Arjuna, however, is not equal to
even a full sixteenth part of myself or Duryodhana!' And Duryodhana
said, 'If this be Partha, O Radheya, then my purpose hath already been
fulfilled, for then, O king, if traced out, the Pandavas shall have to
wander for twelve years again. Or, if this one be any other person in a
eunuch's garb, I will soon prostrate him on the earth with keen-edged
arrows.'"
[41] Some texts read _Diptasya_ for _Diptayam_.
[42] This sloka does not occur in every text. This is a typical
illustration of the round about way, frequently adopted by
Sanskrit writers, of expressing a simple truth. The excuse in
the present instance consists in Drona's unwillingness to
identify the solitary hero with Arjuna, in the midst of all his
hearers. Nadiji is an exclamation referring to Bhishma, the son
of the river Ganga. _Lankesa-vanari-ketu_ is simply
'ape-bannered,' or as rendered in the text, having the
devastator of the gardens of Lanka's lord for the sign of his
banner. Nagahvaya is 'named after tree' for Arjuna is the name
of an Indian tree. Nagri-sunu is 'Indra's son',--Indra being the
foe of mountain, for formerly it was he who cut off the wings of
all mountains and compelled them to be stationary. He failed
only in the case of Mainaka, the son of Himavat.
Vaisampayana continued, "The son of Dhritarashtra, O chastiser of foes,
having said this, Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Drona's son all
applauded his manliness!"
SECTION XL
Vaisampayana said, "Having reached that _Sami_ tree, and having
ascertained Virata's son to be exceedingly delicate and inexperienced in
battle, Partha addressed him, saying, 'Enjoined by me, O Uttara, quickly
take down (from this tree) some bows that are there.
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