by his energy oppressed and defeated the whole army of the Matsyas, impetuously rushed towards Virata himself endued with great energy.  And the two brothers having severally slain Virata’s two steeds and his charioteer, as also those soldiers that protected his rear, took him captive alive, when deprived of his car.  Then afflicting him sorely, like a lustful man afflicting a defenceless damsel, Susarman placed Virata on his own car, and speedily rushed out of the field.  And when the powerful Virata, deprived of his car, was taken captive, the Matsyas, harrassed solely by the Trigartas, began to flee in fear in all directions.  And beholding them panic-stricken, Kunti’s son, Yudhishthira, addressed that subduer of foes, the mighty-armed Bhima, saying, ’The king of the Matsyas hath been taken by the Trigartas.  Do thou, O mighty-armed one, rescue him, so that he may not fall under the power of the enemy.  As we have lived happily in Virata’s city, having every desire of ours gratified, it behoveth thee, O Bhimasena, to discharge that debt (by liberating the king).’  Thereat Bhimasena replied, ’I will liberate him, O king, at thy command.  Mark the feat I achieve (today) in battling with the foe, relying solely on the might of my arms.  Do thou, O king, stay aside, along with our brothers and witness my prowess today.  Uprooting this mighty tree of huge trunk looking like a mace, I will rout the enemy.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Beholding Bhima casting his eyes on that tree like a mad elephant, the heroic king Yudhishthira the just spake unto his brother, saying, ’Do not, O Bhima, commit such a rash act.  Let the tree stand there.  Thou must not achieve such feats in a super-human manner by means of that tree, for if thou dost, the people, O Bharata, will recognise thee and say, This is Bhima.  Take thou, therefore, some human weapon such as a bow (and arrows), or a dart, or a sword, or a battle-axe.  And taking therefore, O Bhima, some weapon that is human, liberate thou the king without giving anybody the means of knowing thee truly.  The twins endued with great strength will defend thy wheels.  Fighting together, O child, liberate the king of the Matsyas!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Thus addressed, the mighty Bhimasena endued with great speed, quickly took up an excellent bow and impetuously shot from it a shower of arrows, thick as the downpour of a rain-charged cloud.  And Bhima then rushed furiously towards Susarman of terrible deeds, and assuring Virata with the words—­O good king![32] said unto the lord of the Trigartas,—­Stay!  Stay!  Seeing Bhima like unto Yama himself in his rear, saying, Stay!  Stay!  Do thou witness this mighty feat,—­this combat that is at hand!—­the bull among warriors, Susarman, seriously considered (the situation), and taking up his bow turned back, along with his brothers.  Within the twinkling of an eye, Bhima destroyed those cars that sought to oppose him.  And soon again hundreds of thousands of cars and elephants and horses