“Sanjaya continued, ’Set free by Somadatta’s son, the grandson of Sini, rising up, drew his sword and desired to cut off the head of the high-souled Bhurisravas.  Indeed, Satyaki desired to slay the sinless Bhurisravas, the eldest brother of Sala, that giver of plenty in sacrifices who was staying with his, senses withdrawn from battle, who had already been almost slain by the son of Pandu, who was sitting with his arm lopped off and who resembled on that account a trunkless elephant.  All the warriors loudly censured him (for his intention).  But deprived of reason, and forbidden by Krishna and the high-souled Partha, Bhima, and the two protectors of the two wheels (of Arjuna’s car, viz., Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas), and Aswatthaman, and Kripa and Karna, and Vrishasena, and the ruler of the Sindhus also, and while the soldiers were yet uttering shouts of disapproval, Satyaki stew Bhurisravas while in the observance of his vow.  Indeed, Satyaki, with his sword, cut off the head of the Kuru warrior who had been deprived of his arm by Partha and who was then sitting in Praya for freeing his soul from the body.  The warriors did not applaud Satyaki for that act of his in slaying that perpetuator of Kuru’s race who had before been almost slain by Partha.  The Siddhas, the Charanas, and the men there present, as also the gods, beholding the Sakra-like Bhurisravas slain in that battle, through sitting in the observance of that Praya vow, began to applaud him, amazed at the acts, accomplished by him.  Thy soldiers also argued the matter, ’It is no fault of the Vrishni hero.  That which was pre-ordained has happened.  Therefore, we should not give way to wrath.  Anger is the cause of men’s sorrow.  It was ordained that Bhurisravas would be slain by the Vrishni hero.  There is no use of judging of its propriety or otherwise.  The Creator had ordained Satyaki to be the cause of Bhurisrava’s death in battle.’

“Satyaki said, ’Ye sinful Kauravas, wearing the outward garment of righteousness, ye tell me, in words of virtue, that Bhurisravas should not be slain.  Where, however, did this righteousness of yours go when ye slew in battle that child, viz., the son of Subhadra, while destitute of arms?  I had in a certain fit of haughtiness vowed that he who would, throwing me down alive in battle, strike me with his foot in rage, he would be slain by me even though that foe should adopt the vow of asceticism.  Struggling in the encounter, with my arms and eyes hale and sound, ye had yet regarded me as dead.  This was an act of folly on our part.  Ye bulls among the Kurus, the slaughter of Bhurisravas, accomplished by me, hath been very proper!  Partha, however, by cutting off this one’s arm with sword in grasp for fulfilling, from his affection for me, his own vow (about protecting all on his side), hath simply robbed me of glory.  That which is ordained must happen.  It is destiny that works.  Bhurisravas hath been slain in press of battle.  What sin have I perpetrated?  In days of yore, Valmiki sang this verse on earth, viz., ’Thou sayest, O ape, that women should not be slain.  In all ages, however, men should always, with resolute care, accomplish that which gives pain to enemies.’