84.20

aboard after Pritha’s son. Like Vasava’s driver Matali when he readied the horses to hunt down Vritra, the Herdsman took the reins that his hands knew so well. The two warriors stood alongside Pritha’s son in his high car like Mercury and Venus conjunct with the gloomslaying moon. As Varuna and Mitra had gone with Indra to fetch Brihas·pati s starry bride, so it was that the Sindhu king’s nemesis set out to hunt him down.*

84.25

Plucking chords the bards hymned mighty Arjuna’s illustrious departure, and their songs merged with the dulcet blessings and prayers the poets and heralds extolled. A warm and sweetsmelling wind arose then and it soothed Pritha’s son but blew harsh and dry upon his foes. And o majesty the signs that came to cheer the Pandavas were many and just so many o king were the signs that came to blight the hopes of your sons. Arjuna saw that the omens were out for him and he turned to the mighty bowman Yuyudhana and spoke.

84.30

“Yuyudhana these portents betoken my success. O bull of the Shinis I will go now to find the Sindhu king. When he sees me coming for him he will make all haste for Death’s kingdom. Saindhava’s end weighs upon me but so too does the safety of the righteous king. With your strong arms keep my brother safe and guard him today as I have guarded him before. You are Vasudeva’s equal and I see none in earth or in heaven who could better you in battle. You are a bull in the herd of men. I trust in you as I trust in mighty Pradyumna and this alone means I can battle Saindhava confident that the king will be safe. Satvata I need no one to watch my back. I ask only that you with all your might make deadly ________