The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 4.32: dvātriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

4.32.1

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
tamasābhiplute loke rajasā caiva bhārata |
vyatiṣṭhanvai muhūrtaṃ tu vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ || 1 ||

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O Bharata, when the world was enveloped in dust and the gloom of night, the warriors of both sides, without breaking the order of battle, desisted for a while. And then, dispelling the darkness the moon arose illumining the night and gladdening the hearts of the Kshatriya warriors. And when everything became visible, the battle once more began. And it raged on so furiously that the combatants could not distinguish one another. And then Trigarta's lord, Susarman with his younger brother, and accompanied by all his cars, rushed towards the king of Matsya. And descending from their cars, those bulls among Kshatriyas, the (royal) brothers, mace in hand, rushed furiously towards the cars of the foe. And the hostile hosts fiercely assailed each other with maces and swords and scimitars, battle-axes and bearded darts with keen edges and points of excellent temper. And king Susarman, the lord of the Trigartas having by his energy oppressed and defeated the whole army of the Matsyas, impetuously rushed towards Virata himself endued with great energy. And the two brothers having severally slain Virata's two steeds and his charioteer, as also those soldiers that protected his rear, took him captive alive, when deprived of his car. Then afflicting him sorely, like a lustful man afflicting a defenceless damsel, Susarman placed Virata on his own car, and speedily rushed out of the field. And when the powerful Virata, deprived of his car, was taken captive, the Matsyas, harrassed solely by the Trigartas, began to flee in fear in all directions. And beholding them panic-stricken, Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, addressed that subduer of foes, the mighty-armed Bhima, saying, 'The king of the Matsyas hath been taken by the Trigartas. Do thou, O mighty-armed one, rescue him, so that he may not fall under the power of the enemy. As we have lived happily in Virata's city, having every desire of ours gratified, it behoveth thee, O Bhimasena, to discharge that debt (by liberating the king).' Thereat Bhimasena replied, 'I will liberate him, O king, at thy command. Mark the feat I achieve (today) in battling with the foe, relying solely on the might of my arms. Do thou, O king, stay aside, along with our brothers and witness my prowess today. Uprooting this mighty tree of huge trunk looking like a mace, I will rout the enemy.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then, O Bharata, when the world was enveloped in dust and the gloom of night, the warriors of both sides, without breaking the order of battle, desisted for a while. And then, dispelling the darkness the moon arose illumining the night and gladdening the hearts of the Kshatriya warriors. And when everything became visible, the battle once more began. And it raged on so furiously that the combatants could not distinguish one another. And then Trigarta's lord, Susarman with his younger brother, and accompanied by all his cars, rushed towards the king of Matsya. And descending from their cars, those bulls among Kshatriyas, the (royal) brothers, mace in hand, rushed furiously towards the cars of the foe. And the hostile hosts fiercely assailed each other with maces and swords and scimitars, battle-axes and bearded darts with keen edges and points of excellent temper. And king Susarman, the lord of the Trigartas having by his energy oppressed and defeated the whole army of the Matsyas, impetuously rushed towards Virata himself endued with great energy. And the two brothers having severally slain Virata's two steeds and his charioteer, as also those soldiers that protected his rear, took him captive alive, when deprived of his car. Then afflicting him sorely, like a lustful man afflicting a defenceless damsel, Susarman placed Virata on his own car, and speedily rushed out of the field. And when the powerful Virata, deprived of his car, was taken captive, the Matsyas, harrassed solely by the Trigartas, began to flee in fear in all directions. And beholding them panic-stricken, Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, addressed that subduer of foes, the mighty-armed Bhima, saying, 'The king of the Matsyas hath been taken by the Trigartas. Do thou, O mighty-armed one, rescue him, so that he may not fall under the power of the enemy. As we have lived happily in Virata's city, having every desire of ours gratified, it behoveth thee, O Bhimasena, to discharge that debt (by liberating the king).' Thereat Bhimasena replied, 'I will liberate him, O king, at thy command. Mark the feat I achieve (today) in battling with the foe, relying solely on the might of my arms. Do thou, O king, stay aside, along with our brothers and witness my prowess today. Uprooting this mighty tree of huge trunk looking like a mace, I will rout the enemy.'

The word in the original is Muhurta equal to 48 minutes. Nilakantha points out very ingeniously that the night being the seventh of the dark fortnight, the moon would not rise till after 14 Dandas from the hour of sunset, a Danda being equal to 24 minutes. A Muhurta, therefore implies not 48 minutes exactly, but some time.

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding Bhima casting his eyes on that tree like a mad elephant, the heroic king Yudhishthira the just spake unto his brother, saying, 'Do not, O Bhima, commit such a rash act. Let the tree stand there. Thou must not achieve such feats in a super-human manner by means of that tree, for if thou dost, the people, O Bharata, will recognise thee and say, This is Bhima. Take thou, therefore, some human weapon such as a bow (and arrows), or a dart, or a sword, or a battle-axe. And taking therefore, O Bhima, some weapon that is human, liberate thou the king without giving anybody the means of knowing thee truly. The twins endued with great strength will defend thy wheels. Fighting together, O child, liberate the king of the Matsyas!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the mighty Bhimasena endued with great speed, quickly took up an excellent bow and impetuously shot from it a shower of arrows, thick as the downpour of a rain-charged cloud. And Bhima then rushed furiously towards Susarman of terrible deeds, and assuring Virata with the words--O good king! said unto the lord of the Trigartas,--Stay! Stay! Seeing Bhima like unto Yama himself in his rear, saying, Stay! Stay! Do thou witness this mighty feat,--this combat that is at hand!--the bull among warriors, Susarman, seriously considered (the situation), and taking up his bow turned back, along with his brothers. Within the twinkling of an eye, Bhima destroyed those cars that sought to oppose him. And soon again hundreds of thousands of cars and elephants and horses and horsemen and brave and fierce bowmen were overthrown by Bhima in the very sight of Virata. And the hostile infantry also began to be slaughtered by the illustrious Bhima, mace in hand. And beholding that terrible onslaught, Susarman, irrepressible in fight, thought within himself, 'My brother seems to have already succumbed in the midst of his mighty host. Is my army going to be annihilated?' And drawing his bow-string to his ear Susarman then turned back and began to shoot keen-edged shafts incessantly. And seeing the Pandavas return to the charge on their car, the Matsya warriors of mighty host, urging on their steeds, shot excellent weapons for grinding the Trigarta soldiers.

And Virata's son also, exceedingly exasperated began to perform prodigious fears of valour. And Kunti's son Yudhishthira slew a thousand (of the foe), and Bhima showed the abode of Yama unto seven thousand. And Nakula sent seven hundred (to their last account) by means of his shafts. And powerful Sahadeva also, commanded by Yudhishthira, slew three hundred brave warriors. And having slain such numbers, that fierce and mighty warrior, Yudhishthira, with weapons upraised, rushed against Susarman. And rushing impetuously at Susarman, that foremost of car-warriors, king Yudhishthira, assailed him with vollies of shafts. And Susarman also, in great rage, quickly pierced Yudhishthira with nine arrows, and each of his four steeds with four arrows. Then, O king, Kunti's son Bhima of quick movements, approaching Susarman crushed his steeds. And having slain also those soldiers that protected his rear, he dragged from the car his antagonist's charioteer to the ground. And seeing the king of Trigarta's car without a driver, the defender of his car-wheels, the famous and brave Madiraksha speedily came to his aid. And thereat, leaping down from Susarman's car, and securing the latter's mace the powerful Virata ran in pursuit of him. And though old, he moved on the field, mace in hand, even like a lusty youth. And beholding Susarman flee Bhima addressed him, saying, 'Desist, O Prince! This flight of thine is not proper!

With this prowess of thine, how couldst thou wish to carry off the cattle by force? How also, forsaking thy follower, dost thou droop so amidst foes? Thus addressed by Pritha's son, the mighty Susarman, that lord of countless cars saying unto Bhima, Stay! Stay!--suddenly turned round and rushed at him. Then Bhima, the son of Pandu, leaping down from his car, as he alone could do, rushed forward with great coolness, desirous of taking Susarman's life. And desirous of seizing Trigarta's king advancing towards him, the mighty Bhimasena rushed impetuously towards him, even like a lion rushing at a small deer. And advancing impetuously, the mighty-armed Bhima seized Susarman by the hair, and lifting him up in wrath, dashed him down on the ground. And as he lay crying in agony, the mighty-armed Bhima kicked him at the head, and placing his knee on his breast dealt him severe blows. And sorely afflicted with that kicking, the king of Trigartas became senseless. And when the king of the Trigartas deprived of his car, had been seized thus, the whole Trigarta army stricken with panic, broke and fled in all directions, and the mighty sons of Pandu, endued with modesty and observant of vows and relying on the might of their own arms, after having vanquished Susarman, and rescued the kine as well as other kinds of wealth and having thus dispelled Virata's anxiety, stood together before that monarch.

And Bhimasena then said, 'This wretch given to wicked deeds doth not deserve to escape me with life. But what can I do? The king is so lenient!' And then taking Susarman by the neck as he was lying on the ground insensible and covered with dust, and binding him fast, Pritha's son Vrikodara placed him on his car, and went to where Yudhishthira was staying in the midst of the field. And Bhima then showed Susarman unto the monarch. And beholding Susarman in that plight, that tiger among men king Yudhishthira smilingly addressed Bhima--that ornament of battle,--saying, 'Let this worst of men be set free.' Thus addressed, Bhima spoke unto the mighty Susarman, saying, 'If, O wretch, thou wishest to live, listen to those words of mine. Thou must say in every court and assembly of men,--I am a slave. On this condition only I will grant thee thy life. Verily, this is the law about the vanquished.' Thereupon his elder brother affectionately addressed Bhima, saying, 'If thou regardest us as an authority, liberate this wicked wight. He hath already become king Virata's slave. And turning then to Susarman, he said, 'Thou art freed. Go thou a free man, and never act again in this way.'"

Some Vikshyainam, Nilakantha explains Sama as a word spoken by Bhima for assuring the captive Virata, and Vikshya as 'assuring' or 'consoling by a glance.' Perhaps this is right.

The adjective Bhima-sankasas as explained by Nilakantha is in this sense, quoting the celebrated simile of Valmiki.

4.32.2

tato'ndhakāraṃ praṇudannudatiṣṭhata candramāḥ |
kurvāṇo vimalāṃ rātriṃ nandayankṣatriyānyudhi || 2 ||

4.32.3

tataḥ prakāśamāsādya punaryuddhamavartata |
ghorarūpaṃ tataste sma nāvekṣanta parasparam || 3 ||

4.32.4

tataḥ suśarmā traigartaḥ saha bhrātrā yavīyasā |
abhyadravanmatsyarājaṃ rathavrātena sarvaśaḥ || 4 ||

4.32.5

tato rathābhyāṃ praskandya bhrātarau kṣatriyarṣabhau |
gadāpāṇī susaṃrabdhau samabhyadravatāṃ hayān || 5 ||

4.32.6

tathaiva teṣāṃ tu balāni tāni kruddhānyathānyonyamabhidravanti |
gadāsikhaḍgaiśca paraśvadhaiśca prāsaiśca tīkṣṇāgrasupītadhāraiḥ || 6 ||

4.32.7

balaṃ tu matsyasya balena rājā sarvaṃ trigartādhipatiḥ suśarmā |
pramathya jitvā ca prasahya matsyaṃ virāṭamojasvinamabhyadhāvat || 7 ||

4.32.8

tau nihatya pṛthagdhuryāvubhau ca pārṣṇisārathī |
virathaṃ matsyarājānaṃ jīvagrāhamagṛhṇatām || 8 ||

4.32.9

tamunmathya suśarmā tu rudatīṃ vadhukāmiva |
syandanaṃ svaṃ samāropya prayayau śīghravāhanaḥ || 9 ||

4.32.10

tasmingṛhīte virathe virāṭe balavattare |
prādravanta bhayānmatsyāstrigartairarditā bhṛśam || 10 ||

4.32.11

teṣu saṃtrāsyamāneṣu kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
abhyabhāṣanmahābāhuṃ bhīmasenamariṃdamam || 11 ||

4.32.12

matsyarājaḥ parāmṛṣṭastrigartena suśarmaṇā |
taṃ mokṣaya mahābāho na gaccheddviṣatāṃ vaśam || 12 ||

4.32.13

uṣitāḥ smaḥ sukhaṃ sarve sarvakāmaiḥ supūjitāḥ |
bhīmasena tvayā kāryā tasya vāsasya niṣkṛtiḥ || 13 ||

4.32.14

bhīmasena uvāca |
ahamenaṃ paritrāsye śāsanāttava pārthiva |
paśya me sumahatkarma yudhyataḥ saha śatrubhiḥ || 14 ||

4.32.15

svabāhubalamāśritya tiṣṭha tvaṃ bhrātṛbhiḥ saha |
ekāntamāśrito rājanpaśya me'dya parākramam || 15 ||

4.32.16

suskandho'yaṃ mahāvṛkṣo gadārūpa iva sthitaḥ |
enameva samārujya drāvayiṣyāmi śātravān || 16 ||

4.32.17

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
taṃ mattamiva mātaṅgaṃ vīkṣamāṇaṃ vanaspatim |
abravīdbhrātaraṃ vīraṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 17 ||

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Beholding Bhima casting his eyes on that tree like a mad elephant, the heroic king Yudhishthira the just spake unto his brother, saying, 'Do not, O Bhima, commit such a rash act. Let the tree stand there. Thou must not achieve such feats in a super-human manner by means of that tree, for if thou dost, the people, O Bharata, will recognise thee and say, This is Bhima. Take thou, therefore, some human weapon such as a bow (and arrows), or a dart, or a sword, or a battle-axe. And taking therefore, O Bhima, some weapon that is human, liberate thou the king without giving anybody the means of knowing thee truly. The twins endued with great strength will defend thy wheels. Fighting together, O child, liberate the king of the Matsyas!'

4.32.18

mā bhīma sāhasaṃ kārṣīstiṣṭhatveṣa vanaspatiḥ |
mā tvā vṛkṣeṇa karmāṇi kurvāṇamatimānuṣam |
janāḥ samavabudhyeranbhīmo'yamiti bhārata || 18 ||

4.32.19

anyadevāyudhaṃ kiṃcitpratipadyasva mānuṣam |
cāpaṃ vā yadi vā śaktiṃ nistriṃśaṃ vā paraśvadham || 19 ||

4.32.20

yadeva mānuṣaṃ bhīma bhavedanyairalakṣitam |
tadevāyudhamādāya mokṣayāśu mahīpatim || 20 ||

4.32.21

yamau ca cakrarakṣau te bhavitārau mahābalau |
vyūhataḥ samare tāta matsyarājaṃ parīpsataḥ || 21 ||

4.32.22

tataḥ samastāste sarve turagānabhyacodayan |
divyamastraṃ vikurvāṇāstrigartānpratyamarṣaṇāḥ || 22 ||

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the mighty Bhimasena endued with great speed, quickly took up an excellent bow and impetuously shot from it a shower of arrows, thick as the downpour of a rain-charged cloud. And Bhima then rushed furiously towards Susarman of terrible deeds, and assuring Virata with the words--O good king! said unto the lord of the Trigartas,--Stay! Stay! Seeing Bhima like unto Yama himself in his rear, saying, Stay! Stay! Do thou witness this mighty feat,--this combat that is at hand!--the bull among warriors, Susarman, seriously considered (the situation), and taking up his bow turned back, along with his brothers. Within the twinkling of an eye, Bhima destroyed those cars that sought to oppose him. And soon again hundreds of thousands of cars and elephants and horses and horsemen and brave and fierce bowmen were overthrown by Bhima in the very sight of Virata. And the hostile infantry also began to be slaughtered by the illustrious Bhima, mace in hand. And beholding that terrible onslaught, Susarman, irrepressible in fight, thought within himself, 'My brother seems to have already succumbed in the midst of his mighty host. Is my army going to be annihilated?' And drawing his bow-string to his ear Susarman then turned back and began to shoot keen-edged shafts incessantly. And seeing the Pandavas return to the charge on their car, the Matsya warriors of mighty host, urging on their steeds, shot excellent weapons for grinding the Trigarta soldiers.

4.32.23

tānnivṛttarathāndṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavānsā mahācamūḥ |
vairāṭī paramakruddhā yuyudhe paramādbhutam || 23 ||

4.32.24

sahasraṃ nyavadhīttatra kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
bhīmaḥ saptaśatānyodhānparalokamadarśayat |
nakulaścāpi saptaiva śatāni prāhiṇoccharaiḥ || 24 ||

And Virata's son also, exceedingly exasperated began to perform prodigious fears of valour. And Kunti's son Yudhishthira slew a thousand (of the foe), and Bhima showed the abode of Yama unto seven thousand. And Nakula sent seven hundred (to their last account) by means of his shafts. And powerful Sahadeva also, commanded by Yudhishthira, slew three hundred brave warriors. And having slain such numbers, that fierce and mighty warrior, Yudhishthira, with weapons upraised, rushed against Susarman. And rushing impetuously at Susarman, that foremost of car-warriors, king Yudhishthira, assailed him with vollies of shafts. And Susarman also, in great rage, quickly pierced Yudhishthira with nine arrows, and each of his four steeds with four arrows. Then, O king, Kunti's son Bhima of quick movements, approaching Susarman crushed his steeds. And having slain also those soldiers that protected his rear, he dragged from the car his antagonist's charioteer to the ground. And seeing the king of Trigarta's car without a driver, the defender of his car-wheels, the famous and brave Madiraksha speedily came to his aid. And thereat, leaping down from Susarman's car, and securing the latter's mace the powerful Virata ran in pursuit of him. And though old, he moved on the field, mace in hand, even like a lusty youth. And beholding Susarman flee Bhima addressed him, saying, 'Desist, O Prince! This flight of thine is not proper!

4.32.25

śatāni trīṇi śūrāṇāṃ sahadevaḥ pratāpavān |
yudhiṣṭhirasamādiṣṭo nijaghne puruṣarṣabhaḥ |
bhittvā tāṃ mahatīṃ senāṃ trigartānāṃ nararṣabha || 25 ||

4.32.26

tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā tvaramāṇo mahārathaḥ |
abhidrutya suśarmāṇaṃ śarairabhyatudadbhṛśam || 26 ||

4.32.27

suśarmāpi susaṃkruddhastvaramāṇo yudhiṣṭhiram |
avidhyannavabhirbāṇaiścaturbhiścaturo hayān || 27 ||

4.32.28

tato rājannāśukārī kuntīputro vṛkodaraḥ |
samāsādya suśarmāṇamaśvānasya vyapothayat || 28 ||

4.32.29

pṛṣṭhagopau ca tasyātha hatvā paramasāyakaiḥ |
athāsya sārathiṃ kruddho rathopasthādapāharat || 29 ||

4.32.30

cakrarakṣaśca śūraśca śoṇāśvo nāma viśrutaḥ |
sa bhayāddvairathaṃ dṛṣṭvā traigartaṃ prājahattadā || 30 ||

4.32.31

tato virāṭaḥ praskandya rathādatha suśarmaṇaḥ |
gadāmasya parāmṛśya tamevājaghnivānbalī |
sa cacāra gadāpāṇirvṛddho'pi taruṇo yathā || 31 ||

4.32.32

bhīmastu bhīmasaṃkāśo rathātpraskandya kuṇḍalī |
trigartarājamādatta siṃhaḥ kṣudramṛgaṃ yathā || 32 ||

With this prowess of thine, how couldst thou wish to carry off the cattle by force? How also, forsaking thy follower, dost thou droop so amidst foes? Thus addressed by Pritha's son, the mighty Susarman, that lord of countless cars saying unto Bhima, Stay! Stay!--suddenly turned round and rushed at him. Then Bhima, the son of Pandu, leaping down from his car, as he alone could do, rushed forward with great coolness, desirous of taking Susarman's life. And desirous of seizing Trigarta's king advancing towards him, the mighty Bhimasena rushed impetuously towards him, even like a lion rushing at a small deer. And advancing impetuously, the mighty-armed Bhima seized Susarman by the hair, and lifting him up in wrath, dashed him down on the ground. And as he lay crying in agony, the mighty-armed Bhima kicked him at the head, and placing his knee on his breast dealt him severe blows. And sorely afflicted with that kicking, the king of Trigartas became senseless. And when the king of the Trigartas deprived of his car, had been seized thus, the whole Trigarta army stricken with panic, broke and fled in all directions, and the mighty sons of Pandu, endued with modesty and observant of vows and relying on the might of their own arms, after having vanquished Susarman, and rescued the kine as well as other kinds of wealth and having thus dispelled Virata's anxiety, stood together before that monarch.

4.32.33

tasmingṛhīte virathe trigartānāṃ mahārathe |
abhajyata balaṃ sarvaṃ traigartaṃ tadbhayāturam || 33 ||

4.32.34

nivartya gāstataḥ sarvāḥ pāṇḍuputrā mahābalāḥ |
avajitya suśarmāṇaṃ dhanaṃ cādāya sarvaśaḥ || 34 ||

4.32.35

svabāhubalasaṃpannā hrīniṣedhā yatavratāḥ |
saṃgrāmaśiraso madhye tāṃ rātriṃ sukhino'vasan || 35 ||

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira Susarman was overwhelmed with shame and hung down his head. And liberated (from slavery), he went to king Virata, and having saluted the monarch, took his departure. And the Pandavas also replying on the might of their own arms, and endued with modesty and observant of vows, having slain their enemies and liberated Susarman, passed that night happily on the field of battle. And Virata gratified those mighty warriors, the sons of Kunti, possessed of super-human prowess with wealth and honour. And Virata said, "All these gems of mine are now as much mine as yours. Do ye according to your pleasure live here happily. And ye smiter of foes in battle, I will bestow on you damsels decked with ornaments, wealth in plenty, and other things that ye may like. Delivered from perils today by your prowess, I am now crowned with victory. Do ye all become the lords of the Matsyas.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira Susarman was overwhelmed with shame and hung down his head. And liberated (from slavery), he went to king Virata, and having saluted the monarch, took his departure. And the Pandavas also replying on the might of their own arms, and endued with modesty and observant of vows, having slain their enemies and liberated Susarman, passed that night happily on the field of battle. And Virata gratified those mighty warriors, the sons of Kunti, possessed of super-human prowess with wealth and honour. And Virata said, "All these gems of mine are now as much mine as yours. Do ye according to your pleasure live here happily. And ye smiter of foes in battle, I will bestow on you damsels decked with ornaments, wealth in plenty, and other things that ye may like. Delivered from perils today by your prowess, I am now crowned with victory. Do ye all become the lords of the Matsyas.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And when the king of the Matsyas had addressed them thus, those descendants of the Kurus with Yudhishthira at their head, joining their hands, severally replied unto him saying, 'We are well-pleased with all that thou sayest, O monarch. We, however, have been much gratified that thou hast today been freed from thy foes.' Thus answered, that foremost of kings, Virata the lord of the Matsyas, again addressed Yudhishthira, saying, 'Come, we will install thee in sovereignty of the Matsyas. And we will also bestow on thee things that are rare on earth and are objects of desire, for thou deservest everything at our hands. O foremost of Brahmanas of the Vaiyaghra order I will bestow on thee gems and kine and gold and rubies and pearls. I bow unto thee. It is owing to thee that I once more behold today my sons and kingdom. Afflicted and threatened as I had been with disaster and danger, it is through thy prowess that I have not succumbed to the foe.' Then Yudhishthira again addressed the Matsyas, saying, 'Well-pleased are we with the delightful words that thou hast spoken. Mayst thou be ever happy, always practising humanity towards all creatures. Let messengers now, at thy command, speedily repair into the city, in order to communicate the glad tidings to our friends, and proclaim thy victory. Hearing these words of him, king Matsya ordered the messengers, saying,' 'Do ye repair to the city and proclaim my victory in battle. And let damsels and courtesons, decked in ornaments, come out of the city with every kind of musical instruments.' Hearing this command uttered by the king of the Matsyas, the men, laying the mandate on their head, all departed with cheerful hearts. And having repaired to the city that very night, they proclaimed at the hour of sunrise the victory of the king about the city-gates.'"

4.32.36

tato virāṭaḥ kaunteyānatimānuṣavikramān |
arcayāmāsa vittena mānena ca mahārathān || 36 ||

4.32.37

virāṭa uvāca |
yathaiva mama ratnāni yuṣmākaṃ tāni vai tathā |
kāryaṃ kuruta taiḥ sarve yathākāmaṃ yathāsukham || 37 ||

4.32.38

dadānyalaṃkṛtāḥ kanyā vasūni vividhāni ca |
manasaścāpyabhipretaṃ yadvaḥ śatrunibarhaṇāḥ || 38 ||

4.32.39

yuṣmākaṃ vikramādadya mukto'haṃ svastimāniha |
tasmādbhavanto matsyānāmīśvarāḥ sarva eva hi || 39 ||

4.32.40

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
tathābhivādinaṃ matsyaṃ kauraveyāḥ pṛthakpṛthak |
ūcuḥ prāñjalayaḥ sarve yudhiṣṭhirapurogamāḥ || 40 ||

"Vaisampayana continued, 'And when the king of the Matsyas had addressed them thus, those descendants of the Kurus with Yudhishthira at their head, joining their hands, severally replied unto him saying, 'We are well-pleased with all that thou sayest, O monarch. We, however, have been much gratified that thou hast today been freed from thy foes.' Thus answered, that foremost of kings, Virata the lord of the Matsyas, again addressed Yudhishthira, saying, 'Come, we will install thee in sovereignty of the Matsyas. And we will also bestow on thee things that are rare on earth and are objects of desire, for thou deservest everything at our hands. O foremost of Brahmanas of the Vaiyaghra order I will bestow on thee gems and kine and gold and rubies and pearls. I bow unto thee. It is owing to thee that I once more behold today my sons and kingdom. Afflicted and threatened as I had been with disaster and danger, it is through thy prowess that I have not succumbed to the foe.' Then Yudhishthira again addressed the Matsyas, saying, 'Well-pleased are we with the delightful words that thou hast spoken. Mayst thou be ever happy, always practising humanity towards all creatures. Let messengers now, at thy command, speedily repair into the city, in order to communicate the glad tidings to our friends, and proclaim thy victory. Hearing these words of him, king Matsya ordered the messengers, saying,' 'Do ye repair to the city and proclaim my victory in battle. And let damsels and courtesons, decked in ornaments, come out of the city with every kind of musical instruments.' Hearing this command uttered by the king of the Matsyas, the men, laying the mandate on their head, all departed with cheerful hearts. And having repaired to the city that very night, they proclaimed at the hour of sunrise the victory of the king about the city-gates.'"

4.32.41

pratinandāma te vākyaṃ sarvaṃ caiva viśāṃ pate |
etenaiva pratītāḥ smo yattvaṃ mukto'dya śatrubhiḥ || 41 ||

4.32.42

athābravītprītamanā matsyarājo yudhiṣṭhiram |
punareva mahābāhurvirāṭo rājasattamaḥ |
ehi tvāmabhiṣekṣyāmi matsyarājo'stu no bhavān || 42 ||

4.32.43

manasaścāpyabhipretaṃ yatte śatrunibarhaṇa |
tatte'haṃ saṃpradāsyāmi sarvamarhati no bhavān || 43 ||

4.32.44

ratnāni gāḥ suvarṇaṃ ca maṇimuktamathāpi vā |
vaiyāghrapadya viprendra sarvathaiva namo'stu te || 44 ||

4.32.45

tvatkṛte hyadya paśyāmi rājyamātmānameva ca |
yataśca jātaḥ saṃrambhaḥ sa ca śatrurvaśaṃ gataḥ || 45 ||

4.32.46

tato yudhiṣṭhiro matsyaṃ punarevābhyabhāṣata |
pratinandāmi te vākyaṃ manojñaṃ matsya bhāṣase || 46 ||

4.32.47

ānṛśaṃsyaparo nityaṃ susukhaḥ satataṃ bhava |
gacchantu dūtāstvaritaṃ nagaraṃ tava pārthiva |
suhṛdāṃ priyamākhyātuṃ ghoṣayantu ca te jayam || 47 ||

4.32.48

tatastadvacanānmatsyo dūtānrājā samādiśat |
ācakṣadhvaṃ puraṃ gatvā saṃgrāme vijayaṃ mama || 48 ||

4.32.49

kumārāḥ samalaṃkṛtya paryāgacchantu me purāt |
vāditrāṇi ca sarvāṇi gaṇikāśca svalaṃkṛtāḥ || 49 ||

4.32.50

te gatvā kevalāṃ rātrimatha sūryodayaṃ prati |
virāṭasya purābhyāśe dūtā jayamaghoṣayan || 50 ||