Pratijna Parva — The colloquy between Krishna and Daruka

Sanjaya said Then that Lord of eyes like lotus-petals, having entered into the matchless mansion of Arjuna, touched water and on the smooth and auspicious floor.

Spread an auspicious bed made of Kushamass of the hue of lapises. Thereafter, with garlands of flowers, fried paddy and perfumes and other auspicious articles.

He decorated that bed and then kept around it many excellent weapons. Then when Partha also had touched water, obedient and humble servants.

Performed the usual nightly ceremony of offering victims to the three-eyed Mahadeva. Thereafter with a delighted heart, Pritha's son, with perfumes and garlands.

Adorned Madhava and then offered him the nightly offering. The Govinda with a smile thus spoke to Phalguna.

“O son of Pritha, lay yourself down for sleep; good betide you, I go in search of your welfare.” Then placing at the door well-armed sentinels and door-keepers.

The auspicious Krishna followed by Daruka, entered his own tent. Then he laid himself down on his milk-white bed and brooded over the diverse measures (to be adopted on the morrow).

Then that illustrious one of eyes resembling lotus-petals, for Partha's sake, began to reflect on various measures that would drive away the one latter's grief and sorrow and increase his energy and effulgence.

Then that of soul engaged in meditation, that foremost lord of all, viz., Vishnu of wide-spread renown, who always performed what was agreeable to Jishnu, had recourse to Yoga-meditation, for benefiting Arjuna.

During that night none enjoyed sleep in the camp of the Pandavas. During that night, O ruler of men, wakefulness possessed every body.

“The wielder of the Gandiva bow, the highsouled Arjuna, being afflicted sore with grief on account of the death of his son, has rashly vowed the slaughter of the king of the Sindhus.

How indeed shall the mighty-armed son of Vasava, that slayer of hostile heroes, fulfill his vow?" Even thus did they then think.

"The vow which the high-souled son of Pandu has made, is a very difficult one. King Jayadratha is endued with great energy. may Arjuna successfully observe his vow!

Indeed Arjuna has made a tremendous resolve, being highly afflicted with the grief on account of his son's death. The brothers (of Duryodhana) are very powerful and his army is numerous.

The son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana) has also employed them all in the protection of his (Jayadratha). May Dhananjaya return safe, having slain the ruler of the Sindhus!

Let Arjuna fulfill his vow and vanquish his enemies. If tomorrow he fails to slay the Sindhu king, he will enter the blazing fire.

Pritha's son Dhananjaya will never venture to falsify his vow. Oh, what will be the condition of king Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, if Dhananjaya dies!

Indeed Pandu's son (Yudhishthira) has grafted all his hopes of victory on Arjuna. If we have acquired any religious merit, if we have ever given away things in charity, if we have burnt offerings on the fire.

Then through the fruits of all those acts of ours, let Savyasachin (Arjuna) obtain victory." Thus, when they were talking to one another of the victory of Arjuna on the morrow, O lord.

O monarch, that live-long night at last passed away. During that night Janardana, having awaked.

And remembering the vow Pritha's son had made, thus addressed Daruka-"Afflicted with sorrow for the death of his dear-loved son, Arjuna has vowed.

O Daruka, saying Before tomorrow's sun sets, I will slay Jayadratha-having heard of this vow, Duryodhana will surely hold counsel with his counsellors.

As to how Partha might be prevented from slaying Jayadratha in battle. His several Akshauhinis will also protect the latter;

As also Drona and his son, both accomplished in the use of all sorts of weapons, will protect him. That matchless hero, the thousand-eyed Indra himself, that humiliator of the pride of Daityas and Danavas.

Even he will not venture to slay Jayadratha, if he is protected by Drona in battle. I, therefore, will do that in the morrow by which Kunti's son Arjuna.

May slay Jayadratha before the sun goes down below the horizon. My wives, my friends, my kinsmen, my relatives.

None among these is so dear to me as is Kunti's son Arjuna. O Daruka, bereft of Arjuna, for even a moment, this world.

I will not be able to look at. And therefore, it shall not be so. Vanquishing them all, with their horses and elephants.

I will slay them all with Karna and Duryodhana, for the sake of Arjuna. Tomorrow the three worlds will behold my prowess in the dreadful battle.

When, O Daruka, I shall put forth my prowess for Arjuna's sake. Tomorrow thousands of kings and hundreds of princes.

With their steeds, cars and elephants, will, O Daruka, turn hastily away from the battle. Tomorrow Daruka, you shall see the army of kings crushed with my discus.

And overthrown by my enraged self, for the sake of Arjuna. Tomorrow the celestials, the Gandharvas, the Pisachas, the reptiles and the Rakshasas.

Will all know me to be the true friend of Savyasachin. He that injures him (Arjuna) injures me; and he that follows him follows me also.

With the help of your intelligence, do you identify Arjuna to be the half of my ownself. When the day dawns, O Daruka, equipping my best of chariots according to the rules of military science, you must bring it and follow me carefully. My mace Kaumodaki of celestial discus and my bow and arrows.

make, my

And many other implements of war-placing all these, O Suta, on my chariot and leaving room thereon for my standard and for heroic Garuda that adorns my car and yoking thereto my excellent steeds named Balahaka, Meghapuspa, Shaivya, Sugriva, having incased them in caparisons of gold of the effulgence of the solar orb and the fire and yourself donning your coat of mail, stay on it carefully. Having heard the shrille blast resembling the Rishabha note, of my conch Panchajanya, you will quickly come to me. In the course of a single day, O Daruka, I shall drive away the rage and the various woes of my cousin, the son of my paternal aunt. By every means, I shall so exert in battle, so that Vibhastu in battle.

May slay Jayadratha even before the very eyes of the Dhritarastras. All those for whose death Vibhatsu will strive, I tell your truly, will be slain and O charioteer, he will succeed in obtaining victory.

Daruka said Victory is sure to him and whence can defeat come to him, whose charioteership you, O foremost men, have accepted.

I shall do what you will bid me do. This night will end ushering in a morning, that will bring victory for Vijaya.