सैन्यनिर्याण पर्व — (क्रमशः) रुक्मी की वापसी

Vaishampayana said 1-At this time did there come to the encampment of the Pandavas, the son of the great souled Bhishmaka, otherwise called the king Hiranya Roman, who was the friend of Indra himself, who was the very renowned ruler of the Bhojas, and who was the lord of the entire southern countries. His son was known in all countries by the name of Rukmi, ever devoted to truth,

Who was a pupil of that lion of the Kimpurushas living on the Gandhamadana mountain and who learnt from him the entire science of handling bows in all its four branches;

Who, having long arms, obtained the Vijaya bow of the great Indra himself which was equal in energy to the Gandiva and to the Sharanga which had celestial attributes in it.

These were the three celestial bows of the denizens of heaven namely, Gandiva belonging to Varuna, Vijaya belonging to the great Indra and Sharanga the bow of Vishnu, having celestial energy.

Krishna obtained that bow which struck terror to the soldiers of the enemies. The son of Indra (Arjuna) obtained the Gandiva from the fire on the occasion of burning the Khandava.

Rukmi of great energy, obtained the Vijaya from Druma after breaking open the knots and nooses of Mura and slaying Asura by his own energy.

And subjugating Naraka the son of Bhumi (earth) while recovering the jeweled ear-rings and sixteen thousand damsels and diverse sorts of gems,

Hrishikesha obtained that excellent bow the Sharanga. Rukmi, obtaining that bow called Vijaya whose twang was like the roaring of the clouds.

Came to the Pandavas as if terrifying the earth. The hero, proud of the strength of his own arms, could not pass, in silence before,

The ravishment of Rukmini (his sister) by the wise Vasudeva; and having resolved "I shall not return without slaying Janardana,"

The foremost among wielders of weapons came in pursuit of the scion of Vrishni race, with army having all the four divisions, which occupied a large tract of land as it proceeded,

And furnished with diverse sorts of amours and weapons resembled the Ganga when full. He, then coming to that scion of the Vrishni race who is the lord, the object of all devotion,

Was defeated by him and was thus put to shame. And he returned not, O king, to Kundina, his capital, since that slayer of hostile heroes, Krishna, was not defeated by him in battle.

There he built an excellent city called Bhojakata furnished with a large army and plenty of elephants and horses.

That city became famous by the name of Bhojakata, O ruler of men. That king of the Bhojas surrounded by a large army,

Numbering an Akshauhini and endued with great prowess soon came to the son of Pandu. Then did he, clad in a coat of mail and armed with bow, fencer, sword and quivers,

With a slandered of the hue of the sun, entered into the large army and become known to the sons of Pandu through his desire of doing what was acceptable to Vasudeva.

The king Yudhishthira, too, offered him worship after advancing a little; and he, being

worshipped and praised by the son of Pandu as became his station and rank,

Saluted those kings in return; and after resting himself with his army he said, in the midst of those heroes, to Dhananjaya the son of Kunti.

If, O son of Pandu, you are afraid on the eve of the war I shall afford you assistance. The assistance, I will give, cannot possibly be borne by your enemies.

There is no man in this world who is equal to me in prowess. I shall slay in battle that portion of your enemy you will allot to my share,

Even including Drona and Kripa, or the heroes Bhishma or Kuru or all those rulers of the earth assembled together even, if they stand against you.

(Even then) having slain in battle your enemies I shall make over the earth to you. Being thus spoken to in the presence of the virtuous king Keshava,

And in the hearing of those chief among the rulers of the earth, and all others who were there and with his eyes on Vasudeva and on the virtuous king the son of Pandu,

The son of Kunti said laughingly in a friendly way. “Born in the race of Kurus, especially being the son Pandu,

Calling myself the pupil of Drona and getting the help of Vasudeva, how can I say that I am afraid especially as I hold the Gandiva bow?

O hero, when fighting with the great army of Gandharvas in the battle, who was then my friend?

Then again in that terrific battle between the gods and the Danavas fighting together at Khandava who was then my friend?

In my fight with the Nivatakavachas or with the Danavas called Kalakeyais-who was iny friend?

Then again in the battle with Kurus in the city of Virat-who was my friend?

Having paid homage to Rudra, Shakra, Vaishravana, Yama, Varuna, Agni, Kripa, Drona and Madhava,

And holding firmly the celestial bow the Gandiva and furnished with an inexhaustible mass of arrows and protected by celestial weapons,

How can one like myself say 'I am afraid” calculated to cast infamy on my name, to even Indra himself who has the thunderbolt for his weapon, O best among men.

I am not afraid, O you of long arms and I have no necessity for your assistance. Go elsewhere if you please, or remain here if you like.

Then Rukmi, returning with that army resembling these came to Duryodhana and spoke in the same strain, O Bharata.

Coming to that ruler of the earth did he say the same thing and his help was refused by Duryodhana too who thought himself a hero.

Thus two parties, O great king did not take part in that battle, namely the son of Rohini, the scion of the Vrishni race and the ruler of the earth Rukmi.

Rama having gone to visit the sacred places and the son of Bhishmaka having returned in the manner just described the sons of Pandu again sat down for consolation.

The assembly, of the virtuous king with all the rulers of the earth, shone as the moon in the sky surrounded by diverse stars, O Bharata.