04.032
Vaiśampāyana said.
O Bhārata, in a world pervaded by darkness and dust, the warriors with arrayed divisions stood for a moment.
Then the Moon arose, dispelling the darkness, making the night pure and delighting the Kshatriyas on the battlefield. (04-32-2)
Then, after it became light, the battle resumed once again. So terrible was its aspect that after that, they did not even look at each other. (04-32-3)
Then Suśarmā, the king of Trigarta, along with his younger brother, attacked the king of Matsya from all sides with a troop of chariots. (04-32-4)
Then the two brothers, chief among kṣatriyas, leapt down from their chariots, clubs in hand and greatly enraged, and rushed together at the horses. (04-32-5)
Likewise, their forces, enraged, then rush at one another with maces, swords, axes, and spears, all having sharp-pointed, well-polished blades. (04-32-6)
But the king Suśarmā, the lord of Trigarta, having overwhelmed all the power of Matsya by strength, and having conquered Matsya by force, rushed at the mighty Virāṭa. (04-32-7)
The two of them, after killing both the charioteers and the rear drivers, captured the king of the Matsyas alive and chariotless. (04-32-8)
Suśarmā, after overthrowing him, like a weeping bride-to-be, mounted his own swift chariot and departed. (04-32-9)
At that time, when Viraṭa was captured and his chariot lost to a stronger enemy, the Matsyas, greatly harassed by the Trigartas, fled in fear. (04-32-10)
While they were being terrified, Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī, addressed the mighty-armed Bhīmasena, subduer of enemies. (04-32-11)
O mighty-armed one, the king of the Matsyas has been attacked by Trigarta and Suśarman; free him, so he does not fall under the power of the enemies. (04-32-12)
We all have dwelt happily and have been well-honored with all our wishes fulfilled. Bhīmasena, you should offer recompense for his hospitality for our stay. (04-32-13)
Bhimasena said.
O king, by your command I will make this one tremble. Behold my great deed as I fight with the enemies. (04-32-14)
Relying on your own strength, stand here with your brothers. O king, having withdrawn to a secluded place, behold my valor today. (04-32-15)
This great tree with a firm trunk stands as if in the form of a mace. Mounting this very tree, I will drive away the enemies. (04-32-16)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Yudhiṣṭhira, the king of righteousness, said to his heroic brother, observing him like an intoxicated elephant looking at a tree. (04-32-17)
Bhima, do not perform a rash act; let this tree remain as it is. Do not do any superhuman deeds with the tree, for people might realize, "This is Bhima," O Bhārata. (04-32-18)
Obtain some other weapon of human type: a bow, or if not, a spear, or a sword, or an axe. (04-32-19)
Whatever human weapon there is of Bhīma, unnoticed by others, take up that weapon and quickly rescue the king. (04-32-20)
The two Ashvin twins, who are chariot guards and of great strength, will join the battle formation, dear one, seeking to capture the king of Matsya. (04-32-21)
Then all of them drove their horses forward, brandishing the divine weapon, angrily attacking the Trigartas. (04-32-22)
Upon seeing the Pāṇḍavas after they had left their chariots, the great army, led by the Virāṭa’s daughter, who was extremely enraged, fought in a truly astonishing way. (04-32-23)
There, Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī, killed a thousand. Bhīma sent seven hundred warriors to the next world. Nakula too dispatched exactly seven hundred with his arrows. (04-32-24)
O bull among men, the valorous Sahadeva, upon the command of Yudhiṣṭhira, having broken through that great army of the Trigartas, slew three hundred of their heroes. (04-32-25)
Then King Yudhiṣṭhira, the great chariot-warrior, swiftly rushed at Suśarmāṇa and pierced him severely with arrows. (04-32-26)
Suśarmā, greatly enraged and rushing forward, pierced Yudhiṣṭhira with nine arrows and his four horses with four (arrows). (04-32-27)
Then, O king, Bhīma, the destroyer and son of Kuntī, approached Suśarmā and struck down his horses. (04-32-28)
Having slain his two rear-guards with excellent arrows, then—being angered—he removed his charioteer from the chariot platform. (04-32-29)
Chakrarakṣa and the valiant Śoṇāśva, both renowned by name, when they saw the Traigarta in single combat, out of fear, he abandoned the fight at that moment. (04-32-30)
Then Virata leaped down from the chariot, and Suśarman, grasping his mace, struck only him, the strong one. He moved with his mace in hand, though an old man, like a youth. (04-32-31)
But Bhīma, having a terrible appearance, leapt down from the chariot, wearing earrings, seized the king of the Trigartas like a lion does a small animal. (04-32-32)
When that great chariot-warrior of the Trigartas, deprived of his charioteer, was captured, the entire army of the Trigartas, terrified, was shattered. (04-32-33)
The greatly powerful sons of Pāṇḍu, having turned back all the cows from there and after defeating Suśarmā, took all the wealth entirely. (04-32-34)
Endowed with the strength of their own arms, having cast aside modesty and observing restrained vows, they happily spent that night in the midst of the battle's forefront. (04-32-35)
Then Virāṭa honored the sons of Kuntī, the great charioteers of superhuman valor, with wealth and respect. (04-32-36)
Virāṭ said.
Just as my jewels are indeed yours, likewise, all of you may use them as you wish and as you please. (04-32-37)
I shall give you adorned maidens, various treasures, and whatever else is desired by your mind, O destroyers of enemies. (04-32-38)
Because of your valor, today I have been freed and am safe here. Therefore, all of you are truly the lords of the fishes. (04-32-39)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, all the sons of Kuru, headed by Yudhishthira, with joined palms, separately spoke to King Matsya, who had greeted them respectfully. (04-32-40)
We wholeheartedly receive all your words, O lord of men. By this, we are convinced that today you have been freed from your enemies. (04-32-41)
Then, with a pleased heart, the king of the Matsyas said to Yudhishthira once again: The mighty-armed Virata, best among kings, said, 'Come, I will anoint you; may you become the king of the Matsyas for us.' (04-32-42)
O remover of enemies, whatever is desired in your mind, I will grant all that to you; you are worthy of it from us. (04-32-43)
O best of brāhmaṇas! Whether it be jewels, cows, gold, or gems and pearls, or anything from the one with tiger's feet—indeed, in every way, my salutations be to you. (04-32-44)
Indeed, today, for your sake I see both the kingdom and even myself as under control; for whatever anger had arisen, that enemy is now subdued. (04-32-45)
Then Yudhiṣṭhira again addressed King Matsya, saying: "I welcome your pleasing words, O Matsya, that you have spoken." (04-32-46)
Always be intent upon compassion and remain continually happy. Let your messengers quickly go, O king, to your city, to declare pleasing news to your friends and to announce your victory. (04-32-47)
Then, on hearing those words, Matsya, the king, ordered the messengers: "Go to the city and announce my victory in battle." (04-32-48)
Let the princes, having been well adorned, come to me from the city. And let all the musical instruments and the courtesans, also well adorned, come as well. (04-32-49)
After journeying through the entire night, then at sunrise, the messengers proclaimed victory near the city of Virāṭa. (04-32-50)
