04.048
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, Arjuna quickly approached, making his chariot resound, as the formations were
arrayed by the great chariot-warriors of the Kauravas. (04-48-1)
They saw the crest of the flag indeed, and heard the sound of the chariot and the loud
noise of the Gandiva bow being shaken. (04-48-2)
Then, having observed all that, Droṇa spoke these words, having seen the great
chariot-warrior, the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva bow, having arrived. (04-48-3)
The banner top of Partha shines from afar. The sound of the monkey on it roars like a
thundercloud. (04-48-4)
Standing in his chariot, this foremost of charioteers, praised by the best charioteers,
draws the supreme bow, Gāṇḍīva, sounding like a thunderbolt. (04-48-5)
Indeed, these two arrows are placed together at my feet, and the other two, having passed
beyond, touch my ears—these are my arrows. (04-48-6)
Having performed a superhuman act while dwelling in the forest, and having heard of it,
Pārtha (Arjuna) respectfully greets (the elders) and asks questions to their ears. (04-48-7)
Arjuna said.
O charioteer, when the arrows are being showered, restrain the horses of the army until I
can see where that disgrace of the Kuru family is in this army. (04-48-8)
Without regarding all the others and seeing that very proud one, I shall fall upon his
head; then these will be defeated. (04-48-9)
Here, Droṇa is stationed, then Drauṇi (Ashvatthāman), after that Bhīṣma, Kṛpa and Karṇa,
and the great archers are also arranged. (04-48-10)
I do not see the king here; he has taken the cows and gone, following the southern path. I
suspect he is now only concerned with saving his life. (04-48-11)
Leave this chariot army and go to where Suyodhana is. There, and only there, I shall
fight; in Virata there is never a harmless battle. After defeating him, I shall return,
bringing the cows back again. (04-48-12)
Vaiśampāyana said;
Thus addressed, the son of Virāṭa carefully restrained the horses, controlled the reins,
and drove the steeds to the place where those illustrious Kurus and Duryodhana were.
(04-48-13)
But when the white-horsed one had departed after leaving the chariot seat, Droṇa, having
understood his purpose, spoke these words. (04-48-14)
Bībhatsu does not wish to stand without the king. As he proceeds quickly, we shall seize
his heel. (04-48-15)
Indeed, no one alone could fight against him in battle when he is enraged, unless he were
a god, the thousand-eyed Indra, or Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī. (04-48-16)
What use are cows or even abundant wealth to us, when Duryodhana is sinking, like a boat,
in the waters of the sons of Pṛthā (the Pāṇḍavas), as before? (04-48-17)
In the same way, after going there, Bībhatsu (Arjuna), announcing his own name, swiftly
covered that army with arrows, as locusts would (cover a field). (04-48-18)
But those warriors, scattered by the volleys of arrows incited by Pārtha, could not see
either the earth or the sky, both being covered by the feathered missiles. (04-48-19)
Among them, none had thoughts of self-preservation in battle or of retreat; with their
minds, they only admired Pārtha's (Arjuna's) swiftness. (04-48-20)
Then he blew the conch, striking terror into his enemies; and having stretched his
excellent bow, he urged on the beings shown on his banner. (04-48-21)
By the sound of his conch and the noise of the chariot-wheels, and by the cries of those
non-human beings, the spirits residing on the flags. (04-48-22)
The cows, shaking their tails upwards and bellowing on all sides, turned around, having
taken the southern direction. (04-48-23)
