Beholding that lightness of hand and that mastery over
weapons displayed by Shalya the troops of both the armies applauded him
highly. Afflicted by Shalya the Pandavas, exceedingly mangled, fled away,
leaving the battle, and disregarding the cries of Yudhishthira commanding
them to stop. While his troops were thus being slaughtered by the ruler
of the Madras, Pandu's son, king Yudhishthira the just, became filled
with rage. Relying upon his prowess, that mighty car-warrior began to
afflict the ruler of the Madras, resolved to either win the battle or
meet with death. Summoning all his brothers and also Krishna of Madhu's
race, he said unto them, "Bhishma, and Drona, and Karna, and the other
kings, that put forth their prowess for the sake of the Kauravas, have
all perished in battle. You all have exerted your valour according to
your courage and in respect of the shares allotted to you. Only one
share--mine--that is constituted by the mighty car-warrior Shalya,
remains. I desire to vanquish that ruler of the Madras today in battle.
Whatever wishes I have regarding the accomplishment of that task I will
now tell you. These two heroes, the two sons of Madravati, will become
the protectors of my wheels. They are counted as heroes incapable of
being vanquished by Vasava himself. Keeping the duties of a Kshatriya
before them, these two that are deserving of every honour and are firm in
their vows, will fight with their maternal uncle. Either Shalya will slay
me in battle or I will slay him.
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