सेनोद्योग पर्व — शल्य के वचन

Vaishampayana said Shalya, having heard the news of hostility between the two parties, went to help the Pandavas, O king, surrounded by a large army and by his friends who were mighty in battle.

The encampment of his army occupied one half of a yojana. That foremost among men was the lord of such a large army.

That man of great prowess and strength was, O king, the lord of an Akshauhini and heroes-best among the Kshatriyas with diverse armours, diverse omaments and all riding cars diverse and animals, with diverse garlands, all putting on diverse dresses the dresses and ornaments of their respective lands, counted by hundreds and thousands ecame the leaders of his army.

He went by show marches to the place where the Pandavas were encamped, affording rest to his army and as if causing pain to the beings and shaking the earth.

Duryodhana, having, O son of Bharata, heard that the great-minded one, mighty in battle, was coming hastened towards him and welcomed him in person.

And for his accommodation and honour, Duryodhana had palaces erected in charming spots ornamented with gems and well decorated.

And sent there various artists for the amusement (of Shalya and his men) and provided there all sorts of eatables, drinks, meats and garlands.

And he (provided) wells of various shapes calculated to increase the cheerfulness of the heart and several sorts of streams, fountains and buildings.

Being welcomed and honoured by the agents of Duryodhana, as he arrived at these palaces in different countries, with the worship due to the gods.

He came to a palace, which would have been suitable even as the resting place for the gods; and being provided with all sorts of things and greeted with honours due to beings superior to man.

He thought too highly of himself and too little even of Purandara (Indra) and that, best among the Kshatriyas being pleased, asked the servants, sayingयुधिष्ठिरस्य पुरुषाः केऽत्र चक्रुः सभा इमाः।

Where are the men of Yudhishthira who erected these palaces here? Bring them. In my opinion it is proper for those builders of palaces to be rewarded by me.

"I shall reward them, may it so please the son of Kunti.” They all then, surprised, informed Duryodhana of all this,

And when Shalya was very highly pleased and did not mind giving away even his life, Duryodhana, who had concealed himself there, appeared before his maternal uncle.

Seeing the king of Madra, he knew that all these attentions came from him and embracing Duryodhana said, accept what you desire.

Duryodhana said May your word be true. Grant me an auspicious boon. It is fitting that you should be the leader of my army.

Vaishampayana said Said Shalya “It is done. What else do you desire of me?" and the son of Gandhari kept on repeating, “It is done."

Shalya said O Duryodhana, O you best among men, go to your own capital, I shall go to see that subduer of his enemies, Yudhishthira.

Having seen Yudhishthira, I shall come soon, O king. That best among men the son of Pandu, must be seen by me.

Duryodhana said O king, O Ruler of the earth, come soon after seeing the son of Pandu. I depend on you. O best among kings, remember the boon you have granted me.

Shalya said "Soon shall I return. (In the mean time) I wish you well; O king, go to your own capital.” Then the two, Shalya and Duryodhana, embraced each other.

Vaishampayana said And having thus done honour to Shalya, he came back to his own capital while Shalya went to the sons of Kunti to tell them of that act of Duryodhana's.

Having come to Upaplavya and entered the camp, Shalya saw all the sons of Pandu there.

And having come there, he, the long armed one accepted the customary water for washing his feet and other gifts including a cow.

And then that slayer of his enemies, the king of the Madras, having asked them about their health, embraced Yudhishthira, with great cheerfulness.

And having done the same to Bhima and Arjuna and both the twin brothers, the sons of his sister, Shalya, who had seated himself, said to the son of Pritha:

O best among kings, O son of Kuru, is it all right with you? O you victorious one! you have now passed the prescribed period of residence in the forest.

0 king, great difficulties have been overcome by yourself residing in the forest, in the company, O chief of kings, of your brothers and this lady.

Residence unknown and unrecognised was another great difficulty overcome by you. O son of Bharata, naught but misery attends him who has lost a kingdom. Where is happiness for him?

After all this great trouble and misery brought on by the son of Dhritarashtra, O king, you will get happiness after having slain your enemies, O great devotee.

The ways and habits of men are known to you, O great king, O lord of men and therefore, O son, never has the slightest avarice been present in you.

O son of Bharata, follow in the path of the great Rishi, king of old and O my son Yudhishthira, be their equal in liberality, devotion and truth,

O Yudhishthira, forgiveness, power of self-control, truth, absence of desire for harm to anybody and all other virtues, that are rare in this world, are present in you, O king.

You are mild, generous, religions, liberal and attached to virtue. O king, all the virtues known among men are also known to you.

O son, everything connected with this world is known to you. O king, O you best among the race of Bharata, it is fortunate that this trouble is past.

It is fortunate that I see, O king O chief among the kings, O Lord, yourself, the treasury of virtues and large-minded, come out of your difficulties.

Vaishampayana said Then, O descendant of Bharata, did the king (Shalya) tell (the Pandavas) all about his meeting with Duryodhana, his promise and his boon.

Yudhishthira said "O king, a good act has been done by you in that you have fulfilled a promise made when you were well pleased in the recesses of your heart.

But, O lord of earth, I wish you well. I want you to do one thing for me. O king, O you most honest one, though it is improper still must you do it.

O hero, listen to what I tell you, you are a great king equal to the son of Vasudeva in battle.

O you best among kings, when the two, Karna and Arjuna meet in two chariots (in battle) I have no doubt that the office of charioteer of Karna will be filled by you.

O king, if you wish well to me, Arjuna must be protected by you and you should do what kills the energy of the son of Suta and what is calculated to bring him defeat. Though this is improper, yet must you do it, maternal uncle of mine.

Shalya said Hear me, O son of Pandu, I wish you well O noble-minded one, what you are telling me is to kill the energy of the son of Suta, when I am with him.

I shall most certainly be his charioteer in the battle. He has always regarded me as the equal of the son of Vasudeva.

O you best among the race of Kuru, I shall most certainly, when with him who is desirous of battle, speak what will do him harm and go against him.

(I shall do this) so that his energy will be killed and his pride gone, O son of Pandu and then it will be easy to kill him. I speak with all sincerity.

O son, I shall do what you have told me and I shall do any thing more can I which is for your good.

All the troubles you have encountered with Draupadi after the game of dice and the harsh words you have had, to listen to, through the son of Suta and all the miseries endured, o illustrious one, through the Asura named Jata and Kichaka-all these unhappiness endured by Draupadi as (unhappiness was endured) by Damayanti-all this trouble, O hero, will give rise to happiness. Do not think that all this is through you, this is done by the fate which has greater control over matters.

0 Yudhishthira, great minded persons, meet with difficulties. O Lord of the world, difficulties have been met with by the gods too.

We are told O king, O son of Bharata that the large minded Indra, the chief among the gods, had to endure great misery with his queen.