03.256
Vaiśampāyana said.
But Jayadratha, upon seeing his brothers with their weapons raised, fled swiftly, calm but greatly distressed and desiring to save his life. (03-256-1)
Bhīmasena, the strong one, extremely enraged, descended from his chariot, rushed forward at the running foe, and seized him by the hair. (03-256-2)
And having seized him in anger, he crushed him on the ground; grabbing the king by the neck, he indeed began to beat him as well. (03-256-3)
As the one being revived again, desiring to rise, was lamenting, the strong-armed man struck him on the head with his foot. (03-256-4)
Bhima struck his knee with the mace; the king, afflicted by the mighty blow, fell unconscious. (03-256-5)
O Kaurava, Phālguna (Arjuna) restrained Bhīmasena, who was free from anger; the king said what he said for the sake of Duḥśalā. (03-256-6)
Bhīmasena said.
This wicked-doer, who is the tormentor of Draupadī and the vilest among men, does not deserve to live because of me. (03-256-7)
What could I possibly do, since the king is always compassionate? Yet you, with your childish mind, are always troubling us. (03-256-8)
Thus, having spoken thus, Vṛkodara made five (wounds) on his maned foe with a crescent-shaped arrow; for a moment, he did not speak then. (03-256-9)
After reflecting on the king, Vṛkodara (Bhīma) spoke: "If you desire to live, fool, listen to the reason as I declare it to you." (03-256-10)
You must say, "I am a servant," in both assemblies and councils; only thus would I spare your life—this is the rule for one defeated in battle. (03-256-11)
“So be it,” said King Jayadratha, whose life was in great danger, to Bhīma, the tiger among men, who shone in battle. (03-256-12)
Then Pārtha and Vṛkodara, after binding him who was still moving, placed the unconscious and dust-covered man on the chariot. (03-256-13)
Then Bhima, the follower of Partha, having mounted that chariot, approached Yudhishthira who was in the midst of the hermitage. (03-256-14)
But Bhima caused Jayadratha, in that condition, to be shown. The king, seeing him, smiled and said, "Let him be released." (03-256-15)
Bhīma said to the king: "Tell Draupadī this: this wicked-minded one among the Pāṇḍavas has indeed entered the state of servitude." (03-256-16)
Then the eldest brother affectionately spoke these words to him: "Release this person of wicked conduct, if we are your authority." (03-256-17)
Draupadī, after looking at Yudhiṣṭhira, said to Bhīma: "Let this slave, whom you have made to wear five locks of hair, be released by the king." (03-256-18)
He, having been freed, approached the king, saluted Yudhishthira, and the king, overcome with emotion, bowed to them and to all the sages at that time. (03-256-19)
The compassionate king Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, said to him, upon seeing Jayadratha thus seized by Savyasācin (Arjuna). (03-256-20)
Go unbound, you are freed; do not act like this again anywhere. Shame upon you, lustful for women, mean one with mean accomplices! Indeed, who else but you, base among men, could act in such a way? (03-256-21)
Seeing him—the doer of evil—as if his life had departed, the best of the Bharatas, the king, felt compassion. (03-256-22)
May your intellect increase in righteousness; do not let your mind engage in unrighteousness. Go with horses, chariots, and infantry in well-being, Jayadratha. (03-256-23)
O Bhārata, thus addressed, the king—somewhat ashamed, silent, and his face downcast, troubled by sorrow—went to Gaṅgādvāra. (03-256-24)
He went for refuge to the god Virūpākṣa, the husband of Umā, and performed great austerity; Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva) was pleased with him. (03-256-25)
The three-eyed one, being pleased, himself accepted the offering; and the god gave a boon to him, and he accepted that. Listen. (03-256-26)
I could defeat all five of the Pāṇḍavas with their chariots in battle, said the king to the god. But the god replied to him, "Not so." (03-256-27)
You will restrain in battle those who are unconquerable and invulnerable, except for Arjuna, the mighty-armed, who is difficult to assail even for the gods. (03-256-28)
He whom they call the unconquered god, holder of the conch, discus, and mace—that chief of those skilled in weapons, is protected by that Kṛṣṇa. (03-256-29)
Thus addressed, the king went to his own palace, while the Pāṇḍavas at that time remained in the Kāmyaka forest. (03-256-30)
