Vaishampayana said After the king of Matsya's had gone out in pursuit of Trigartas for recovering his kine, Duryodhana, with his courtiers, attacked his kingdom.

Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripa, versed in the use of the best of weapons, Ashvathama, Subala's son, Dushasana, O king, Vivinshati, Vikarana, the greatly energetic Chitrasena, Durmukha, Dushasana and many other highly powerful heroes, overtaking Matsya, speedily drove away his cow-herds and got possession of the king by force.

Encircling all sides with a huge array of cars, the Kauravas seized the sixty thousand kine.

A great cry was set up in that dreadful combat by the cow-herds struck by those inighty car-warriors.

Greatly stricken with grief the chief, of the cow-herds, quickly got upon a chariot and started for the city bewailing in affliction.

Entering the city of the king, he went to the palace and getting down from the car proceeded to relate (what took place).

Seeing the haughty son of Matsya Bhuminjaya, he described to him everything about the royal kine being taken away.

The Kauravas are taking away your sixty thousand kine; rise up, o increaser of territories, to bring them back.

If you wish your well-being, speedily go out yourself, O prince. The emperor Matsya left you alone in the city.

The king speaks highly of you in the court: My son, after me, is heroic and the supporter (of the prestige) of the race.

My son is a heroic warrior, and an expert in the use of shafts. Make good these words of the Emperor.

O you the foremost of those who own cattle, having discomfited the Kurus, do you bring back the animals, consume their soldiers with the dreadful prowess of your shafts,

Crush down the enemics' life, with straight shafts feathered in gold discharged off your bow like an elephant chief rushing at a herd.

Your bow is like a Vina, the two ends being like ivory pillows; the string is the main chord, the staff is the finger board and the arrows represent the time. Strike this Vina of a bow in the midst of the enemies.

Let your horses, white as silver, be yoked to the cars and let your flag, having the emblem of a golden lion, he hoisted up, O lord.

Let your sharp arrows, feathered in gold, discharged by your powerful arms, stand in the way of these kings and overshadow the sun.

Defeating all the Kurus in battle like the holder of Vajra the Asuras and acquiring great fame, return to your city.

You are the greatest support of the kingdom, the son of Matsya king, like Arjuna, the foremost of the victors amongst the sons of Pandu.

Even like him you are forsooth the refuge of those who live in this country; we all look upon you as our protector.

Vaishampayana said Being thus addressed by him in the midst of females with fearless words in the inner apartment he gave went to the following praiseworthy words.