deliberating much as to the course of the car, Matali began to guide the steeds on a (piece of) level ground, O foremost of the Bharatas.  And owing to the swiftness of those fleet coursers conducted by him, I could see nothing—­and this was strange.  Then the Danavas there began to sound thousands of musical instruments, dissonant and of odd shapes.  And at those sounds, fishes by hundreds and by thousands, like unto hills, having their senses bewildered by that noise, fled suddenly.  And mighty force flew at me, the demons discharging sharpened shafts by hundreds and by thousands.  And then, O Bharata, there ensued a dreadful conflict between me and the demons, calculated to extinguish the Nivata-Kavachas.  And there came to the mighty battle the Devarshis and the Danavarshis and the Brahmarshis and the Siddhas.  And desirous of victory, the Munis eulogised me with the same sweet-speeches that (they had eulogised) Indra with, at the war, (which took place) for the sake of Tara.’”

SECTION CLXIX

“Arjuna continued, ’Then, O Bharata, vehemently rushed at me in battle in a body the Nivata-Kavachas, equipped with arms.  And obstructing the course of the car, and shouting loudly, those mighty charioteers, hemming me in on all sides, covered me with showers of shafts.  Then other demons of mighty prowess, with darts and hatchets in their hands, began to throw at me spears and axes.  And that mighty discharge of darts, with numerous maces and clubs incessantly hurled fell upon my car.  And other dreadful and grim-visaged smiters among the Nivata-Kavachas, furnished with bows and sharpened weapons, ran at me in fight.  And in the conflict, shooting from the Gandiva sundry swift arrows coursing straight, I pierced each of them with ten.  And they were driven back by those stone-whetted shafts of mine.  Then on my steeds being swiftly driven by Matali, they began to display various movements with the speed of the wind.  And being skilfully guided by Matali, they began to trample upon the sons of Diti.  And although the steeds yoked unto that mighty chariot numbered hundreds upon hundreds, yet being deftly conducted by Matali, they began to move, as if they were only a few.  And by their tread, and by the rattling of the chariot wheels and by the vollies of my shafts, the Danavas began to fall by hundreds.  And others accoutred in bows, being deprived of life, and having their charioteers slain, were carried about by the horses.  Then, covering all sides and directions, all (the Danavas) skilled in striking entered into the contest with various weapons, and thereat my mind became afflicted.  And I witnessed (this instance of) the marvellous prowess of Matali, viz., that he guided those fiery steeds with ease.  Then, O king, in the conflict, with diverse fleet weapons I pierced by hundreds and by thousands (demons) bearing arms.  And, O slayer of foes, seeing me thus range the field putting forth