hither to fight against the Matsyas on behalf of the
Trigartas; and as numerous were the acts represented
unto us of the oppressions committed by the Matsyas.
it was for this that we promised aid to the Trigartas
who were overcome with fear. And it was agreed
between us that they should first seize, on the afternoon
of the seventh lunar day, the enormous wealth of kine
that the Matsyas have, and that we should, at sunrise
of the eighteen day of the moon, seize these kine when
the king of the Matsyas would be pursuing those first
seized. It may be that the Trigartas are now
bringing a way the kine, or being defeated, are coming
towards us for negotiating with the king of the Matsyas.
Or, it may be, that having driven the Trigartas off,
the king of the Matsyas, at the head of this people
and his whole army of fierce warriors, appeareth on
the scene and advanceth to make night-attacks upon
us. It may be that some one leader among them,
endued with mighty energy, is advancing for vanquishing
us, or, it may be that the king himself of the Matsyas
is come. But be it the king of the Matsyas or
Vibhatsu, we must all fight him. Even this hath
been our pledge. Why are all these of foremost
car-warriors,—Bhishma and Drona and Kripa
and Vikarna and Drona’s son,—now
sitting on their cars, panic-stricken? At present
there is nothing better than fighting. Therefore,
make up your minds. If, for the cattle we have
seized, an encounter takes place with the divine wielder
himself of the thunderbolt or even with Yama, who is
there that will be liable to reach Hastinapura?
Pierced by the shafts (of the foe), how will the foot-soldiers,
in flying through the deep forest with their backs
on the field, escape with life, when escape for the
cavalry is doubtful? Hearing these words of Duryodhana,
Karna said, ’Disregarding the preceptor, make
all arrangements. He knoweth well the intentions
of the Pandavas and striketh terror in our hearts.
I see that his affection for Arjuna is very great.
Seeing him only coming, he chanteth his praises.
Make ye such arrangements that our troops may not break.
Everything is in confusion for Drona’s having
only heard the neigh of (Arjuna’s) steeds.
Make ye such arrangements that these troops, come to
a distant land in this hot season and in the midst
of this mighty forest, may not fall into confusion
and be subjugated by the foe. The Pandavas are
always the special favourites of the preceptor.
The selfish Pandavas have stationed Drona amongst
us. Indeed, he betrayeth himself by his speech.
Who would ever extol a person upon hearing the neigh
only of his steeds? Horses always neigh, whether
walking or standing, the winds blow at all times;
and Indra also always showereth rain. The roar
of the clouds may frequently be heard. What hath
Partha to do with these, and why is he to be praised
for these? All this (on Drona’s part), therefore,
is due only to either the desire of doing good to
Arjuna or to his wrath and hatred towards us.