Chapter 65

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having vanquished the son of Drona and achieved a mightyand heroic feat that is exceedingly difficult of accomplishment,Dhananjaya, irresistible by foes, and with bow outstretched in his hands,cast his eyes among his own troops. The brave Savyasaci, gladdening thosewarriors of his that were still battling at the head of their divisionsand applauding those among them that were celebrated for their formerachievements, caused the carwarriors of his own army to continue to standin their posts. Not seeing his brother Yudhishthira of Ajamida’s race,the diadem-decked Arjuna, adorned, besides, with a necklace of gold,speedily approached Bhima and enquired of him the whereabouts of theking, saying, “Tell me, where is the king?” Thus asked, Bhima said, “KingYudhishthira the just, hath gone away from this place, his limbs scorchedwith Karna’s shafts. It is doubtful whether he still liveth!” Hearingthose words, Arjuna said, “For this reason go thou quickly from the spotfor bringing intelligence of the king, that best of all the descendantsof Kuru! Without doubt, deeply pierced by Karna with shafts, the kinghath gone to the camp! In that fierce passage at arms, though deeplypierced by Drona with keen shafts, the king endued with great activity,had still stayed in battle, expectant of victory, until Drona was slain!That foremost one among the Pandavas, possessed of great magnanimity, wasgreatly imperilled by Karna in today’s battle! For ascertaining hiscondition, quickly go hence, O Bhima! I will stay here, checking all ourfoes!” Thus addressed, Bhima said, “O thou of great glory, go thyself forascertaining the condition of the king, that bull amongst the Bharatas!If, O Arjuna, I go there, many foremost of heroes will then say that I amfrightened in battle!” Then Arjuna said unto Bhimasena, “The samsaptakasare before my division! Without slaying those assembled foes first, it isimpossible for me to stir from this place!’ Then Bhimasena said untoArjuna, ‘Relying upon my own might, O foremost one among the Kurus, Iwill fight with all the samsaptakas in battle! Therefore, O Dhananjaya,do thou go thyself!'”

“Sanjaya continued, ‘Hearing in the midst of foes, those words of hisbrother Bhimasena that were difficult of accomplishment, Arjuna, desiringto see the king, addressed the Vrishni hero, saying, “Urge the steeds, OHrishikesha, leaving this sea of troops! I desire, O Keshava to see kingAjatasatru!'”

“Sanjaya continued, ‘Just as he was on the point of urging the steeds,Keshava, that foremost one of the Dasharhas, addressed Bhima, saying,”This feat is not at all wonderful for thee, O Bhima! I am about to go(hence). Slay these assembled foes of Partha!” Then Hrishikesha proceededwith very great speed to the spot where king Yudhishthira was, O king,borne by those steeds that resembled Garuda, having stationed Bhima, thatchastiser of foes, at the head of the army and having commanded him, Omonarch, to fight (with the samsaptakas). Then those two foremost of men,(Krishna and Arjuna), proceeding on their car, approached the king whowas lying alone on his bed. Both of them, alighting from that car,worshipped the feet of king Yudhishthira the just. Beholding that bull oftigers among men safe and sound, the two Krishnas became filled with joy,like the twin Ashvinis on seeing Vasava. The king then congratulated themboth like Vivasvat congratulating the twin Ashvinis, or like Brihaspaticongratulating Sankara and Vishnu after the slaughter of the mighty asuraJambha. King Yudhishthira the just, thinking that Karna had been slain,became filled with joy, and that scorcher of foes thereupon addressedthem in these words in a voice choked with delight.'”