07.087
Sanjaya said:
Upon hearing the words of Dharmaraja, the noble Shini warrior, fearing possible abandonment by King Partha, was filled with concern.
Indeed, one must protect oneself from slander, especially from the people, so that they do not say 'I am afraid' when approaching Arjuna.
Satyaki, known for his arrogance in battle, after considering various aspects, addressed Dharmaraja with these words, O best of men.
If you believe the protection is complete, may well-being be with you, O lord of the people. I shall follow Arjuna and fulfill your command.
Indeed, O king, there is no one in the three worlds dearer to me than the Pandava. This is the truth I speak to you.
I shall follow his path as per your message, O honour-giver. For your sake, there is nothing that I should refrain from doing in any way.
"O best among bipeds, just as my teacher's words are excellent, your words are even more excellent to me."
Dear, know that your brothers Krishna and Pandava are indeed dear to me, O best of kings.
O lord, having accepted your command, I will break through this impenetrable army for the sake of the Pandavas and proceed, O best among men.
I am entering Drona's army, furious like a fish in the sea. I will go there where King Jayadratha is.
In the place where he stands, fearful of the Pandavas, he relies on the army and is protected by the best charioteers, including Drona, Karna, and Kripa.
I believe the distance from here is three yojanas, O lord, where Arjuna is poised to kill Jayadratha.
Even though he is three yojanas away, I will reach him. O king, with a firm resolve, I will confront the challenge posed by the Sindhu.
Who would fight without being instructed by the teacher? But having been instructed by you, O king, who would not fight like me? I know the place where I shall go, O lord.
I will disturb the ocean-like army filled with excellent weapons using various arms like spears, maces, swords, and arrows.
This is the elephant army of a thousand that you see, belonging to the family named Añjanaka, where these warriors are valiant.
The elephants, resembling dark clouds, are occupied by numerous barbarians skilled in warfare and attack, O king, and they seem to pour down like rain clouds.
These warriors, once sent forth by elephants and others, would never return. O king, they can only be defeated by death.
Then, O king, those charioteers you see all around are known as the Rukmarathas, the princes who are great warriors.
O lord of men, they are skilled in chariots and weapons, have mastered archery, and are experts in fist-fighting.
They were experts in mace combat and skilled in wrestling, engaged in sword fighting, and participated in encounters with sword and shield.
O king, heroes and learned individuals constantly compete with each other and always seek to conquer men in battle.
O king, Karna has conquered Duhshasana's followers, but Vasudeva also praises these noble charioteers.
These people, always seeking favor, are under Karna's control. By his command alone, O king, they returned from Shvetavahana.
They are neither wounded nor tired, and their bows are firmly covered. They stand for my sake, indeed, by the command of Dhritarashtra's son.
O Kaurava, after defeating these warriors in battle for your sake, I will follow the path of Arjuna.
O king, you see these other seven hundred elephants, covered in armor and stationed by hunters.
The king of the Kiratas, having been captured by Arjuna, offered his well-adorned servants in exchange for his life.
O King, these servants of yours, who were once firmly loyal, are now approaching you with the desire to fight. Behold the change brought by time.
These great ministers, who are hunters and arrogant in battle, are skilled elephant trainers and are all indeed born of fire.
Today, all these warriors, followers under Duryodhana's command, have been conquered in battle by Arjuna for my sake.
O king, after defeating these arrogant Kiratas with arrows in battle, I will join the Pandava in the mission to kill Saindhava.
These are the great serpents born in the lineage of Anjana, known for their harshness and humility, with faces resembling broken elephants.
O king, they were all adorned with golden armors, having found their targets in battle, and were equal to Airavata in combat.
These areas from the northern mountain are occupied by fierce bandits and harsh, excellent warriors with thin iron coverings.
Here, there are species of cows and monkeys, as well as many other species, including humans.
The smoke-colored army of the wicked is rising, belonging to the barbarians and evil-doers residing in the Himalayan fortresses.
Duryodhana, having acquired the entire elephant division along with Kṛpa, Saumadatti, and Droṇa, the foremost among charioteers, was well-prepared for battle.
The Sindhu king and Karna disrespected the Pandavas, and then, feeling prompted by time, he considers himself to have achieved his goals.
All of them have come within the reach of my arrows, O son of Kunti, and they will not escape, even if they are as fast as the mind.
They, who are always respected and dependent on the strength of others, will meet their destruction, oppressed by the flood of my arrows.
O king, those charioteers you see with golden banners are known as the invincible Kambojas, if you have heard of them.
These heroes, well-educated and skilled in archery, are united and indeed very much each other's well-wishers.
O Bharata, the armies assembled for Dhritarashtra's son are ready and stand for my sake, protected by the Kuru heroes.
O great king, alert and attentive, they have come to me. I will destroy them as fire consumes blades of grass.
Therefore, O king, let my chariot-makers properly equip the chariot with all attachments and instruments.
In this battle, various weapons should indeed be taken. As instructed by the teachers, a chariot with five attributes should be constructed.
I will confront the Kambojas, who are furious and serpent-like, armed with a variety of weapons and warriors wielding different arms.
I will ally with the Kiratas and the deadly attackers, who are always cherished by King Duryodhana's well-wishers.
I will confront the Shakas, whose prowess rivals that of Indra, and who are like invincible, blazing fires.
Thus, O king, I shall face in battle various other warriors who are like the end of time, difficult to approach, and many who are arrogant in battle.
Therefore, let the chief horses, who are rested and have auspicious signs, having returned and been fed, be yoked again to my chariot.
The king dispatched all his accessories, equipment, and various weapons on the chariot.
Then, four people released the excellent horses from all sides and made them drink the intoxicating beverage with flavor.
The four horses, adorned with gold garlands, were well-trained, having drunk, rested, bathed, and eaten food, and were equipped with arrows.
Those golden-colored, well-trained, and swift-moving beings, joyful and unperturbed, were arranged in chariots according to the rules.
The scene was majestic, with a great banner and a lion adorned with a garland of golden manes. The area was covered with golden flags, jewels, and coral, and decorated with banners that shone like white clouds.
He properly engaged those adorned with golden vessels and equipped with many weapons under the raised umbrella with a golden staff.
The younger brother of Dāruka, who was a charioteer and a dear friend, presented the chariot, yoked and ready, just like Mātali does for Vāsava.
After bathing and purifying himself, he performed the auspicious festive rites. He distributed gold coins to a thousand graduates. Satyaki, the best among the glorious, was embraced with blessings.
Then he, deserving of the honey offering, drank the excellent honey and appeared there with red eyes, his eyes bewildered by intoxication.
Having obtained the heroic bronze, filled with great joy and doubled brilliance, he shone like fire. The best of charioteers, he took the bow and arrow on his lap.
After performing auspicious rites conducted by the priests, he was armored and adorned, celebrated with parched grains, perfumes, and garlands, and praised by maidens.
After respectfully greeting Yudhishthira's feet with folded hands and touching them with his head, he climbed onto the great chariot.
Then those elated and well-nourished horses, swift as the wind and invincible, carried him victoriously, performing their duties as the Sindhu horses.
Then, overwhelmed with joy, Satyaki addressed Bhima, saying: "Bhima, your foremost duty is to protect the king."
I will penetrate and enter this strength that has matured over time. Both in the future and the present, it is for the welfare and protection of the king.
You are aware of my strength, and I am aware of yours, O Arindama. Therefore, Bhima, if you desire to please me, turn back.
Having thus spoken, he instructed Satyaki to proceed for the accomplishment of the task, assuring him that he would protect the king, addressing him as the best among men.
Having been spoken to thus, Madhava replied to Bhimasena, urging him to go quickly, assuring that today's victory is certain for him.
Today, you, who are affectionate and devoted to me, are under control, and the omens are auspicious as Bhima tells me.
There is no doubt that once the wicked Saindhava is slain by the noble Pāṇḍava, I shall embrace the righteous king.
Having said this, the great-minded one released Bhima and looked at your army like a tiger looks at herds of deer.
Upon seeing him about to enter your army, O ruler of the people, they became greatly bewildered and trembled once more.
Then, Satyaki suddenly departed with your army, O king, desiring to see Arjuna, as commanded by Yudhishthira.
