DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0270
THE TOURNAMENT 191
Arjuna was moved to great wrath, and cried out:
"Uninvited chief! Boasting thus, thou wouldst fain
be regarded as mine equal, but I will so deal with thee
that thou wilt die the death of a braggart who cometh
here an unbidden guest, speaking boastfully ere thou art
spoken to."
Said Kama, answering proudly and calm: "Waste not
words, Arjuna, nor taunt me with coming hither unin-
vited. The field of combat is free to all warriors; they
enter by their valour, and do not await until thou dost
call them; they win their places by strength and skill,
and their warrant is the sword. Wrathful speech is the
weapon of a coward. Do not boast of thy pastimes or
be vain of thy bloodless feats. Speak with thine arrows,
O Arjuna, until, in Drona's presence, mine will cause
all men to wonder, flying towards thee."
Drona was stirred to wrath, and spake to Arjuna, say-
ing: "Canst thou hear him boast in this manner? I
give thee leave to fight him here and now."
Arjuna at once strode forward, fully armed, and he
was supported by Drona and Bhishma. Duryodhana
and his band stood by Kama. Then the two warriors
prepared for single combat, but not in mimic warfare.
Thick clouds gathered in the sky; lightning flashed
and thunder pealed; the mighty Indra guarded his son
Arjuna, who stood in shadow. Surya, the sun god, cast
a shaft of light athwart the darkening plain, and Kama's
golden armour gleamed bright and fair.
The noble dames looked on, and some praised Arjuna
and others praised Kama. Pritha, the mother of both
heroes, was alone divided in her love. She knew
her firstborn by his voice and noble bearing and by his
armour, and her heart was torn with grief to behold the
two brothers ready to slay each other. A cloud blinded
Arjuna was moved to great wrath, and cried out:
"Uninvited chief! Boasting thus, thou wouldst fain
be regarded as mine equal, but I will so deal with thee
that thou wilt die the death of a braggart who cometh
here an unbidden guest, speaking boastfully ere thou art
spoken to."
Said Kama, answering proudly and calm: "Waste not
words, Arjuna, nor taunt me with coming hither unin-
vited. The field of combat is free to all warriors; they
enter by their valour, and do not await until thou dost
call them; they win their places by strength and skill,
and their warrant is the sword. Wrathful speech is the
weapon of a coward. Do not boast of thy pastimes or
be vain of thy bloodless feats. Speak with thine arrows,
O Arjuna, until, in Drona's presence, mine will cause
all men to wonder, flying towards thee."
Drona was stirred to wrath, and spake to Arjuna, say-
ing: "Canst thou hear him boast in this manner? I
give thee leave to fight him here and now."
Arjuna at once strode forward, fully armed, and he
was supported by Drona and Bhishma. Duryodhana
and his band stood by Kama. Then the two warriors
prepared for single combat, but not in mimic warfare.
Thick clouds gathered in the sky; lightning flashed
and thunder pealed; the mighty Indra guarded his son
Arjuna, who stood in shadow. Surya, the sun god, cast
a shaft of light athwart the darkening plain, and Kama's
golden armour gleamed bright and fair.
The noble dames looked on, and some praised Arjuna
and others praised Kama. Pritha, the mother of both
heroes, was alone divided in her love. She knew
her firstborn by his voice and noble bearing and by his
armour, and her heart was torn with grief to behold the
two brothers ready to slay each other. A cloud blinded