Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors, like Indra fighting with the assembled Daityas.  That formidable bow, the gift of Rama, is superior to Gandiva.  It was with that bow that the Earth was subjugated thrice seven times (by Bhrigu’s son).  With that bow given to me by Rama I will contend in battle with the son of Pandu.  I will, O Duryodhana, gladden thee today with thy friends, by slaying in battle that hero, viz., Arjuna, that foremost of conquerors.  The whole Earth with her mountains and forest and islands, without a heroic warrior (to oppose thy wish), will, O king, become thine today, over which thyself with thy sons and grandsons will reign supreme.  Today there is nothing that is incapable of being achieved by me, especially when the object is to do what is agreeable to thee, even as success is incapable of being missed by an ascetic zealously devoted to virtue and having his soul under control.  Arjuna will not be able to bear me in battle, even as a tree in contact with fire is incapable of bearing that element.  I must, however, declare in what respect I am inferior to Arjuna.  The string of his bow is celestial, and the two large quivers of his are inexhaustible.  His driver is Govinda.  I have none like him.  His is that celestial and foremost of bows, called Gandiva, which is irrefragible in battle.  I also have that excellent, celestial, and formidable bow called Vijaya.  In respect of our bows, therefore, O king, I am superior to Arjuna.  Listen now to those matters in which the heroic son of Pandu is superior to me.  The holder of the reins (of his steeds) is he of Dasharha’s race who is adored by all the worlds.  His celestial car decked with gold, given unto him by Agni, is impenetrable in every part, and his steeds also, O hero, are endued with the speed of the mind.  His celestial standard, bearing the blazing Ape, is exceedingly wonderful.  Again, Krishna, who is Creator of the universe, protects that car.  Though inferior to Arjuna in respect of these things, I still desire to fight with him.  This Shalya, however, the ornament of assemblies, is equal to Saurin.  If he becomes my driver, victory will certainly be thine.  Let Shalya, therefore, who is incapable of being resisted by foes be the driver of my car.  Let a large number of carts bear my long shafts and those that are winged with vulturine feathers.  Let a number of foremost cars, O monarch, with excellent steeds yoked unto them, always follow me, O bull of Bharata’s race.  By these arrangements I will, as regards the qualities mentioned, be superior to Arjuna.  Shalya is superior to Krishna, and I am superior to Arjuna.  As that slayer of foes, viz., he of Dasharha’s race, is acquainted with horselore, even so is that mighty car-warrior, viz., Shalya acquainted with horselore.  There is none equal to the chief of the Madras in might of arms.  As there is none equal to myself in weapons, so there is none equal to Shalya in knowledge of steeds.