by Yudhishthira, slew three hundred brave warriors.
And having slain such numbers, that fierce and mighty
warrior, Yudhishthira, with weapons upraised, rushed
against Susarman. And rushing impetuously at Susarman,
that foremost of car-warriors, king Yudhishthira, assailed
him with vollies of shafts. And Susarman also,
in great rage, quickly pierced Yudhishthira with nine
arrows, and each of his four steeds with four arrows.
Then, O king, Kunti’s son Bhima of quick movements,
approaching Susarman crushed his steeds. And
having slain also those soldiers that protected his
rear, he dragged from the car his antagonist’s
charioteer to the ground. And seeing the king
of Trigarta’s car without a driver, the defender
of his car-wheels, the famous and brave Madiraksha
speedily came to his aid. And thereat, leaping
down from Susarman’s car, and securing the latter’s
mace the powerful Virata ran in pursuit of him.
And though old, he moved on the field, mace in hand,
even like a lusty youth. And beholding Susarman
flee Bhima addressed him, saying, ’Desist, O
Prince! This flight of thine is not proper!
With this prowess of thine, how couldst thou wish
to carry off the cattle by force? How also, forsaking
thy follower, dost thou droop so amidst foes?’
Thus addressed by Pritha’s son, the mighty Susarman,
that lord of countless cars saying unto Bhima, Stay!
Stay!—suddenly turned round and rushed
at him. Then Bhima, the son of Pandu, leaping
down from his car, as he alone could do,[33] rushed
forward with great coolness, desirous of taking Susarman’s
life. And desirous of seizing Trigarta’s
king advancing towards him, the mighty Bhimasena rushed
impetuously towards him, even like a lion rushing
at a small deer. And advancing impetuously, the
mighty-armed Bhima seized Susarman by the hair, and
lifting him up in wrath, dashed him down on the ground.
And as he lay crying in agony, the mighty-armed Bhima
kicked him at the head, and placing his knee on his
breast dealt him severe blows. And sorely afflicted
with that kicking, the king of Trigartas became senseless.
And when the king of the Trigartas deprived of his
car, had been seized thus, the whole Trigarta army
stricken with panic, broke and fled in all directions,
and the mighty sons of Pandu, endued with modesty
and observant of vows and relying on the might of
their own arms, after having vanquished Susarman,
and rescued the kine as well as other kinds of wealth
and having thus dispelled Virata’s anxiety,
stood together before that monarch. And Bhimasena
then said, ’This wretch given to wicked deeds
doth not deserve to escape me with life. But what
can I do? The king is so lenient!’ And
then taking Susarman by the neck as he was lying on
the ground insensible and covered with dust, and binding
him fast, Pritha’s son Vrikodara placed him
on his car, and went to where Yudhishthira was staying
in the midst of the field. And Bhima then showed
Susarman unto the monarch. And beholding Susarman