Pratijna Parva — The words of Arjuna

Sanjaya said When they were thus conversing, Dhananjaya appeared there, desirous of seeing that foremnost of Bharatas, viz., king Yudhishthira and his relatives.

When he had entered that auspicious chamber and was standing before the king, having saluted him duly, that foremost of the Pandavas (king Yudhishthira) rose from his। seat and out of affection, embraced Arjuna.

Having locked Arjuna in his affectionate embrace and having smelled the crown of his head and pronouncing best benedictions of

“It is evident, O Arjuna, that in today's fight a great victory is sure to court you, inasmuch as your very appearance indicates it, as also the fact that Janardana is gratified with you.”

Then Jishnu spoke to him of the wonderful incident (he had seen in his dream) in the following terms "May good betide, you, O monarch! Through the mercy of Keshava, I have seen a marvel."

Then, for giving very assurance to his partisans, Dhananjaya related everything he had seen in his dream-his meeting with the three eyed god.

Thereupon all the hearers filled with wonder, touched the earth with their heads; and thus having bowed down to the god having the bull for his emblem, they said excellent, excellent.

Then permitted by the son of Dharma, all the friends and partisans of the Pandavas, cheerfully set out for the battle with haste and with hearts swelling with rage.

Then having saluted the king, Yuyudhana, Arjuna and Krishna of unfading glory, with cheerful hearts, issued out of the chamber of Yudhishthira.

Those two indomitable warriors, the heroes Yuyudhana and Janardana, riding on the same car, proceeded towards the abode of Arjuna.

Repairing there, Hrishikesha dressed and equipped the car of the foremost of warriors, like a profession charioteer-car that bore the device of the monkey prince on its standards.

Thereupon that best of chariots of rattle resembling the rumble of clouds and of effulgence like that of heated gold, thus equipped (by Keshava), shone like the maker of day in the morning.

Thereafter that foremost of men, namely the son of Vasudeva eased in an armour, told Pritha's son who had completed his morning prayers that his chariot had been made ready.

Then that foremost of all men of this world, namely, the diadem-decked Arjuna, clad in a golden cost of mail and holding his bow and arrows in his grasp, circumbulated his vehicle.

Then praised and blessed with benedictions believed to bestow victory in battle, by Brahmanas old in the performance of austerities, in knowledge and in years, ever engaged in the performance of religious rites and sacrifices and holding all their passions in subjugation, Arjuna mounted upon his mighty chariot.

That excellent vehicle of his which had been previously purified with victory-giving mantras, like the sun of burning radiance ascending the Eastern mountains.

Then that best of car-warriors adorned with golden ornaments, shone, in consequence of those golden ornaments of his, on his chariot, like the sun of burning radiance on the breast of the Meru mountain.

After Partha, Yuyudhana and Janardana mounted on that car, like the twin Ashvinis riding on the best celestial car when they had come to the sacrifice of Sharyati.

The Govinda that best of charioteers took up the reins (of Arjuna's steeds)., like Matali taking up the reins of Indra's horses, when the latter went to fight in order to slay Vritra.

Mounting on that his best of cars, with those two heroes Yuyudhana and Janardana, Pritha's son appeared like the moon dispelling darkness when rising in conduction with Budha and Shukra.

Then that slayer of large bodies of foes (Arjuna), desirous of bringing about the slaughter of the Sindhu ruler, proceeded to battle, like Indra accompanied by Varuna and the sun, proceeding to fight with the Asuras, in the battle caused by the abduction of Taraka.

The minstrels and musicians then greeted the heroic Arjuna as he proceeded, with the sounds of musical instruments and eulogies, auspicious and well-worded.

The voice of the bards and the minstrels pronounced benedictions of victory; and goodday greetings became pleasing to the heroes, being mingled with the din of musical instruments.

An auspicious breeze bearing bearing holy fragrance, began to blow from behind Partha and it gladdened him, but sucked up the energies of his adversaries. in that moment, O king, various auspicious signs appeared to view, indicative of the victory of the Pandavas.

And, O sire, of the reverses of their enemies seeing those signs indicative of victory Arjuna, addressing the mighty bow-man Yuyudhana who was sitting at his right, said these words"O Yuyudhana, in today's battle, my victory is undoubted."

Inasmuch as, O foremost of Sini's race Yuyudhana, these auspicious signs appearing to us.

I shall now penetrate to the spot where the king of the Sindhus remains desirous of seeing a display of my prowess and of going to the domain of Yama. are

Indeed, as the slaughter of the Sindhu ruler in one of my foremost duties. So also the protection of the very virtuous king Yudhishthira is another imperative duty of mine.

Therefore, O mighty-armed one, do you protect the king this day. So that, protected by you he will be as safe as if he were protected by my own self.

Moreover, I do not see any one who can vanquish you in battle. In battle you are equal to Vasudeva himself; even the lord of the celestials cannot vanquish you.

Placing the burden of the king's protection you the mighty car-warrior Pradyumna. I can, O foremost of men, without anxiety, exert myself in slaying the Sindhu king.

O descendant of the Satvata race, you need not entertain any misgiving about myself. It shall be your first duty to protect the king, with all your heart and soul.

"There where the mighty-armed son of Vasudeva stay or where I myself stay, certainly no calamity can befall there."

Thus spoken to by Pritha's son, Satyaki the slayer of hostile heroes, saying 'yea' to the words of the former, returned to that part of the field where Yudhishthira was. on Or on