doth not know also thy prowess in battle.  Indeed, the three worlds with the celestials, the Asuras, and human beings, cannot venture to vanquish thee in battle.  What need be said, therefore, of single Duryodhana?  By good luck it is, O Partha, that he hath approached the vicinity of thy car.  O mighty-armed one, slay him as Purandara slew Vritra.  O sinless one, this Duryodhana hath endeavoured to bring evil on you.  By deceit he cheated king Yudhishthira at dice.  O giver of honours, sinless though you all are, this prince of sinful soul has always done various evil acts towards him.  Nobly resolved upon battle, O Partha, slay without any scruple this wicked wight, who is ever wrathful and ever cruel, and who is the very embodiment of avarice.  Remembering the deprivation of your kingdom by deceit, your exile into the woods, and the wrongs of Krishna, put forth thy prowess, O son of Pandu!  By good luck, it is that he stayeth within the range of the shafts.  By good luck, it is that staying before thee he endeavours to resist thy purpose.  By good luck, it is that he knows today that he will have to fight with thee in the battle.  By good luck, it is that all your purposes, even those that are not presently entertained by you, will be crowned with fruition.  Therefore, Partha, slay this wretch of his race, viz., the son of Dhritarashtra, in battle, as Indra had in days of yore, slain the Asura Jambha in the battle between the celestials and the Asuras.  If he is slain by thee, thou canst then pierce through this masterless host.  Cut the very root of these wicked-souled wretches.  Let the avabhritha[145] of this hostility be now accomplished.’

“Sanjaya continued, ’Thus addressed, Partha replied unto Kesava saying—­’So be it.  Even this should be done by me.  Disregarding everything else, proceed thither where Duryodhana is.  Putting forth my prowess in battle, I will cut off the head of that wretch who hath for such a long period enjoyed our kingdom without a thorn on his side.  Shall I not succeed, O Kesava, in avenging myself of the insult, in the shape of dragging her by the hair, offered unto Draupadi, undeserving as she was of that wrong.’  Thus conversing with each other, the two Krishnas filled with joy, urged those excellent white steeds of theirs, desirous of getting at king Duryodhana.  As regards thy son, O bull of Bharata’s race, having approached the presence of Partha and Krishna, he entertained no fear, although, O sire, every circumstance was calculated to inspire fear.  And the Kshatriyas there, on thy side, highly applauded him then, for he proceeded to face Arjuna and Hrishikesa for resisting them.  Indeed, beholding the king in battle, a loud shout was heard there, O monarch, uttered by the entire Kuru army.  What that terrible and awful shout arose there, thy son, pressing his foe hard, opposed his progress.  Held in check by thy son armed with bow, the son of Kunti became filled with rage, and that chastiser