14.072
The following of the horses by Arjuna
Vaiśampāyana said.
But when the time of consecration arrived, then those very great priests duly consecrated the king for the horse sacrifice. (14-72-1)
Having performed the animal-sacrifices and having been consecrated, the illustrious Yudhiṣṭhira, descendant of Pāṇḍu, shone brilliantly together with the officiating priests. (14-72-2)
The horse for the horse-sacrifice was personally released by Vyāsa, the speaker about Brahman and of immeasurable energy, according to scriptural injunction. (14-72-3)
At that time, the king, son of Dharma, who had been consecrated as ruler, shone forth, adorned with a garland of gold and a golden neck ornament, radiant like fire. (14-72-4)
He, born of Dharma, dressed in linen and wearing a black antelope skin, holding a staff, shone out even more radiantly, like Prajapati at a sacrifice. (14-72-5)
In the same way, all his priests, dressed alike, O lord of the people, became manifest; and Arjuna also appeared blazing like fire. (14-72-6)
O king, Arjuna, whose horses were white, pursued that black antelope horse according to the injunction, by the command of Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira). (14-72-7)
O king, throwing aside the Gāṇḍiva bow and wearing the lizard's finger-ring, the protector of the earth, with joy, mounted the horse and rode on. (14-72-8)
O king, then that lord came to the city of the prince, wishing to see Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), the best of the Kurus, who was about to depart. (14-72-9)
From their mutual collision, heat like fire arose. Among those wishing to see, both the horse and the horse-driver (were seen as distinct). (14-72-10)
Then, O great king, a sound filling the ten directions arose among the people watching Kuntī's son, Dhanañjaya. (14-72-11)
The son of Kunti advances, and the resplendent horse as well; the mighty-armed Arjuna follows him, touching his excellent bow. (14-72-12)
Thus Arjuna, of noble mind, listened to the words spoken. "Farewell to you; may you journey unharmed and return here again," O Bhārata. (14-72-13)
Then other men, O king of men, spoke these words: "We do not see him in the confusion; only this bow is visible." (14-72-14)
This is indeed the terrible-sounding, well-known Gandiva bow. Let him go safely, on a path that is free from danger and fear. We shall see him again when he has returned—thus, they spoke. (14-72-15)
O bull of the Bharatas, thus he heard the sweet words of men and women, uttered again and again. (14-72-16)
The disciple of Yājñavalkya, who was skilled in sacrificial rites and mastered in the Vedas, departed along with Pārtha (Arjuna) for the sake of peace. (14-72-17)
O king, many Brāhmaṇas, knowers of the Vedas, followed the great-souled one; Kṣatriyas and also the people (viśas) went after him. (14-72-18)
The horse, after the Pāṇḍavas had conquered the earth by the splendor of their weapons, roamed as commanded, O great king, O best of beings. (14-72-19)
There, O hero, I shall recount to you the wonderful and great battles that indeed occurred on the side of Pāṇḍava. (14-72-20)
O king, the horse circled the earth in a rightwise (pradakṣiṇa) direction, O destroyer of enemies, going from the north to the east; understand that, O lord of the earth. (14-72-21)
Crushing the kingdoms of the kings, the excellent horse slowly went about, and Śvetāśva, the great warrior, accompanied it. (14-72-22)
There, O great king, there was no gathering of kings by tens of thousands; those Kṣatriya warriors who fought had slain their own kin. (14-72-23)
O king, many deformed Kirātas, wielders of swords and bows, barbarians, and other people of many kinds were formerly slain in battle. (14-72-24)
Noble ones, the kings of the earth, and many who were fiercely proud in battle with their joyful chariots of warriors, were approached by the son of Pāṇḍu. (14-72-25)
O king, in this way, battles of Arjuna were fought by kings from various countries in many places. (14-72-26)
O king, I will recount to you those great and fiercely fought battles from both sides, belonging to Kaunteya, O sinless one. (14-72-27)
