“Arjuna said, ’I will, O son of Virata, tell thee my ten names.  Listen thou and compare them with what thou hadst heard before.  Listen to them with close attention and concentrated mind.  They are Arjuna, Phalguna, Jishnu, Kiritin, Swetavahana, Vibhatsu, Vijaya, Krishna, Savyasachin and Dhananjaya.’

“Uttara said, ’Tell me truly why art thou called Vijaya, and why Swetavahana.  Why art thou named Krishna and why Arjuna and Phalguna and Jishnu and Kiritin and Vibhatsu, and for what art thou Dhananjaya and Savyasachin?  I have heard before about the origin of the several names of that hero, and can put faith in thy words if thou canst tell me all about them.’

“Arjuna said, ’They called me Dhananjaya because I lived in the midst of wealth, having subjugated all the countries and taking away their treasures.  They called me Vijaya because when I go out to battle with invincible kings, I never return (from the field) without vanquishing them.  I am called Swetavahana because when battling with the foe, white horses decked in golden armour are always yoked unto my car.  They call me Phalguna because I was born on the breast of the Himavat on a day when the constellation Uttara Phalguna was on the ascendent.  I am named Kiritin from a diadem, resplendent like the sun, having been placed of old on my head by Indra during my encounter with the powerful Danavas.  I am known as Vibhatsu among gods and men, for my never having committed a detestable deed on the battle-field.  And since both of my hands are capable of drawing the Gandiva, I am known as Savyasachin among gods and men.  They call me Arjuna because my complexion is very rare within the four boundaries of the earth and because also my acts are always stainless.  I am known among human beings and celestials by the name of Jishnu, because I am unapproachable and incapable of being kept down, and a tamer of adversaries and son of the slayer of Paka.  And Krishna, my tenth appellation, was given to me by my father out of affection towards his black-skinned boy of great purity.’”

Vaisampayana continued, “The son of Virata then, approaching nearer saluted Partha and said, ’My name is Bhuminjaya, and I am also called Uttara.  It is by good luck, O Partha, that I behold thee.  Thou art welcome, O Dhananjaya.  O thou with red eyes, and arms that are mighty and each like unto the trunk of an elephant, it behoveth thee to pardon what I said unto thee from ignorance.  And as wonderful and difficult have been the feats achieved by thee before, my fears have been dispelled, and indeed the love I bear to thee is great.’”

SECTION XLV

“Uttara said, ’O hero, mounting on this large car with myself as driver, which division of the (hostile) army wouldst thou penetrate?  Commanded by thee, I would drive thee thither.’

“Arjuna said, ’I am pleased with thee, O tiger among men.  Thou hast no cause of fear.  I will rout all thy foes in battle, O great warrior, And, O thou of mighty arms, be at thy ease.  Accomplishing great and terrible feats in the melee, I will fight with thy foes.  Tie quickly all those quivers to my car, and take (from among those) a sword of polished blade and adorned with gold.’”