Daruki Explains His Retreat to Pradyumna
Pradyumna awakens on the battlefield to find himself far from the fighting, his charioteer Daruki having retreated while he was unconscious. The son of Rukmini demands an explanation — and Daruki gives one, then proves his skill with the reins in a way that leaves every witness astonished.
Pradyumna opened his eyes and saw that he was no longer in the thick of battle. The chariot had been pulled back. Shalva's army was at a distance. He looked at his charioteer — Daruki, son of Daruka — and spoke.
"What is this? A charioteer of the Vrishnis does not retreat. You know how we fight. Why did you turn away?"
Daruki answered softly, placatingly. "I am not afraid to drive horses in battle, O son of Rukmini. I know the conduct of the Vrishnis in battle, and it is not different from what you have said. But it has been said that the duty of charioteers is to always protect the life of the warrior. You were greatly afflicted. You were badly pierced through the arrows unleashed by Shalva. You had lost consciousness. That is the reason I retreated."
He paused. Then he straightened.
"Now that you have regained your senses, in accordance with your wishes, you will see my skill in handling horses. I have been born from Daruka and I have been trained by him. Without any fear, I will now penetrate Shalva's great army."
He tugged at the reins and drove the horses speedily. He drove them in circular motions, withdrawing them and releasing them again. In beautiful motions, the horses turned to the left and to the right, and everywhere. Controlled by the reins, those supreme horses seemed to fly through the sky. Knowing Daruki's light touch of hand, it seemed that the horses were on fire, but did not touch the ground with their feet.
He wheeled around Shalva's army from the right so easily that those who witnessed it thought it was extraordinary. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 317