Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/443

Rh 'O, I am happy to hear, as I do from sheer good fortune, that out father's sister Pritha with the foremost of the Kaurava princes have all escaped (from death)!'"

Thus ends the hundeed and ninety-first section in the Swayamvara Parva of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, "Then those bulls among Brahmanas sisaking their deer-skins and water-pots made of cocoanut-sbells exclaimed, - 'Fear not, we will fight the foe l' Arjuna smilingly addressing those Brahmanas exclaiming thus, said. stand ye aside as spectators (of the fray). Showering hundreds of arrows furnished with straight points even I shall check, like snakes with mantras, all those angry monarchs.' Having said this, the mighty Arjuna taking up the bow he had obtained as dower accompanied by his brother Bhima stood immovable as a mountain. And beholding those Kshatriyas who were ever furious in battle with Karna ahead, the heroic brothers rushed fearlessly at them like two elephants rushing against a hostile elephant. Then those monarchs eager for the fight fiercely exclaimed.--"The slaughter in battle of one desiring to fight is permitted.' And saying this, the monarchs suddenly rushed against the Brahmanas, And Karna endued with great energy rushed against Jishnu for fight. And Salya the mighty king of Madras rushed against Bhima like an elephant rushing against another for the sake of a she-elephant in heat ; while Duryyod bana and others engaged with the Brabmanas, skirmished with them lightly and carelessly. Then the illustrious Arjuna beholding Karna the son of Vikartana (Suryya) advancing towards him, drew his tough bow and pierced him with his sharp arrows. And the impetus of those whetted arrows furnished with fierce energy made Radheya (Karna) faint. Recovering consciousness Karna attacked Arjuna with greater care than before. Then Karna and Arjuna, both foremost of victorious, warriors, desirous of vanquishing each other, fought madly on. And such was the lightness of hand they both displayed that (each enveloped by the other's shower of arrows) they both became invisible (unto the spectators of their encounter). Behold the strength of my arms. Mark, how I have counteracted that feat,'-those the words-intelligible to heroes alone in which they addressed each other. And incensed at finding the