Mahabharata 05 (eng)..

UDYOGA PARAVA
SECTION XXII
selves. The chief of the Somaka tribe, with his followers, is, I have heard, so devoted to the cause of
the Pandavas that he is ready to lay down his very life for them. Who would be able to withstand
Yudhishthira who hath the best of the Vrishni tribe (Krishna) for his leader? I have heard that Virata,
the chief of the Matsyas, with whom the Pandavas had lived for some time and whose wishes
were fulfilled by them, old in years, is devoted, along with his sons to the Pandava cause, and hath
become an adherent of Yudhishthira. Deposed from the throne of the Kekaya land, and desirous of
being reinstated thereon, the five mighty brothers from that land, wielding mighty bows, are now
following the sons of Pritha ready to fight. All who are valiant among the lords of the earth have
been brought together and are devoted to the Pandava cause. I hear that they are bold, worthy, and
respectful, – they who have allied themselves to the virtuous king Yudhishthira from feelings of attachment
to him. And many warriors dwelling on the hills and inaccessible fastnesses, and many
that are high in lineage and old in years, and many Mlechcha tribes also wielding weapons of various
kinds, have been assembled together and are devoted to the cause of the Pandavas. And there
hath come Pandya also, who, hardly inferior to Indra on the field of battle, is followed when he
fights by numberless warriors of great courage. Remarkably heroic and endued with prowess and
energy that have no parallel, he is devoted to the Pandava cause. That same Satyaki who, I have
heard, obtained weapons from Drona and Arjuna and Krishna and Kripa and Bhishma, and who is
said to be equal to the son of Krishna, is devotedly attached to the Pandava cause. And the assembled
kings of the Chedi and the Karusha tribes have all taken the part of the Pandavas with all their
resources. That one in their midst, who, having been endued with blazing beauty, shone like the
sun, whom all persons deemed unassailable in battle and the very best of all drawers of the bow on
earth, was slain by Krishna in a trice, by help of his own great might, and counting for naught the
bold spirit of all the Kshatriya kings. Kesava cast his eyes on that Sishupala and smote him, enhancing
the fame and honour of the sons of Pandu. It was the same Sishupala who was highly honoured
by those kings at whose head stood the king of the Karusha tribe. Then the other kings, deeming
Krishna unassailable when seated on his car drawn by Sugriva and other steeds, left the chief of the
Chedis and ran away like small animals at the sight of a lion. And it was thus that he, who, from
audacity had sought to oppose and encounter Krishna in a combat hand to hand, was slain by
Krishna and lay down lifeless, resembling a Karnikara tree uprooted by a gale. O Sanjaya, O son of
Gavalgana, what they have told me of the activity of Krishna in cause of Pandu's sons, and what I
remember of his past achievements, leave me no peace of mind. No foe whatsoever is capable of
withstanding them, who are under the lead of that lion of the Vrishni tribe. My heart is trembling
with fear upon learning that the two Krishnas, are seated on the selfsame car. If my dull-headed son
forbear to fight with those two, then may he fare well, – else those two will consume the race of
Kuru as Indra and Upendra consume the Daitya hosts. Dhananjaya is, I conceive, equal to Indra,
and the greatest of the Vrishni race, Krishna, is the Eternal Vishnu himself. The son of Kunti and
Pandu, Yudhishthira, is virtuous and brave and eschews deeds that bring on shame. Endued with
great energy, he hath been wronged by Duryodhana. If he were not high-minded, the would in
wrath burn the Dhritarashtras. I do not so much dread Arjuna or Bhima or Krishna or the twin
brothers as I dread the wrath of the king, O Suta, when his wrath is excited. His austerities are great;
he is devoted to Brahmacharya practices. His heart's wishes will certainly be fulfilled. When I think
of his wrath, O Sanjaya, and consider how just it is, I am filled with alarm. Go thou speedily on a
car, despatched by me, where the troops of the king of the Panchalas are encamped. Thou wilt ask
Yudhishthira about his welfare. Thou wilt repeatedly address him in affectionate terms. Thou wilt
also meet Krishna, O child, who is the chief of all brave men and who is endued with a magnanimous
soul. Him also thou wilt ask on my part as to his welfare, and tell him that Dhritarashtra is
desirous of peace with Pandu's sons. O Suta, there is nothing that Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti,
would not do at the bidding of Krishna. Kesava is as dear to them as their own selves. Possessed of
great learning, he is ever devoted to their cause. Thou wilt also enquire about the welfare of all the
assembled sons of Pandu and the Srinjayas and Satyaki and Virata and all the five sons of Draupadi,
professing to be a messenger from me. And whatsoever also thou mayst deem to be opportune, and
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