the whole world!  The Sairindhri hath spoken of thee to me.  She knoweth the Pandavas.  Do thou, therefore, O Vrihannala, hold, as thou didst, the reins of my steeds, desirous as I am of righting with the Kurus and rescuing my bovine wealth.  Thou wert formerly the beloved charioteer of Arjuna and it was with thee that that bull among the sons of Pandu had alone subjugated the whole earth!’ Thus addressed, Vrihannala replied unto the prince, saying, ’What ability have I to act as a charioteer in the field of battle?  If it is song or dance of musical instruments or such other things, I can entertain thee therewith, but where is my skill for becoming a charioteer?’

“Uttara said, ’O Vrihannala, be thou a singer or a dancer, hold thou (for the present), without loss of time, the reins of my excellent steeds, mounting upon my car!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Although that oppressor of foes, the son of Pandu, was acquainted with everything, yet in the presence of Uttara, he began to make many mistakes for the sake of fun.  And when he sought to put the coat of mail on his body by raising it upwards, the large-eyed maidens, beholding it, burst out into a loud laughter.  And seeing him quite ignorant of putting on armour, Uttara himself equipped Vrihannala with a costly coat of mail.  And casing his own person in an excellent armour of solar effulgence, and hoisting his standard bearing the figure of a lion, the prince caused Vrihannala to become his charioteer.  And with Vrihannala to hold his reins, the hero set out, taking with him many costly bows and a large number of beautiful arrows.  And his friend, Uttara and her maidens then said unto Vrihannala, ’Do thou, O Vrihannala, bring for our dolls (when thou comest back) various kinds of good and fine cloths after vanquishing the Kurus assembled for battle of whom Bhishma and Drona are foremost!’ Thus addressed, Partha the son of Pandu, in a voice deep as the roar of the clouds, smilingly said unto that bevy of fair maidens.  If, thus ’Uttara can vanquish those mighty warriors in battle, I will certainly bring excellent and beautiful cloths.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Having said these words, the heroic Arjuna urged the steeds towards the Kuru army over which floated innumerable flags.  Just, however, as they were starting elderly dames and maidens, and Brahmanas of rigid vows, beholding Uttara seated on his excellent car with Vrihannala as charioteer and under that great banner hoisted on high, walked round the car to bless the hero.  And the women said, ’Let the victory that Arjuna treading like a bull had achieved of old on the occasion of burning the forest of Khandava, be thine, O Vrihannala, when thou encounterest the Kurus today with prince Uttara.’”

SECTION XXXVIII