I, however, do not regard the son of Radha as my
equal in battle. Assign to me a much greater share, O lord of Earth.
Destroying that in battle, I will return to the place I come from. Or, if
thou wishest, I will, O delighter of the Kurus, contend, single-handed,
with the enemy. While engaged in consuming the foe, behold thou my
prowess today. Brooding upon an insult, O thou of Kuru's race, a person
like ourselves never engageth in my task. Do not have thy doubts about
me. Never shouldst thou humiliate me in battle. Behold these two massive
arms of mine, strong as the thunder. Behold also my excellent bow, and
these shafts that resemble snakes of virulent poison. Behold my car, unto
which are yoked excellent steeds endued with the speed of the wind.
Behold also, O son of Gandhari, my mace decked with gold and twined with
hempen chords. Filled with wrath, I can split the very Earth, scatter the
mountains, and dry up the oceans, with my own energy, O king. Knowing me,
O monarch, to be so capable, of afflicting the foe, why dost thou appoint
me to the office of driver in battle for such a low-born person as
Adhiratha's son? It behoveth thee not, O king of kings, to set me to such
mean tasks! Being so superior, I cannot make up my mind to obey the
commands of a sinful person. He that causeth a superior person arrived of
his own will and obedient from love, to yield to a sinful wight,
certainly incurreth the sin of confusing the superior with the inferior.
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