Chapter 37

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus despatched by her elder brother, the far-fameddaughter of king Matsya, adorned with a golden necklace, ever obedient toher brother and possessed of a waist slender as that of the wasp,[36]endued with the splendour of Lakshmi herself,[37] decked with the plumesof the peacock of slender make and graceful limbs, her hips encircled bya zone of pearls, her eye-lashes slightly curved, and her form enduedwith every grace, hastily repaired to the dancing-hall like a flash oflightning rushing towards a mass of dark clouds.[38] And the faultlessand auspicious daughter of Virata, of fine teeth and slender-waist, ofthighs close unto each other and each like the trunk of an elephant, herperson embellished with an excellent garland, sought the son of Prithalike a she-elephant seeking her mate. And like unto a precious gem or thevery embodiment of prosperity of Indra, of exceeding beauty and largeeyes, that charming and adored and celebrated damsel saluted Arjuna. Andsaluted by her, Partha asked that maiden of close thighs and goldencomplexion, saying ‘What brings thee hither, a damsel decked in anecklace 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 withoutdelay!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Beholding, O king, his friend, the princess oflarge-eyes (in that plight), her friend (Arjuna) cheerfully enquired ofher (in these words) the cause of her arrival there and then. And havingapproached that bull among men, the princess, standing in the midst ofher female attendants, the displaying proper modesty[39], addressed him,saying, ‘The kine of this realm, O Vrihannala, are being driven away bythe Kurus, and it is to conquer them that my brother will set out bow inhand. Not long ago his own charioteer was slain in battle, and there isnone 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 withthee that that bull among the sons of Pandu had alone subjugated thewhole earth. Do thou, therefore, O Vrihannala, act as the charioteer ofmy brother. (By this time) our kine have surely been driven away by theKurus to a great distance. Requested by me if thou dost not act up to mywords, I who am asking this service of thee out of affection, will giveup my life!’ Thus addressed by this friend of graceful hips, thatoppressor of foes, endued with immeasurable prowess, went into theprince’s presence. And like unto a she-elephant running after her youngone, the princess possessed of large eyes followed that hero advancingwith hasty steps like unto an elephant with rent temples. And beholdinghim from a distance, the prince himself said, ‘With thee as hischarioteer, Dhananjaya the son of Kunti had gratified Agni at theKhandava forest and subjugated the whole world! The Sairindhri hathspoken of thee to me. She knoweth the Pandavas. Do thou, therefore, OVrihannala, hold, as thou didst, the reins of my steeds, desirous as I amof righting with the Kurus and rescuing my bovine wealth. Thou wertformerly the beloved charioteer of Arjuna and it was with thee that thatbull among the sons of Pandu had alone subjugated the whole earth!’ Thusaddressed, Vrihannala replied unto the prince, saying, ‘What ability haveI to act as a charioteer in the field of battle? If it is song or danceof musical instruments or such other things, I can entertain theetherewith, but where is my skill for becoming a charioteer?’

“Uttara said, ‘O Vrihannala, be thou a singer or a dancer, hold thou (forthe present), without loss of time, the reins of my excellent steeds,mounting upon my car!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Although that oppressor of foes, the son ofPandu, was acquainted with everything, yet in the presence of Uttara, hebegan to make many mistakes for the sake of fun. And when he sought toput the coat of mail on his body by raising it upwards, the large-eyedmaidens, beholding it, burst out into a loud laughter. And seeing himquite ignorant of putting on armour, Uttara himself equipped Vrihannalawith a costly coat of mail. And casing his own person in an excellentarmour of solar effulgence, and hoisting his standard bearing the figureof a lion, the prince caused Vrihannala to become his charioteer. Andwith Vrihannala to hold his reins, the hero set out, taking with him manycostly 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 andfine cloths after vanquishing the Kurus assembled for battle of whomBhishma 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 bevyof fair maidens. If, thus ‘Uttara can vanquish those mighty warriors inbattle, I will certainly bring excellent and beautiful cloths.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Having said these words, the heroic Arjunaurged the steeds towards the Kuru army over which floated innumerableflags. Just, however, as they were starting elderly dames and maidens,and Brahmanas of rigid vows, beholding Uttara seated on his excellent carwith Vrihannala as charioteer and under that great banner hoisted onhigh, walked round the car to bless the hero. And the women said, ‘Letthe victory that Arjuna treading like a bull had achieved of old on theoccasion of burning the forest of Khandava, be thine, O Vrihannala, whenthou encounterest the Kurus today with prince Uttara.'”