the eighteen day of the moon, seize these kine
when the king of the Matsyas would be pursuing those first seized. It
may be that the Trigartas are now bringing away the kine, or being
defeated, are coming towards us for negotiating with the king of the
Matsyas. Or, it may be, that having driven the Trigartas off, the king
of the Matsyas, at the head of this people and his whole army of fierce
warriors, appeareth on the scene and advanceth to make night-attacks
upon us. It may be that some one leader among them, endued with mighty
energy, is advancing for vanquishing us, or, it may be that the king
himself of the Matsyas is come. But be it the king of the Matsyas or
Vibhatsu, we must all fight him. Even this hath been our pledge. Why are
all these of foremost car-warriors,--Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and
Vikarna and Drona's son,--now sitting on their cars, panic-stricken? At
present there is nothing better than fighting. Therefore, make up your
minds. If, for the cattle we have seized, an encounter takes place with
the divine wielder himself of the thunderbolt or even with Yama, who is
there that will be liable to reach Hastinapura? Pierced by the shafts
(of the foe), how will the foot-soldiers, in flying through the deep
forest with their backs on the field, escape with life, when escape for
the cavalry is doubtful?' Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Karna said,
'Disregarding the preceptor, make all arrangements. He knoweth well the
intentions of the Pandavas and striketh terror in our hearts. I see that
his affection for Arjuna is very great. Seeing him only coming, he
chanteth his praises. Make ye such arrangements that our troops may not
break. Everything is in confusion for Drona's having only heard the
neigh of (Arjuna's) steeds. Make ye such arrangements that these troops,
come to a distant land in this hot season and in the midst of this
mighty forest, may not fall into confusion and be subjugated by the foe.
The Pandavas are always the special favourites of the preceptor. The
selfish Pandavas have stationed Drona amongst us. Indeed, he betrayeth
himself by his speech. Who would ever extol a person upon hearing the
neigh only of his steeds? Horses always neigh, whether walking or
standing, the winds blow at all times; and Indra also always showereth
rain. The roar of the clouds may frequently be heard. What hath Partha
to do with these, and why is he to be praised for these? All this (on
Drona's part), therefore