Chapter 71
“Virata said, ‘If this one, indeed, be the Kuru king Yudhisthira the sonof Kunti, which amongst these is his brother Arjuna, and which, themighty Bhima. Which of these is Nakula, and which Sahadeva and where isthe celebrated Draupadi? After their defeat at dice, the sons of Prithahave not been heard of by any one.’
“Arjuna said, ‘Even this one, O king, who is called Vallava and is thycook, is that Bhima of mighty arms and terrible prowess and furiousimpetus. It was he who slew the furious Rakshasas on the mountains ofGandhamadana, and procured for Krishna celestial flowers of greatfragrance. Even he is that Gandharva, who slew the Kichaka of wicked souland it was he who killed tigers and bears and boars in the innerapartment of thy palace. He who had been the keeper of thy horse is thatslayer of foes called Nakula, and this one is Sahadeva, the keeper of thykine. Both these sons of Madri are great car-warriors, possessed of greatfame and beauty of person. These two bulls of the Bharata race, attiredin handsome robes and decked in excellent ornaments, are a match for athousand great car-warriors. And even this lady of eyes like lotus-petalsand slender-waist and sweet smiles is Drupada’s daughter, thy wife’sSairindhri, for whose sake, O king, the Kichakas were slain. I am, Oking, Arjuna who, it is evident, thou hast heard, is that son of Pritha,who is Bhima’s junior and the senior of the twins! We have, O king,happily passed in thy abode the period of non-discovery, like infants inthe womb!’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘After Arjuna had pointed out those heroes–thefive Pandavas, the son of Virata then spoke of Arjuna’s prowess. AndUttara once again identified the sons of Pritha. And the prince said,’That one whose complexion is bright like that of pure gold, who is stoutlike a full-grown lion, whose nose is so prominent, whose eyes are largeand expansive, and whose face is broad and of coppery hue, is the king ofthe Kurus. And behold, that one whose tread is like that of an infuriateelephant, whose complexion is like that of heated gold, whose shouldersare broad and expanded, and whose arms are long and thick, is Vrikodara.And he who stands by his side, that youth of darkish hue, who is likeunto a leader of a herd of elephants, whose shoulders are broad likethose of a lion, whose tread is like that of a mighty elephant, and whoseeyes are large and expansive like lotus-leaves, is Arjuna that foremostof bowmen. All lo, close to the king, are those foremost of men, thetwins, like unto Vishnu and Indra, and who have no equals, in the worldof men, in beauty, might, and behaviour. And close by them, behold,standeth Krishna, beautiful as gold, like unto the very embodiment oflight, possessing the complexion of the blue lotus, like unto a celestialdamsel, and resembling the living embodiment of Lakshmi herself.’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Then Virata’s son began to describe the prowessof Arjuna, saying, ‘Even this one is he that slew the foe, like unto alion devastating a flock of deer. Even he ranged through, crowds ofhostile cars, slaying their best of car-warriors. By him was slain ahuge, infuriate elephant by means of a single arrow. Pierced by him, thathuge beast having its flanks adorned with an armour of gold, fell downpiercing the earth with his tusks. By him have the kine been recoveredand the Kauravas vanquished in battle. My ears have been deafened by theblare of his conch. It was by this hero of fierce deeds that Bhishma andDrona, along with Duryodhana, were vanquished. That achievement is hisand not mine.’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Hearing these words of his, the mighty king ofthe Matsyas, considering himself guilty of having offended Yudhishthira,said unto Uttara in reply, ‘I think the time hath come for me topropitiate the sons of Pandu. And, if thou likest, I shall bestow mydaughter Uttara upon Arjuna.’
“Uttara said, ‘Worthy of our adorations and worship and respect, the timehath come for worshipping the illustrious sons of Pandu who deserve to beworshipped by us.’
“Virata said, ‘When brought under the foe’s subjection in battle, it wasBhimasena that rescued me. My kine also have been recovered by Arjuna. Itis through the might of their arms that we have obtained victory inbattle. Such being the case, all of us, with our counsellors, shallpropitiate Yudhishthira the son of Kunti. Blessed be thou, with all thybrothers, O bull among the sons of Pandu. If, O king, we have ever saidor done anything in ignorance to offend thee, it behoveth thee to forgiveus. The son of Pandu is virtuous.’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Then the high-souled Virata, delighted greatly,approached king Yudhishthira and made an alliance with him, and offeredhim his whole kingdom together with the sceptre and treasury andmetropolis. And addressing all the Pandavas, and especially Dhananjaya,the mighty king of the Matsyas repeatedly said, ‘By good luck it is thatI see you.’ And having again and again embraced Yudhishthira and Bhimaand the sons of Madri, and smelt their heads, Virata, that owner of alarge army, was not satiated with gazing at them. And being highlypleased, he said unto king Yudhishthira, ‘By good luck it is that I seeyou safe from woods. By good luck it is that ye have accomplished withdifficulty the period of exile, undiscovered by those wicked wights. Imake over my entire kingdom to the sons of Pritha, and what else I have.Let the sons of Pandu accept these without the slightest hesitation. Andlet Dhananjaya, called also Savyasachin, accept the hand of Uttara: forthat best of men is fit to be her lord.’ Thus addressed, kingYudhishthira the just cast a look upon Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha. Andlooked at by his brother, Arjuna said unto the Matsya king, ‘O monarch, Iaccept thy daughter as my daughter-in-law. And alliance of this kindbetween the Matsya and the Bharatas is, indeed, desirable.'”
