The fight between Jayadratha and the Pandavas

Dhritarashtra said When that heroic Abhimanyu, that veritable child brought up in great luxury, proud of the strength of his arms, expert in the art of fighting, of noble blood, ready to sacrifice his life in battle.

Penetrated into our ranks, borne by his excellent steeds, three years old, was there any one else of the army of Yudhishthira, who then followed him?

Sanjaya said Yudhishthira, Bhimasena Sikhandin, Satyaki, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, Drupada with the Kekayas, Dhristaketu and the Matsyas, all inflamed with rage, rushed to battle. Then Abhimanyu's sires accompanied by his maternal uncles, all accomplished in slaying their opponents, formed in battle-array, rushed, desirous of rescuing him through the breach he himself had created in the enemies' ranks.

Seeing those heroes rush to battle, all your warriors turned their faces away from the field of battle. Thereupon beholding the mighty army of your son give way, your son-in-law endued with fierce energy, proceeded to rally them.

Then, O monarch, Jayadratha the royal son of the Sindhu king, checked the Parthas backed by their troops, when they tried to rescue their son (Abhimanyu).

That mighty bowmen of great skill in archery, viz., the son of Vridhakshatra then checked, displaying his celestial weapons, the Pandavas, like an elephant playing on the lowlands.

Dhritarashtra said I consider, O Sanjaya that a heavy burthen was then placed upon the king of the Sindhus, in as much as he had to withstanding the enraged Pandavas desirous of rescuing their son.

It appears to me that the Sindhu ruler was endowed with wonderful might and heroism. Tell me of the feats and heroism of that illustrious warrior.

What gifts did he make or what sacrifice did he accomplish or what austerities did he undergo by virtue of which he was able to resist, single-handed, the enraged sons of Pritha?

Sanjaya said On the occasion of the abduction of Draupadi, Jayadratha was humiliated by Bhimasena. Out of a feeling of this humiliation, the king performed rigid austerities for securing desirable boons.

Withholding his senses from the objects pleasurable to them and suffering (patiently) the pangs of hunger and thirst, he tortured his body till his swollen veins appeared to view.

Chanting the eternal hymns of the Vedas, he worshipped the God Sarva (Mahadeva). Thereupon that illustrious God, compassionate towards his devotees, became gracious on him.

The god Hara revealing himself in a dream to the son of the ruler of the Sindhus, addressed ever him thus "Ask the boon you like; I am pleased with you, O Jayadratha, what do you desire?"

Thus spoken to by Sharva (Mahadeva), king Jayadratha bowing down to him with folded palms and subdued soul, said-

“I desire that I may check in battle on a single car and single-handed, the Pandavas, possessed though they are of extra-ordinary prowess and energy.” This was the boon which he asked from the god.

Thus addressed, that God of gods, spoke unto Jayadratna, in the following manner-"O gentle one, I accord you the boon; save and except Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha,

You shal vanquish in battle the other four sons of Pandu." "So be it” said Jayadratha in answer to what the God of gods had said and then awoke from his sleep.

In consequence of having received this boon and through the virtue of the celestial weapon he possessed, he was competent to check the Pandava hosts, single-handed.

The twang of his bow-string inspired the hostile warriors with fear, filling at the same time, the hearts of your troops with joy.

The Kshatriyas then beholding the king of the Sindhus take upon himself the whole burden of the onset, rushed with deafening war-cries at the divisions of Yudhishthira.