Uttara said O hero, mounting this beautiful car with me as the charioteer, which division would you enter into? Commanded by you I shall take you there.

Arjuna said I am pleased with you, O best of men, you have no fear. I shall disperse all your enemies in battle, O you conversant with all forms of warfare.

Be at ease, O you mighty armed hero, behold me fighting with your enemies in battle, making a dreadful feat.

The quickly all these quivers to my chariot and take a sword of polished blade embellished with gold.

Vaishampayana said Hearing those words of Arjuna, Uttara became active He quickly got down from the tree with Arjuna's weapon.

Arjuna said I will fight with the Kurus and bring back your animals. Guarded by me the top of this car shall be like a citadel to you; these my arms shall be like ramparts and gates.

This treble pole and this my quiver will be like defensive works; here are my many flags; the twang of my bow, when I am in anger, will be like the sound of Dundhubi.

Such a city of yours, protected by me, will be on the car driven by me; holding the bow of Gandiva it will be incapable of being vanquished by the hostile army. So, O son of Virata, let your fear be dispelled.

Uttara said I do not fear all these-I know your steadiness in battle like that of Keshava or Indra himself.

Thinking of this I am continually bewildered. Foolish as I am I cannot get a definite conclusion,

By what adverse circumstances may such a handsome person, gifted with all auspicious marks, become deprived of men hood?

I think you are a Mahadeva, or Indra, or the king of the Gandharvas living in the guise of a eunuch.

Arjuna said To tell you the truth I am observing this vow for one year in satisfaction of the command of my elder brother,

O mighty-armed hero, I am not in reality a eunuch; (but I observe this vow) for acquiring religious merit and the satisfaction of another's will. Know, O prince, that I have completed my vow.

Uttara said you have done me a great favour today for I now see that my suspicion was not altogether unfounded. Persons like you, O foremost of men, cannot be eunuchs.

I have now got one to help me in battle; I can fight with the immortals. My fears have been dispelled. Tell me what I shall do.

I have been trained in horsemanship by a good teacher, O foremost of men; I shall govern your horses that are capable of breaking the ranks of enemy's cars.

Know me, O best of men, as clever a charioteer as Daruka of Vasudeva or Matali of Shakra.

The horse, that is yoked to the right pole (of your car) and whose hoofs, as they are placed on the ground are hardly visible when running, is like Sugriva of Krishna.

The other beautiful steed, the best of its race, that is yoked to the left pole, is, I think, equal in speed to Meghapushpa.

The beautiful horse, clad in golden mail, that draws the car by the rear pole, is equal to Shaivya in speed but superior in strength.

This fourth, yoked to the rear pole on the right, is considered superior to Balahaka in both speed and strength.

This car is capable of carrying a bowman like you in battle and you are also worthy of fighting on this car. This is my conviction.

Vaishampayana said Then taking off from his arms the bracelets, the powerful (Arjuna) put on his hands a pair of beautiful gloves embroidered with gold.

He then tied his black and curling locks with a piece of white cloth. Then seated on that excellent car with his face turned towards the east the mighty-armed hero, purifying his body and controlling his mind, thought of all his weapons. Then all the weapons said to the prince, the son of Pritha.

"We are here, O illustrious one, we are your servants, O son of Pandu.” Then saluting and taking them with his hands he said "Do you all live in my memory." Then taking all those weapons he became of delighted countenance.

Quickly stringing his bow Gandiva he twanged it. Then from the twang of the bow was produced a great sound like that of a mountain clashed by another mighty one. Dreadful was the sound that filled the earth and impetuous was the wind that blew on all sides.

Big fire-brands fell down, quarters were not clear, birds began to move about in the skies and the trees began to tremble.

From that sound great as it was like that of thunder, the Kurus came to know that Arjuna drew, with his hands, the string of the best of his bows from the car.

Uttara said You are alone, O best of Pandavas, and those powerful car-warriors are many. How will you vanquish in battle those who have mastered all art of fighting?

You have none to help you, O son of Kunti, but Kurus have many to help them. Therefore, O mighty-armed hero, I wait before you afraid.

Then smiling Partha said to him-"What friendly follower I had, O hero, while fighting with the powerful Gandharvas on the occasion of Ghoshayatra? Who was my friend while fighting at a terrible battle at Khandava with so many celestials and Danavas? Who was my friend, when I fought for the celestials with the powerful Nivatakavachas and the Paulamas? And who was my friend when I fought with the numberless kings at the Svayamvara of the princess of Panchala? Learning the art of fighting from the preceptor Drona, Shakra, Vaishravana, Yama, Varuna, Agni, Kripa, Krishna of Madhu's race and the holder of trident why shall I not fight with these? Drive this car speedily-and let the fears of your heart be removed.