04.035
Vaiśampāyana said.
He, having seen her, the large-eyed princess and his female friend, his male friend smilingly said, "O king, where have you come from?" (4-35-1)
The princess, having approached the bull among men, cherishing affection, spoke these words in the midst of her friends. (04-35-2)
The cows of our kingdom are being driven by the Kurus in the great cattle-shed. To recover them, my brother, the bowman, will go. (04-35-3)
Not long ago, his charioteer was slain in battle. By him, there is no equal charioteer who could perform his charioteering. (04-35-4)
To Bṛhannadā, who was endeavoring for the purpose of charioteering, Sairandhrī explained to you the skill in the science of horses. (04-35-5)
O Bṛhannada, please skillfully become my brother's charioteer before our cows are carried farther away by the Kurus. (04-35-6)
Now, if, being instructed, you do not carry out this word of mine today, though I speak out of affection, I will give up my life. (04-35-7)
Thus addressed by Suśroṇī, her friend, the scorcher of foes went to the presence of the prince of boundless energy. (4-35-8)
The large-eyed lady followed him as he hurried along like a wild or broken elephant, just as a young elephant-cow follows.
But seeing him from a distance, the prince spoke: By you as his charioteer, Pārtha satisfied Agni in the Khāṇḍava forest. (04-35-10)
Dhanañjaya, the son of Kuntī, conquered the whole world. Sairandhrī has spoken of you; for she truly knows the Pāṇḍavas. (04-35-11)
Restrain my horses; in the same manner, you, O Bṛhannada, restrain the herds of cows belonging to the one who is about to fight with the Kurus, wishing to seize them. (04-35-12)
You were indeed formerly Arjuna's beloved charioteer. With your assistance, the bull among the Pāṇḍavas conquered the earth. (04-35-13)
Thus addressed, Bṛhannadā replied to the prince: "What power do I have to act as a charioteer on the battlefield's front?" (04-35-14)
Whether it is singing, or dancing, or playing on various musical instruments, I will do that for you; but how can I act as a charioteer? (04-35-15)
Uttara said.
O Bṛhannada, whether as a singer or a dancer, resume your task again; quickly mount my chariot and take hold of the excellent horses. (04-35-16)
Vaiśampāyana said.
There, the Pāṇḍava did many playful things in Uttarā’s presence, knowing everything, O subduer of men. (04-35-17)
Having lifted the armor upwards and put it upon his body again, the maidens there, wide-eyed, saw him and smiled. (04-35-18)
But seeing him becoming bewildered, Uttara himself then put the exceedingly precious armor on Bṛhannadā. (04-35-19)
He donned excellent armor, himself shining like the sun, and, raising a banner with a lion, made preparations for the role of charioteer. (04-35-20)
He, the hero and charioteer of Bṛhannada, having taken many splendid arrows and the most valuable bows, departed. (04-35-21)
Then Uttarā, along with the maidens and her friends, said to her at that time, "O Bṛhannadā, bring us the beautiful garments." (04-35-22)
For the sake of Draupadī, performing various subtle and wonderful deeds, he conquered the Kurus who had entered battle, led by Bhīṣma and Droṇa. (04-35-23)
Then, as the maidens spoke together, the son of Pāṇḍu—Pārtha—replied with a smile, his voice resounding like thunder and a kettledrum. (04-35-24)
If this Uttara conquers the great chariot-warriors in battle, then I will bring back the divine and beautiful garments as well. (04-35-25)
Thus, having spoken, Bībhatsu (Arjuna), the hero adorned with various banners and flags, then drove the horses forward toward the Kurus.
