Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/335

Rh there arose a great uproar in consequence of the spectors' exclaiming. *This is the graceful son of Kunti l'-'This is the middle (third) Pandaval --This is the son of the mighty Indra - This is the protector of the Kurus !'-"This is the foreinost of those versed in arms 1-This is the foremost of all cherishers of virtue !' - This is the foremost of well conducted persons, the great repository of the knowledge of manners I' At those exclamations, the tears of Kunti, mixing with the milk of her breast, wetted her bosom. And his ears being filled with that uproar, that first of men, Dhitarashtra, asked Vidura in delight,-'O Kshatri, what is this great uproar for, like unto that of the troubled ocean, arising all on a sudden and rending the very heavens?' Vidura replied,-'O mighty monarch, the son of Pandu and Pritha Pbalguna, clad in mail bath entered the lists. And hence this uproar! Dhritarashtra said.---'0 thou of soul so great, by the three fires sprung from Pritha who is even like the sacred fuel, I have, indeed, been blessed, favoured and protected I"

Vaisampayana continued.-"When the spectators, excited with delight, had somewhat regained their equanimity, Vibhatsu began to display before his lightness in the use of weapons. By the Agneya weapon, he created fire, and by the Varuna weapon he created water; by the Vayavya weapon, he created air, and by the Paryanya weapon he Created clouds. And by the Bhauma weapon, he created land, and by the Parvatya weapon, he brought mountains into being. By the Antardhana weapon all these were made to disappear. Now the beloved of his preceptor (Arjuna) appeared tall and now short; now he was seen on the yoke of his car, and now on the car itself; and the next moment he was on the ground. And the hero favoured by his practised dexterity, hit with his various butts-sone tender, some fine and some of thick composition. And like one shaft, be let fly at a time into the inouth of a moving iron boar five shafts together from his bowstring. And that hero of mighty energy discharged one and twenty arrows into the hollow of a cow's horn hung up on a rope swaying to and fro. In this manner, Osinless one, Arjuna showed his profound skill in the use of sword, bow, and mace, walking over the lists in circles.

"And, O Bharata, when the exhibition had well-nigh ended, the excitement of the spectators had cooled, and the sounds of instruments had died out there was heard proceeding from the gate, the slapping of arms, betokening might and strength, and even like unto the roar of the thunder, And O king, as soon as this sound was heard, the assembled multitude instantly thought,-- Are the mountains splitting or is the Earth itself tending asunder, or is the welkin resounding with the roar

41