04.040
Uttara said.
O hero, having mounted the great chariot with me as your charioteer, to which division of the army will you go when I am told? I will go wherever directed by you. (04-40-1)
Arjuna said.
I am pleased, O tiger among men; you need not fear anything. I will drive away all your enemies in battle, O expert in warfare. (04-40-2)
Remain steady, O great intellect; behold me, together with the enemies, fighting in this conflict and performing a great, terrifying act. (04-40-3)
Quickly bind all these harnessings for me to the chariot. Also bring this sword adorned with refined gold. I will indeed fight with the Kurus and will defeat your cattle. (04-40-4)
Spreading the wings of intention, with arms as ramparts and gateways; crowded with triple staffs and quivers, filled with many banners. (04-40-5)
The stretching of the bowstring, done in anger and accompanied by the sound of drums like the rumble of chariot wheels. Your city will be protected by me; the seat of the chariot will be (so). (04-40-6)
Since the chariot, mounted by me in battle and bearing the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva bow, is invincible to enemy armies in Virāṭa, let your fear be dispelled. (04-40-7)
Uttara said.
I am not afraid of these; I know you to be steadfast in battle. You are a match even for Keśava in battle, or for Indra himself. (04-40-8)
But as I keep thinking about this, I am only entirely bewildered. With poor intellect, I am unable to reach any resolve by any means. (04-40-9)
How has this impotence come to one who, with the form of a hero and fitting characteristics, thus? (04-40-10)
I think you, who are moving about in the disguise of an impotent man, holding a spear, are like the king of Gandharvas or even the god Indra. (04-40-11)
Arjuna said.
By my elder brother's command, I have undertaken this vow for a year; I practice celibacy indeed—this is the truth, I tell you. (04-40-12)
O mighty-armed prince, know me not to be an impotent or dependent man attached to others' will; I am one endowed with righteousness, who has completed his vow and crossed over. (04-40-13)
Uttara said.
The greatest favor to me today is that my judgment has not been futile; for indeed, those of such unmanly nature are never the best of men here. (04-40-14)
I have allies in battle and could fight even the immortals. That fear has been destroyed for me. What should I do? Tell me. (04-40-15)
O best of men, I will drive the horses for you, O conqueror of enemy chariots; for I am indeed trained in charioteering by a master. (04-40-16)
Just as Dāruka is to Vāsudeva and Mātali is to Śakra, so too, O best of men, know me as one trained in the art of charioteering. (04-40-17)
The horse, yoked to the right, resembling Sugrīva, whose footsteps cannot be seen on the ground when he moves.
This beautiful and excellent draught-horse who pulls the yoke to the left, I consider to be a horse equal in speed to Meghapushpa. (04-40-19)
That splendid one in golden armor, who carries the heel, I think he is on the left of the army and is more powerful in speed. (04-40-20)
He who carries your right heel raised and bent is considered, even compared to a cloud, more powerful in speed. (04-40-21)
Only you are worthy to drive this chariot in battle for an archer; you, having mounted this chariot, are considered by me to be fit to fight. (04-40-22)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having removed the bracelets from his arms, the mighty one, with the splendid sound of the drum, placed them down on the auspicious ground. (04-40-23)
Having bound up his black, curling hair with a white cloth, he swiftly strung the Gandiva and drew back his bow. (04-40-24)
As his bow was being drawn, a great sound arose, like that of a great mountain struck by another mountain by one who strikes. (04-40-25)
The earth shook with thunder, the wind blew forcefully in all directions, the sky filled with agitated birds, and the great trees trembled. (04-40-26)
The Kuru warriors did not recognize that sound, like the explosion of a thunderbolt, when Arjuna drew back his excellent bow with his arms on the chariot. (04-40-27)
