The Princes Show Their Skill in Arms

Verse 1 (1.144.1)

कृतास्त्रान्धार्तराष्ट्रांश्च पाण्डुपुत्रांश्च भारत । दृष्ट्वा द्रोणोऽब्रवीद्राजन्धृतराष्ट्रं जनेश्वरम् ॥

kṛtāstrāndhārtarāṣṭrāṃśca pāṇḍuputrāṃśca bhārata | dṛṣṭvā droṇo'bravīdrājandhṛtarāṣṭraṃ janeśvaram

When Drona saw that the sons of Dhritarashtra and the sons of Pandu had mastered their weapons, O Bharata, he spoke, O king, to Dhritarashtra, lord of men,

Verse 2 (1.144.2)

कृपस्य सोमदत्तस्य वाह्लीकस्य च धीमतः । गाङ्गेयस्य च सान्निध्ये व्यासस्य विदुरस्य च ॥

kṛpasya somadattasya vāhlīkasya ca dhīmataḥ | gāṅgeyasya ca sānnidhye vyāsasya vidurasya ca

in the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, the wise Vahlika, Gangeya (Bhishma), Vyasa and Vidura:

Verse 3 (1.144.3)

राजन्संप्राप्तविद्यास्ते कुमाराः कुरुसत्तम । ते दर्शयेयुः स्वां शिक्षां राजन्ननुमते तव ॥

rājansaṃprāptavidyāste kumārāḥ kurusattama | te darśayeyuḥ svāṃ śikṣāṃ rājannanumate tava

O king, best of the Kurus, your princes have completed their learning. With your consent, O king, let them show what they have been taught.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Drona: his speech fills the verse, though Wikisource prints no heading for it (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 4 (1.144.4)

ततोऽब्रवीन्महाराजः प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना । भारद्वाज महत्कर्म कृतं ते द्विजसत्तम ॥

tato'bravīnmahārājaḥ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā | bhāradvāja mahatkarma kṛtaṃ te dvijasattama

Then the great king, his heart full of joy, replied: "Son of Bharadvaja, best of the twice-born, you have accomplished a great work."

Note on the text: Dhritarashtra speaks the second line; Wikisource prints the heading धृतराष्ट्र उवाच between the two lines, so the verse is kept whole under the narrator.

Verse 5 (1.144.5)

यदानुमन्यसे कालं यस्मिन्देशे यथायथा । तथातथा विधानाय स्वयमाज्ञापयस्व माम् ॥

yadānumanyase kālaṃ yasmindeśe yathāyathā | tathātathā vidhānāya svayamājñāpayasva mām

Whenever you think the time is right, and in whatever place and manner, give me your orders yourself, so that everything may be arranged accordingly.

Verse 6 (1.144.6)

स्पृहयाम्यद्य निर्वेदान्पुरुषाणां सचक्षुषाम् । अस्त्रहेतोः पराक्रान्तान्ये मे द्रक्ष्यन्ति पुत्रकान् ॥

spṛhayāmyadya nirvedānpuruṣāṇāṃ sacakṣuṣām | astrahetoḥ parākrāntānye me drakṣyanti putrakān

Today, in my dejection, I envy men who have their sight, for they will see my sons display their prowess at arms.

Verse 7 (1.144.7)

क्षत्तर्यद्गुरुराचार्यो ब्रवीति कुरु तत्तथा । न हीदृशं प्रियं मन्ये भविता धर्मवत्सल ॥

kṣattaryadgururācāryo bravīti kuru tattathā | na hīdṛśaṃ priyaṃ manye bhavitā dharmavatsala

Kshattri, do exactly as our guru, the teacher, says. I think nothing could please me more than this, O lover of dharma.

Verse 8 (1.144.8)

ततो राजानमामन्त्र्य विदुरानुमतोऽपि हि । भारद्वाजो महाप्राज्ञो मापयामास मेदिनीम् ॥

tato rājānamāmantrya vidurānumato'pi hi | bhāradvājo mahāprājño māpayāmāsa medinīm

Then, taking leave of the king, and with Vidura's approval as well, the wise son of Bharadvaja had a piece of ground measured out,

Note on the text: Corrected विदुरानुमतोपि → विदुरानुमतोऽपि (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha). Speaker set to Vaishampayana: Dhritarashtra's speech ends with the previous verse and the narration resumes (the input carried Dhritarashtra on to the end of the adhyaya). The first line is a different wording of 1.124.8a (vidurānugato bahiḥ); the second line is 1.124.8c.

Verse 9 (1.144.9)

समामवृक्षां निर्गुल्मामुदक्प्रवणसंस्थिताम् । तस्यां भूमौ बलिं चक्रे तिथौ नक्षत्रपूजिते ॥

samāmavṛkṣāṃ nirgulmāmudakpravaṇasaṃsthitām | tasyāṃ bhūmau baliṃ cakre tithau nakṣatrapūjite

level, free of trees and thickets, and sloping to the north. On that ground he made an offering, on a lunar day honoured by a favourable asterism.

Note on the text: Corrected निर्गुलमाम् → निर्गुल्माम् (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct; the critical edition reads nirgulmām). Wikisource's verse division runs half a verse behind the critical edition's here: the first line = 1.124.8e, the second = 1.124.9a.

Verse 10 (1.144.10)

अवघुष्टं पुरं चापि तदर्थं भरतर्षभ । रङ्गभूमौ सुविपुलं शास्त्रदृष्टं यथाविधि ॥

avaghuṣṭaṃ puraṃ cāpi tadarthaṃ bharatarṣabha | raṅgabhūmau suvipulaṃ śāstradṛṣṭaṃ yathāvidhi

The event was also proclaimed in the city for that purpose, O bull of the Bharatas. On the arena ground, very spacious and laid out as the treatises prescribe,

Note on the text: The first line = 1.124.9c (pure … vadatāṃ vara); the second = 1.124.10a.

Verse 11 (1.144.11)

प्रेक्षागारं सुविहितं चक्रुस्ते तस्य शिल्पिनः । रक्षां सर्वायुधोपेतां स्त्रीणां चैव नरर्षभ ॥

prekṣāgāraṃ suvihitaṃ cakruste tasya śilpinaḥ | rakṣāṃ sarvāyudhopetāṃ strīṇāṃ caiva nararṣabha

his craftsmen built a well-made viewing hall, and for the women, O bull among men, a guarded enclosure supplied with every kind of weapon.

Note on the text: Corrected चक्रस्ते → चक्रुस्ते (misprint in Wikisource; the critical edition reads cakrus). The lines = 1.124.10c and 10e (the second a different wording: rājñaḥ sarvāyudhopetaṃ).

Verse 12 (1.144.12)

मञ्चांश्च कारयामासुर्यत्र जानपदा जनाः । विपुलानुच्छ्रयोपेताञ्शिबिकाश्च महाधनाः ॥

mañcāṃśca kārayāmāsuryatra jānapadā janāḥ | vipulānucchrayopetāñśibikāśca mahādhanāḥ

And the people of the countryside had platforms built there, broad and high, and costly palanquins.

Verse 13 (1.144.13)

तस्मिंस्ततोऽहनि प्राप्ते राजा ससचिवस्तदा । सान्तःपुरः सहामात्यो व्यासस्यानुमते तदा । भीष्मं प्रमुखतः कृत्वा कृपं चाचार्यसत्तमम् ॥

tasmiṃstato'hani prāpte rājā sasacivastadā | sāntaḥpuraḥ sahāmātyo vyāsasyānumate tadā | bhīṣmaṃ pramukhataḥ kṛtvā kṛpaṃ cācāryasattamam

When that day came, the king with his counsellors, with the women of the palace and his ministers, and with Vyasa's consent, placed Bhishma and Kripa, best of teachers, at their head,

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion). The first and third lines are 1.124.12a and 12c; the second line is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; apparatus 1.124.12*1408).

Verse 14 (1.144.14)

बाह्लीकं सोमदत्तं च भूरिश्रवसमेव च । कुरूनन्यांश्च सचिवानादाय नगराद्बहिः ॥

bāhlīkaṃ somadattaṃ ca bhūriśravasameva ca | kurūnanyāṃśca sacivānādāya nagarādbahiḥ

and taking with him Bahlika, Somadatta and Bhurishravas, and the other Kurus and counsellors, went out of the city.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.12*1409).

Verse 15 (1.144.15)

रङ्गभूमिं समासाद्य ब्राह्मणैः सहितो नृपः ॥

raṅgabhūmiṃ samāsādya brāhmaṇaiḥ sahito nṛpaḥ

Having reached the arena, the king, accompanied by brahmins,

Note on the text: A single half-verse in Wikisource. Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.12*1409).

Verse 16 (1.144.16)

मुक्ताजालपरिक्षिप्तं वैदूर्यमणिशोभितम् । शातकुम्भमयं दिव्यं प्रेक्षागारमुपागमत् ॥

muktājālaparikṣiptaṃ vaidūryamaṇiśobhitam | śātakumbhamayaṃ divyaṃ prekṣāgāramupāgamat

came to the splendid viewing hall made of gold, hung with nets of pearls and glittering with beryl gems.

Note on the text: Corrected वैदूर्यममिशोभितम् → वैदूर्यमणिशोभितम् (misprint in Wikisource; म for ण; the critical edition reads vaiḍūryamaṇi-).

Verse 17 (1.144.17)

गान्धारी च महाभागा कुन्ती च जयतां वर । स्त्रियश्च राज्ञः सर्वास्ताः सप्रेष्याः सपरिच्छदाः ॥

gāndhārī ca mahābhāgā kuntī ca jayatāṃ vara | striyaśca rājñaḥ sarvāstāḥ sapreṣyāḥ saparicchadāḥ

The illustrious Gandhari and Kunti, O best of victors, and all the king's women with their maids and retinues

Note on the text: The lines = 1.124.14a and 14c (a different wording of the second).

Verse 18 (1.144.18)

हर्षादारुरुहुर्मञ्चान्मेरुं देवस्त्रियो यथा । ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियाद्यं च चातुर्वर्ण्यं पुराद्द्रुतम् ॥

harṣādāruruhurmañcānmeruṃ devastriyo yathā | brāhmaṇakṣatriyādyaṃ ca cāturvarṇyaṃ purāddrutam

joyfully climbed the platforms, as the wives of the gods climb Mount Meru. And the four classes, brahmins, kshatriyas and the rest, came hurrying from the city,

Note on the text: The first line = 1.124.14e; the second = 1.124.15a.

Verse 19 (1.144.19)

दर्शनेप्सुः समभ्यागात्कुमाराणां कृतास्त्रताम् । क्षणेनैकस्थतां तत्र दर्शनेप्सुर्जगाम ह ॥

darśanepsuḥ samabhyāgātkumārāṇāṃ kṛtāstratām | kṣaṇenaikasthatāṃ tatra darśanepsurjagāma ha

eager to see the princes' mastery of arms. In a moment the crowd that longed to see it had gathered there in one place.

Note on the text: The first line = 1.124.15c; the second line is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; apparatus 1.124.15*1410).

Verse 20 (1.144.20)

प्रवादितैश्च वादित्रैर्जनकौतूहलेन च । महार्णव इव क्षुब्धः समाजः सोऽभवत्तदा ॥

pravāditaiśca vāditrairjanakautūhalena ca | mahārṇava iva kṣubdhaḥ samājaḥ so'bhavattadā

With the instruments playing and the people's eager curiosity, the gathering became like a great ocean in a storm.

Verse 21 (1.144.21)

ततः शुक्लाम्बरधरः शुक्लयज्ञोपवीतवान् । शुक्लकेशः सितश्मश्रुः शुक्लमाल्यानुलेपनः ॥

tataḥ śuklāmbaradharaḥ śuklayajñopavītavān | śuklakeśaḥ sitaśmaśruḥ śuklamālyānulepanaḥ

Then, wearing white garments and a white sacred thread, his hair white and his beard white, with white garlands and white sandal paste,

Note on the text: Corrected शुक्लाल्यानुलेपनः → शुक्लमाल्यानुलेपनः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara म, which the metre also needs; the critical edition reads śuklamālyānulepanaḥ).

Verse 22 (1.144.22)

रङ्गमध्यं तदाचार्यः सपुत्रः प्रविवेश ह । नभो जलधरैर्हीनं साङ्गारक इवांशुमान् ॥

raṅgamadhyaṃ tadācāryaḥ saputraḥ praviveśa ha | nabho jaladharairhīnaṃ sāṅgāraka ivāṃśumān

the teacher entered the middle of the arena with his son, like the moon with Mars in a sky clear of clouds.

Verse 23 (1.144.23)

व्यासस्यानुमते चक्रे बलिं बलवतां वरः । ब्राह्मणांस्तु सुमन्त्रज्ञान्कारयामास मङ्गलम् ॥

vyāsasyānumate cakre baliṃ balavatāṃ varaḥ | brāhmaṇāṃstu sumantrajñānkārayāmāsa maṅgalam

With Vyasa's consent that best of the mighty made an offering, and had brahmins well versed in mantras perform the rites of blessing.

Note on the text: A different wording of 1.124.19 (sa yathāsamayaṃ cakre … vācayām āsa).

Verse 24 (1.144.24)

सुवर्णमणिरत्नानि वस्त्राणि विविधानि च । प्रददौ दक्षिणां राजा द्रोणाय च कृपाय च ॥

suvarṇamaṇiratnāni vastrāṇi vividhāni ca | pradadau dakṣiṇāṃ rājā droṇāya ca kṛpāya ca

The king gave Drona and Kripa gold, gems and jewels and garments of many kinds as their fee.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.19*1411).

Verse 25 (1.144.25)

सुखपुण्याहघोषस्य पुण्यस्य समनन्तरम् । विविशुर्विविधं गृह्य शस्त्रोपकरणं नराः ॥

sukhapuṇyāhaghoṣasya puṇyasya samanantaram | viviśurvividhaṃ gṛhya śastropakaraṇaṃ narāḥ

As soon as the auspicious, gladdening proclamation of the holy day had been made, men came in carrying weapons and gear of many kinds.

Verse 26 (1.144.26)

ततो बद्धाङ्गुलित्राणा बद्धकक्ष्या महारथाः । बद्धतूणाः सधनुषो विविशुर्भरतर्षभाः ॥

tato baddhāṅgulitrāṇā baddhakakṣyā mahārathāḥ | baddhatūṇāḥ sadhanuṣo viviśurbharatarṣabhāḥ

Then the great chariot-warriors, bulls of the Bharatas, entered with finger-guards fastened, girdles tied and quivers bound on, carrying their bows.

Note on the text: Corrected बद्धथूणाः → बद्धतूणाः (misprint in Wikisource; थ for त; the critical edition reads baddhatūṇāḥ).

Verse 27 (1.144.27)

रङ्गमध्ये स्थितं द्रोणमभिवाद्य नरर्षभाः । चक्रुः पूजां यथान्यायं द्रोणस्य च कृपस्य च ॥

raṅgamadhye sthitaṃ droṇamabhivādya nararṣabhāḥ | cakruḥ pūjāṃ yathānyāyaṃ droṇasya ca kṛpasya ca

Saluting Drona, who stood in the middle of the arena, those bulls among men paid due honour to Drona and to Kripa.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.22*1412).

Verse 28 (1.144.28)

आशीर्भिश्च प्रयुक्ताभिः सर्वे संहृष्टमानसाः । अभिवाद्य पुनः शस्त्रान्बलिपुष्पैः समर्चितान् ॥

āśīrbhiśca prayuktābhiḥ sarve saṃhṛṣṭamānasāḥ | abhivādya punaḥ śastrānbalipuṣpaiḥ samarcitān

Blessings were pronounced over them, and all of them, glad at heart, bowed once more to their weapons, which had been worshipped with offerings and flowers.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.22*1412).

Verse 29 (1.144.29)

रक्तचन्दनसंमिश्रैः स्वयमर्चन्ति कौरवाः । रक्तचन्दनदिग्धाश्च रक्तमाल्यानुधारिणः ॥

raktacandanasaṃmiśraiḥ svayamarcanti kauravāḥ | raktacandanadigdhāśca raktamālyānudhāriṇaḥ

The Kauravas themselves worshipped them with offerings mixed with red sandal. Smeared with red sandal paste and wearing red garlands,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.22*1412).

Verse 30 (1.144.30)

सर्वे रक्तपताकाश्च सर्वे रक्तान्तलोचनाः । द्रोणेन समनुज्ञाता गृह्य शस्त्रं परन्तपाः ॥

sarve raktapatākāśca sarve raktāntalocanāḥ | droṇena samanujñātā gṛhya śastraṃ parantapāḥ

all with red banners, all with eyes red at the corners, those scorchers of foes took up their weapons with Drona's leave.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.22*1412).

Verse 31 (1.144.31)

धनूंषि पूर्वं संगृह्य तप्तकाञ्चनभूषिताः । सज्यानि विविधाकाराः शरैः सन्धाय कौरवाः ॥

dhanūṃṣi pūrvaṃ saṃgṛhya taptakāñcanabhūṣitāḥ | sajyāni vividhākārāḥ śaraiḥ sandhāya kauravāḥ

First taking up their strung bows of many shapes, adorned with refined gold, and fitting arrows to them, the Kauravas

Note on the text: Corrected पूर्व → पूर्वं and कौरवा → कौरवाः (misprints in Wikisource; dropped anusvara and visarga, as in the critical edition's apparatus). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.22*1412).

Verse 32 (1.144.32)

ज्याघोषं तलघोषं च कृत्वा भूतान्यमोहयन् ॥

jyāghoṣaṃ talaghoṣaṃ ca kṛtvā bhūtānyamohayan

made their bowstrings twang and their palms ring out, and dazed every creature.

Note on the text: A single half-verse in Wikisource. Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.22*1412).

Verse 33 (1.144.33)

अनुज्येष्ठं च ते तत्र युधिष्ठिरपुरोगमाः । चक्रुरस्त्रं महावीर्याः कुमाराः परमाद्भुतम् ॥

anujyeṣṭhaṃ ca te tatra yudhiṣṭhirapurogamāḥ | cakrurastraṃ mahāvīryāḥ kumārāḥ paramādbhutam

Then, in order of age, with Yudhishthira at their head, the mighty princes performed most wonderful feats of arms.

Note on the text: Corrected युधिष्ठिरपुनरोगमाः → युधिष्ठिरपुरोगमाः (misprint in Wikisource; stray न; the critical edition reads yudhiṣṭhirapurogamāḥ).

Verse 34 (1.144.34)

केषांचित्तत्र माल्येषु शरा निपतिता नृप । केषांचित्पुष्पमुकुटे निपतन्ति स्म सायकाः ॥

keṣāṃcittatra mālyeṣu śarā nipatitā nṛpa | keṣāṃcitpuṣpamukuṭe nipatanti sma sāyakāḥ

The arrows of some, O king, landed on garlands; the shafts of others fell upon crowns of flowers.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.22*1414).

Verse 35 (1.144.35)

केचिल्लक्ष्याणि विविधैर्बाणैराहितलक्षणैः । बिभिदुर्लाघवोत्सृष्टैर्गुरूणि च लघूनि च ॥

kecillakṣyāṇi vividhairbāṇairāhitalakṣaṇaiḥ | bibhidurlāghavotsṛṣṭairgurūṇi ca laghūni ca

Some, with marked arrows loosed with deftness, pierced targets of many kinds, heavy and light.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; the critical edition gives it only in its apparatus, 1.124.22*1414).

Verse 36 (1.144.36)

केचिच्छराक्षेपभयाच्छिरांस्यवननामिरे । मनुजा धृष्टमपरे वीक्षाञ्चक्रुः सुविस्मिताः ॥

keciccharākṣepabhayācchirāṃsyavananāmire | manujā dhṛṣṭamapare vīkṣāñcakruḥ suvismitāḥ

Some of the people ducked their heads for fear of the flying arrows; others watched boldly, full of wonder.

Verse 37 (1.144.37)

ते स्म लक्ष्याणि बिभिदुर्बाणैर्नामाङ्कशोभितैः । विविधैर्लाघवोत्सृष्टैरुह्यन्तो वाजिभिर्द्रुतम् ॥

te sma lakṣyāṇi bibhidurbāṇairnāmāṅkaśobhitaiḥ | vividhairlāghavotsṛṣṭairuhyanto vājibhirdrutam

Carried swiftly along by their horses, they pierced the targets with arrows of many kinds, marked with their names and loosed with deftness.

Verse 38 (1.144.38)

तत्कुमारबलं तत्र गृहीतशरकार्मुकम् । गन्धर्वनगराकारं प्रेक्ष्य ते विस्मिताभवन् ॥

tatkumārabalaṃ tatra gṛhītaśarakārmukam | gandharvanagarākāraṃ prekṣya te vismitābhavan

Seeing that band of princes with bows and arrows in hand, like a city of the Gandharvas, the onlookers were amazed.

Verse 39 (1.144.39)

सहसा चुक्रुशुश्चान्ये नराः शतसहस्रशः । विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयनाः साधुसाध्विति भारत ॥

sahasā cukruśuścānye narāḥ śatasahasraśaḥ | vismayotphullanayanāḥ sādhusādhviti bhārata

Suddenly other men in their hundreds of thousands, eyes wide with wonder, cried out, "Well done! Well done!", O Bharata.

Verse 40 (1.144.40)

कृत्वा धनुषि ते मार्गान्रथचर्यासु चासकृत् । गजपृष्ठेऽश्वपृष्ठे च नियुद्धे च महाबलाः ॥

kṛtvā dhanuṣi te mārgānrathacaryāsu cāsakṛt | gajapṛṣṭhe'śvapṛṣṭhe ca niyuddhe ca mahābalāḥ

Again and again the mighty princes showed the courses of the bow and of chariot-driving, on the backs of elephants and of horses, and in wrestling.

Verse 41 (1.144.41)

गृहीतखड्गचर्माणस्ततो भूयः प्रहारिणः । त्सरुमार्गान्यथोद्दिष्टांश्चेरुः सर्वासु भूमिषु ॥

gṛhītakhaḍgacarmāṇastato bhūyaḥ prahāriṇaḥ | tsarumārgānyathoddiṣṭāṃśceruḥ sarvāsu bhūmiṣu

Then, taking up sword and shield and striking again and again, they moved through the sword-play as they had been taught, over every kind of ground.

Verse 42 (1.144.42)

लाघवं सौष्ठवं शोभां स्थिरत्वं दृढमुष्टिताम् । ददृशुस्तत्र सर्वेषां प्रयोगं खड्गचर्मणोः ॥

lāghavaṃ sauṣṭhavaṃ śobhāṃ sthiratvaṃ dṛḍhamuṣṭitām | dadṛśustatra sarveṣāṃ prayogaṃ khaḍgacarmaṇoḥ

There the onlookers saw in every one of them speed, grace, beauty, steadiness and a firm grip in the handling of sword and shield.

Verse 43 (1.144.43)

अथ तौ नित्यसंहृष्टौ सुयोधनवृकोदरौ । अवतीर्णौ गदाहस्तावेकशृङ्गाविवाचलौ ॥

atha tau nityasaṃhṛṣṭau suyodhanavṛkodarau | avatīrṇau gadāhastāvekaśṛṅgāvivācalau

Then Suyodhana and Vrikodara, ever eager to best each other, came down into the arena, maces in hand, like two single-peaked mountains.

Verse 44 (1.144.44)

बद्धकक्ष्यौ महाबाहू पौरुषे पर्यवस्थितौ । बृंहन्तौ वासिताहेतोः समदाविव कुञ्जरौ ॥

baddhakakṣyau mahābāhū pauruṣe paryavasthitau | bṛṃhantau vāsitāhetoḥ samadāviva kuñjarau

Girdles tied, the two strong-armed princes stood resolved on manly combat, roaring like two elephants in rut over a she-elephant.

Verse 45 (1.144.45)

तौ प्रदक्षिणसव्यानि मण्डलानि महाबलौ । चेरतुर्मण्डलगतौ समदाविव कुञ्जरौ ॥

tau pradakṣiṇasavyāni maṇḍalāni mahābalau | ceraturmaṇḍalagatau samadāviva kuñjarau

The two mighty ones circled, rightward and leftward, moving within the rings of their whirling maces like two elephants in rut.

Verse 46 (1.144.46)

विदुरो धृतराष्ट्राय गान्धार्याः पाण्डवारणिः । न्यवेदयेतां तत्सर्वं कुमाराणां विचेष्टितम् ॥

viduro dhṛtarāṣṭrāya gāndhāryāḥ pāṇḍavāraṇiḥ | nyavedayetāṃ tatsarvaṃ kumārāṇāṃ viceṣṭitam

Vidura described to Dhritarashtra, and Kunti, mother of the Pandavas, to Gandhari, everything the princes did.