Vaisampayana said, "Discomfited before, O monarch, many a time and oft
by Matsya's _Suta_ Kichaka aided by the Matsyas and the Salyas, the
mighty king of the Trigartas, Susarman, who owned innumerable cars,
regarding the opportunity to be a favourable one, then spoke the
following words without losing a moment. And, O monarch, forcibly
vanquished along with his relatives by the mighty Kichaka, king
Susarman, eyeing Karna in askance, spoke these words unto Duryodhana,
'My kingdom hath many a time been forcibly invaded by the king of the
Matsyas. The mighty Kichaka was that king's generalissimo. Crooked and
wrathful and of wicked soul, of prowess famed over all the world, sinful
in deeds and highly cruel, that wretch, however, hath been slain by the
Gandharvas. Kichaka being dead, king Virata, shorn of pride and his
refuge gone, will, I imagine, lose all courage. I think we ought now to
invade that kingdom, if it pleases thee, O sinless one, as also the
illustrious Karna and all the Kauravas. The accident that hath happened
is, I imagine, a favourable one for us. Let us, therefore, repair to
Virata's kingdom abounding in corn. We will appropriate his gems and
other wealth of diverse kinds, and let us go to share with each other as
regards his villages and kingdom. Or, invading his city by force, let us
carry off by thousands his excellent kine of various species. Uniting, O
king, the forces of the Kauravas and the Trigartas, let us lift his
cattle in droves. Or, uniting our forces well, we will check his power
by forcing him to sue for peace. Or, destroying his entire host, we will
bring Matsya under subjection. Having brought him under subjection by
just means, we will live in our kingdom happily, while thy power also
will, without doubt, be enhanced.' Hearing these words of Susarman,
Karna addressed the king, saying, 'Susarman hath spoken well; the
opportunity is favourable and promises to be profitable to us.
Therefore, if it pleases thee, O sinless one, let us, drawing up our
forces in battle array and marshalling them in divisions, speedily set
out. Or, let the expedition be managed as Saradwata's son Kripa, the
preceptor Drona, and the wise and aged grandsire of the Kurus may think.
Consulting with each other, let us, O lord of earth, speedily set out to
attain our end. What business have we with the sons of Pandu, destitute
as they are of wealth, might, and prowess? They have either disappeared
for good or have gone to the abode of _Yama_. We will, O king, repair
without anxiety to Virata's city, and plunder his cattle and other
wealth of diverse kinds.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Accepting these words of Karna, the son of
Surya, king Duryodhana speedily commanded his brother Duhsasana, born
immediately after him and always obedient to his wishes, saying,
'Consulting with the elders, array without delay, our forces. We will
with all the Kauravas go to the appointed place. Let also the mighty
warrior, king Susarman, accompanied by a sufficient force with vehicles
and animals, set out with the Trigartas for the dominions of Matsyas.
And let Susarman proceed first, carefully concealing his intention.
Following in their wake, we will set out the day after in close array,
for the prosperous dominions of king Matsya. Let the Trigartas, however,
suddenly repair to the city of Virata, and coming upon the cowherds,
seize that immense wealth (of kine). We also marching in two divisions,
will seize thousands of excellent kine furnished with auspicious
marks.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Then, O Lord of earth, those warriors, the
Trigartas, accompanied by their infantry of terrible prowess, marched
towards the south-eastern direction, intending to wage hostilities with
Virata from the desire of seizing his kine. And Susarman set out on the
seventh day of the dark fortnight for seizing the kine. And then, O
king, on the eighth day following of the dark fortnight, the Kauravas
also accompanied by all their troops, began to seize the kine by
thousands."