Rama of great might never said such words to me!  Neither Gada nor Samba has ever asked that of me which thou hast asked!  No one among the other great car-warriors of the Vrishni and the Andhaka race residing in Dvaraka has ever asked this of me which thou hast asked!  Thou art the son of the preceptor of the Bharatas, thou art held in high respect by all the Yadavas.  Let me ask thee, O foremost of car-warriors, with whom wouldst thou fight using this weapon?”

Thus addressed by me, Drona’s son replied, saying, “After offering worship to thee, O Krishna, it was my intention to fight thee, O thou of unfading glory!  It was for this, O Krishna that I solicited thee for thy discus which is adored by gods and danavas.  If I had got it I would then become invincible in the world.  Having failed, O Keshava, in obtaining my almost unattainable wish, I am about to leave thee, O Govinda!  Address me in fair words now.  This terrible weapon is held by thee that art the foremost of all terrible persons.  Unrivalled art thou for this weapon!  There is none else in this world capable of possessing it.”

Having said these words unto me, the son of Drona, taking many couples of steeds and much wealth and diverse kinds of gems, left Dvaraka.  He is wrathful, wicked-souled, restless, and very cruel.  He knows the weapon called brahmashira.  Vrikodara should be protected from him!”

13

Vaishampayana said, “Having said these words, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that delighter of all the Yadavas, mounted upon his excellent car equipped with every kind of powerful weapons.  Unto that vehicle were yoked two pairs of foremost steeds of the Kamboja breed, that were adorned with garlands of gold.  The dhur of that best of cars was of the hue of the morning sun.  On the right was yoked the steed known as Shaibya; on the left was placed Sugriva; the Parshni was borne by two others called Meghapushpa and Balahaka.  There was seen on that car a celestial standard decked with gems and gold and created by the divine Artificer, and standing high like the Maya (of Vishnu himself).  Upon that standard was Vinata’s son (Garuda) shining with great splendour.  Indeed, that enemy of snakes perched on the standard-top of Keshava who is Truth embodied.

Then Hrishikesha, that foremost of all bowmen, mounted on that car.  After him Arjuna of irresistible feats and Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, ascended the same vehicle.  Seated on that car, by the side of him of Dasharha’s race who wielded the bow called sharnga, the two sons of Pandu looked exceedingly beautiful, like the twin Ashvinis seated by the side of Vasava.  Causing them to ascend on that car of his which was adored by all the world, he of Dasharha’s race urged those foremost of steeds endued with great fleetness.  Those steeds then suddenly flew, taking after them that excellent vehicle ridden by the two sons of Pandu and by that bull of Yadu’s race.  Endued with great speed, as those animals bore away the wielder of sharnga, loud became the noise caused by their rush, like that of birds coursing through the air.