SECTION LXXV

“Sanjaya said, ’After Partha had vowed the death of the ruler of the Sindhus, the mighty-armed Vasudeva addressed Dhananjaya and said,—­With the consent of thy brothers (alone, but without consulting me), thou hast sworn, saying—­I will slay the ruler of the Sindhus!  This hath been an act of great rashness (on thy part)!  Without consulting me, thou hast taken up a great weight (upon thy shoulders)!  Alas, how shall we escape the ridicule of all men?  I had sent some spies into the camp of Dhritarashtra’s son.  Those spies, quickly coming unto me, gave me this information, viz., that after thou, O lord, hadst vowed to slay the ruler of the Sindhus, loud leonine shouts, mingled with the sounds of (our) musical instruments, were heard by the Dhritarashtras.  In consequence of that uproar, the Dhritarashtras, with their well-wishers, became terrified,—­These leonine shouts are not, causeless!—­thought they, and waited (for what would ensue).  O thou of mighty arms, an uproarious din then arose amongst the Kauravas, of their elephants and steeds and infantry.  And a terrible rattle was also heard of their cars.—­Having heard of the death of Abhimanyu, Dhananjaya, deeply afflicted will in wrath come out in the night for battle!—­Than king even thus, they waited (ready for battle).  While preparing themselves.  O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, they then learnt truly the vow about the slaughter of the ruler of the Sindhus, made by thee that art wedded to truth.[128] Then all the counsellors of Suyodhana became heartless and frightened like little animals.  As regards king Jayadratha, that ruler of the Sindhus and the Sauviras, overwhelmed with grief and becoming thoroughly cheerless he stood up and entered his own tent with all his counsellors.  Having consulted (with them) about every remedy that could benefit him at a time when he stood in need of consultation, he proceeded to the assembly of the (allied) kings and there said these words unto Suyodhana—­Dhananjaya thinking me to be the slayer of his son, will tomorrow encounter me in battle!  He hath, in the midst of his army, vowed to stay me!  That vow of Savyasachin the very gods and Gandharvas and Asuras and Uragas and Rakshasas cannot venture to frustrate!  Protect me, therefore, ye all in battle!  Let not Dhananjaya, placing his foot on your head, succeed in hitting the mark!  Let proper arrangements be made in respect of this matter!  Or, if, O delighter of the Kurus, you think that you will not succeed in protecting me in battle, grant me permission then, O king, so that I may return home!  Thus addressed (by Jayadratha), Suyodhana became cheerless and sat, hanging down his head.  Ascertaining that Jayadratha was in a great fright, Suyodhana began to reflect in silence.  Beholding the Kuru king to be greatly afflicted, king Jayadratha, the ruler of the Sindhus, slowly said these words having a beneficial reference to himself—­I