04.033
Vaiśampāyana said.
After they had gone to the Trigartas, Duryodhana, along with his minister, then approached Virata in the Matsya country, wishing to seize his own cattle. (04-33-1)
Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Kṛpa, the supreme wielder of missiles, Drauṇi (Aśvatthāman), Śakuni the son of Subala, and likewise Duḥśāsana, the lord, (are present here). (04-33-2)
Vivinśati, Vikarṇa, Citrasena the mighty, Durmukha, Duḥsaha, and all other great chariot-warriors as well. (04-33-3)
These (others), having approached the country of Matsya belonging to King Virāṭa, forcibly drove away the cow-pens and seized the cattle with vigor. (4-33-4)
The Kurus are driving sixty thousand cows, having surrounded them on all sides with a great line of chariots. (04-33-5)
But in the settlements of the cowherds, let them be slain by those great chariot-warriors; a very great uproar arose in the terrible combat. (04-33-6)
But the chief of the cows, terrified, swiftly mounted his chariot and went straight to the city, crying out in distress. (04-33-7)
Having entered the king's city, he approached the royal palace; then, getting down from the chariot, he entered quickly to report (the matter). (04-33-8)
Seeing Bhūmiñjaya, the proud son of Matsya, he related to him everything about the kingdom's cattle-yoking. (04-33-9)
The Kurus are seizing sixty thousand cows. Arise to reclaim that herd of cows, for such wealth increases the nation. (04-33-10)
Prince, wishing your welfare, do go out quickly yourself. Indeed, King Matsya has made you the keeper of an empty place here. (04-33-11)
In the midst of the assembly, the king praises you as "my son, worthy (of me) and heroic", O best of the lineage. (04-33-12)
My son, ever valiant and skilled in weaponry, is a warrior; may the words spoken by the king of men become true for him. (04-33-13)
O best among the wealthy, having conquered the Kurus, drive back the herds; burn their armies with the fierce power of your arrows. (04-33-14)
With arrows shot from his bow, gold-feathered and having curved joints, the chief pierced the enemy ranks, just as the leader of a herd does among elephants. (04-33-15)
In the midst of enemies, play the bow, which has snares as its traps, the bowstring as the string, the bow-staff as its body, arrows for frets, producing a great sound, just like a vīṇā (lute). (04-33-16)
May white, silver-like horses be yoked to your chariot, and may the golden lion banner be raised for you, O mighty one. (04-33-17)
May the golden-feathered, bright-tipped arrows released by your hand cover the sun and cut off the life of the kings. (04-33-18)
After defeating all the Kurus in battle, like Indra with his thunderbolt defeated the Asuras, and having gained great fame, you should enter this city again. (04-33-19)
You are indeed the supreme refuge of the kingdom, O son of the king of the Matsyas. Today, may all the inhabitants of the kingdom become swift. (04-33-20)
He, in the midst of women in the inner quarters, spoke these reassuring words, praising them. (04-33-21)
