Vaisampayana continued, “Having heard these words spoken by the prince, Arjuna fully acquainted with the import of everything, after a little while cheerfully spake in private unto his dear wife of faultless beauty, Krishna, the princess of Panchala, Drupada’s daughter of slender make, sprung from the (sacrificial) fire and endued with the virtues of truthfulness and honesty and ever attentive to the good of her husbands.  And the hero said, ’Do thou, O beauteous one, at my request say unto Uttara without delay, “This Vrihannala was formerly the accomplished resolute charioteer of Pandu’s son (Arjuna).  Tried in many a great battle, even he will be thy charioteer."’”

Vaisampayana continued, “Hearing these words uttered by the prince over and over again in the midst of the women, Panchali could not quietly bear those allusions to Vibhatsu.  And bashfully stepping out from among the women, the poor princess of Panchala gently spake unto him these words, ’The handsome youth, looking like a mighty elephant and known by the name of Vrihannala, was formerly the charioteer of Arjuna.  A disciple of that illustrious warrior, and inferior to none in use of the bow, he was known to me while I was living with the Pandavas.  It was by him that the reins were held of Arjuna’s excellent steeds when Agni consumed the forest of Khandava.  It was with him as charioteer that Partha conquered all creatures at Khandava-prastha.  In fact, there is no charioteer equal unto him.’

“Uttara said, ’Thou knowest, O Sairindhri, this youth.  Thou knowest, what this one of the neuter sex may or may not be.  I cannot, however, O blessed one, myself request Vrihannala to hold the reins of my horses.’

“Draupadi said, ’Vrihannala, O hero, will without doubt, obey the words of thy younger sister[35]—­that damsel of graceful hips.  If he consents to be thy charioteer, thou wilt, without doubt, return, having vanquished the Kurus and rescued thy kine.’

    [35] Some read kaniasi for vaviasi.  Both words are the same,
    and mean the same thing.

“Thus addressed by the Sairindhri, Uttara spake unto his sister, ’Go thyself, O thou of faultless beauty, and bring Vrihannala hither.’  And despatched by her brother, she hastily repaired to the dancing-hall where that strong-armed son of Pandu was staying in disguise.”

SECTION XXXVII

Vaisampayana said, “Thus despatched by her elder brother, the far-famed daughter of king Matsya, adorned with a golden necklace, ever obedient to her brother and possessed of a waist slender as that of the wasp,[36] endued with the splendour of Lakshmi herself,[37] decked with the plumes of the peacock of slender make and graceful limbs, her hips encircled by a zone of pearls, her eye-lashes slightly curved, and her form endued with every grace, hastily repaired to the dancing-hall like a flash of lightning rushing towards a mass of