Chapter 99

“Vasudeva said, ‘Behold, O Dhananjaya, this Suyodhana who hathtransgressed us! I regard this as highly wonderful. There is nocar-warrior equal to him. His arrows are far-reaching. He is a greatbowman. Accomplished as he is in weapons, it is exceedingly difficult tovanquish him in battle. The mighty son of Dhritarashtra strikes hard, andis conversant with all modes of warfare. Brought up in great luxury, heis much regarded by even the foremost of car-warriors. He iswell-accomplished, and, O Partha, he always hates the Pandavas. For thesereasons, O sinless one, I think, thou shouldst now fight with him. Uponhim resteth, as upon a stake at dice, victory or the reverse. Upon him, OPartha, vomit that poison of thy wrath which thou hast cherished so long.This mighty car-warrior is the root of all the wrongs on the Pandavas. Heis now within reach of thy shafts. Look after thy success. Why hath kingDuryodhana, desirous as he is of kingdom, come to battle with thee? Bygood luck, it is that he is now arrived within reach of thy arrows. Dothat, O Dhananjaya, by which he may be deprived on his very life. Reft ofhis senses through pride of affluence, he hath never felt any distress. Obull among men, he doth not know also thy prowess in battle. Indeed, thethree worlds with the celestials, the Asuras, and human beings, cannotventure to vanquish thee in battle. What need be said, therefore, ofsingle Duryodhana? By good luck it is, O Partha, that he hath approachedthe vicinity of thy car. O mighty-armed one, slay him as Purandara slewVritra. O sinless one, this Duryodhana hath endeavoured to bring evil onyou. By deceit he cheated king Yudhishthira at dice. O giver of honours,sinless though you all are, this prince of sinful soul has always donevarious evil acts towards him. Nobly resolved upon battle, O Partha, slaywithout any scruple this wicked wight, who is ever wrathful and evercruel, and who is the very embodiment of avarice. Remembering thedeprivation of your kingdom by deceit, your exile into the woods, and thewrongs of Krishna, put forth thy prowess, O son of Pandu! By good luck,it is that he stayeth within the range of the shafts. By good luck, it isthat staying before thee he endeavours to resist thy purpose. By goodluck, it is that he knows today that he will have to fight with thee inthe battle. By good luck, it is that all your purposes, even those thatare not presently entertained by you, will be crowned with fruition.Therefore, Partha, slay this wretch of his race, viz., the son ofDhritarashtra, in battle, as Indra had in days of yore, slain the AsuraJambha in the battle between the celestials and the Asuras. If he isslain by thee, thou canst then pierce through this masterless host. Cutthe very root of these wicked-souled wretches. Let the avabhritha[145] ofthis hostility be now accomplished.’

“Sanjaya continued, ‘Thus addressed, Partha replied unto Kesavasaying–‘So be it. Even this should be done by me. Disregardingeverything else, proceed thither where Duryodhana is. Putting forth myprowess in battle, I will cut off the head of that wretch who hath forsuch a long period enjoyed our kingdom without a thorn on his side. ShallI not succeed, O Kesava, in avenging myself of the insult, in the shapeof dragging her by the hair, offered unto Draupadi, undeserving as shewas of that wrong.’ Thus conversing with each other, the two Krishnasfilled with joy, urged those excellent white steeds of theirs, desirousof getting at king Duryodhana. As regards thy son, O bull of Bharata’srace, having approached the presence of Partha and Krishna, heentertained no fear, although, O sire, every circumstance was calculatedto inspire fear. And the Kshatriyas there, on thy side, highly applaudedhim then, for he proceeded to face Arjuna and Hrishikesa for resistingthem. Indeed, beholding the king in battle, a loud shout was heard there,O monarch, uttered by the entire Kuru army. What that terrible and awfulshout arose there, thy son, pressing his foe hard, opposed his progress.Held in check by thy son armed with bow, the son of Kunti became filledwith rage, and that chastiser of foes, Duryodhana, also became highlyenraged with Partha. Beholding both Duryodhana and Dhananjaya enragedwith each other, all the Kshatriyas, of fierce forms, began to look atthem from all sides. Seeing Partha and Vasudeva both filled with rage,thy son, O sire, desirous of battle, smilingly challenged them, then heof Dasarha’s race became filled with joy, and Dhananjaya also, the son ofPandu, became cheerful. Uttering loud roars, they both blew theirforemost of conchs. Seeing them thus cheerful, all the Kauravas becamehopeless of thy son’s life. Indeed, all the Kauravas, and many evenamongst the enemy, became possessed with grief, and regarded thy son as alibation already poured into the mouth of the (sacred) fire. Thywarriors, seeing Krishna and the Pandava so cheerful I loudly exclaimed,afflicted with fear, ‘The king is slain.’ ‘The king is slain.’ Hearingthat loud uproar of the warriors, Duryodhana said, ‘Let your fears bedispelled. I will despatch the two Krishnas unto the region of death.’Having told all his warriors these words, king Duryodhana. then,expectant of success, addressed Partha angrily and said these words: ‘If,O Partha, thou art begotten by Pandu apply upon me, without loss of time,all the weapons, celestial and earthly, that Kesava also hath of either,upon me. I wish to see thy manliness. They speak of many feats achievedby thee out of our view. Show me those feats that have won the applauseof many endued with great heroism!'”