to Drona.  The ruler of the Sindhus hath not yet been slain.  There, Bhurisravas is proceeding against Satyaki in battle.  A heavier burthen hath been cast upon me on account of Jayadratha.  I should know how the ling is and I should also protect Satyaki.  I should also slay Jayadratha.  The sun hangeth low.  As regards the mighty-armed Satyaki, he is tired; his weapons also have been exhausted.  His steeds as also their driver, are tired, O Madhava!  Bhurisravas, on the other hand, is not tired, he hath supporters behind him, O Kesava!  Will success be Satyaki’s in this encounter?  Having crossed the very ocean, will Satyaki of unbaffled prowess, will that bull amongst the Sinis, of great energy, succumb, obtaining (before him) the vestige of a cow’s foot?[166] Encountering that foremost one amongst the Kurus, viz., the high-souled Bhurisravas, skilled in weapons, will Satyaki have good fortune?  I regard this, O Kesava, to have been an error of judgment on the part of king Yudhishthira the Just.  Casting of all fear of the preceptor, he hath despatched Satyaki (from away his side).  Like a sky-ranging hawk after a peace of meat, Drona always endeavoureth after the seizure of king Yudhishthira the Just.  Will the king be free from all danger?’

SECTION CXLI

“Sanjaya said, ’Beholding Satwata, invincible in battle coming (towards Arjuna), Bhurisravas, in rage, O king, suddenly advanced towards him.  He of Kuru’s race, then, O king, addressing that bull of Sini’s race, said, ’By luck it, is thou that hast today come within the range of my vision.  Today in this; battle, I obtain the wish I had always cherished.  If thou dost not flee away from battle, thou wilt not escape me with life.  Slaying thee today in fight, thou that art ever proud of thy heroism, I will, O thou of Dasarha’s race, gladden the Kuru king Suyodhana.  Those heroes, viz., Kesava and Arjuna, will today together behold thee lying on the field of battle, scorched with my arrows.  Hearing that thou hast been slain by me, the royal son of Dharma, who caused thee to penetrate into this host, will today be covered with shame.  Pritha’s son, Dhananjaya, will today behold my prowess when he sees thee slain and lying on the earth, covered with gore.  This encounter with thee hath always been desired by me, like the encounter of Sakra with Vali in the battle between the gods and the Asuras in days of old.  Today I will give thee dreadful battle, O Satwata!  Thou shalt thence truly understand (the measure of) my energy, might, and manliness.  Slain by me in battle, thou shalt today proceed to the abode of Yama, like Ravana’s son (Indrajit) slain by Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama.  Today, Krishna and Partha and king Yudhishthira the Just, O thou of Madhu’s race, witnessing thy slaughter will, without doubt, be overcome with despondency and will give up battle.  Causing thy death today, O Madhava, with keen shafts,