Yudhishthira's Ashwamedham 10 - Arjuna Meets His Sister Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

The horse then proceeded
Through Sindhurajya, whose
King Jayadratha had married
Dusshala, sister of the Kauravas.

Jayadratha, when young,
Wanted to marry Draupadi
Princess of Panchala
But she chose Arjuna.

During the exile of Pandavas
Jayadratha tried to molest her
But was caught and punished
But, was let go by Yudhishthira

The fire of revenge raging within
He tried to douse by killing Abhimanyu
Son of Arjuna, in violation of the rules
In the war of Kurukshetra.

Now it was the turn of Arjuna
To wreak revenge, the very next day
He killed Jayadratha in a great fight
Despite the protection by Kaurava Army.

Now, his widow Dusshala was horrified
To know that her cousin Arjuna has come
With a great army, to complete
the unfinished act of revenge.

On hearing of the arrival of Arjuna,
King Suratha, her only son
Died of fear for his father's slayer
Right before her eyes.

When Arjuna reached the palace,
Dusshala came to him with tears
With the infant son of Suratha
Begging him for his life.

Arjuna was taken aback:
The lady who was begging him
For the life of her grandson
Was his only sister, albeit cousin.

The only sister who had
one hundred and five brothers,
All her one hundred brothers
Were killed by the Pandavas.

Her husband was killed by him,
Now her son was also no more,
Arjuna felt his heart singed
The stinging pain of guilt.

He begged pardon of his sister,
Anointed the little Prince
As the king, and announced that
He is under his protection.

Tearfully, he bade farewell
To his sister and proceeded
On his duty of accompanying
The horse on its route.

He was welcomed eagerly
In the kingdoms of Kashi, Anga,
Koshala; then the horse turned
And proceeded back to Hastinapura.