The words of Yudhishthira

Sanjaya said Then that foremost of the Sinis viz., Satyaki, hearing those words of the very virtuous king Yudhishthira, words that were agreeable, salutary, fraught with sweet sounds, opportune, delightful and equitable, replied, O

“O you of unfading glory, I have heard all the words you have spoken for Arjuna's sake-words that are delightful, equitable and conducive to fame.

At a time like the present, beholding one devoted to you like me, it behoves you, O mighty monarch, to command me as much as you can command Partha himself.

For the sake of Dhananjaya, I am ever prepared to sacrifice my life. Commanded by you, what is there that I would not do in this great battle.

O ruler of men, commanded by you, I am ready to fight even with the three worlds with the Gods. Asuras and mortals therein, what to speak of this weak host of the Kuru?

I will, this day, fight with the entire army of Suyodhana and vanquish it in battle, Oking. This I tell you for sooth.

Safely shall I reach Dhananjaya who is also safe and after the slaughter of Jayadratha, we both shall come back to you, O king.

But, O foremost of men, I think it a duty to remind you of the words which were spoken to me by Vasudeva and the highly intelligent Phalguna.

I was repeatedly and strongly solicited by Arjuna in the very midst of all our troops and at the hearing of Vasudeva's son, in these words.

: "O you of Madhu's race, today, with a cool understanding and resolving to fight nobly and resolutely, do you protect the king, till I succeed in slaying Jayadratha.

O nighty-arined hero, making over the inonarch to you or to the mighty car-warriors Pradyumna only, can I I go to slaughter Jayadratha, with an easy heart.

You know how formidable Drona is in battle, Drona who is regarded as the foremost of the Kuru warriors. You also know the vow he made before the eyes of all, O master.

The son of Bharadvaja, eagerly longs to capture the very virtuous king Yudhishthira. Drona also is competent enough to afflict Yudhishthira in battle.

Now, making over the charge of the very virtuous king Yudhishthira, that best of men to you, I am today going to slaughter the ruler of the Sindhus.

Slaying Jayadratha in battle, I will return as soon as possible; O descendant of Madhu's race, meanwhile see that Drona may not capture Yudhishthira.

Oscion of Madhu's race, if that foremost of men Yudhishthira be captured by the son of Bharadvaja, I shall not be able to accomplish the slaughter of the king of the Sindhus and my grief will be great.

If the truthful son of Pandu, that foremost of the Pandavas (Yudhishthira) be captured by Drona, it is evident that we shall have to go the forest in exile once more.

If Dróna inflamed with rage succeeds in capturing Yudhishthira, it is evident my victory over Jayadratha will be productive of no good.

Thereupon, O scion of Madhu's race, o mighty-armed one, do you undertake to protect the king in battle, for my sake and for the sake of winning victory and fame.

Thus do you see, O king, that you have been made over to me as sacred trust by Savyasachin, afraid as he ever is of the son of Bharadvaja, on your account.

I see every day, O mighty-armed one that except Rukmini's son there is no one who can be a match for Drona in battle,Omaster.

I also am regarded to be a match for the intelligent son of Bharadvaja. So it is evident, I cannot falsify that reputation which I enjoy or disregard the behests of my preceptor Arjuna or leave you, O king, alone. The preceptor Drona, covered with impenetrable armour as he is and endued with great lightness of hands.

Obtaining you in battle, will sport with you as boy with an innocent bird. If that son of Krishna bearing the Makara as a device on his banner, were here with his bow.

I could have made you over to his protection and he could have protected, you like Arjuna himself. You should look after your own protection. Who shall protect you when I am gone?

Who will advance against Drona for protecting you, when I shall proceed towards Arjuna? Let no fear, O king, assail your heart today on Arjuna's account.

That mighty-armed one will never succumb under the heaviest of burdens. Those warriors that are ranged against him viz., the Souvirakas, the Sindhus, the Pauravas.

The Northerners, the Southerners and all cther mighty car-warriors and O king, they that are headed by Karna and are regarded to be most excellent warriors.

All these warriors, taken together, cannot equal the sixteenth part of Arjuna, when he becomes angry. The whole earta rising against him, with her gods, Asuras and men.

And the Rakshasas, the Kinnaras and the reptiles, O king, in fact, with all the mobile and immobile creatures, cannot withstand Pritha's son Arjuna in battle.

Knowing this, 0 king, let your apprehension on Dhananjaya's account be discarded, O mighty-monarch. Where the two heroic Krishnas, both fierce bowmen and both of prowess incapable of being baffled are present.

There cannot happen slightest impediment to their prowess incapable of being the baffled are present. There cannot happen the slightest impediment to their purpose. Think of the celestial prowess, the accomplishment in the use of weapons, the vast resources, the fierceness, the gratefulness and the kingheartedness of your brother in battle. When I shall leave this place for proceeding towards Arjuna.

Think also of Drona, of the wonderful knowledge of weapons he will display in battle; O king, the preceptor earnestly longs to capture you in battle.

And, O Bharata, he endeavours to keep his vow inviolate and true. Would you be able to protect yourself? Who shall protect you when I am gone?

Who is he, whom I may entrust with your protection and then go towards Arjuna, O king? O mighty monarch, without making over the charge of protecting you in this battle, to somebody else.

I cannot go away, O you of Kuru's race. This I tell you truly; O foremost of persons gifted with intelligence, considering view with the help of your understanding and ascertaining your highest good, do you command me, O king.

Yudhishthira said O descendant of Madhu's race O mightyarmed one, it is even so as you say. But inspite

of all this, my mind is not very sanguine regarding Arjuna that owner of white horses, O sire.

I shall try my best to protect myself. Do you go, commanded by me, to the spot where : Dhananjaya has gone.

The protection of myself in battle and the necessity of rendering aid to Dhananjaya, weighting these two propositions in the balance of my understanding, I prefer that you should do the latter.

Therefore prepare yourself for proceeding to the spot where Dhananjaya has gone. The highly powerful Bhima will look after my protection.

The son of Prisata with his uterine brothers, these mighty kings and the sons of Draupadi, O sire, will certainly, protect me.

The five Kekaya brothers, the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha and Virata, Drupada and the mighty car-warrior Sikhandin.

Dhristaketu, the puissant Kuntibhoja and O sire, Nakula, Sahadeva and the Srinjayas.

These warriors all, with great care, will surely exert themselves for protecting me. Neither Drona at the head of his troops, nor Kritavarman.

Will be able to defeat or afflict us. Dhrishtadyumna also that scorcher of foes, putting forth all his prowess in battle will hold the enraged Drona in check like the banks resisting the mighty main. In battle, where that slayer of foes viz., the son of Prisata will present him.

There Drona will not be able to pierce with force, our troops. For the destruction of Drona, Dhrishtadyumna has come out of fire.

Cased in mail, armed with shafts, swords, bow and decked with many ornaments. Therefore, O grandson of Sini, go with an easy heart and entertain no anxiety on my account. Dhrishtadyumna himself will resist the enraged Drona in battle.