahāvegāḥ kuntīputrād dhanaṃjayāt

SECTION LII

"Bhishma said, 'The wheel of time revolves with its divisions, viz., with Kalas and Kasthas and Muhurtas and days and fortnights and months and constellations and planets and seasons and years. In consequence of their fractional excesses and the deviations of also of the heavenly bodies, there is an increase of two months in every five years. It seems to me that calculating this wise, there would be an excess of five months and twelve nights in thirteen years. Everything, therefore, that the sons of Pandu had promised, hath been exactly fulfilled by them. Knowing this to be certain, Vibhatsu hath made his appearance. All of them are high-souled and fully conversant with the meanings of the scriptures. How would they deviate from virtue that have Yudhishthira for their guide? The sons of Kunti do not yield to temptation. They have achieved a difficult feat. If they had coveted the possession of their kingdom by unfair means, then those descendants of the Kuru race would have sought to display their prowess at the time of the match at dice. Bound in bonds of virtue, they did not deviate from the duties of the Kshatriya order. He that will regard them to have behaved falsely will surely meet with defeat. The sons of Pritha would prefer death to falsehood. When the time, however, comes, those bulls among men--the Pandava's--endued with energy like that of Sikra, would not give up what is theirs even if it is defended by the wielder himself of the thunderbolt. We shall have to oppose in battle the foremost of all wielders of weapons. Therefore, let such advantageous arrangements as have the sanction of the good and the honest be now made without loss of time so that our possessions may not be appropriated by the foe. O king of kings, O Kaurava, I have never seen a battle in which one of the parties could say,--we are sure to win. When a battle occurs, there must be victory or defeat, prosperity or adversity. Without doubt, a party to a battle must have either of the two. Therefore, O king of kings, whether a battle be now proper or not consistent with virtue or not, make thy arrangements soon, for Dhananjaya is at hand.'
"Duryodhana said, 'I will not, O grandsire, give back the Pandavas their kingdom. Let every preparation, therefore, for battle be made without delay.'
"Bhishma said, 'Listen to what I regard as proper, if it pleases thee. I should always say what is for thy good, O Kaurava. Proceed thou towards the capital, without loss of time, taking with thee a fourth part of the army. And let another fourth march, escorting the kine. With half the troops we will fight the Pandava. Myself and Drona, and Karna and Aswatthaman and Kripa will resolutely withstand Vibhatsu, or the king of the Matsyas, or Indra himself, if he approaches. Indeed, we will withstand any of these like the bank withstanding the surging sea.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'These words spoken by the high-souled
p. 90
[paragraph continues] Bhishma were acceptable to them, and the king of the Kauravas acted accordingly without delay. And having sent away the king and then the kine, Bhishma began to array the soldiers in order of battle. And addressing the preceptor, he said, 'O preceptor, stand thou in the centre, and let Aswatthaman stand on the left, and let the wise Kripa, son of Saradwata, defend the right wing, and let Karna of the Suta caste, clad in mail, stand in the van. I will stand in the rear of the whole army, protecting it from that point.'"

Book 4
Chapter 53

 1 [arj]
      yatraiṣā kāñcanī vedī pradīptāgniśikhopamā
      ucchritā kāñcane daṇḍe patākābhir alaṃ kṛtā
      tatra māṃ vaha bhadraṃ te droṇānīkāya māriṣa
  2 aśvāḥ śoṇāḥ prakāśante bṛhantaś cāru vāhinaḥ
      snigdhavidruma saṃkāśās tāmrāsyāḥ priyadarśanāḥ
      yuktā rathavare yasya sarvaśikṣā viśāradāḥ
  3 dīrghabāhur mahātejā balarūpasamanvitaḥ
      sarvalokeṣu vikhyāto bhāradvājaḥ pratāpavān
  4 buddhyā tulyo hy uśanasā bṛhaspatisamo naye
      vedās tathaiva catvāro brahmacaryaṃ tathaiva ca
  5 sasaṃhārāṇi divyāni sarvāṇy astrāṇi māriṣa
      dhanurvedaś ca kārtsnyena yasmin nityaṃ pratiṣṭhitaḥ
  6 kṣamā damaś ca satyaṃ ca ānṛśaṃsyam athārjavam
      ete cānye ca bahavo guṇā yasmin dvijottame
  7 tenāhaṃ yoddhum icchāmi mahābhāgena saṃyuge
      tasmāt tvaṃ prāpayācāryaṃ kṣipram uttaravāhaya
  8 [vai]
      arjunenaivam uktas tu vairāṭir hemabhūṣitān
      codayām āsa tān aśvān bhāradvāja rathaṃ prati
  9 tam āpatantaṃ vegena pāṇḍavaṃ rathināṃ varam
      droṇaḥ pratyudyayau pārthaṃ matto mattam iva dvipam
  10 tataḥ pradhmāpayac chaṅkhaṃ bherī śatanināditam
     pracukṣubhe balaṃ sarvam uddhūta iva sāgaraḥ
 11 atha śoṇān sadaśvāṃs tān hansa varṇair manojavaiḥ
     miśritān samare dṛṣṭvā vyasmayanta raṇe janāḥ
 12 tau rathau vīryasaṃpannau dṛṣṭvā saṃgrāmamūrdhani
     ācārya śiṣyāv ajitau kṛtavidhyau manasvinau
 13 samāśliṣṭau tadānyonyaṃ droṇapārthau mahābalau
     dṛṣṭvā prākampata muhur bharatānāṃ mahad balam
 14 harṣayuktas tathā pārthaḥ prahasann iva viryavān
     rathaṃ rathena droṇasya samāsādya mahārathaḥ
 15 abhivādya mahābāhuḥ sāntvapūrvam idaṃ vacaḥ
     uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā kaunteyaḥ paravīra hā
 16 uṣitāḥ sma vanevāsaṃ pratikarma cikīrṣavaḥ
     kopaṃ nārhasi naḥ kartuṃ sadā samaradurjaya
 17 ahaṃ tu prahṛte pūrvaṃ prahariṣyāmi te 'nagha
     iti me vartate buddhis tad bhavān kartum arhati
 18 tato 'smai prāhiṇod droṇaḥ śarān adhikaviṃśatim
     aprāptāṃś caiva tān pārthaś ciccheda kṛtahastavat
 19 tataḥ śarasahasreṇa rathapārthasya vīryavān
     avākirat tato droṇaḥ śīghram astraṃ vidarśayan
 20 evaṃ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ bhāradvāja kirīṭinoḥ
     samaṃ vimuñcatoḥ saṃkhye viśikhān dīptatejasaḥ
 21 tāv ubhau khyātakarmāṇāv ubhau vāyusamau jave
     ubhau divyāstraviduṣāv ubhāv uttamatejasau
     kṣipantau śarajālāni mohayām āsatur nṛpān
 22 vyasmayanta tato yodhāḥ sarve tatra samāgatāḥ
     śarān visṛjatos tūrṇaṃ sādhu sādhv iti pūjayan
 23 droṇaṃ hi samare ko 'nyo yoddhum arhati phalgunāt
     raudraḥ kṣatriya dharmo 'yaṃ guruṇā yad ayudhyata
     ity abruvañ janās tatra saṃgrāmaśirasi sthitāḥ
 24 vīrau tāv api saṃrabdhau saṃnikṛṣṭau mahārathau
     chādayetāṃ śaravrātair anyonyam aparājitau
 25 visphārya sumahac cāpaṃ hemapṛṣṭhaṃ durāsadam
     saṃrabdho 'tha bharadvājaḥ phalgunaṃ pratyayudhyata
 26 sa sāyakamayair jālair arjunasya rathaṃ prati
     bhānumatlbhiḥ śilā dhautair bhānoḥ pracchādayat prabhām
 27 pārthaṃ ca sa mahābāhur mahāvegair mahārathaḥ
     vivyādha niśitair bāṇair megho vṛṣṭyeva parvatam
 28 tathaiva divyaṃ gāṇḍīvaṃ dhanur ādāya pāṇḍavaḥ
     śatrughnaṃ vegavad dhṛṣṭo bhārasādhanam uttamam
     visasarja śarāṃś citrān suvarṇavikṛtān bahūn
 29 nāśayañ śaravarṣāṇi bhāradvājasya vīryavān
     tūrṇaṃ cāpanivirmuktais tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 30 sa rathena caran pārthaḥ prekṣaṇīyo dhanaṃjayaḥ
     yugapad dikṣu sarvāsu sarvaśastrāṇy adarśayat
 31 ekachāyam ivākāśaṃ bāṇaiś cakre samantataḥ
     nādṛśyata tadā droṇo nīhāreṇeva saṃvṛtaḥ
 32 tasyābhavat tadā rūpaṃ saṃvṛtasya śarottamaiḥ
     jājvalyamānasya yathā parvatasyeva sarvataḥ
 33 dṛṣṭvā tu pārthasya raṇe śaraiḥ svaratham āvṛtam
     sa visphārya dhanuś citraṃ meghastanita nisvanam
 34 agnicakropamaṃ ghoraṃ vikarṣan paramāyudham
     vyaśātayac charāṃs tāṃs tu droṇaḥ samitiśobhanaḥ
     mahān abhūt tataḥ śabdo vaṃśānām iva duhyatām
 35 jāmbūnadamayaiḥ puṅkhaiś citracāpavarātigaiḥ
     prācchādayad ameyātmā diśaḥ sūryasya ca prabhām
 36 tataḥ kanakapuṅkhānāṃ śarāṇāṃ nataparvaṇām
     viyac carāṇāṃ viyati dṛśyante bahuśaḥ prajāḥ
 37 droṇasya puṅkhasaktāś ca prabhavantaḥ śarāsanāt
     eko dīrgha ivādṛśyad ākāśe saṃhataḥ śaraḥ
 38 evaṃ tau svarṇavikṛtān vimuñcantau mahāśarān
     ākāśaṃ saṃvṛtaṃ vīrāv ulkābhir iva cakratuḥ
 39 śarās tayoś ca vibabhuḥ kaṅkabarhiṇa vāsasaḥ
     paṅktyaḥ śaradi khasthānāṃ haṃsānāṃ caratām iva
 40 yuddhaṃ samabhavat tatra susaṃrabdhaṃ mahātmanoḥ
     droṇa pāṇḍavayor ghoraṃ vṛtravāsavayor iva
 41 tau jagāv iva cāsādya viṣāṇāgraiḥ parasparam
     śaraiḥ pūrṇāyatotsṛṣṭair anyonyam abhijaghnatuḥ
 42 tau vyavāharatāṃ śūrau saṃrabdhau raṇaśobhinau
     udīrayantau samare divyāny astrāṇi bhāgaśaḥ
 43 atha tv ācārya mukhyena śarān sṛṣṭāñ śilāśitān
     nyavārayac chitair bānair arjuno jayatāṃ varaḥ
 44 darśayann aindrir ātmānam ugram ugraparākramaḥ
     iṣubhis tūrṇam ākāśaṃ bahubhiś ca samāvṛṇot
 45 jighāṃsantaṃ naravyāghram arjunaṃ tigmatejasam
     ācārya mukhyaḥ samare droṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
     arjunena sahākrīḍac charaiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
 46 divyāny astrāṇi muñcantaṃ bhāradvājaṃ mahāraṇe
     astrair astrāṇi saṃvārya palgunaḥ samayodhayat
 47 tayor āsīt saṃprahāraḥ kruddhayor narasiṃhayoḥ
     amarṣiṇos tadānyonyaṃ devadānavayor iva
 48 aindraṃ vāyavyam āgneyam astram astreṇa pāṇḍavaḥ
     droṇena muktaṃ muktaṃ tu grasate sma punaḥ punaḥ
 49 evaṃ śūrau maheṣvāsau visṛjantau śitāñ śarān
     ekachāyaṃ cakratus tāv ākāśaṃ śaravṛṣṭibhiḥ
 50 tato 'rjunena muktānāṃ patatāṃ ca śarīriṣu
     parvateṣv iva varjāṇāṃ śarāṇāṃ śrūyate svanaḥ
 51 tato nāgā rathāś caiva sādinaś ca viśāṃ pate
     śoṇitāktā vyadṛśyanta puṣpitā iva kiṃśukāḥ
 52 bāhubhiś ca sa keyūrair vicitraiś ca mahārathaiḥ
     suvarṇacitraiḥ kavacair dhvajaiś ca vinipātitaiḥ
 53 yodhaiś canihatais tatra pārtha bāṇaprapīḍitaiḥ
     balam āsīt samudbhrāntaṃ droṇārjuna samāgame
 54 vidhunvānau tu tau vīrau dhanur ī bhārasādhane
     ācchāyadetām anyonyaṃ titakṣantau raṇeṣubhiḥ
 55 athāntarikṣe nādo 'bhūd droṇaṃ tatra praśaṃsatām
     duṣkaraṃ kṛtavān droṇo yad arjunam ayodhayat
 56 pramāthinaṃ mahāvīryaṃ dṛḍhamuṣṭiṃ durāsadam
     jetāraṃ deva daityānāṃ sarpāṇāṃ ca mahāratham
 57 aviśramaṃ ca śikṣāṃ ca lāghavaṃ dūrapātitām
     pārthasya samare dṛṣṭvā droṇasyābhūc ca vismayaḥ
 58 atha gāṇḍīvam udyamya divyaṃ dhanur amarṣaṇaḥ
     vicakarṣa raṇe pārtho bāhubhyāṃ bharatarṣabha
 59 tasya bāṇamayaṃ varṣaṃ śalabhānām ivāyatam
     na ca bāṇāntare vāyur asya śaknoti sarpitum
 60 aniśaṃ saṃdadhānasya śarān utsṛjatas tadā
     dadṛśe nāntaraṃ kiṃ cit pārthasyādadato 'pi ca
 61 tathā śīghrāstra yuddhe tu vartamāne sudāruṇe
     śīghrāc chīghrataraṃ pārthaḥ śarān anyān udīrayat
 62 tataḥ śatasahasrāṇi śarāṇāṃ nataparvaṇām
     yugapat prāpataṃs tatra droṇasya ratham antikāt
 63 avakīryamāṇe droṇe tu śarair gāṇḍīvadhanvanā
     hāhākāro mahān āsīt sainyānāṃ bharatarṣabha
 64 pāṇḍavasya tu śīghrāstraṃ maghavān samapūjayat
     gandharvāpsarasaś caiva ye ca tatra samāgatāḥ
 65 tato vṛndena mahatā rathānāṃ rathayūthapaḥ
     ācārya putraḥ sahasā pāṇḍavaṃ pratyavārayat
 66 aśvatthāmā tu tat karma hṛdayena mahātmanaḥ
     pūjayām āsa pārthasya kopaṃ cāsyākarod bhṛśam
 67 sa manyuvaśam āpannaḥ pārtham abhyadravad raṇe
     kirañ śarasahasrāṇi parjanya iva vṛṣṭimān
 68 āvṛtya tu mahābāhur yato drauṇis tato hayān
     antaraṃ pradadau pārtho droṇasya vyapasarpitum
 69 sa tu labdhvāntaraṃ tūrṇam apāyāj javanair hayaiḥ
     chinnavarma dhvajaḥ śūro nikṛttaḥ parameṣubhiḥ

SECTION LIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'After the Kauravas, O Bharata, had taken their stand in this order, Arjuna, filling the air with the rattle and din of his car, advanced quickly towards them. And the Kurus beheld his banner-top and heard the rattle and din of his car as also the twang of the Gandiva stretched repeatedly by him. And noting all this, and seeing that great car-warrior--the wielder of the Gandiva--come, Drona spoke thus, 'That is the banner-top of Partha which shineth at a distance, and this is the noise of his car, and that is the ape that roareth frightfully. Indeed, the ape striketh terror in the troops. And there stationed on that excellent car, the foremost of car-warriors draweth that best of bows, the Gandiva, whose twang is as loud as the thunder. Behold, these two shafts coming together fall at my feet, and two others pass off barely touching my ears. Completing the period of exile and having achieved many wonderful feats, Partha saluteth me and whispereth in my ears. Endued with wisdom and beloved of his relatives, this Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, is, indeed, beheld by us after a long time, blazing with beauty and grace. Possessed of car and arrows, furnished with handsome fences and quiver and conch and banner and coat of mail, decked with diadem and scimitar and bow, the son of Pritha shineth like the blazing (Homa) fire surrounded with sacrificial ladles and fed with sacrificial butter.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding the Kurus ready for battle, Arjuna addressing Matsya's son in words suitable to the occasion, said, 'O charioteer, restrain thou the steeds at such a point whence my arrows may reach the enemy. Meanwhile, let me see, where, in the midst of this army, is that vile wretch of the Kuru race. Disregarding all these, and singling out that vainest of princes I will fall upon his head, for upon the defeat of that wretch the others will regard themselves as defeated. There standeth Drona, and thereafter him his son. And there are those great bowmen--Bhishma and Kripa and Kama. I do not see, however, the king there. I suspect that anxious to save his life, he retreateth
p. 91
by the southern road, taking away with him the kine. Leaving this array of car-warriors, proceed to the spot where Suyodhana is. There will I fight, O son of Virata, for there the battle will not be fruitless, Defeating him I will come back, taking away the kine.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the son of Virata restrained the steeds with an effort and turned them by a pull at the bridle from the spot where those bulls of the Kuru race were, and urged them on towards the place where Duryodhana was. And as Arjuna went away leaving that thick array of cars, Kripa, guessing his intention, addressed his own comrades, saying, 'This Vibhatsu desireth not to take up his stand at a spot remote from the king. Let us quickly fall upon the flanks of the advancing hero. When inflamed with wrath, none else, unassisted, can encounter him in battle save the deity of a thousand eyes, or Krishna the son of Devaki. Of what use to us would the kine be or this vast wealth also, if Duryodhana were to sink, like a boat, in the ocean of Partha?' Meanwhile, Vibhatsu, having proceeded towards that division of the army, announced himself speedily by name, and covered the troops with his arrows thick as locusts. And covered with those countless shafts shot by Partha, the hostile warriors could not see anything, the earth itself and the sky becoming overwhelmed therewith. And the soldiers who had been ready for the fight were so confounded that none could even the flee from the field. And beholding the light-handedness of Partha they all applauded it mentally. And Arjuna then blew his conch which always made the bristles of the foe stand erect. And twanging his best of bows, he urged the creatures on his flagstaff to roar more frightfully. And at the blare of his conch and the rattle of his car-wheels, and the twang of the Gandiva, and the roar of the superhuman creatures stationed on his flagstaff, the earth itself began to tremble. And shaking their upraised tails and lowing together, the kine turned back, proceeding along the southern road.'"

Book 4
Chapter 54

1 [vai]
      taṃ pārthaḥ pratijagrāha vāyuvegam ivoddhatam
      śarajālena mahatā varṣamāṇam ivāmbudam
  2 tayor devāsurasamaḥ saṃnipāto mahān abhūt
      kiratoḥ śarajālāni vṛtravāsavayor iva
  3 na sma sūryas tadā bhāti na ca vāti samīraṇaḥ
      śaragāḍhe kṛte vyomni chāyā bhūte samantataḥ
  4 mahāṃś caṭa caṭā śabdo yodhayor hanyamānayoḥ
      dahyatām iva veṇūnām āsīt parapuraṃjaya
  5 hayān asyārjunaḥ sarvān kṛtavān alpajīvitān
      sa rājan an prajānāti diśaṃ kāṃ cana mohitaḥ
  6 tato drauṇir mahāvīryaḥ pārthasya vicariṣyataḥ
      vivaraṃ sūkṣmam ālokya jyāṃ ciccheda kṣureṇa ha
      tad asyāpūjayan devāḥ karma dṛṣṭvāti mānuṣam
  7 tato drauṇir dhanūṃṣy aṣṭau vyapakramya nararṣabham
      punar abhyāhanat pārthaṃ hṛdaye kaṅkapatribhiḥ
  8 tataḥ pārtho mahābāhuḥ prahasya svanavat tadā
      yojayām āsa navayā maurvyā gāṇḍīvam ojasā
  9 tato 'rdhacandram āvṛtya tena pārthaḥ samāgamat
      vāraṇeneva mattena matto vāraṇayūthapaḥ
  10 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ pṛthivyām ekavīrayoḥ
     raṇamadhye dvayor eva sumahal lomaharṣaṇam
 11 tau vīrau kuravaḥ sarve dadṛśur vismayānvitāḥ
     yudhyamānau mahātmānau yūthapāv iva saṃgatau
 12 tau samājaghnatur vīrāv anyonyaṃ puruṣarṣabhau
     śarair āśīviśākārair jvalad bhir iva pannagaiḥ
 13 akṣayyāv iṣudhī divyau pāṇḍavasya mahātmanaḥ
     tena pārtho raṇe śūras tasthau girir ivācalaḥ
 14 aśvatthāmnaḥ punar bāṇāḥ kṣipram abhyasyato raṇe
     jagmuḥ parikṣayaṃ śīghram abhūt tenādhiko 'rjunaḥ
 15 tataḥ karṇo mahac cāpaṃ vikṛṣyābhyadhikaṃ ruṣā
     avākṣipat tataḥ śabdo hāhākāro mahān abhūt
 16 tatra cakṣur dadhe pārtho yatra vispāryate dhanuḥ
     dadarśa tatra rādheyaṃ tasya kopo 'tyavīvṛdhat
 17 saroṣavaśam āpannaḥ karṇam eva jighāṃsayā
     avaikṣata vivṛttābhyāṃ netrābhyāṃ kurupuṃgavaḥ
 18 tathā tu vimukhe pārthe droṇaputrasya sāyakān
     tvaritāḥ puruṣā rājann upājahruḥ sahasraśaḥ
 19 utsṛjya ca mahābāhur droṇaputraṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ
     abhidudrāva sahasā karṇam eva sapatnajit
 20 tam abhidrutya kaunteyaḥ krodhasaṃraktalocanaḥ
     kāmayan dvairathe yuddham idaṃ vacanam abravīt

SECTION LIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having disorganised the hostile host by force and having recovered the kine, that foremost of bowmen, desirous of fighting again, proceeded towards Duryodhana. And beholding the kine running wild towards the city of the Matsyas, the foremost warriors of the Kurus regarded Kiritin to have already achieved success. And all of a sudden they fell upon Arjuna who was advancing towards Duryodhana. And beholding their countless divisions firmly arrayed in order of battle with countless banners waving over them, that slayer of foes, addressing the son of the king of the Matsyas, said, 'Urge on, to the best of their
p. 92
speed by this road, these white steeds decked with golden bridles. Strive thou well, for I would approach this crowd of Kuru lions. Like an elephant desiring an encounter with another, the Suta's son of wicked soul eagerly desireth a battle with me. Take me, O prince, to him who hath grown so proud under the patronage of Duryodhana. Thus addressed, the son of Virata by means of those large steeds endued with the speed of the wind and furnished with golden armour, broke that array of cars and took the Pandava into the midst of the battle-field. And seeing this those mighty car-warriors, Chitrasena and Sangramajit and Satrusaha and Jaya, desirous of aiding Karna, rushed with arrows and long shafts, towards the advancing hero of Bharata's race. Then that foremost of men, inflamed with wrath, began to consume by means of fiery arrows shot from his bow, that array of cars belonging to those bulls among the Kurus, like a tremendous conflagration consuming a forest. Then, when the battle began to rage furiously, the Kuru hero, Vikarna, mounted on his car, approached that foremost of car-warriors, Partha, the younger brother of Bhima,--showering upon him terrible shafts thick and long. Then cutting Vikarna's bow furnished with a tough string and horns overlaid with gold, Arjuna cut off his flagstaff. And Vikarna, beholding his flagstaff cut off, speedily took to flight. And after Vikarna's flight, Satruntapa, unable to repress his ire, began to afflict Partha, that obstructer of foes and achiever of super-human feats, by means of a perfect shower of arrows. And drowned, as it were, in the midst of the Kuru-array, Arjuna, pierced by that mighty car-warrior,--king Satruntapa--pierced the latter in return with five and then slew his car-driver with ten shafts, and pierced by that bull of the Bharata race with an arrow capable of cleaving the thickest coat of mail, Satruntapa fell dead on the field of battle, like a tree from a mountain-top torn up by the wind. And those brave bulls among men, mangled in battle by that braver bull among men, began to waver and tremble like mighty forests shaken by the violence of the wind that blows at the time of the universal dissolution. And struck in battle by Partha, the son of Vasava, those well-dressed heroes among men--those givers of wealth endued with the energy of Vasava--defeated and deprived of life, began to measure their lengths on the ground, like full-grown Himalayan elephants clad in mails of black steel decked with gold. And like unto a raging fire consuming a forest at the close of summer, that foremost of men, wielding the Gandiva, ranged the field in all directions, slaying his foes in battle thus. And as the wind rangeth at will, scattering masses of clouds and fallen leaves in the season of spring, so did that foremost of car-warriors--Kiritin--ranged in that battle, scattering all his foes before him. And soon slaying the red steeds yoked unto the car of Sangramajit, the brother of Vikatana's son, that hero decked in diadem and endued with great vigour then cut off his antagonist's head by a crescent-shaped arrow. And when his brother was slain, Vikartana's son of the Suta caste, mustering all his prowess, rushed at Arjuna, like a huge elephant with out-stretched tusks,
p. 93
or like a tiger at a mighty bull. And the son of Vikarna quickly pierced the son of Pandu with twelve shafts and all his steeds also in every part of their bodies and Virata's son too in his hand. And rushing impetuously against Vikarna's son who was suddenly advancing against him, Kiritin attacked him fiercely like Garuda of variegated plumage swooping down upon a snake. And both of them were foremost of bowmen, and both were endued with great strength, and both were capable of slaying foes. And seeing that an encounter was imminent between them, the Kauravas, anxious to witness it, stood aloof as lookers on. And beholding the offender Karna, the son of Pandu, excited to fury, and glad also at having him, soon made him, his horses, his car, and car-driver invisible by means of a frightful shower of countless arrows. And the warriors of the Bharatas headed by Bhishma, with their horses, elephants, and cars, pierced by Kiritin and rendered invisible by means of his shafts, their ranks also scattered and broken, began to wail aloud in grief. The illustrious and heroic Karna, however counteracting with numberless arrows of his own those shafts by Arjuna's hand, soon burst forth in view with bow and arrows like a blazing fire. And then there arose the sound of loud clapping of hands, with the blare of conchs and trumpets and kettle-drums made by the Kurus while they applauded Vikartana's son who filled the atmosphere with the sound of his bow-string flapping against his fence. And beholding Kiritin filling the air with the twang of Gandiva, and the upraised tail of the monkey that constituted his flag and that terrible creature yelling furiously from the top of his flagstaff, Karna sent forth a loud roar. And afflicting by means of his shafts, Vikartana's son along with his steeds, car and car-driver, Kiritin impetuously poured an arrowy shower on him, casting his eyes on the grandsire and Drona and Kripa. And Vikartana's son also poured upon Partha a heavy shower of arrows like a rain-charged cloud. And the diadem-decked Arjuna also covered Karna with a thick down-pour of keen-edged shafts. And the two heroes stationed on their cars, creating clouds of keen-edged arrows in a combat carried on by means of countless shafts and weapons, appeared to the spectators like the sun and the moon covered by clouds, and the light-handed Karna, unable to bear the sight of the foe, pierced the four horses of the diadem-decked hero with whetted arrows, and then struck his car-driver with three shafts, and his flagstaff also with three. Thus struck, that grinder of all adversaries in battle, that bull of the Kuru race, Jishnu wielding the Gandiva, like a lion awaked from slumber, furiously attacked Kama by means of straight-going arrows. And afflicted by the arrowy shower (of Karna), that illustrious achiever of super-human deeds soon displayed a thick shower of arrows in return. And he covered Karna's car with countless shafts like the sun covering the different worlds with rays. And like a lion attacked by an elephant, Arjuna, taking some keen crescent-shaped arrows from out of his quiver and drawing his bow to his ear, pierced the Suta's son on every part of his body. And that grinder of foes pierced Karna's arms and thighs and head and forehead
p. 94
and neck and other principal parts of his body with whetted shafts endued with the impetuosity of the thunderbolt and shot from the Gandiva in battle. And mangled and afflicted by the arrows shot by Partha the son of Pandu, Vikartana's son, quitted the van of battle, and quickly took to flight, like one elephant vanquished by another.'"

Book 4
Chapter 55

 1 [arj]
      karṇa yat te sabhāmadhye bahu vācā vikatthitam
      na me yudhi samo 'stīti tad idaṃ pratyupasthitam
  2 avocaḥ paruṣā vāco dharmam utsṛjya kevalam
      idaṃ tu duṣkaraṃ manye yad idaṃ te cikīrṣitam
  3 yat tvayā kathitaṃ pūrvaṃ mām anāsādya kiṃ cana
      tad adya kuru rādheya kurumadhye mayā saha
  4 yat sabhāyāṃ sma pāñcālīṃ liśyamānāṃ durātmabhiḥ
      dṛṣṭavān asi tasyādya phalam āpnuhi kevalam
  5 dharmapāśanibaddhena yan mayā marṣitaṃ purā
      tasya rādheya kopasya vijayaṃ paśya me mṛdhe
  6 ehi karṇa mayā sārdhaṃ pratipadyasva sāgaram
      prekṣakāḥ kuravaḥ sarve bhavantu saha sainikāḥ
  7 [karṇa]
      bravīṣi vācā yat pārtha karmaṇā tat samācara
      atiśete hi vai vācaṃ karmeti prathitaṃ bhuvi
  8 yat tvayā marṣitaṃ pūrvaṃ tad aśaktena marṣitam
      iti gṛhṇāmi tat pārtha tava dṛṣṭvāparākramam
  9 dharmapāśanibaddhena yadi te marṣitaṃ purā
      tathaiva baddham ātmānam abaddham iva manyase
  10 yadi tāvad vanevāsā yathoktaś caritas tvayā
     tat tvaṃ dharmārthavit kliṣṭaḥ samayaṃ bhettum icchasi
 11 yadi śakraḥ svayaṃ pārtha yudhyate tava kāraṇāt
     tathāpi na vyathā kā cin mama syād vikramiṣyataḥ
 12 ayaṃ kaunteya kāmas te nacirāt samupasthitaḥ
     yotsyase tvaṃ mayā sārdham adya drakṣyasi me balam
 13 [arj]
     idānīm eva tāvat tvam apayāto raṇān mama
     tena jīvasi rādheyanihatas tv anujas tava
 14 bhrātaraṃ ghātayitvā ca tyaktvā raṇaśiraś ca kaḥ
     tvadanyaḥ puruṣaḥ satsu brūyād evaṃ vyavasthitaḥ
 15 [vai]
     iti karṇaṃ bruvann eva bībhatsur aparājitaḥ
     abhyayād visṛjan bāṇān kāyāvaraṇa bhedinaḥ
 16 pratijagrāha tān karṇaḥ śarān agniśikhopamān
     śaravarṣeṇa mahatā varṣamāṇa ivāmbudaḥ
 17 utpetuḥ śarajālāni ghorarūpāṇi sarvaśaḥ
     avidhyad aśvān bāhoś ca hastāvāpaṃ pṛthak pṛthak
 18 so 'mṛṣyamāṇaḥ karṇasya niṣaṅgasyāvalambanam
     ciccheda niśitāgreṇa śareṇa nataparvaṇā
 19 upāsaṅgād upādāya karṇo bāṇān athāparān
     vivyādha pāṇḍavaṃ haste tasya muṣṭir aśīryata
 20 tataḥ pārtho mahābāhuḥ karṇasya dhanur acchinat
     sa śaktiṃ prāhiṇot tasmai tāṃ pārtho vyadhamac charaiḥ
 21 tato 'bhipetur bahavo rādheyasya padānugāḥ
     tāṃś ca gāṇḍīvanirmuktaiḥ prāhiṇod yamasādanam
 22 tato 'syāśvāñ śarais tīkṣṇair bībhatsur bhārasādhanaiḥ
     ā karṇa muktair abhyaghnaṃs te hatāḥ prāpatan bhuvi
 23 athāpareṇa bāṇena jvalitena mahābhujaḥ
     vivyādha karṇaṃ kaunteyas tīkṣṇenorasi vīryavān
 24 tasya bhittvā tanutrāṇaṃ kāyam abhyapatac chiraḥ
     tataḥ sa tamasāviṣṭo na sma kiṃ cit prajajñivān
 25 sa gāḍhavedano hitvā raṇaṃ prāyād udaṅmukhaḥ
     tato 'rjuna upākrośad uttaraś ca mahārathaḥ

SECTION LV

"Vaisampayana said, 'After the son of Radha had fled from the field, other warriors headed by Duryodhana, one after another, fell upon the son of Pandu with their respective divisions. And like the shore withstanding the fury of the surging sea, that warrior withstood the rage of that countless host rushing towards him, arrayed in order of battle and showering clouds of arrows. And that foremost of car-warriors, Kunti's son Vibhatsu of white steeds, rushed towards the foe, discharging celestial weapons all the while. Partha soon covered all the points of the horizon with countless arrows shot from the Gandiva, like the sun covering the whole earth with his rays. And amongst those that fought on cars and horses and elephants, and amongst the mail-clad foot-soldiers, there was none that had on his body a space of even two finger's breadth unwounded with sharp arrows. And for his dexterity in applying celestial weapons, and for the training of the steeds and the skill of Uttara, and for the coursing of his weapons, and his prowess and light-handedness, people began to regard Arjuna as the fire that blazeth forth during the time of the universal dissolution for consuming all created things. And none amongst the foe could cast his eyes on Arjuna who shone like a blazing fire of great effulgence. And mangled by the arrows of Arjuna, the hostile ranks looked like newly-risen clouds on the breast of a hill reflecting the solar rays, or like groves of Asoka trees resplendent with clusters of flowers. Indeed, afflicted by the arrows of Partha, the soldiers looked like these, or like a beautiful garland whose flowers gradually wither and drop away: And the all-pervading wind bore on its wings in the sky the torn flags and umbrellas of the hostile host. And affrighted at the havoc amongst their own ranks, the steeds fled in all directions, freed from their yokes by means of Partha's arrows and dragging after them broken portions of cars and elephants, struck on their ears and ribs and tusks and nether lips and other delicate parts of the body, began to drop down on the battle-field. And the earth, bestrewn in a short time with the corpses of elephants belonging to the Kauravas, looked like the sky overcast with masses of black clouds. And as that fire of blazing flames at the end of the yuga consumeth all perishable things of the world, both mobile and immobile, so did Partha,
p. 95
[paragraph continues] O king, consumeth all foes in battle. And by the energy of his weapons and the twang of his bow, and the preter-natural yells of the creatures stationed on his flagstaff, and the terrible roar of the monkey, and by the blast of his conch, that mighty grinder of foes, Vibhatsu, struck terror into the hearts of all the troops of Duryodhana. And the strength of every hostile warrior seemed, as it were, to be levelled to the dust at the very sight of Arjuna. And unwilling to commit the daring act of sin of slaying them that were defenceless, Arjuna suddenly fell back and attacked the army from behind by means of clouds of keen-edged arrows proceeding towards their aims like hawks let off by fowlers. And he soon covered the entire welkin with clusters of blood-drinking arrows. And as the (infinite) rays of the powerful sun, entering a small vessel, are contracted within it for want of space, so the countless shafts of Arjuna could not find space for their expansion even within the vast welkin. Foes were able to behold Arjuna's car, when near, only once, for immediately after, they were with their horses, sent to the other world. And as his arrows unobstructed by the bodies of foes always passed through them, so his car, unimpeded by hostile ranks, always passed through the latter. And, indeed, he began to toss about and agitate the hostile troops with great violence like the thousand-headed Vasuki sporting in the great ocean. And as Kiritin incessantly shot his shafts, the noise of the bow-string, transcending every sound, was so loud that the like of it had never been heard before by created beings. And the elephants crowding the field, their bodies pierced with (blazing) arrows with small intervals between looked like black clouds coruscated with solar rays. And ranging in all directions and shooting (arrows) right and left, Arjuna's bow was always to be seen drawn to a perfect circle. And the arrows of the wielder of the Gandiva never fell upon anything except the aim, even as the eye never dwelleth on anything that is not beautiful. And as the track of a herd of elephants marching through the forest is made of itself, so was the track was made of itself for the car of Kiritin. And struck and mangled by Partha, the hostile warriors thought that,--Verily, Indra himself, desirous of Partha's victory, accompanied by all the immortals is slaying us! And they also regarded Vijaya, who was making a terrible slaughter around, to be none else than Death himself who having assumed the form of Arjuna, was slaying all creatures. And the troops of the Kurus, struck by Partha, were so mangled and shattered that the scene looked like the achievement of Partha himself and could be compared with nothing else save what was observable in Partha's combats. And he severed the heads of foes, even as reapers cut off the tops of deciduous herbs. And the Kurus all lost their energy owing to the terror begot of Arjuna. And tossed and mangled by the Arjuna-gale, the forest of Arjuna's foes reddened the earth with purple secretions. And the dust mixed with blood, uplifted by the wind, made the very rays of the sun redder still. And soon the sun-decked sky became so red that it looked very much like the evening. Indeed, the sun ceaseth to
p. 96
shed his rays as soon as he sets, but the son of Pandu ceased not to shoot his shafts. And that hero of inconceivable energy overwhelmed, by means of all celestial weapons, all the great bowmen of the enemy, although they were possessed of great prowess. And Arjuna then shot three and seventy arrows of sharp points at Drona, and ten at Dussaha and eight at Drona's son, and twelve at Dussasana, and three at Kripa, the son of Saradwat. And that slayer of foes pierced Bhishma, the son of Santanu, with arrows, and king Duryodhana with a hundred. And, lastly, he pierced Karna in the ear with a bearded shaft. And when that great bowmen Karna, skilled in all weapons, was thus pierced, and his horses and car and car-driver were all destroyed, the troops that supported him began to break. And beholding those soldiers break and give way the son of Virata desirous of knowing Partha's purpose, addressed him on the field of battle, and said, 'O Partha, standing on this beautiful car, with myself as charioteer, towards which division shall I go? For, commanded by thee, I would soon take thee thither.'
"Arjuna replied, 'O Uttara, yonder auspicious warrior whom thou seest cased in coat of tiger-skin and stationed on his car furnished with a blue-flag and drawn by red steeds, is Kripa. There is to be seen the van of Kripa's division. Take me thither. I shall show that great bowman my swift-handedness in archery. And that warrior whose flag beareth the device of an elegant water-pot worked in gold, is the preceptor Drona--that foremost of all wielders of weapons. He is always an object of regard with me, as also with all bearers of arms. Do thou, therefore, circumambulate that great hero cheerfully. Let us bend our heads there, for that is the eternal virtue. If Drona strikes my body first, then I shall strike him, for then he will not be able to resent it. There, close to Drona, that warrior whose flag beareth the device of a bow, is the preceptor's son, the great car-warrior Aswatthaman, who is always an object of regard with me as also with every bearer of arms. Do thou, therefore, stop again and again, while thou comest by his car. There, that warrior who stayeth on his car, cased in golden mail and surrounded by a third part of the army consisting of the most efficient troops, and whose flag beareth the device of an elephant in a ground of gold, is the illustrious king Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra. O hero, take before him this thy car that is capable of grinding hostile cars. This king is difficult of being vanquished in battle and is capable of grinding all foes. He is regarded as the first of all Drona's disciples in lightness of hand. I shall, in battle, show him my superior swiftness in archery. There, that warrior whose flag beareth the device of a stout chord for binding elephants, is Karna, the son of Vikartana, already known to thee. When thou comest before that wicked son of Radha, be thou very careful, for he always challengeth me to an encounter. And that warrior whose flag is blue and beareth the device of five stars with a sun (in the centre), and who endued with great energy stayeth on his car holding a huge bow in hand and wearing excellent fences, and over whose head is an umbrella of pure
p. 97
white, who standeth at the head of a multitudinous array of cars with various flags and banners like the sun in advance of masses of black clouds, and whose mail of gold looks bright as the sun or the moon, and who with his helmet of gold striketh terror into my heart, is Bhishma, the son of Santanu and the grandsire of us all. Entertained with regal splendour by Duryodhana, he is very partial and well-affected towards that prince. Let him be approached last of all, for he may, even now, be an obstacle to me. While fighting with me, do thou carefully guide the steeds. Thus addressed by him, Virata's son, O king, guided Savyasachin's car with great alacrity towards the spot where Kripa stood anxious to fight.'"

Book 4
Chapter 56

 1 [vai]
      tato vaikartanaṃ jitvā pārtho vairāṭim abravīt
      etan māṃ prāpayānīkaṃ yatra tālo hiraṇmayaḥ
  2 atra śāṃtanavo bhīṣmo rathe 'smākaṃ pitāmahaḥ
      kāṅkṣamāṇo mayā yuddhaṃ tiṣṭhaty amara darśanaḥ
      ādāsyāmy aham etasya dhanurjyām api cāhave
  3 asyantaṃ divyam astraṃ māṃ citram adya niśāmaya
      śatahradām ivāyāntīṃ stanayitnor ivāmbare
  4 suvarṇapṛṣṭhaṃ gāṇḍīvaṃ drakṣyanti kuravo mama
      dakṣiṇenātha vāmena katareṇa svid asyati
      iti māṃ saṃgatāḥ sarve tarkayiṣyanti śatravaḥ
  5 śoṇitodāṃ rathāvartāṃ nāganakrāṃ duratyayām
      nadīṃ prasyandayiṣyāmi paralokapravāhinīm
  6 pāṇipādaśiraḥ pṛṣṭhabāhuśākhā nirantaram
      vanaṃ kurūṇāṃ chetsyāmi bhallaiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
  7 jayataḥ kauravīṃ senām ekasya mama dhanvinaḥ
      śataṃ mārgā bhaviṣyanti pāvakasyeva kānane
      mayā cakram ivāviddhaṃ sainyaṃ drakṣyasi kevalam
  8 asaṃbhrānto rathe tiṣṭha sameṣu viṣameṣu ca
      divām āvṛtya tiṣṭhantaṃ giriṃ bhetsyāmi dhāribhiḥ
  9 aham indrasya vacanāt saṃgrāme 'bhyahanaṃ purā
      paulomān kālakhañjāṃś ca sahasrāṇi śatāni ca
  10 aham indrād dṛḍhāṃ muṣṭiṃ brahmaṇaḥ kṛtahastatām
     pragāḍhaṃ tumulaṃ citram atividdhaṃ prajāpateḥ
 11 ahaṃ pāre samudrasya hiraṇyapuram ārujam
     jitvā ṣaṣṭisahasrāṇi rathinām ugradhanvinām
 12 dhvajavṛkṣaṃ pattitṛṇaṃ rathasiṃhagaṇāyutam
     vanam ādīpayiṣyāmi kurūṇām astratejasā
 13 tān ahaṃ rathanīḍebhyaḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     ekaḥ saṃkālayiṣyāmi vajrapāṇir ivāsurān
 14 raudraṃ rudrād ahaṃ hy astraṃ vāruṇaṃ varuṇād api
     astram āgneyam agneś ca vāyavyaṃ mātariśvanaḥ
     vajrādīni tathāstrāṇi śakrād aham avāptavān
 15 dhārtarāṣṭra vanaṃ ghoraṃ narasiṃhābhirakṣitam
     aham utpāṭayiṣyāmi vairāṭe vyetu te bhayam
 16 evam āśvāsitas tena vairāṭiḥ savyasācinā
     vyagāhata rathānīkaṃ bhīmaṃ bhīṣmasya dhīmataḥ
 17 tam āyāntaṃ mahābāhuṃ jigīṣantaṃ raṇe parān
     abhyavārayad avyagraḥ krūrakarmā dhanaṃjayam
 18 taṃ citramālyābharaṇāḥ kṛtavidyā manasvinaḥ
     āgacchan bhīmadhanvānaṃ maurvīṃ paryasya bāhubhiḥ
 19 duḥśāsano vikarṇaś ca duḥsaho 'tha viviṃśatiḥ
     āgatya bhīmadhanvānaṃ bībhatsuṃ paryavārayan
 20 duḥśāsanas tu bhallena viddhvā vairāṭim uttaram
     dvitīyenārjunaṃ vīraḥ pratyavidhyat stanāntare
 21 tasya jiṣṇur upāvṛtya pṛthu dhāreṇa kārmukam
     cakarta gārdhrapatreṇa jātarūpapariṣkṛtam
 22 athainaṃ pañcabhiḥ paścāt pratyavidhyat stanāntare
     so 'payāto raṇaṃ hitvā pārtha bāṇaprapīḍitaḥ
 23 taṃ vikarṇaḥ śarais tīkṣṇair gārdhrapatrair ajihma gaiḥ
     vivyādha paravīra ghnam arjunaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭra jaḥ
 24 tatas tam api kaunteyaḥ śareṇānataparvaṇā
     lalāṭe 'bhyahanat tūrṇaṃ sa viddhaḥ prāpatad rathāt
 25 tataḥ pārtham abhidrutya duḥsahaḥ sa viviṃśatiḥ
     avākirac charais tīkṣṇaiḥ parīpsan bhrātaraṃ raṇe
 26 tāv ubhau gārdhrapatrābhyāṃ niśitābhyāṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ
     viddhvā yugapad avyagras tayor vāhān asūdayat
 27 tau hatāśvau vividdhāṅgau dhṛtarāṣṭrātma jāv ubhau
     abhipatya rathair anyair apanītau padānugaiḥ
 28 sarvā diśaś cābhyapatad bībhatsur aparājitaḥ
     kirīṭamālī kaunteyo labdhalakṣo mahābalaḥ

SECTION LVI

"Vaisampayana said, 'And the ranks of those fierce bowmen, the Kurus, looked like masses of clouds in the rainy season drifting before a gentle wind. And close (to those ranks of foot-soldiers) stood the enemy's horses ridden by terrible warriors. And there were also elephants of terrible mien, looking resplendent in beautiful armour, ridden by skilled combatants and urged on with iron crows and hooks. And, O king, mounted on a beautiful car, Sakra came there accompanied by the celestials,--the Viswas and Maruts. And crowded with gods, Yakshas, Gandharvas and Nagas, the firmament looked as resplendent as it does when bespangled with the planetary constellation in a cloudless night. And the celestials came there, each on his own car, desirous of beholding the efficacy of their weapons in human warfare, and for witnessing also the fierce and mighty combat that would take place when Bhishma and Arjuna would meet. And embellished with gems of every kind and capable of going everywhere at the will of the rider, the heavenly car of the lord of the celestials, whose roof was upheld by a hundred thousand pillars of gold with (a central) one made entirely of jewels and gems, was conspicuous in the clear sky. And there appeared on the scene three and thirty gods with Vasava (at their head), and (many) Gandharvas and Rakshasas and Nagas and Pitris, together with the great Rishis. And seated on the car of the lord of the celestials, appeared the effulgent persons of king, Vasumanas and Valakshas and Supratarddana, and Ashtaka and Sivi and Yayati and Nahusha and Gaya and Manu and Puru and Raghu and Bhanu and Krisaswa and Sagara and Nala. And there shone in a splendid array, each in its proper place the cars of Agni and Isa and Soma and Varuna and Prajapati and Dhatri and Vidhatri and Kuvera and Yama, and Alamvusha and Ugrasena and others, and of the Gandharva Tumburu. And all the celestials and the Siddhas, and
p. 98
all the foremost of sages came there to behold that encounter between Arjuna and the Kurus. And the sacred fragrance of celestial garlands filled the air like that of blossoming woods at the advent of spring. And the red and reddish umbrellas and robes and garlands and chamaras of the gods, as they were stationed there, looked exceedingly beautiful. And the dust of the earth soon disappeared and (celestial) effulgence lit up everything. And redolent of divine perfumes, the breeze began to soothe the combatants. And the firmament seemed ablaze and exceedingly beautiful, decked with already arrived and arriving cars of handsome and various make, all illumined with diverse sorts of jewels, and brought thither by the foremost of the celestials. And surrounded by the celestials, and wearing a garland of lotuses and lilies the powerful wielder of the thunderbolt looked exceedingly beautiful on his car. And the slayer of Vala, although he steadfastly gazed at his son on the field of battle, was not satiated with such gazing,'"

Book 4
Chapter 57

1 [vai]
      atha saṃgamya sarve tu kauravāṇāṃ mahārathāḥ
      arjunaṃ sahitā yattāḥ pratyayudhyanta bhārata
  2 sa sāyakamayair jālaiḥ sarvatas tān mahārathān
      prāchādayad ameyātmā nīhāra iva parvatān
  3 narad bhiś ca mahānāgair heṣamāṇaiś ca vājibhiḥ
      bherīśaṅkhaninādaiś ca sa śabdas tumulo 'bhavat
  4 narāśvakāyān nirbhidya lohāni kavacāni ca
      pārthasya śarajālāni viniṣpetuḥ sahasraśaḥ
  5 tvaramāṇaḥ śarān asyān pāṇḍavaḥ sa babhau raṇe
      madhyaṃdinagato 'rciṣmān pāṇḍavaḥ sa babhau raṇe
  6 upaplavanta vitrastā rathebhyo rathinas tadā
      sādinaś cāśvapṛṣṭhebhyo bhūmau cāpi padātayaḥ
  7 śaraiḥ saṃtāḍyamānānāṃ kavacānāṃ mahātmanām
      tāmrarājatalohānāṃ prādurāsīn mahāsvanaḥ
  8 channam āyodhanaṃ sarvaṃ śarīrair gatacetasām
      gajāśvasādibhis tatra śitabāṇātta jīvitaiḥ
  9 rathopasthābhipatitair āstṛtā mānavair mahī
      pranṛtyad iva saṃgrāme cāpahasto dhanaṃjayaḥ
  10 śrutvā gāṇḍīvanirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitam ivāśaneḥ
     trastāni sarvabhūtāni vyagacchanta mahāhavāt
 11 kuṇḍaloṣṇīṣa dhārīṇi jātarūpasrajāni ca
     patitāni sma dṛśyante śirāṃsi raṇamūrdhani
 12 viśikhonmathitair gātrair bāhubhiś ca sa kārmukaiḥ
     sa hastābharaṇaiś cānyaiḥ pracchannā bhāti medinī
 13 śirasāṃ pātyamānānām antarā niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     aśvavṛṣṭir ivākāśād abhavad bharatarṣabha
 14 darśayitvā tathātmānaṃ raudraṃ rudra parākramaḥ
     avaruddhaś caran pārtho daśavarṣāṇi trīṇi ca
     krodhāgnim utsṛjad ghoraṃ dhārtarāṣṭreṣu pāṇḍavaḥ
 15 tasya tad dahataḥ sainyaṃ dṛṣṭvā caiva parākramam
     sarve śānti parā yodhā dhārtarāṣṭrasya paśyataḥ
 16 vitrāsayitvā tat sainyaṃ drāvayitvā mahārathān
     arjuno jayatāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ paryavartata bhārata
 17 prāvartayan nadīṃ ghorāṃ śoṇitaughataraṅgiṇīm
     asthi śaivalasaṃbādhāṃ yugānte kālanirmitām
 18 śaracāpa plavāṃ ghorāṃ māṃsaśoṇitakardamām
     mahārathamahādvīpāṃ śaṅkhadundubhinisvanām
     cakāra mahatīṃ pārtho nadīm uttaraśoṇitām
 19 ādadānasya hi śarān saṃdhāya ca vimuñcataḥ
     vikarṣataś ca gāṇḍīvaṃ na kiṃ cid dṛśyate 'ntaram

SECTION LVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Beholding the army of the Kurus arrayed in order of battle, that descendant of the Kuru race, Partha, addressing Virata's son, said, 'Do thou proceed to the spot where Kripa, the son of Saradwat, is going by the southern side of that car whose flag is seen to bear the device of a golden altar.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Dhananjaya, the son of Virata urged, without a moment's delay, those steeds of silvery hue decked in golden armour. And making them adopt, one after another, every kind of the swifter paces, he urged those fiery steeds resembling the moon in colour. And versed in horse-lore, Uttara, having approached the Kuru host, turned back those steeds endued with the speed of the wind. And skilled in guiding vehicles, the prince of Matsya, sometimes wheeling about, and sometimes proceeding in circular mazes, and sometimes turning to the left, began to be wilder the Kurus. And wheeling round, the intrepid and mighty son of Virata at last approached the car of Kripa, and stood confronting him. Then announcing his own name, Arjuna powerfully blew that best of conchs called Devadatta, of loud blare. And blown on the field of battle by the mighty Jishnu, the blare of that conch was heard like the splitting of a mountain. And seeing that the conch did not break into a hundred fragments when blown by Arjuna, the Kurus with all their warriors began to applaud it highly. And having reached the very heavens, that sound coming back was heard even like the crash of the thunderbolt hurled by Maghavat on the mountain breast. Thereupon that heroic and intrepid and mighty
p. 99
car-warrior, Saradwat's son Kripa, endued with strength and prowess, waxing wroth at Arjuna, and unable to bear that sound and eager for fight, took up his own sea-begotten conch and blew it vehemently. And filling the three worlds with that sound, that foremost of car-warriors took up a large bow and twanged the bow-string powerfully. And those mighty car-warriors, equal unto two suns, standing opposed to each other, shone like two masses of autumnal clouds. Then Saradwat's son quickly pierced Partha, that slayer of hostile heroes, with ten swift and whetted arrows capable of entering into the very vitals. And Pritha's son also, on his part, drawing that foremost of weapons, the Gandiva, celebrated over the world, shot innumerable iron-arrows, all capable of penetrating into the very core of the body. Thereupon Kripa, by means of whetted shafts, cut into hundreds and thousands of fragments, those blood-drinking arrows of Partha before they could come up. Then that mighty car-warrior, Partha also, in wrath displaying various manoeuvres, covered all sides with a shower of arrows. And covering the entire welkin with his shafts, that mighty warrior of immeasurable soul, the son of Pritha, enveloped Kripa with hundred of shafts. And sorely afflicted by those whetted arrows resembling flames of fire, Kripa waxed wroth and quickly afflicting the high-souled Partha of immeasurable prowess with ten thousand shafts, set up on the field of battle a loud roar. Then the heroic Arjuna quickly pierced the four steeds of his adversary with four fatal arrows shot from the Gandiva, sharp and straight, and furnished with golden wings. And pierced by means of those whetted arrows resembling flames of fire those steeds suddenly reared themselves, and in consequence Kripa reeled off his place. And seeing Gautama thrown off his place, the slayer of hostile heroes, the descendant of the Kuru race, out of regard for his opponent's dignity, ceased to discharge his shafts at him. Then regaining his proper place, Gautama quickly pierced Savyasachin with ten arrows furnished with feathers of the Kanka bird. Then with a crescent-shaped arrow of keen edge, Partha cut off Kripa's bow and leathern fences. And soon Partha cut off Kripa's coat of mail also by means of arrows capable of penetrating the very vitals, but he did not wound his person. And divested of his coat of mail, his body resembled that of a serpent which hath in season cast off its slough. And as soon as his bow had been cut off by Partha, Gautama took up another and stringed it in a trice. And strange to say, that bow of him was also cut off by Kunti's son, by means of straight shafts. And in this way that slayer of hostile heroes, the son of Pandu, cut off other bows as soon as they were taken up, one after another, by Saradwat's son. And when all his bows were thus cut off, that mighty hero hurled, from his car, at Pandu's son, a javelin like unto the blazing thunderbolt. Thereupon, as the gold-decked javelin came whizzing through the air with the flash of a meteor, Arjuna cut it off by means of ten arrows. And beholding his dart thus cut off by the intelligent Arjuna, Kripa quickly took up another bow and almost
p. 100
simultaneously shot a number of crescent-shaped arrows. Partha, however, quickly cut them into fragments by means of ten keen-edged shafts, and endued with great energy, the son of Pritha then, inflamed with wrath on the field of battle, discharged three and ten arrows whetted on stone and resembling flames of fire. And with one of these he cut off the yoke of his adversary's car, and with four pierced his four steeds, and with the sixth he severed the head of his antagonist's car-driver from off his body. And with three that mighty car-warrior pierced, in that encounter, the triple bamboo-pole of Kripa's car and with two, its wheels. And with the twelfth arrow he cut off Kripa's flagstaff. And with the thirteenth Falguni, who was like Indra himself as if smiling in derision, pierced Kripa in the breast. Then with his bow cut off, his car broken, his steeds slain, his car-driver killed, Kripa leapt down and taking up a mace quickly hurled it at Arjuna. But that heavy and polished mace hurled by Kripa was sent back along its course, struck by means of Arjuna's arrows. And then the warriors (of Kripa's division), desirous of rescuing wrathful son of Saradwat encountered Partha from all sides and covered him with their arrows. Then the son of Virata, turning the steed to the left began to perform circuitous evolution called Yamaka and thus withstood all those warriors. And those illustrious bulls among men, taking Kripa with them who had been deprived of his car, led him away from the vicinity of Dhananiaya, the son of Kunti.'"

Book 4
Chapter 58

1 [vai]
      atha duryodhanaḥ karṇo duḥśāsanaviviṃśatī
      droṇaś ca saha putreṇa kṛpaś cātiratho raṇe
  2 punar īyuḥ susaṃrabdhā dhanaṃjaya jighāṃsayā
      visphārayantaś cāpānibalavanti dṛḍhāni ca
  3 tān prakīrṇapatākena rathenādityavarcasā
      pratyudyayau mahārājan samastān vānaradhvajaḥ
  4 tataḥ kṛpaś ca karṇaś ca droṇaś ca rathināṃ varaḥ
      taṃ mahāstrair mahāvīryaṃ parivārya dhanaṃjayam
  5 śaraughān samyag asyanto jīmūtā iva vārṣikāḥ
      vavarṣuḥ śaravarṣāṇi prapatantaṃ kirīṭinam
  6 iṣubhir bahubhis tūrṇaṃ samare lomavāhibhiḥ
      adūrāt paryavasthāya pūrayām āsur ādṛtāḥ
  7 tathāvakīrṇasya hi tair divyair astraiḥ samantataḥ
      na tasya dvyaṅgulam api vivṛtaṃ samadṛśyata
  8 tataḥ prahasya bībhatsur divyam aindraṃ mahārathaḥ
      astram ādityasaṃkāśaṃ gāṇḍīve samayojayat
  9 sa raśmibhir ivādityaḥ pratapan samare balī
      kirīṭamālī kaunteyaḥ sarvān prācchādayat kurūn
  10 yathābalāhake vidyūt pāvako vā śiloccaye
     tathā gāṇḍīvam abhavad indrāyudham ivātatam
 11 yathā varṣati parjanye vidyud vibhrājate divi
     tathā daśa diśaḥ sarvāḥ patad gāṇḍīvam āvṛṇot
 12 trastāś ca rathinaḥ sarve babhūvus tatra sarvaśaḥ
     sarve śānti parā bhūtvā svacittāni na lebhire
     saṃgrāmavimukhāḥ sarve yodhās te hatacetasaḥ
 13 evaṃ sarvāṇi sainyāni bhagnāni bharatarṣabha
     prādravanta diśaḥ sarvā nirāśāni svajīvite

SECTION LVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'After Kripa had thus been taken away, the invincible Drona of red steeds, taking up his bow to which he had already stringed an arrow, rushed towards Arjuna of white steeds. And beholding at no great distance from him the preceptor advancing on his golden car, Arjuna that foremost of victorious warriors, addressing Uttara, said, 'Blessed be thou, O friend, carry me before that warrior on whose high banner-top is seen a golden altar resembling a long flame of fire and decked with numerous flags placed around, and whose car is drawn by steeds that are red and large, exceedingly handsome and highly-trained, of face pleasant and of quiet mien, and like unto corals in colour and with faces of coppery hue, for that warrior is Drona with whom I desire to fight. Of long arms and endued with mighty energy possessed of strength and beauty of person, celebrated over all the worlds for his prowess, resembling Usanas himself in intelligence and Vrihaspati in knowledge of morality, he is conversant with the four Vedas and devoted to the practice of Brahmacharya virtues. O friend, the use of the celestial
p. 101
weapons together with the mysteries of their withdrawal and the entire-science of weapons, always reside in him. Forgiveness, self-control, truth, abstention from injury, rectitude of conduct,--these and countless other virtues always dwell in that regenerate one. I desire to fight with that highly-blessed one on the field. Therefore, take me before the preceptor and carry me thither, O Uttara.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Arjuna, Virata's son urged his steeds decked with gold towards the car of Bharadwaja's son. And Drona also rushed towards the impetuously advancing Partha, the son of Pandu,--that foremost of car-warriors,--like an infuriate elephant rushing towards an infuriate compeer. And the son of Bharadwaja then blew his conch whose blare resembled that of a hundred trumpets. And at that sound the whole army become agitated like the sea in a tempest. And beholding those excellent steeds red in hue mingling in battle with Arjuna's steeds of swan-like whiteness endued with the speed of the mind, all the spectators were filled with wonder. And seeing on the field of battle those car-warriors--the preceptor Drona and his disciple Partha--both endued with prowess, both invincible, both well-trained, both possessed of great energy and great strength, engaged with each other, that mighty host of the Bharatas began to tremble frequently. And that mighty car-warrior Partha, possessed of great prowess and filled with joy upon reaching Drona's car on his own, saluted the preceptor. And that slayer of hostile heroes, the mighty armed son of Kunti, then addressed Drona in an humble and sweet tone, saying, 'Having completed our exile in the woods, we are now desirous of avenging our wrongs. Even invincible in battle, it doth not behove thee to be angry with us. O sinless one, I will not strike thee unless thou strikest me first. Even this is my intention. It behoveth thee to act as thou choosest.' Thus addressed Drona discharged at him more than twenty arrows. But the light-handed Partha cut them off before they could reach him. And at this, the mighty Drona, displaying his lightness of hand in the use of weapons, covered Partha's car with a thousand arrows. And desirous of angering, Partha, that hero of immeasurable soul, then covered his steeds of silvery whiteness with arrows whetted on stone and winged with the feathers of the Kanka bird. And when the battle between Drona and Kiritin thus commenced, both of them discharging in the encounter arrows of blazing splendour, both well-known for their achievements, both equal to the wind itself in speed, both conversant with celestial weapons, and both endued with mighty energy, began shooting clouds of arrows to bewilder the royal Kshatriyas. And all the warriors that were assembled there were filled with wonder at sight of all this. And they all admired Drona who quickly shot clouds of arrows exclaiming,--Well done! Well done! Indeed, who else save Falguna, is worthy of fighting with Drona in battle? Surely the duties of a Kshatriya are stern, for Arjuna fighteth with even his own preceptor!--And it was thus that they who stood on the field of battle said unto one another. And inflamed with
p. 102
fire, those mighty-armed heroes standing before other, and each incapable of overcoming the other, covered each other with arrowy showers. And Bharadwaja's son, waxing worth, drew his large and unconquerable bow plated on the back with gold, and pierced Falguna with his arrows. And discharging at Arjuna's car innumerable whetted arrows possessed of solar effulgence, he entirely shrouded the light of the sun. And that great car-warrior of mighty arms, violently pierced Pritha's son with keen-edged shafts even as the clouds shower upon a mountain. Then taking up that foremost of bows, the Gandiva, destructive of foes and capable of withstanding the greatest strain, the impetuous son of Pandu cheerfully discharged countless shafts of various kinds adorned with gold, and that powerful warrior also baffled in a moment Drona's arrowy shower by means of those shafts shot from his own bow. And at this the spectators wondered greatly. And the handsome Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, ranging on his car, displayed his weapons on all sides at the same time. And the entire welkin covered with his arrows, became one wide expanse of shade. And at this Drona become invisible like the sun enveloped in mist. And shrouded by those excellent arrows on all sides, Drona looked like a mountain on fire. And beholding his own car completely enveloped by the arrows of Pritha's son, Drona that ornament of battle, bent his terrible and foremost of bows whose noise was as loud as that of the clouds. And drawing that first of weapons, which was like unto a circle of fire, he discharged a cloud of keen-edged shafts. And then there were heard on the field loud sounds like the splitting of bamboos set on fire. And that warrior of immeasurable soul, shooting from his bow arrows furnished with golden wings, covered all sides, shrouding the very light of the sun. And those arrows with knots well-peeled off, and furnished with golden wings, looked like flocks of birds in the sky. And the arrows discharged by Drona from his bow, touching one another at the wings, appeared like one endless line in the sky. And those heroes, thus discharging their arrows decked with gold, seemed to cover the sky with showers of meteors. And furnished with feathers of the Kanka bird, those arrows looked like rows of cranes ranging in the autumnal sky. And the fierce and terrible encounter that took place between the illustrious Drona and Arjuna resembled that between Virata and Vasava of old. And discharging arrows at each other from bows drawn at their fullest stretch, they resembled two elephants assailing each other with their tusks. And those wrathful warriors--those ornaments of battle--fighting strictly according to established usage, displayed in that conflict various celestial weapons in due order. Then that foremost of victorious men, Arjuna, by means of his keen shafts resisted the whetted arrows shot by that best of preceptors. And displaying before the spectators various weapons, that hero of terrible prowess covered the sky with various kinds of arrows. And beholding that tiger among men, Arjuna, endued with fierce energy and intent upon striking him, that foremost of warriors and best of preceptors (from affection) began to
p. 103
fight with him playfully by means of smooth and straight arrows. And Bharadwaja's son fought on with Falguna, resisting with his own the celestial weapons shot by the former. And the fight that took place between those enraged lions among men, incapable of bearing each other, was like unto encounter between the gods and the Danavas. And the son of Pandu repeatedly baffled with his own, the Aindra, the Vayavya, and the Agneya weapons that were shot by Drona. And discharging keen shafts, those mighty bowmen, by their arrowy showers completely covered the sky and made a wide expanse of shade. And then the arrows shot by Arjuna, falling on the bodies of hostile warriors, produced the crash of thunderbolt. O king, elephants, cars, and horses, bathed in blood, looked like Kinsuka trees crowned with flowers. And in that encounter between Drona and Arjuna, beholding the field covered with arms decked with bangles, and gorgeously-attired car-warriors, and coats of mail variegated with gold, and with banners lying scattered all about, and with warriors slain by means of Partha's arrows, the Kuru host became panic-stricken. And shaking their bows capable of bearing much strain, those combatants began to shroud and weaken each other with their shafts. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the encounter that took place between Drona and Kunti's son was dreadful in the extreme and resembled that between Vali and Vasava. And staking their very lives, they began to pierce each other straight arrows shot from their fully-stretched bow-strings. And a voice was heard in the sky applauding Drona, and saying, 'Difficult is the feat performed by Drona, inasmuch as he fighteth with Arjuna,--that grinder of foes, that warrior endued with mighty energy, of firm grasp, and invincible in battle,--that conqueror of both celestials and Daityas, that foremost of all car-warriors.' And beholding Partha's infallibility, training, fleetness of hand, and the range also of Arjuna's, arrows, Drona became amazed. And, O bull of the Bharata race, lifting up his excellent bow, the Gandiva the unforbearing Partha drew it now with one hand and now with another shot an arrowy shower. And beholding that shower resembling a flight of locusts, the spectators wondering applauded him exclaiming, 'Excellent'! 'Excellent'! And so ceaselessly did he shoot his arrows that the very air was unable to penetrate the thick array. And the spectators could not perceive any interval between the taking up of the arrows and letting them off. And in that fierce encounter characterised by lightness of hand in the discharge of weapons, Partha began to shoot his arrows more quickly than before. And then all at once hundreds and thousands of straight arrows fell upon Drona's car. And, O bull of the Bharata race, beholding Drona completely covered by the wielder of the Gandiva with his arrows, the Kuru army set up exclamation of 'Oh'! and 'Alas'! And Maghavat, together with those Gandharvas and Apsaras that have come there, applauded the fleetness of Partha's hand. And that mighty car-warrior, the preceptor's son, then resisted the Pandva with a mighty array of cars. And although enraged with Arjuna, yet Aswatthaman
p. 104
mentally admired that feat of the high-souled son of Pritha. And waxing wroth, he rushed towards Partha, and discharged at him an arrowy shower like a heavy down-pour by the cloud. And turning his steeds towards Drona's son, Partha gave Drona an opportunity to leave the field. And thereupon the latter, wounded in that terrible encounter, and his mail and banner gone sped away by the aid of swift horses.'"

Book 4
Chapter 59

 1 [vai]
      tataḥ śāṃtanavo bhīṣmo durādharṣaḥ pratāpavān
      vadhyamāneṣu yodheṣu dhanaṃjayam upādravat
  2 pragṛhya kārmukaśreṣṭhaṃ jātarūpapariṣkṛtam
      śarān ādāya tīkṣṇāgnān marmabheda pramāthinaḥ
  3 pāṇḍureṇātapatreṇa dhriyamāṇena mūrdhani
      śuśubhe sa naravyāghro giriḥ sūryodaye yathā
  4 pradhmāya śaṅkhaṃ gāṅgeyo dhārtarāṣṭrān praharṣayan
      pradakṣiṇam upāvṛtya bībhatsuṃ samavārayat
  5 tam udvīkṣya tathāyāntaṃ kaunteyaḥ paravīra hā
      pratyagṛhṇāt prahṛṣṭātmā dhārā dharam ivācalaḥ
  6 tato bhīṣmaḥ śarān aṣṭau dhvaje pārthasya vīryavān
      samaparyan mahāvegāñ śvasamānān ivoragān
  7 te dhvajaṃ pāṇḍuputrasya samāsādya patatriṇaḥ
      jvalantaḥ kapim ājaghnur dhvajāgra nilayāṃś ca tān
  8 tato bhallena mahatā pṛthu dhāreṇa pāṇḍavaḥ
      chatraṃ ciccheda bhīṣmasya tūrṇaṃ tad apatad bhuvi
  9 dhvajaṃ caivāsya kaunteyaḥ śarair abhyahanad dṛḍham
      śīghrakṛd rathavāhāṃś ca tathobhau pārṣṇisārathī
  10 tayos tad abhavad yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam
     bhīṣmasya saha pārthena balivāsavayor iva
 11 bhallair bhallāḥ samāgamya bhīṣma pāṇḍavayor yudhi
     antarikṣe vyarājanta khadyotāḥ prāvṛṣīva hi
 12 agnicakram ivāviddhaṃ savyadakṣiṇam asyataḥ
     gāṇḍīvam abhavad rājan pārthasya sṛjataḥ śarān
 13 sa taiḥ saṃchādayām āsa bhīṣmaṃ śaraśataiḥ śitaiḥ
     parvataṃ vāridhārābhiś chādayann iva toyadaḥ
 14 tāṃ sa velām ivoddhūtāṃ śaravṛṣṭiṃ samutthitām
     vyadhamat sāyakair bhīṣmo arjunaṃ saṃnivārayat
 15 tatas tāni nikṛttāni śarajālāni bhāgaśaḥ
     samare 'bhivyaśīryanta phalgunasya rathaṃ prati
 16 tataḥ kanakapuṅkhānāṃ śaravṛṣṭiṃ samutthitām
     pāṇḍavasya rathāt tūrṇaṃ śalabhānāṃm ivāyatim
     vyadhamat tāṃ punas tasya bhīṣmaḥ śaraśataiḥ śitaiḥ
 17 tatas te kuravaḥ sarve sādhu sādhv iti cābruvan
     duṣkaraṃ kṛtavān bhīṣmo yad arjunam ayodhayat
 18 balavāṃs taruṇo dakṣaḥ kṣiprakārī ca pāṇḍavaḥ
     ko 'nyaḥ samarthaḥ pārthasya vegaṃ dhārayituṃ raṇe
 19 ṛte śāṃtanavād bhīṣmāt kṛṣṇād vā devakī sutāt
     ācārya pravarād vāpi bhāradvājān mahābalāt
     ācārya pravarād vāpi bhāradvājān mahābalāt
 20 astrair astrāṇi saṃvārya krīḍataḥ puruṣarṣabhau
     cakṣūṃṣi sarvabhūtānāṃ mohayantau mahābalau
 21 prājāpatyaṃ tathaivaindram āgneyaṃ ca sudāruṇam
     vauberaṃ vāruṇaṃ caiva yāmya vāyavyam eva ca
     prayuñjānau mahātmānau samare tau viceratuḥ
 22 vismitāny atha bhūtāni tau dṛṣṭvā saṃyuge tadā
     sādhu pārtha mahābāho sādhu bīṣmeti cābruvan
 23 nedaṃ yuktaṃ manuṣyeṣu yo 'yaṃ saṃdṛśyate mahān
     mahāstrāṇāṃ saṃprayogaḥ samare bhīṣmapārthayoḥ
 24 evaṃ sarvāstraviduṣor astrayuddham avartata
     atha jiṣṇur upāvṛtya pṛthu dhāreṇa kārmukam
     cakarta bhīṣmasya tadā jātarūpapariṣkṛtam
 25 nimeṣāntaramātreṇa bhīṣmo 'nyat kārmukaṃ raṇe
     samādāya mahābāhuḥ sa jyaṃ cakre mahābalaḥ
     śarāṃś ca subahūn kruddho mumocāśu dhanaṃjaye
 26 arjuno 'pi śarāṃś citrān bhīṣmāya niśitān bahūn
     cikṣepa sumahātejās tathā bhīṣmaś ca pāṇḍave
 27 tayor divyāstraviduṣor asyator aniśaṃ śarān
     na viśeṣas tadā rājaṁl lakṣyate sma mahātmanoḥ
 28 athāvṛṇod daśa diśaḥ śarair ati rathais tadā
     kirīṭamālī kaunteyaḥ śūraḥ śāṃtanavas tathā
 29 atīva pāṇḍavo bhīṣmaṃ bhīṣmaś cātīva pāṇḍavam
     babhūva tasmin saṃgrāme rājaṁl loke tad adbhutam
 30 pāṇḍavena hatāḥ śūrā bhīṣmasya ratharakṣiṇaḥ
     śerate sma tadā rājan kaunteyasyābhito ratham
 31 tato gāṇḍīvanirmuktā niramitraṃ cikīrṣavaḥ
     āgacchan puṅkhasaṃśliṣṭāḥ śvetavāhana patriṇaḥ
 32 niṣpatanto rathāt tasya dhautā hairaṇyavāsasaḥ
     ākāśe samadṛśyanta haṃsānām iva paṅktayaḥ
 33 tasya tad divyam astraṃ hi pragāḍhaṃ citram asyataḥ
     prekṣante smāntarikṣa sthāḥ sarve devāḥ sa vāsavāḥ
 34 tad dṛṣṭvā paramaprīto gandharvaś citram adbhutam
     śaśaṃsa devarājāya citrasenaḥ pratāpavān
 35 paśyemān arinirdārān saṃsaktān iva gacchataḥ
     citrarūpam idaṃ jiṣṇor divyam astram udīryataḥ
 36 nedaṃ manuṣyāḥ śraddadhyur na hīdaṃ teṣu vidyate
     paurāṇānāṃ mahāstrāṇāṃ vicitrāyaṃ samāgamaḥ
 37 madhyaṃdinagataṃ sūryaṃ pratapantam ivāmbare
     na śaknuvanti sainyāni pāṇḍavaṃ prativīkṣitum
 38 ubhau viśrutakarmāṇāv ubhau yuddhaviśāradau
     ubhau sadṛśakarmāṇāv ubhau yudhi durāsadau
 39 ity ukto devarājas tu pārtha bhīṣma samāgamam
     pūjayām āsa divyena puṣpavarṣeṇa bhārata
 40 tato bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo vāme pārśve samarpayat
     asyataḥ pratisaṃdhāya vivṛtaṃ savyasācinaḥ
 41 tataḥ prahasya bībhatsuḥ pṛthu dhāreṇa kārmukam
     nyakṛntad gārdhrapatreṇa bhīṣmasyāmitatejasaḥ
 42 athainaṃ daśabhir bāṇair pratyavidhyat stanāntare
     yatamānaṃ parākrāntaṃ kuntīputro dhanaṃjayaḥ
 43 sa pīḍito mahābāhur gṛhītvā rathakūbaram
     gāṅgeyo yudhi durdharṣas tasthau dīrgham ivāturaḥ
 44 taṃ visaṃjñam apovāha saṃyantā rathavājinām
     upadeśam anusmṛtya rakṣamāṇo mahāratham

SECTION LIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O mighty king, Drona's son rushed to an encounter with Arjuna in battle. And beholding his rush to the conflict like a hurricane, showering shafts like a rain charged cloud Pritha's son received him with a cloud of arrows. And terrible was the encounter between them, like that between the gods and the Danavas. And they shot arrows at each other like Virata and Vasava. And the welkin being enveloped on all sides with arrows, the sun was completely hidden, and the air itself was hushed. And, O conqueror of hostile cities, as they assailed and struck each other, loud sounds arose as of bamboos on fire. And, O king, Aswatthaman's horses being sorely afflicted by Arjuna, they became bewildered and could not ascertain which way to go. And as Pritha's son ranged on the field, the powerful son of Drona finding an opportunity, cut off the string of the Gandiva with an arrow furnished with a horse-shoe head And beholding that extraordinary feat of his, the celestials applauded him highly. And exclaiming--'Well done'!---'Well done'! Drona and Bhishma, and Karna, and the mighty warrior Kripa, all applauded that feat of his greatly. And the son of Drona, drawing his excellent bow, pierced with his shafts, furnished with the feathers of the Kanka bird, the breast of Partha, that bull among warriors. Thereupon, with a loud laughter, the mighty-armed son of Pritha attached a strong and fresh string to Gandiva. And moistening his bow-string with the sweat that stood on his forehead resembling the crescent moon, Pritha's son advanced towards his adversary, even as an infuriated leader of a herd of elephants rusheth at another elephant. And the encounter that took place between those two matchless heroes on the field of battle was exceedingly fierce and made the bristles of the spectators stand on their ends. And as those heroes endued with mighty energy fought on, the two mighty elephants, the Kurus beheld them with wonder. And those brave bulls among men assailed each other with arrows of snaky forms and resembling blazing fires. And as the couple of quivers belonging to the Pandava was inexhaustible, that hero was able to remain on the field immovable as a mountain. And as Aswatthaman's arrows, in consequence of his ceaseless discharge in that conflict,
p. 105
were quickly exhausted, it was for this that Arjuna prevailed over his adversary. Then Karna, drawing his large bow with great force twanged the bow-string. And thereupon arose loud exclamation of 'Oh'! and 'Alas'! And Pritha's son, casting his eyes towards the spot where that bow was twanged, beheld before him the son of Radha. And at that sight his wrath was greatly excited. And inflamed with ire and desirous of slaying Karna, that bull of the Kuru race stared at him with rolling eyes. And, O king, beholding Partha turn away from Aswatthaman's side, the Kuru warriors discharged thousands of arrows on Arjuna. And the mighty-armed Dhananjaya, that conqueror of foes, leaving Drona's son, all on a sudden rushed towards Karna. And rushing towards Karna, with eyes reddened in anger the son of Kunti, desirous of a single combat with him, said these words."

Book 4
Chapter 60

 1 [vai]
      bhīṣme tu saṃgrāmaśiro vihāya; palāyamāne dhetarāṣṭra putraḥ
      ucchritya ketuṃ vinadan mahātmā; svayaṃ vigṛhyārjunam āsasāda
  2 sa bhīmadhanvānam udagravīryaṃ; dhanaṃjayaṃ śatrugaṇe carantam
      ā karṇa pūrṇāyatacoditena; bhallena vivyādha lalāṭamadhye
  3 sa tena bāṇena samarpitena; jāmbūnadābhena susaṃśitena
      rarāja rājan mahanīya karmā; yathaika parvā ruciraika śṛṅgaḥ
  4 athāsya bāṇena vidāritasya; prādurbabhūvāsṛg ajasram uṣṇam
      sā tasya jāmbūnadapuṣpacitrā; māleva citrābhivirājate sma
  5 sa tena bāṇābhihatas tarasvī; duryodhanenoddhata manyuvegaḥ
      śarān upādāya viṣāgnikalpān; vivyādha rājānam adīnasattvaḥ
  6 duryodhanaś cāpi tam ugratejāḥ; pārthaś ca duryodhanam ekavīraḥ
      anyonyam ājau puruṣapravīrau; samaṃ samājaghnatur ājamīḍhau
  7 tataḥ prabhinnena mahāgajena; mahīdharābhena punar vikarṇaḥ
      rathaiś caturbhir gajapādarakṣaiḥ; kuntīsutaṃ jiṣṇum athābhyadhāvat
  8 tam āpatantaṃ tvaritaṃ gajendraṃ; dhanaṃjayaḥ kumbhavibhāgamadhye
      ā karṇa pūrṇena dṛḍhāyasena; bāṇena vivyādha mahājavena
  9 pārthena sṛṣṭaḥ sa tu gārdhrapatra; ā puṅkhadeśāt praviveśa nāgam
      vidārya śailapravara prakāśaṃ; yathāśaniḥ parvatam indra sṛṣṭaḥ
  10 śaraprataptaḥ sa tu nāgarājaḥ; pravepitāṅgo vyathitāntar ātmā
     saṃsīdamāno nipapāta mahyāṃ; vajrāhataṃ śṛṅgam ivācalasya
 11 nipātite dantivare pṛthivyāṃ; trāsād vikarṇaḥ sahasāvatīrya
     tūrṇaṃ padāny aṣṭa śatāni gatvā; viviṃśateḥ syandanam āruroha
 12 nihatya nāgaṃ tu śareṇa tena; vajropamenādrivarāmbudābham
     tathāvidhenaiva śareṇa pārtho; duryodhanaṃ vakṣasi nirbibheda
 13 tato gaje rājani caiva bhinne; bhagne vikarṇe ca sa pādarakṣe
     gāṇḍīvamuktair viśikhaiḥ praṇunnās; te yudha mukhyāḥ sahasāpajagmuḥ
 14 dṛṣṭvaiva bāṇena hataṃ tu nāgaṃ; yodhāṃś ca sarvān dravato niśamya
     rathaṃ samāvṛtya kurupravīro; raṇāt pradudrāva yato na pārthaḥ
 15 taṃ bhīmarūpaṃ tvaritaṃ dravantaṃ; duryodhanaṃ śatrusaho niṣaṅgī
     prākṣveḍayad yoddhumanāḥ kirīṭī; bāṇena viddhaṃ rudhiraṃ vamantam
 16 [arj]
     vihāya kīrtiṃ vipulaṃ yaśaś ca; yuddhāt parāvṛtya palāyase kim
     na te 'dya tūryāṇi samāhatāni; yathāvad udyānti gatasya yuddhe
 17 yudhiṣṭhirasyāsmi nideśakārī; pārthas tṛtīyo yudhi ca sthiro 'smi
     tadartham āvṛtya mukhaṃ prayaccha; narendra vṛttaṃ smara dhārtarāṣṭra
 18 moghaṃ tavedaṃ bhuvi nāmadheyaṃ; duryodhanetīha kṛtaṃ purastāt
     na hīha duryodhanatā tavāsti; palāyamānasya raṇaṃ vihāya
 19 na te purastād atha pṛṣṭhato vā; paśyāmi duryodhana rakṣitāram
     paraihi yuddhena kurupravīra; prāṇān priyān pāṇḍavato 'dya rakṣa

SECTION LX

"Arjuna said, 'The time, O Karna, hath now come for making good thy loquacious boast in the midst of the assembly, viz., that there is none equal to thee in fight. Today, O Karna, contending with me in terrible conflict, thou shalt know thy own strength, and shalt no longer disregard others. Abandoning good breeding, thou hadst uttered many harsh words, but this that thou endeavourest to do, is, I think, exceedingly difficult. Do thou now, O Radha's son, contending with me in the sight of the Kurus, make good what thou hadst said before in disregard of myself. Thou who hadst witnessed Panchala's princess outraged by villains in the midst of the court, do thou now reap the fruit of that act of thine. Fettered by the bonds of morality before, I desisted from vengeance then. Behold now, O son of Radha, the fruit of that wrath in conflict at hand. O wicked wight, we have suffered much misery in that forest for full twelve; years. Reap thou today the fruits of our concentrated vengeance. Come, O Karna, cope with me in battle. Let these thy Kaurava warriors witness the conflict. Hearing these words, Karna replied, 'Do thou, O Partha, accomplish in deed what thou sayst in words. The world knows that thy words verily exceed thy deed. That thou hadst foreborne formerly was owing to thy inability to do anything. If we witness thy prowess even now, we may acknowledge its truth. If thy past forbearance was due to thy having been bound by the bonds of morality, truly thou art equally bound now although thou regardest thyself free. Having as thou sayst, passed thy exile in the woods in strict accordance with thy pledge and being therefore weakened by practising an ascetic course of life, how canst thou desire a combat with me now! O Pritha's son, if Sakra himself fight on thy side, still I would feel no
p. 106
anxiety in putting forth my prowess. Thy wish, O son of Kunti, is about to be gratified. Do thou fight with me now, and behold my strength.' Hearing this, Arjuna said, 'Even now, O Radha's son, thou hadst fled from battle with me, and it is for this that thou livest although thy younger brother hath been slain. What other person, save thee, having beheld his younger brother slain in battle would himself fly from the field, and boast as thou dost, amid good and true men?'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said these words unto Karna, the invincible Vibhatsu rushed at him and charged a volley, of shafts capable of penetrating through a coat of mail. But that mighty car-warrior, Karna, received with great alacrity that discharge with an arrowy shower of his own, heavy as the downpour of the clouds. And that fierce volley of arrows covered all sides and severally pierced the steeds and arms and leathern fences of the combatants. And incapable of putting up with that assault, Arjuna cut off the strings of Karna's quiver by means of a straight and sharp arrow. Thereupon, taking out from his quiver another arrow, Karna pierced the Pandava in the hand at which the latter's hold of the bow was loosened. And then the mighty-armed Partha cut off Karna's bow into fragments. And Karna replied by hurling a dart at his adversary, but Arjuna cut it off by means of his arrows. And then the warriors that followed the son of Radha rushed in crowds at Arjuna, but Partha sent them all to the abode of Yama by means of arrows shot from the Gandiva. And Vibhatsu slew the steeds of Karna by means of sharp and tough arrows shot from the bow-string drawn to the ear, and deprived of life they dropped down on the ground. And taking another sharp and blazing arrow endued with great energy, the mighty son of Kunti pierced the breast of Kama. And that arrow, cleaving through his mail, penetrated into his body. And at this, Karna's vision was obscured and his senses left him. And regaining consciousness, he felt a great pain, and leaving the combat fled in a northernly direction. And at this, the mighty car-warrior Arjuna and Uttara, both began to address him contumely.'"

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