Mahabharata, Epic of the Bharatas

Book VI. Go-Harana (Cattle-Lifting) – 71
But to save the pilfered cattle speeds he onward in his fear,
While these warriors stay and tarry to defend their monarch’s rear,
But I leave these car-borne warriors, other work to-day is mine,
Meet Duryodhan in the battle, win thy father’s stolen kine!”
Matsya’s prince then turned the coursers, left behind the war’s array,
Where Duryodhan with the cattle quickly held his onward way,
Kripa marked the course of Arjun, guessed his inmost thought aright,
Thus he spake to brother warriors urging speed and instant fight:
“Mark ye, chieftains, gallant Arjun wheels his sounding battle-car,
’Gainst our prince the proud Duryodhan seeks to turn the tide of war,
Let us fall upon our foeman and our prince and leader save,
Few save INDRA, god of battles, conquers Arjun fierce and brave,
What were Matsya’s fattened cattle, many thousands though they be,
If our monarch sinks in battle like a ship in stormy sea!”
Vain were Kripa’s words of wisdom, Arjun drove the chariot fair,
While his shafts like countless locusts whistled through the ambient air,
Kuru soldiers struck with panic neither stood and fought, nor fled,
Gazed upon the distant Arjun, gazed upon their comrades dead!
Arjun twanged his mighty weapon, blew his far-resounding shell,
Strangely spake his monkey-standard, Kuru warriors knew it well,
[279] Sankha’s voice, Gandiva’s accents, and the chariot’s booming sound,
Filled the air like distant thunder, shook the firm and solid ground,
Kuru soldiers fled in terror or they slumbered with the dead,
And the rescued lowing cattle with their tails uplifted fled!
V. Warrior’s Guerdon
Now with joy the king Virata to his royal city came,
Saw the rescued herds of cattle, saw Uttara prince of fame,
Marked the great and gallant Arjun, helmet-wearing, armour-cased,
Knew Yudhishthir and his brothers now as royal princes dressed,