Pratijna Parva — The consolation given to Jayadratha

Sanjaya said Having heard the loud uproar created by the Pandavas desirous of victory and having ascertained through spies the cause thereof, Jayadratha then rose up.

With a heart confounded with grief and overwhelmed with affliction and like one sinking in an extensive and deep sea of sorrow.

Then that ruler of the Sindhus, having reflected for a long while, proceeded to the assembly of the kings; there, before the assemblage of monarchs, expressing his grief.

And afraid of the father of Abhimanyu and overwhelmed with shame, he spoke these words-"He, who was begotten upon the wife of Pandu by the lustful Indra.

That one of perverse intellect is desirous of dispatching me to the abode of Death. Good be tide you all, I shall now go back to my home out of a desire for saving my life.

Or, O foremost of the Kshatriyas, do you all protect me with the power of your weapons; O heroes, the son of Pritha (Arjuna) seeks to slay me; do you give me assurances of safety.

Drona, Duryodhana, Kripa, Karna, the rulers of the Madras and the Balhikas and Dushasana and others, these are competent to save even one who is seized by Death himself. Why then should not all these rulers of earth, united together, be able to protect me, when I are threatened by Phalguna who seeks to slay me?

Having heard the rejoicings of the sons of Pandu, I am struck with fear and O ruler of men, my limbs are loosing strength, like those of one on the verge of death.

Without doubt, the wielder of the bow Gandiva has promised to slay me; therefore it is that, the Pandavas are shouting with delight at a time when they should grieve.

Even the Gandharavas, the Asuras the reptiles and the Rakshasas, cannot dare baffle a vow of Arjuna, what to speak of the rulers of men?

Therefore foremost of men, do you all accord me your permission (to go home); may good betide you; I shall go concealed and the Pandavas will not be able to detect me."

Him thus lamenting with heart confounded with the burden of fear, king Duryodhana ever devoted to his own personal interests, said these wordsन भेतव्यं नरव्याघ्र को हि त्वां पुरुषर्षभ।

O foremost among men, you should entertain no fear. What person, O beat of men, can seek to slay you, when you stand in the midst of the Kshatriya heroes.

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Myself, Vikartana's son Karna, Chitrasena, Vivinshati, Bhurishravas, Shala, Shalya, the invincible Vrishasena, Purumitra, Jaya, Bhoja, Sudakshina the ruler of the Kambojas, the mighty armed Satyavrata, Vikarna and Durmukha, Dushasana, Subahu, the ruler of the Kalingas with arms uplifted, Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, Drona and the son of Drona, Subala's son, these and many other rulers of various countries, attended with all their troops, shall exert themselves in protecting you. Let the fever of fear be driven away mind.

You also, O you of unrivalled effulgence, are the foremost of all heroes; why then, O ruler of the Sindhus, do you entertain fear from the Pandavas.

These ten and one Akshouhini of my troops shall strive their best for protecting you. Be not afraid, O ruler of the Sindhus. Let fear be driven away from your heart.

Sanjaya said Thus comforted by your son Duryodhana, the ruler of the Sindhus, o king accompanied by the former, went that very night, to the camp of Drona.

Then saluting Drona by touching his feet and having bowed down to him, Jayadratha, O ruler of men, sat down with humility and then asked the following question.

“Tell me, O illustrious one, the difference between myself and Phalguna, as regards hitting the aim, hitting it from a distance, lightness of hands and the force of strokes.

O preceptor, I want to know exactly the difference, as regards proficiency in arms between myself and Arjuna. Say it to me truly."

Drona said As regards teaching you and Arjuna, O sire, have both received an equal share. But through Yoga and through the effects of hardship he had undergone, he has become superior to yourself.

In battle, you should never entertain any fear from Pritha's son Arjuna, I am surely your protector, O sire, from ali dangers.

Even the very gods cannot obtain victory over him who is protected with the strength of my arms. I will (tomorrow) form such an array which Partha will never be able to reach the end of.

Therefore do you fight and be not afraid in the least and observe (scrupulously) the duties of your order. O foremost of car-warriors, do you follow the path chalked out by your fathers and grandfathers.

Having studied the various branches of knowledge, you have burnt due offerings on the fire, you have also celebrated various sacrifices; death therefore should not be an object of apprehension to you.

(On the other hand), if you die you shall attain to that good fortune so difficult of being attained by the vile men, viz., you shall ascend to those excellent regions that are acquired by the strength of our arms.

The Kurus, the Pandavas, the Vrishnis and other men and I and my son-think all these to be mortal and uncertain,

One after another, destroyed by the powerful God of Death, we shall go to the regions of the departed, carrying with us the fruits of our respective actions.

Those regions to which the ascetics repair through their observance of ascetic austerities, even those regions the heroic Kshatriyas attain, by the observance of their own duties.”

Thus then was the ruler of the Sindhus comforted by the son of Bharadvaja. He then dismissed (from his heart) all fears of Partha (Arjuna) and set his heart upon battle.

Thereupon, O ruler of men, your warriors were filled with delight and the war-cries they then shouted out, became mingled with the terrible din of the musical instruments.