Uttara Gograhana: The cattle seize - 1

Duryodhana’s spies return and report

Meanwhile, the spies employed by Dhritarashtra's son, having searched various villages and towns and kingdoms and done all that they had been commanded to do and completed their examination, in the manner directed, of the countries indicated in their orders, returned to Nagapura, gratified with at least one thing that they had learnt. Seeing Dhritarashtra's son king Duryodhana of the Kuru race seated in his court with Drona and Karna and Kripa, with the high-souled Bhishma, his own brothers, and those great warriors - the Trigartas, they addressed him, saying,

“O lord of men, great has been the care always bestowed by us in the search after the sons of Pandu in that mighty forest. Searched have we through the solitary wilderness abounding with deer and other animals and overgrown with trees and creepers of diverse kind. Searched have we also in harbours of matted woods and plants and creepers of every species, but we have failed in discovering that track by which Pritha's son of irrepressible energy may have gone. Searched have we in these and other places for their foot-prints. Searched have we closely, O king, on mountain tops and in inaccessible fastnesses, in various kingdoms and provinces teeming with people, in encampments and cities. No trace have yet been found of the sons of Pandu. Good betide you, O bull among men, it seems that they have perished without leaving a mark behind. O foremost of warriors, although we followed in the track of those warriors, yet, we soon lost their footprints and do not know their present residence. O lord of men, for some time we followed in the wake of their charioteers. Making our inquiries duly, we truly ascertained what we desired to know. O slayer of foes, the charioteers reached Dwaravati without the sons of Pritha among them. Neither the sons of Pandu, nor the chaste Krishna, are in that city of Yadavas. We have not been able to discover either their track or their present abode. Salutations to you, they are gone for good. We are acquainted with the disposition of the sons of Pandu and know something of the feats achieved by them. It befits you, therefore, to give us instructions, as to what we should next do in the search after the sons of Pandu.

Listen also to these agreeable words of ours, promising great good to you. King Matsya's commander, Kichaka of wicked soul, by whom the Trigartas were repeatedly vanquished and slain with mighty force, now lies low on the ground with all his brothers, slain, by invisible Gandharvas during the hours of darkness. Having heard this delightful news about the discomfiture of our enemies, we have been exceedingly gratified. Do you now ordain what should next be done.”

Duryodhana consults others in his court

Having listened to these words of his spies, king Duryodhana reflected inwardly for some time and then addressed his courtiers, saying,

“It is difficult to ascertain the course of events definitely. Discern you all, therefore, whither the sons of Pandu have gone, of this thirteenth year which they are to pass undiscovered by us all, the greater part has already expired. What remains is by much the smaller. If, indeed, the sons of Pandu can pass undiscovered what remains of this year, devoted to the vow of truth as they are, they will then have fulfilled their pledge. They will then return like mighty elephants with temporal juice trickling down, or like snakes of virulent poison. Filled with wrath, they will, without doubt, be inflictors of terrible chastisement on the Kurus. It befits you, therefore, to make such efforts without loss of time as may induce the sons of Pandu, acquainted as they are with the proprieties of time, and staying as they now are in painful disguise, to re-enter the woods suppressing their rage. Indeed, adopt you such means as may remove all causes of quarrel and anxiety from the kingdom, making it tranquil and foe less and incapable of sustaining a diminution of territory."

Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Karna said,

“Let other spies, abler and more cunning, and capable of accomplishing their object, quickly go hence, O Bharata. Let them, well-disguised, wander through swelling kingdoms and populous provinces, prying into assemblies of the learned and delightful retreats of provinces. In the inner apartments of palaces, in shrines and holy spots, in mines and diverse other regions, the sons of Pandu should be searched after with well-directed eagerness. Let the sons of Pandu who are living in disguise be searched after by well-skilled spies in large numbers, devoted to their work, themselves well-disguised, and all well-acquainted with the objects of their search. Let the search be made on the banks of rivers, in holy regions, in villages and towns, in retreats of ascetics, in delightful mountains and mountain-caves.”

When Karna ceased, Duryodhana's second brother Duhshasana, wedded to a sinful disposition, then addressed his eldest brother and said,

“O monarch, O lord of men, let those spies only in whom we have confidence, receiving their rewards in advance, once more go after the search. This and what else has been said by Karna have our fullest approval. Let all the spies engage themselves in the search according to the directions already given. Let these and others engage in the search from province to province according to approved rules. It is my belief, however, that the track the Pandavas have followed or their present abode or occupation will not be discovered. Perhaps, they are closely concealed; perhaps, they have gone to the other side of the ocean. Or, perhaps, proud as they are of their strength and Courage, they have been devoured by wild beasts; or perhaps, having been overtaken by some unusual danger, they have perished for eternity. Therefore, dispelling all anxieties from your heart, achieve what you will, always acting according to your energy.”

Endued with mighty energy and possessed of great discernment, Drona then said,

“Persons like the sons of Pandu never perish nor undergo discomfiture. Brave and skilled in every science, intelligent and with senses under control, virtuous and grateful and obedient to the virtuous Yudhishthira, ever following in the wake of their eldest brother who is conversant with the conclusions of policy and virtue and profit, who is attached to them as a father, and who strictly adheres to virtue and is firm in truth, persons like them that are thus devoted to their illustrious and royal brother, who gifted with great intelligence, never injures any body and who in his turn himself obeys his younger brothers, never perish in this way. Why, then, should not (Yudhishthira) the son of Pritha possessing a knowledge of policy, be able to restore the prosperity of his brothers who are so obedient and devoted and high-souled? It is for this that they are carefully waiting for the arrival of their opportunity. Men such as these never perish. This is what I see by my intellect. Do, therefore, quickly and without loss of time, what should now be done, after proper reflection. Let also the abode which the sons of Pandu with souls under control as regards every purpose of life, are to occupy, be now settled. Heroic and sinless and possessed of ascetic merit, the Pandavas are difficult to be discovered (within the period of non-discovery). Intelligent and possessed of every virtue, devoted to truth and versed in the principles of policy, endued with purity and holiness, and the embodiment of immeasurable energy, the son of Pritha is capable of consuming (his foes) by a glance alone of his eyes. Knowing all this, do what is proper. Let us, therefore, once more search after them, sending Brahmanas and Charanas, ascetics crowned with success, and others of this kind who may have a knowledge of those heroes!”

Then that grandsire of the Bharatas, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, conversant with the Vedas, acquainted with the proprieties of time and place, and possessing a knowledge of every duty of morality, after the conclusion of Drona's speech, applauded the words of the preceptor and spoke unto the Bharatas for their benefit these words consistent with virtue, expressive of his attachment to the virtuous Yudhishthira, rarely spoken by men that are dishonest, and always meeting with the approbation of the honest. And the words that Bhishma spoke were thoroughly impartial and worshipped by the wise. And the grandsire of the Kurus said,

“The words that the regenerate Drona acquainted with the truth of every affair has uttered, are approved by me. I have no hesitation in saying so. Endued with every auspicious mark, observant of virtuous vows, possessed of Vedic lore, devoted to religious observances, conversant with various sciences, obedient to the counsels of the aged, adhering to the vow of truth, acquainted with the proprieties of time, observant of the pledge they have given (in respect of their exile), pure in their behaviour, ever adhering to the duties of the Kshatriya order, always obedient to Keshava, high-souled, possessed of great strength, and ever-bearing the burthens of the wise, those heroic ones can never wither under misfortune. Aided by their own energy, sons of Pandu who are now leading a life of concealment in obedience to virtue, will surely never perish. It is even this that my mind surmises. Therefore, O Bharata, I am for employing the aid of honest counsel in our behaviour towards the sons of Pandu. It would not be the policy of any wise man to cause them to be discovered now by means of spies, what we should do unto the sons of Pandu, I shall say, reflecting with the aid of the intellect. Know that I shall say nothing from ill will to you. People like me should never give such counsels to him that is dishonest, for only counsels (like those I would give) should be offered unto them that are honest. Counsels, however, that are evil, should under no circumstances be offered.

He, O child, that is devoted to truth and obedient to the aged, he, indeed, that is wise, while speaking in the midst of an assembly, should under all circumstances speak the truth, if the acquisition of virtue be an object with him. I should, therefore, say that I think differently from all those people here, in respect of the abode of Yudhishthira the just in this the thirteenth year of his exile.

The ruler, O child, of the city or the province where king Yudhishthira resides cannot have any misfortune. Charitable and liberal and humble and modest must the people be of the country where king Yudhishthira resides. Agreeable in speech, with passions under control, observant of truth, cheerful, healthy, pure in conduct, and skilful in work must the people be of the country where king Yudhishthira resides. The people of the place, where Yudhishthira is, cannot be envious or malicious, or vain, or proud, but must all adhere to their respective duties. Indeed, in the place where Yudhishthira resides, Vedic hymns will be chanted all around, sacrifices will be performed, the last full libations will always be poured, and gifts to Brahmanas will always be in profusion. There the clouds, without doubt, pour abundant rain, and furnished with good harvest the country will ever be without fear. There the paddy will not be without grain, fruits will not be bereft of juice, floral garlands will not be without fragrance, and the conversation of men will always be full of agreeable words. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the breezes will be delicious, the meetings of men will always be friendly, and cause of fear there will be none. There kine will be plentiful, without any of them being lean-fleshed or weak, and milk and curds and butter will all be savoury and nutritious. There where king Yudhishthira resides, every kind of corn will be full of nutrition and every edible full of flavour. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the objects of all the senses, viz.,--taste, touch, smell, and hearing, will be endued with excellent attributes. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the sights and scenes will be gladdening. The regenerate ones of that place will be virtuous and steady in observing their respective duties. Indeed, in the country where the sons of Pandu may have taken up their abode during this thirteenth year of their exile, the people will be contented and cheerful, pure in conduct and without misery of any kind. Devoted to gods and guests and the worship of these with their whole soul, they will be fond of giving away, and filled with great energy, they will all be observant of eternal virtue. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the people, eschewing all that is evil, will be desirous of achieving only what is good. Always observant of sacrifices and pure vows, and hating untruth in speech, the people of the place where king Yudhishthira may reside will always be desirous of obtaining what is good, auspicious and beneficial. There where Yudhishthira resides, the people will certainly be desirous of achieving what is good, and their hearts will always incline towards virtue, and their vows being agreeable they themselves are ever-engaged in the acquisition of religious merit. O child, that son of Pritha in whom are intelligence and charity, the highest tranquillity and undoubted forgiveness, modesty and prosperity, and fame and great energy and a love for all creatures, is incapable of being found out (now that he has concealed himself) even by Brahmanas, let alone ordinary persons. The wise Yudhishthira is living in close disguise in regions whose characteristics I have described. Regarding his excellent mode of life, I dare not say anything more. Reflecting well upon all this, do without loss of time what you mayst think to be beneficial, O prince of the Kuru race, if indeed, you has any faith in me.”

Then Sharadwata's son, Kripa said,

“What the aged Bhishma has said concerning the Pandavas is reasonable, suited to the occasion, consistent with virtue and profit, agreeable to the ear, fraught with sound reason, and worthy of him. Listen also to what I would say on this subject. It befits you to ascertain the track they have followed and their abode also by means of spies, and to adopt that policy which may bring about your welfare. O child, he that is solicitous of his welfare should not disregard even an ordinary foe. What shall I say, then, O child, of the Pandavas who are thorough masters of all weapons in battle. When, therefore, the time comes for the reappearance of the high-souled Pandavas, who, having entered the forest, are now passing their days in close disguise, you should ascertain your strength both in your own kingdom and in those of other kings. Without doubt, the return of the Pandavas is at hand. When their promised term of exile is over, the illustrious and mighty sons of Pritha, endued with immeasurable prowess, will come here bursting with energy. Do you, therefore, in order to conclude an advantageous treaty with them, have recourse to sound policy and address yourself to increase your forces and improve the treasury. O child, ascertaining all these, reckon you your own strength in respect of all your allies weak and strong. Ascertaining the efficiency, and weakness, and indifference of your forces, as also who amongst them are well-affected and who are disaffected, we should either fight the foe or make treaty with him. Having recourse to the arts of conciliation, disunion, chastisement, bribery, presents and fair behaviour, attack your foes and subdue the weak by might, and win over your allies and troops and by soft speeches. When you has (by these means) strengthened your army and filled your treasury, entire success will be yours. When you has done all this, you will be able to fight with powerful enemies that may present themselves, let alone the sons of Pandu deficient in troops animals of their own. By adopting all these expedients according to the customs of your order, you will, O foremost of men, attain enduring happiness in due time!”

Trigartas seize Virata’s cattle

Discomfited before, many a time and oft by Matsya's Suta Kichaka aided by the Matsyas and the Shalyas, the mighty king of the Trigartas, Susharma, who owned innumerable cars, regarding the opportunity to be a favourable one, then spoke the following words without losing a moment. Forcibly vanquished along with his relatives by the mighty Kichaka, king Susharma, eyeing Karna in askance, spoke these words unto Duryodhana,

“My kingdom has many a time been forcibly invaded by the king of the Matsyas. The mighty Kichaka was that king's generalissimo. Crooked and wrathful and of wicked soul, of prowess famed over all the world, sinful in deeds and highly cruel, that wretch, however, has been slain by the Gandharvas, Kichaka being dead, king Virata, shorn of pride and his refuge gone, will, I imagine, lose all courage I think, we ought now to invade that kingdom, if it pleases you, O sinless one, as also the illustrious Karna and all the Kauravas. The accident that has happened is, I imagine, a favourable one for us. Let us, therefore, repair to Virata's kingdom abounding in corn. We will appropriate his gems and other wealth of diverse kinds, and let us go to share with each other as regards his villages and kingdom. Or, invading his city by force, let us carry off by thousands his excellent kine of various species. Uniting, O king, the forces of the Kauravas and the Trigartas, let us lift his cattle in droves. Or, uniting our forces well, we will check his power by forcing him to sue for peace. Or, destroying his entire host, we will bring Matsya under subjection. Having brought him under subjection by just means, we will live in our kingdom happily, while your power also will, without doubt, be enhanced.”

Hearing these words of Susharma, Karna addressed the king, saying,

“Susharma has spoken well; the opportunity is favourable and promises to be profitable to us. Therefore, if it pleases you, O sinless one, let us, drawing up our forces in battle array and marshalling them in divisions, speedily set out. Or, let the expedition be managed as Sharadwata's son Kripa, the preceptor Drona, and the wise and aged grandsire of the Kurus may think. Consulting with each other, let us, O lord of earth, speedily set out to attain our end. What business have we with the sons of Pandu, destitute as they are of wealth, might, and prowess? They have either disappeared for good or have gone to the abode of Yama? We will, O king, repair without anxiety to Virata's city, and plunder his cattle and other wealth of diverse kinds.”

Accepting these words of Karna, the son of Surya, king Duryodhana speedily commanded his brother Duhshasana, born immediately after him and always obedient to his wishes, saying,

“Consulting with the elders, array without delay, our forces. We will, with all the Kauravas go to the appointed place. Let also the mighty warrior, king Susharma, accompanied by a sufficient force with vehicles and animals, set out with the Trigartas for the dominions of Matsyas. Let Susharma proceed first, carefully concealing his intention. Following in their wake, we will set out the day after in close array, for the prosperous dominions of king Matsya. Let the Trigartas, however, suddenly repair to the city of Virata, and coming upon the cowherds, seize that immense wealth (of kine). We also marching in two divisions, will seize thousands of excellent kine furnished with auspicious marks.”

Then those warriors, the Trigartas, accompanied by their infantry of terrible prowess, marched towards the south-eastern direction, intending to wage hostilities with Virata from the desire of seizing his kine. Susharma set out on the seventh day of the dark fortnight for seizing the kine. Then, on the eighth day following of the dark fortnight, the Kauravas also accompanied by all their troops, began to seize the kine by thousands.

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. After Kichaka had been slain, that slayer of hostile heroes, the mighty king Virata began to rest his hopes on the sons of Kunti. It was on the expiry of the thirteenth year of their exile that Susharma seized Virata's cattle by thousands.

Battle between the Trigartas and the Matsyas

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. 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 your cattle by hundreds and by thousands. Do you, therefore, speedily rescue them. Oh, see that they are not lost to you.”

Hearing these words, the king arrayed for battle the Matsya force abounding in cars and elephants and horses and infantry and standards. Kings and princes speedily put on, each in its proper place, their shining and beautiful armour worthy of being worn by heroes. Virata's beloved brother, Shatanika, put on a coat of mail made of adamantine steel, adorned with burnished gold. Madirakshya, next in birth to Shatanika, put on a strong coat of mail plated with gold and capable of resisting every weapon. 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. The coat of mail that Suryadatta put on was bright as the sun, plated with gold, and broad as a hundred lotuses of the fragrant (Kahlara) species. 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. It was thus that those god-like and mighty warriors by hundreds, furnished with weapons, and eager for battle, each donned his corselet. Then they yoked unto their excellent cars of white-hue steeds equipped in mail. Then was hoisted Matsya's glorious standard on his excellent car decked with gold and resembling the sun or the moon in its effulgence. Other Kshatriya warriors also raised on their respective cars gold-decked standards of various shapes and devices. King Matsya then addressed his brother Shatanika 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 you 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. 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, Shatanika 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). Those repressors of foes then donned those beautiful coats of mail, invulnerable and easy to wear, that Virata had ordered for those heroes of spotless fame. 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. 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. The principal warriors of Matsya who cheerfully followed the king had eight thousand cars, a thousand elephants and sixty thousand horses. That force of Virata, as it marched forth marking the footprints of the cattle looked exceedingly beautiful. 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.

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. Both excited to fury and both desirous of having the king, the mighty Trigartas and the Matsyas, irrepressible in battle, sent up loud roars. Then the terrible and infuriate elephants ridden over by the skilful combatants of both sides were urged on with spiked clubs and hooks. The encounter 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. As the combatants rushed against one another, smiting and slashing, thick clouds of dust began to rise, so that nothing could be discovered.

Covered with the dust raised by the contending armies, birds began to drop down on the earth. The sun himself disappeared behind the thick cloud of arrows shot, and the firmament looked bright as if with myriads of the fireflies. 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. Cars encountered cars, and foot-soldiers fought with foot-soldiers, and horse-men with horsemen, and elephants with mighty elephants. They furiously encountered one another with swords and axes, bearded darts and javelins, and iron clubs. Although, those mighty-armed warriors furiously assailed one another in that conflict, yet neither party succeeded in prevailing over the other. 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. 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.

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. As cars encountered cars, and horsemen encountered horsemen, and foot-soldiers fought with foot-soldiers, and elephants met with elephants, the frightful dust soon became drenched with torrents of blood. Some amongst the combatants began to swoon away, and the warriors began to fight reckless of consideration of humanity, friendship and relationship. 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.

Shatanika having slain a full hundred of the enemy and Vishalaksha full four hundred, both those mighty warriors penetrated into the heart of the great Trigarta host. 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. Eyeing the point where the cars of the Trigartas had been mustered in strong numbers, those heroes at last directed their attack towards it. 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. At last the king came upon the ruler of the Trigartas mounted on a golden chariot. 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, Susharma, 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. 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 Susharma with ten shafts and each of his four horses also with five shafts. Susharma also, irresistible in battle and conversant with fatal weapons, pierced king of Matsya with fifty whetted shafts. Then, in consequence of the dust on the field of battle, the soldiers of both Susharma and Matsya's king could not distinguish one another.

Then, 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. Then, dispelling the darkness the moon arose illumining the night and gladdening the hearts of the Kshatriya warriors. When everything became visible, the battle once more began. It raged on so furiously that the combatants could not distinguish one another. Then Trigarta's lord, Susharma with his younger brother, and accompanied by all his cars, rushed towards the king of Matsya. Descending from their cars, those bulls among Kshatriyas, the (royal) brothers, mace in hand, rushed furiously towards the cars of the foe. 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. King Susharma, 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. 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, Susharma placed Virata on his own car, and speedily rushed out of the field.

The Pandavas rescue Virata who was captured by Susharma

When the powerful Virata, deprived of his car, was taken captive, the Matsyas, harassed solely by the Trigartas, began to flee in fear in all directions. Beholding them panic-stricken, Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, addressed that subduer of foes, the mighty-armed Bhima, saying,

“The king of the Matsyas has been taken by the Trigartas. Do you, 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 befits you, O Bhimasena, to discharge that debt (by liberating the king).”

Thereat Bhimasena replied,

"I will liberate him, O king, at your command. Mark the feat I achieve (today) in battling with the foe, relying solely on the might of my arms. Do you, 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.”

Beholding Bhima casting his eyes on that tree like a mad elephant, the heroic king Yudhishthira the just spoke unto his brother, saying,

“Do not, O Bhima, commit such a rash act. Let the tree stand there. You must not achieve such feats in a super-human manner by means of that tree, for if you dost, the people, O Bharata, will recognise you and say, This is Bhima. Take you, 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 you the king without giving anybody the means of knowing you truly. The twins endued with great strength will defend your wheels. Fighting together, O child, liberate the king of the Matsyas!”

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. Bhima then rushed furiously towards Susharma of terrible deeds, and assuring Virata with the words “O good king!” said unto the lord of the Trigartas, “Stay! Stay!” Seeing Bhima like unto Yama himself in his rear, saying, “Stay! Stay! Witness this mighty feat, this combat that is at hand!” the bull among warriors, Susharma, 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. 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. The hostile infantry also began to be slaughtered by the illustrious Bhima, mace in hand. Beholding that terrible onslaught, Susharma, 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?”

Drawing his bow-string to his ear Susharma then turned back and began to shoot keen-edged shafts incessantly. 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. Virata's son also, exceedingly exasperated, began to perform prodigious fears of valour. Kunti's son Yudhishthira slew a thousand (of the foe), and Bhima showed the abode of Yama unto seven thousand. Nakula sent seven hundred (to their last account) by means of his shafts. Powerful Sahadeva also, commanded by Yudhishthira, slew three hundred brave warriors. Having slain such numbers, that fierce and mighty warrior, Yudhishthira, with weapons upraised, rushed against Susharma. Rushing impetuously at Susharma, that foremost of car-warriors, king Yudhishthira, assailed him with vollies of shafts. Susharma also, in great rage, quickly pierced Yudhishthira with nine arrows, and each of his four steeds with four arrows. Then, Kunti's son Bhima of quick movements, approaching Susharma, crushed his steeds. Having slain also those soldiers that protected his rear, he dragged from the car his antagonist's charioteer to the ground. 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. Thereat, leaping down from Susharma's car, and securing the latter's mace, the powerful Virata ran in pursuit of him. Though old, he moved on the field, mace in hand, like a lusty youth. Beholding Susharma flee, Bhima addressed him, saying,

“Desist, O Prince! This flight of yours is not proper! With this prowess of yours, how could you wish to carry off the cattle by force? How also, forsaking your follower, do you droop so amidst foes?”

Thus addressed by Pritha's son, the mighty Susharma, 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, rushed forward with great coolness, desirous of taking Susharma's life. Desirous of seizing Trigarta's king advancing towards him, the mighty Bhimasena rushed impetuously towards him, like a lion rushing at a small deer. Advancing impetuously, the mighty-armed Bhima seized Susharma by the hair, and lifting him up in wrath, dashed him down on the ground. 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.

Sorely afflicted with that kicking, the king of Trigartas became senseless. 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 Susharma, and rescued the kine as well as other kinds of wealth and having thus dispelled Virata's anxiety, stood together before that monarch. Bhimasena then said,

“This wretch given to wicked deeds does not deserve to escape me with life. But what can I do? The king is so lenient!”

Then taking Susharma 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. Bhima then showed Susharma unto the monarch. Beholding Susharma 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 Susharma, saying,

“If, O wretch, you wish to live, listen to those words of mine. You must say in every court and assembly of men, I am a slave. On this condition only I will grant you your life. Verily, this is the law about the vanquished.”

Thereupon his elder brother affectionately addressed Bhima, saying,

“If you regard us as an authority, liberate this wicked fool. He has already become king Virata's slave.”

Turning then to Susharma, he said,

“You are freed. Go you a free man, and never act again in this way.”

Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, Susharma was overwhelmed with shame and hung down his head. Liberated (from slavery), he went to king Virata, and having saluted the monarch, took his departure. 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 Susharma, passed that night happily on the field of battle. Virata gratified those mighty warriors, the sons of Kunti, possessed of super-human prowess with wealth and honour. Virata said,

"All these gems of mine are now as much mine as yours. Do you according to your pleasure live here happily. You smiter of foes in battle, I will bestow on you damsels decked with ornaments, wealth in plenty, and other things that you may like. Delivered from perils today by your prowess, I am now crowned with victory. Do you all become the lords of the Matsyas!”

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 you say, O monarch. We, however, have been much gratified that you have today been freed from your foes.”

Thus answered, that foremost of kings, Virata the lord of the Matsyas, again addressed Yudhishthira, saying,

“Come, we will install you in sovereignty of the Matsyas. We will also bestow on you things that are rare on earth and are objects of desire, for you deserves everything at our hands. O foremost of Brahmanas of the Vaiyaghra order! I will bestow on you gems and kine and gold and rubies and pearls. I bow unto you. It is owing to you that I once more behold today my sons and kingdom. Afflicted and threatened as I had been with disaster and danger, it is through your 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 you have spoken. May you be ever happy, always practising humanity towards all creatures. Let messengers now, at your command, speedily repair into the city, in order to communicate the glad tidings to our friends, and proclaim your victory.”

Hearing these words of him, king Matsya ordered the messengers, saying,

“Do you repair to the city and proclaim my victory in battle. Let damsels and courtesans, decked in ornaments, come out of the city with every kind of musical instruments.”

Hearing this command uttered by the king of the Matsyas, the men, laying the mandate on their head, all departed with cheerful hearts. Having repaired to the city that very night, they proclaimed at the hour of sunrise the victory of the king about the city-gates.