Gahakoso Part 2

Author(s): Madhav Vasudev Patvardhan, Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology

Page 114

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667. Leader of the elephant-herd :
It is only the leader (or lord) of an elephant-herd that knows how to conduct to safety the elephant-herd, bewildered because of encirclement by fire started on all the four sides (of the forest by the elephant-catchers) and because of the drums beaten in a shrill, frightening manner.
€68. Leadership of the elephant-herd :
Oh lord of elephants, although your cheeks are emaciated, your inchor has disappeared, and although you have reached the last stage of your life (i.e. have become old), still even today, because you are alive, the entire herd of elephants has an able protector (or guardian) in you.
669. His greatest anxiety :
Not even confinement, nor even separation from the female, pains the mind of the elephant so much as the swarm of bees turning away (from him) and hovering about here and there (aimlessly) because of the cessation (or depletion) of rut.
670. Great hero:
The son of the village-chief defended the village so valiantly (by inflicting horrible punishment on the assaulting enemy), that his own people (friends, relatives and followers) were greatly concerned (about his safe return from battle) and the enemy was full of apprehension (about his own safety or escape from the battle).
671. Scarcity of deer-skins :
Oh way-farer, inquire in other huntsmen's families about the skins of spotted deer. Our young huntsman (i.e. my young son or husband) does not bend (literally, direct or aim) his bow against deer.
672. Mother's complaint:
My son, who (formerly) conferred the state of widowhood on female elephants, laying low (their mates) with a single arrow in each case), has now been reduced by my accursed daughter-in-law to such a condition that he has to carry a whole bundle of arrows (for killing a single elephant).
673. Deterrent name :
In the village, the herds of cattle were (closely) inspected by thieves by shaking their bodies (in order to find out whether or not they had the name of their master, the villagechief, marked on them (and the cattle branded with the name of the village-chief were left alone, while others were carried away). Thereafter other people in the village) branded even their own cattle with the name of the village-chief.