गोहरण पर्व — गोहरणमा उत्तरको तिरस्कार

Vaishampayana said Having come out of the metropolis the brave son of Virata said to his charioteer:-"Go where the Kurus are."

Having vanquished all the Kurus who have come here for victory and quickly rescued the kine I shall come back to the city of Virata.

Thereupon the son of Pandu urged on the beautiful horses. Being urged on by that foremost of men, those horses, endued with the velocity of wind.

Adorned with gold necklaces, seemed to run through the sky. And not going very far, the son of Matsya and Dhananjaya.

Those two repressors of enemies espied the army of the powerful Kurus. And going towards the cremation ground they reached the Kurus.

And they saw their army arranged in battle array. That huge army appeared like an ocean.

Or like a forest full of many trees moving through the sky. Then was seen the dust of the earth raise by the moving army.

Which destroyed the vision of creatures and touched the sky, O best of Kurus. Then beholding that huge army abounding in elephants, horses and chariots.

And protected by Karna, Duryodhana, Bhishma, the highly intelligent and great bowman Drona with his son, Virata's son, worked up with fear and having hairs erect, said to Partha.

Uttara said I dare not fight with the Kurus: see the hairs of my body have stood erect. I am unable to fight with the vast Kuru army, consisting of many irrepressible heroes and hard to be vanquished even by the celestials. I dare not enter into the army of the Bharatas consisting of the dreadful bowmen, horses, elephants, chariots infantry and flags. My mind is pained at the view of the enemy in the battle-field.

Where (stand) Drona, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, Vivinshati, Ashvatthama, Vikarana, Somadatta, Balhika.

The heroic king Duryodhana, the foremost of car-warriors and other effulgent, great bowmen, all skilled in warfare.

Beholding these Kurus, expert in fight, arrayed in battle order I am beside myself with fear and my hairs have stood erect.

Vaishampayana said The coward and foolish Uttara began to bewail out of foolishness before Savyasachin who was high-spirited and disguised. Uttara said

My sire has gone out to fight with Trigartas taking the entire army with him and leaving me alone in the empty city there are no soldiers for me.

Single-handed and a mere stripling as I am I have not toiled much over the use of arms. I am not capable of fighting with all these skilled in arms; desist therefore, O Brihannala.

Brihannala said You are pale with fear; why do you increase the delight of your enemies? Even now you have done nothing with your enemies in the field of action.

You yourself told me "Take me to the Kauravas” and I shall take you there where there are many flags.

0 you having large arms, I shall take you to the Kurus ready to fight (for kine) like hawks for meat, (even) if they are prepared to fight for the earth.

Vaunting of your manliness while starting before men and women, why do you not desire to fight?

If you, without defeating them and taking back your kine, return home, all men and women, O hero, when they will meet, will laugh at you.

As for me I had been highly spoken of by Sairandhri for my skill as a charioteer. I shall not therefore be able to return to the city without taking the kine. correction compelete

For Sairandhri's eulogy, and your words (I have come here); why should I not therefore fight with the Kurus; be quiet.

Uttara said Let the Kurus take away the profuse riches of the Matsya's a they like; let men and women laugh at me, O Brihannala.

Let the kine go any where, let my city be desolate, let me fear my father, but I shall not enter into battle.

Vaishampayana said Saying this, that one, adorned with earrings, got down from the chariot, and leaving behind, in fear, his bow and arrows fled away at the sacrifice of his honour and pride.

Brihannala said To fly is not the practice of the brave and the Kshatriyas; death in battle is preferable to flight in fear.

Vaishampayana said Saying this Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, coming down from the excellent car, pursued the prince who was thus running away.

His long braid of hair and pure white garments were fluttering in the air. Not knowing that Arjuna was running with his long braid of hair flowing and seeing him some soldiers burst out into laughter. And seeing him thus run quickly the Kurus said.

Who is this man who is concealed like fire in ashes. He is partly a man and partly a woman.

Although assuming a neuter form he appears like Arjuna. His is the same, head, same neck, and are the same arms resembling maces.

His movement is also like his; he cannot be but Dhananjaya. As Indra is amongst the immurtals so is Dhananjaya amongst men.

Excepting Dhananjaya who, in this world, alone can come to fight with us? Only one son of Virata has been left in the empty city.

He has come out of childishness and not of heroism. Uttara must have issued out of the city making Arjuna the son of Pritha his charioteer who is living in disguise. It appears to us that he, seeing us, is flying away in fear. And forsooth Dhananjaya is following him to bring him back.

O Bharata, seeing the son of Pandu in disguise all the Kurus thus thought separately but they could not arrive at a conclusion. Dhananjaya however, quickly following the fleeing Uttara, seized him within a hundred steps by the hair. Held by Arjuna the son of Virata began to lament piteously like one forlorn.

Uttara said Hear, O youthful Brihannala, turn back the chariot. He, who lives, secures prosperity.

I will give you a hundred coins of pure gold, eight highly brilliant jems Vaidurya set with gold, one car with a golden flag-staff and drawn by excellent horses and ten infuriated elephants. Release me, Brihannala.

Vaishampayana said Holding him forcibly who was bewailing in these strains being beside himself that foremost of men brought him near the car.

Partha then said to him who was stricken with fear and deprived of his senses. “O repressor of foes, if you do not like to fight with your enemies, come, govern the horses while I fight with them.

Protected by the strength of my arms do you enter into the dreadful and inaccessible collection of arms guarded by brave and powerful horses. Fear not, O repressor of foes, for you are the foremost of princes and a Kshatriya.

Why are you pulled down in the midst of enemies O foremost of men? I shall fight with the Kurus and release your animals.

Entering into the formidable and impenetrable army. Be you my charioteer, O foremost of men, I shall fight with the Kurus.

Thus speaking to Uttara, the son of Virata, Bibhatsu, never defeated in battle, excited him for the time being, O foremost of Viratas.

Then Partha, the foremost of repressors took upon the car that unwilling and fainting prince, assailed with fear.