SECTION CLV

“Sanjaya said, ’After his son (Bhurisravas) had been slain by Satyaki while the former was sitting in Praya, Somadatta, filled with rage, said unto Satyaki these words, ’Why, O Satwata, ’having abandoned those Kshatriya duties ordained by the high-souled gods, hast thou betaken thyself to the practices of robbers?  Why would one that is observant of Kshatriya duties and possessed of wisdom, strike in battle a person that is turning away from the fight, or one that has become helpless, or one that has laid aside his weapons, or one that beggeth for quarters?  Two persons, indeed, among the Vrishnis are reputed to be the foremost of great car-warriors, viz., Pradyumna of mighty energy and thou also, O Satyaki!  Why then didst thou behave so cruelly and sinfully towards one that had sat on Praya and that had his arms cut off by Partha?[196] Take now in battle the consequence of that act of thine, O thou of wicked behaviour!  I shall today, O wretch, putting forth my prowess, cut off thy. head with a winged arrow.  I swear, O Satwata, by my two sons, by what is dear to me, and by all my meritorious acts, that, if before this night passes away, I do not slay thee, that art so proud of thy heroism, with thy sons and younger brothers, provided Jishnu, the son of Pritha, does not protect thee, then let me sink into terrible hell, O wretch of Vrishni’s race!’ Having said these words, the mighty Somadatta, filled with rage, blew his conch loudly and uttered a leonine roar.  Then Satyaki, of eyes like lotus-petals and teeth like those of a lion, possessed of great strength, and filled with rage, said these words unto Somadatta, ’O thou of Kuru’s race, whether battling with thee or with others, I do not in my heart ever experience the slightest fear.  If, protected by all the troops, thou fightest with me, I would not, even then experience on thy account, any pain, O thou of Kuru’s race!  I am ever observant of Kshatriya practices.  Thou canst not, therefore, frighten me with only words smacking of battle or with speeches that insult the good.  If, O king, thou wishest to fight with me today, be cruel and strike me with keen shafts and I will also strike thee.  Thy son, the mighty car-warrior Bhurisravas, O king, had been slain.  Sala also, and Vrishasena, have been crushed by me.  Thee also today I shall slay, with thy soils and kinsmen.  Stay with resolution in battle, for thou, O Katirava, art endued with great strength.  Thou art already slain in consequence of the energy of that drum-bannered king Yudhishthira in whom are always charity, and self-restraint, and purity of heart, compassion, and modesty, and intelligence, and forgiveness, and all else that is indestructible.  Thou shalt meet with destruction along with Karna and Suvala’s son.  I swear by Krishna’s feet and by all my good acts that, filled with rage, I shall, with my shafts, slay thee with thy sons in battle.  If thou fliest away from battle, then