“O Partha. I think that we ought to get some sleep for good luck. I will go now.”

He stationed armed guards before Arjuna’s tent and left still aglow from the rite and went with Daruka to his own encampment. When he arrived he sat down on his snowwhite couch and thought of all that there was to do. Holy Pundarikaksha settled into meditation. Deep in peaceful thought the emperor of all that is made a decision. Because he wanted to help his friend so dear to his heart fabled Vishnu resolved to do all he could to drive off Jishnu’s sadness and pain and bathe him in splendour and glory.

79.10

O lord of these lands, no one in the Pandava camp could sleep. They sat together in little groups wide awake through the dark hours. They thought about how Arjuna had made his sudden promise to slay the Sindhu king in the burning heat of mourning. Candiva was his bow and Indra his father and no one doubted his prowess or fire. But would he make good his oath?

79.15

“Great Pandava has set himself a difficult task. May King Arjuna find the strength to see it through. His vow was sworn in the fierce pain of loss. Our brothers may be brave and our men may be many but Dhrita·rashtra’s son will do everything to keep Jayad·ratha safe. May Dhanan·jaya ride into battle and cull his foes and kill Saindhava and thus make good his vow. Dhanan·jaya cannot break a promise and if tomorrow the Sindhu king still lives then Partha will step through the fire’s smoky veil. What will Dharma’s son do when Arjuna is gone? His hopes live only in his brother. If ever we have done or given or poured out a thing for the ________