04.041
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having appointed Uttara as the charioteer, performed circumambulation of the śamī tree to
the right, and collected all the weapons, then Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) set out. (04-41-1)
Having removed the lion-banner from that chariot, the great charioteer Uttarasārathi laid
it down at the root of the śamī tree and departed. (04-41-2)
Having attached (through) divine illusion to the chariot—prepared by Viśvakarman—a golden
banner with a lion's tail, marked with the sign of a monkey. (04-41-3)
He pondered in his mind the favor of Pāvaka (the Fire-god), and that deity, knowing his
thought, urged the beings on the banner. (04-41-4)
The great chariot-warrior Arjuna, the son of Kunti, known as Bībhatsu and whose steeds are
white, after mounting his chariot adorned with banners and side equipment, (stood ready).
(04-41-5)
With his sword fastened on, wearing body armor, and bow and arrows in hand, he then went
northward, he who bears the foremost monkey as his banner. (04-41-6)
The powerful destroyer of enemies, assuming command of the resounding great conch and the
chief force, caused horror among his foes. (04-41-7)
Then the swift horses touched the ground with their knees, and Uttara, frightened, sat
down in the chariot-seat. (04-41-8)
Kaunteya (Arjuna), having stopped the horses and taken up the reins, embraced Uttara and
comforted him. (04-41-9)
Do not be afraid, O best among princes, you are a Kṣatriya, destroyer of foes. How can
you, tiger among men, become dejected in the midst of enemies? (04-41-10)
The abundant sounds of conches and drums, and the roars of the elephants standing in
arrayed troops, were heard. (04-41-11)
So you, how is it that here, frightened by this conch sound, taking on a dejected
appearance and terrified, are behaving like an ordinary man? (04-41-12)
Uttara said.
I have heard the abundant sounds of conches and drums, and also the trumpetings of
elephants among the arrayed troops of those standing. (04-41-13)
I have never before heard a conch sound like this. Nor have I ever seen such a banner
form. Nor have I ever heard such a roar of a bow anywhere before. (04-41-14)
The sound of this conch, the twang of the bow, and the rumbling of the chariot greatly
confound my mind. (04-41-15)
All the directions seem distressed, and my heart feels as if pained. All the directions
are obscured from me by the banner, and I cannot see them. The sound of the Gāṇḍīva bow has
made my ears deaf as well. (04-41-16)
Arjuna said.
Mount the chariot in seclusion, press down with your feet, and hold the reins firmly; I
will blow the conch again. (04-41-17)
Vaiśampāyana said.
The earth trembled from the sound of his conch, the chariot's wheel, and the roaring of
the Gandiva. (04-41-18)
Droṇa said;
Just as the sound of the chariot, the blowing of the conch, and the trembling of the earth
are seen, this is nothing other than Savyasācin (Arjuna). (04-41-19)
The weapons do not gleam, the horses are not joyful, even the kindled fires do not shine;
this is not a good sign. (04-41-20)
All the animals are crying out fearfully towards the sun and at us; crows are hiding in
the banners, which is inauspicious. Birds flying to our left also foretell great danger.
(04-41-21)
This jackal is running after the army, howling in the midst. Unstruck and having come out,
it feels great fear. I observe the hair on your body standing on end with joy. (04-41-22)
Your army has been defeated, and nobody wishes to fight. All the warriors are bewildered,
with mostly pale faces. Having sent the cows away, let us stand ready in battle formation,
prepared to strike. (04-41-23)
