how Partha may fail to achieve his object.  His several Akshauhinis of troops will protect Jayadratha.  Fully conversant with the ways of applying all weapons, Drona also, with his son, will protect him.  That matchless hero, the Thousand-eyed (Indra himself), that crusher of the pride of Daityas and Danavas cannot venture to slay him in battle who is protected by Drona.  I, therefore, will do that tomorrow by which Arjuna, the son of Kunti, may slay Jayadratha before the sun sets.  My wives, my kinsmen, my relatives, non amongst these is dearer to me than Arjuna.  O Daruka, I shall not be able to cast my eyes, even for a single moment, on the earth bereft of Arjuna.  I tell thee, the earth shall not be reft to Arjuna.  Myself vanquishing them all with their steeds and elephants by putting forth my strength for the sake of Arjuna, I will slay them with Karna and Suyodhana.  Let the three worlds tomorrow behold my prowess in great battle, when I put forth my valour, O Daruka, for Dhananjaya’s sake.  Tomorrow thousands of kings and hundreds of princes, with their steeds and cars and elephants, will, O Daruka, fly away from battle.  Thou shalt tomorrow, O Daruka, behold that army of kings overthrown and crushed with my discus, by myself in wrath for the sake of the son of Pandu.  Tomorrow the (three) worlds with the gods, the Gandharvas, the Pisachas, the Snakes, and the Rakshasas, will know me as a (true) friend of Savyasachin.  He that hateth him, hateth me.  He that followeth him, followeth me.  Thou hast intelligence.  Know that Arjuna is half of myself.  When morning comes after the expiry of this night, thou, O Daruka, equipping my excellent car according to the rules of military science, must bring it and follow me with it carefully, placing on it my celestial mace called Kaumodaki, my dart and discus, bow and arrows, and every other thing necessary.  O Suta, making room on the terrace of my car for my standard and for the heroic Garuda thereon, that adorns my umbrella, and yoking thereto my foremost of steeds named Valahaka and Meghapushpa and Saivya and Sugriva, having cased them in golden mail of the splendour of the sun and fire, and thyself putting on thy armour, stay on it carefully.  Upon hearing the loud and terrible blast of my conch Panchajanya emitting the shrill Rishava note,[132] thou wilt come quickly to me.  In course of a single day, O Daruka, I shall dispel the wrath and the diverse woes of my cousin, the son of my paternal aunt.  By every means shall I strive so that Vibhatsu in battle may slay Jayadratha in the very sight of the Dhartarashtras.  O charioteer, I tell thee that Vibhatsu will certainly succeed in slaying all these for whose slaughter he will strive.’

“Daruka said, ’He is certain to have victory whose charioteership, O tiger among men, hath been taken by thee.  Whence, indeed, can defeat come to him?  As regards myself, I will do that which thou hast commanded me to do.  This night will bring (on its train) the auspicious morn for Arjuna’s victory.’”