43 The Brahma cycle
As Nakula had predicted, in the morning Saha won his match against Vikarna, and Shakuni beat Soma. In the second session, to the surprise of some, Drishta managed to get the better of Jaya-dratha. But this game was played in an unusually cordial manner; although Shikhandi was again on Drishta’s side, she made no attempt to disturb Jaya’s concentration. Moreover, Jaya asked Drupada to second him alongside Krita, a compliment which Drupada happily accepted; and by accepting, returned: for there were those who thought that this flattery was purely a ruse to induce Drupada’s presence to inhibit Shikhandi; a possibility emphatically denied by those who claimed to know either Jaya-dratha, Drupada or Shikhandi.
Saha found it difficult to suppress his frustration in his match
