elephants rushing at a herd, pierce the ranks of the foe with straight arrows of golden wings, discharged from thy bow.  Thy bow is even like a Vina.  Its two ends represent the ivory pillows; its string, the main chord; its staff, the finger-board; and the arrows shot from it musical notes.  Do thou strike in the midst of the foe that Vina of musical sound.[34] Let thy steeds, O lord, of silvery hue, be yoked unto thy car, and let thy standard be hoisted, bearing the emblem of the golden lion.  Let thy keen-edged arrows endued with wings of gold, shot by thy strong arms, obstruct the path of those kings and eclipse the very sun.  Vanquishing all the Kurus in battle like unto the wielder of the thunderbolt defeating the Asuras, return thou again to the city having achieved great renown.  Son of Matsya’s king, thou art the sole refuge of this kingdom, as that foremost of virtuous warriors, Arjuna is of the sons of Pandu.  Even like Arjuna of his brothers, thou art, without doubt, the refuge of those dwelling within these dominions.  Indeed, we, the subject of this realm, have our protector in thee.’”

[34] To understand the comparison would require in the reader a knowledge of the mechanism of the Indian Vina.  Briefly, the Vina consists of a bamboo of about two cubits attached to two gourds towards its ends.  Along the bamboo which serves the purpose of a finger-board, is the main chord and several thinner wires.  All these pass over a number of frets, two and a half heptachords, representing the total compass of the instrument.  The wires rest towards their ends on two pieces of ivory called Upadhanas in Sanskrit or Swaris in Urdu.

Vaisampayana continued, “Thus addressed by the cowherd in the presence of the females, in words breathing courage, the prince indulging in self-commendation within the female apartments, spoke these words.”

SECTION XXXVI

“Uttara said, ’Firm as I am in the use of the bow, I would set out this very day in the track of the kine if only some one skilled in the management of horses becomes my charioteer.  I do not, however, know the man who may be my charioteer.  Look ye, therefore, without delay, for a charioteer for me that am prepared for starting.  My own charioteer was slain in the great battle that was fought from day to day for a whole month or at least for eight and twenty nights.  As soon as I get another person conversant with the management of the steeds, I will immediately set out, hoisting high my own standard.  Penetrating into the midst of the hostile army abounding with elephants and horses and chariots, I will bring back the kine, having vanquished the Kurus who are feeble in strength and weak in weapons.  Like a second wielder of the thunderbolt terrifying the Danavas, I will bring back the kine this very moment, affrighting in battle Duryodhana and Bhishma and Karna and Kripa and Drona with his son, and other mighty bowmen assembled for fight.  Finding none (to oppose), the Kurus are taking away the kine.  What can I do when I am not there?  The assembled Kurus shall witness my prowess today.  And they shall say unto one another, “Is it Arjuna himself who is opposing us?’”