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Bhīṣma sat down, applauded by Droṇa, Vidura and Kṛpa, who himself rose from his seat and said, “What the aged Bhīṣma has said is undoubtedly correct and meant only for our good. His words are reasonable, truthful, and consistent with scripture.

Bhīma urged on his charioteer and raced toward Susharma, who was heading away with the captive king. Nakula and Sahadeva rode on either side and carved through the Trigarta forces. Turn and fight! Behold now a mighty feat of arms as I throw you down with all your followers.”

Virata turned to his ministers and ordered them to carry news of their victory to the city. “Let damsels and courtesans, decked with ornaments and carrying musical instruments, come out of the The ministers left at once and the warriors prepared to spend the night on the field.

Bhīma let go a steady stream of arrows and Susharma turned to face him. When the Trigarta king saw the powerful Bhīma and the twins before him, it seemed to him that Yamarāja , flanked by Death and Time, had come to do battle. Chariots were smashed and elephants slain. The Pāṇḍavas’ forceful arrows swept in clouds through Susharma’s ranks and created havoc.

He quickly went over to Bhīma and called out, “The Matsya king has been captured and his army routed. We have lived peacefully in his kingdom this last year and are indebted to the king. Bhīma, free Virata and thus repay our debt. We shall then put the Trigartas to flight.”

Susharma bent his head low and climbed down from the chariot. He bowed to Virata and left, taking with him the remnants of his army.

Having the four of them brought before him, Satanika presented them with armor and weapons and ordered Enlivened by the thought of a battle, the Pāṇḍavas selected suitable armor and put it on. They mounted chariots and rode out of the city behind the king.

Susharma began to retreat and Bhīma went after him swiftly. He killed Susharma’s four horses and brought him to a halt. Seeing his opportunity, Virata grabbed a mace and leapt from the chariot. The old Matsya king began fighting Susharma’s troops, wielding his mace and dancing about like a young Susharma jumped from his chariot and raced away. Bhīma called out to him, “Stop!

Look for that place where there are no calamities or disasters. The people will be inclined toward charity and will be liberal, humble and modest. Clouds will shower abundant rains and the earth will be bearing crops. There will be signs of wealth everywhere, and no one will be miserable. Let us welcome them back and restore to them their father’s kingdom.”

Susharma, mounted on a gold chariot, came before Virata and bellowed out a challenge. With well-aimed arrows, they killed Virata’s four horses and his charioteer. They then slew the warriors protecting his sides and rear. Susharma leapt from his chariot with his sword held high and rushed toward Virata. With his two brothers, he seized Virata and took him captive.

He told Susharma to go ahead with his army and begin by taking away Virata’s cattle. Duryodhana would follow with his forces and attack the city. As the other Kuru elders sat in silence, Dhṛtarāṣṭra gave his approval and preparations were begun.

When Dushashana sat down, Droṇa stood up and said, “Persons like the Pāṇḍavas never meet destruction. They are heroic, resourceful, intelligent, self-controlled, pious, grateful, and attached to observing Yudhiṣṭhira is both virtuous and without enemies. He is their leader. Thus they are patiently waiting the day when they can return and overcome their misfortunes. O Duryodhana, you will see the Pāṇḍavas at the end of their exile and not before.

At its head sat Dhṛtarāṣṭra, flanked by Vidura, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Bāhlika, and himself. Duryodhana and his brothers sat to the king’s right, along with Karṇa and Śakuni. Other kings sat in the assembly and all gazed intently at him as he spoke. His first thoughts were for the welfare of the entire Kuru race, and he dealt equally with everyone,

Bhīma leapt down and rushed toward the bellowing Susharma as a lion attacks a deer. Not caring for Susharma’s blows, Bhīma seized him by the hair and dashed him to the ground. Bhīma placed his knee on his breast and dealt him powerful blows to the head. Susharma lost consciousness and Bhīma dragged him to his chariot. He took the insensible Trigarta king to Virata and said, “Behold this sinful man, whom I have captured

The king said, “I have no doubt that Kaṅka, Vallabha, Tantripala and Granthika will fight. Give them armor and chariots adorned with flags. I do not think such men, endowed as they are with bodies like mountains and arms like elephants’ trunks

The Matsya monarch charged into battle on a massive chariot surrounded by his sons and the Pāṇḍavas. In his burnished armor, adorned with a hundred suns and a hundred eyes, the king shone like the sun encircled Eight thousand chariot fighters and sixty thousand horsemen followed them, holding their weapons aloft and sending out terrible war cries.

The prince summoned his courtiers and said, “You should arrange for one final search for the Pāṇḍavas Have the best of our men scour every city and town. Let us discover them before this happens and send them back to the forest.”

If you uproot this tree and perform superhuman deeds, people will be amazed and say, ‘Surely this is Go on your chariot and the twins will protect your wheels. Release the king.”

Everyone was amazed to hear of his mysterious killing and the subsequent death of his one hundred followers In Hastināpura, the spies dispatched by Duryodhana came to the court and reported everything they had seen and heard. Kichaka had been a thorn in their side, often attacking surrounding countries and defeating their armies Now he and his generals were dead, apparently killed by invisible Gandharvas.

As Duryodhana pondered, Susharma, king of the Trigartas, took advantage of the silence and said, “O Kurus Now he is without Kichaka and his followers should be little trouble. Let us go and take his wealth. Subjugating him, you shall increase both your treasury and your army by requisitioning his forces.