Chapter 34

“Sanjaya said, ‘When that fierce battle, O monarch, was about tocommence, and when all the high-souled Pandavas had taken their seats,indeed, having heard that battle between those two heroes, both of whomwere his disciples, was about to begin, Rama, whose banner bore thedevice of the palmyra palm, and who owns the plough for his weapon, cameto that spot. Beholding him, the Pandavas, with Keshava, filled with joyadvanced towards him, and receiving him, worshipped him with due rites.Their worship over, they then, O king, said unto him these words,”Witness, O Rama, the skill, in battle, of thy two disciples!” Rama thencasting his eyes on Krishna and the Pandavas, and looking at Duryodhanaalso of Kuru’s race who was standing there armed with mace, said, “Twoand forty days have passed since I left home. I had set out under theconstellation Pushya and have come back under Sravana. I am desirous, OMadhava, of beholding this encounter with the mace between these twodisciples of mine!” At that time the two heroes, Duryodhana andVrikodara, looked resplendent as they stood on the field, both armed withmaces. King Yudhishthira, embracing him owning the plough for his weapon,duly enquired about his welfare and bade him welcome. Those two greatbowmen, the two illustrious Krishnas, filled with joy, cheerfully salutedthe hero having the plough for his weapon and embraced him. Similarly,the two sons of Madri and the five sons of Draupadi saluted Rohini’s sonof great strength and stood (at a respectful distance). Bhimasena ofgreat strength and thy son, O monarch, both with uplifted maces (in theirarms), worshipped Valadeva. The other kings honoured him by bidding himwelcome, and then all of them said unto Rama, “Witness this encounter, Othou of mighty arms!” Even thus those mighty car-warriors said unto thehigh-souled son of Rohini. Endued with immeasurable energy, Rama, havingembraced the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, enquired after the welfare ofall the (other) kings. Similarly, all of them, approaching, enquiredafter his welfare. The hero of the plough, having in return saluted allthe high-souled Kshatriyas, and having made courteous enquiries abouteach according to their years, affectionately embraced Janardana andSatyaki. Smelling their heads, he enquired after their welfare. Thosetwo, in return, O king, duly worshipped him, their superior, joyfully,like Indra and Upendra worshipping Brahman, the lord of the celestials.Then Dharma’s son, O Bharata, said these words unto that chastiser offoes, the son of Rohini, “Behold, O Rama, this formidable encounterbetween the two brothers!” Thus worshipped by those great car-warriors,the elder brother of Keshava, of mighty arms and great beauty, took hisseat amongst them. Clad in blue robes and possessed of a fair complexion,Rama, as he sat amidst those kings, looked resplendent like the moon inthe firmament, encompassed by multitudes of stars. Then that dreadfulencounter, making the very hair stand on end, took place between thosetwo sons of thine, O king, for terminating the quarrel (that had ragedfor many years).'”