Dawn lingers on the horizon, as if  holding back from the fourteenth day of battle.

Yuddhishthira, Dharmaraj- my eldest brother completes his morning ablutions; dignified as always despite the indignities he has endured. We - his brothers and his friends- are ready to lay down our lives to restore the raj of dharma. He embraces us all, and turning to Krishna, implores:

''My sweet Lord, please ensure that Arjuna is able to keep his vow - Jayadratha slayer of the innocent must be slain!'' 

There is no doubt in the lotus-eyes of the Lord, my brother is reassured.

I touch the feet of my esteemed brother and then stand to face him, so he sees the steel of determination in my eyes. 

Last night I have dreamt of Siva, his weapon invincible in my hand, I will make that real - Jayadratha will be slain before sunset.

Krishna leaves Yuddhisthira's tent in Satyaki's chariot.

 I soon follow and see him move swiftly to the task in hand. 

Safe within my arrow-barred enclosure, my horses need to be prepared and he is already whispering encouraging words to their attentive ears, their nostrils flared.  Magnificent silvery beasts, they nuzzle up to Krishna as he washes them clean with his very own hands; he feeds them sweet hay, and massages their rippling bodies, medicating ashwa-gandha to their wounds.

I remember Saibya parrot-green stallion of Shibi, fine-necked Sugriva of golden hue, Meghapushpa like cloud-blossom, white Balahaka of thunderous-hoof . Those trusty steeds, gift of the Gandharvas, always led us to victory!

'Your chariot and weaponry are ready'  Krishna resplendent at the reins, our mighty Vanara flag ripples in the rising wind.

I am armoured and ready. My white stallions are rearing to go!

Tireless, swift-footed as thought itself - galloping at break-neck speed in a blazing white-streak through Kurukshetra's blood-soaked field; sheer energy roused and reined by my regal charioteer - steady in their speed, I will wield my glittering Gandiva to gore my enemies.

These war-horses are truly Arya-Ashwa, of Kambhoja breed, poetry in their prance.

Across the field, pawing the dust are the chestnut-brown horses of the formidable Drona's chariot, defensive formations bristle around Jayadratha.

I roar, deafening the din of conch-blasts:

'Ride at them, Krishna! Avenge!!The sun waits for no man!' 

🏹

"योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्" 

footnote/quotes

'"In the battle, the mighty-armed Janardana fearlessly addressed these words to his beloved Arjuna, supreme among men. 'O Arjuna! In this battle, there is no well for the horses to drink from. They desire water to drink, not to have a bath.' Having been thus addressed, Arjuna cheerfully replied, 'Here.' He struck the earth with a weapon and created a pure lake from which the horses could drink. Arrows were the bamboos there. Arrows were the pillars and it was covered with arrows. It was extraordinary. Partha created an abode made out of arrows and this extraordinary deed was like one of Tvashtra's.  At this, Govinda laughed and spoke words of praise. In that great battle, thus did Partha create a pavilion made out of arrows ."'

DRONA PARVA Section-74 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)