A
disciple of that illustrious warrior, and inferior to none in use of the
bow, he was known to me while I was living with the Pandavas. It was by
him that the reins were held of Arjuna's excellent steeds when Agni
consumed the forest of Khandava. It was with him as charioteer that
Partha conquered all creatures at Khandava-prastha. In fact, there is no
charioteer equal unto him.'
"Uttara said, 'Thou knowest, O _Sairindhri_, this youth. Thou knowest,
what this one of the neuter sex may or may not be. I cannot, however, O
blessed one, myself request Vrihannala to hold the reins of my horses.'
"Draupadi said, 'Vrihannala, O hero, will without doubt, obey the words
of thy younger sister[35]--that damsel of graceful hips. If he consents
to be thy charioteer, thou wilt, without doubt, return, having
vanquished the Kurus and rescued thy kine.'
[35] Some read _kaniasi_ for _vaviasi_. Both words are the same,
and mean the same thing.
"Thus addressed by the _Sairindhri_, Uttara spake unto his sister, 'Go
thyself, O thou of faultless beauty, and bring Vrihannala hither.' And
despatched by her brother, she hastily repaired to the dancing-hall
where that strong-armed son of Pandu was staying in disguise."
SECTION XXXVII
Vaisampayana said, "Thus despatched by her elder brother, the far-famed
daughter of king Matsya, adorned with a golden necklace, ever obedient
to her brother and possessed of a waist slender as that of the wasp,[36]
endued with the splendour of Lakshmi herself,[37] decked with the plumes
of the peacock of slender make and graceful limbs, her hips encircled by
a zone of pearls, her eye-lashes slightly curved, and her form endued
with every grace, hastily repaired to the dancing-hall like a flash of
lightning rushing towards a mass of dark clouds.
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