Seeing his weapons destroyed by the Rakshasa, aided by his powers of illusion, Karna, without being inspired with fear, continued to fight with the cannibal.  Then, O monarch, the mighty son of Bhimasena excited with wrath, divided his own self into many parts, frightening all the mighty car-warriors (of the Kuru army).  Then there came on the field of battle lions, and tigers, and hyenas, and snakes with fiery tongues, and birds with iron beaks.  As regards Ghatotkacha. himself, struck with the keen arrows that were sped from Karna’s bow, that huge Rakshasa, looking like (Himavat) the prince of mountains, disappeared then and there.  Then many Rakshasas and Pisachas and Yatudhanas, and large numbers of wolves and leopards, of frightful faces rushed towards Karna for devouring him.  These approached the Suta’s son, uttering fierce howls for frightening him.  Karna pierced every one of those monsters with many swift-winged and terrible shafts that drank their blood.  At last, using a celestial weapon, he destroyed that illusion of the Rakshasa.  He then, with some straight and fierce shafts, struck the steeds of Ghatotkacha.  These, with broken and maimed limbs, and their backs cut by those shafts, fell down on the earth, in the very sight of Ghatotkacha.  The son of Hidimva, seeing his illusion dispelled, once more made himself invisible, saying unto Karna, the son of Vikartana, ’I will presently compass thy destruction.’”

SECTION CLXXVI

“Sanjaya said, ’During the progress of that battle between Karna and the Rakshasa, the valiant Alayudha, that prince of Rakshasa, appeared (on the field).  Accompanied by a large force, he approached Duryodhana.  Indeed, surrounded by many thousands of frightful Rakshasas of diverse forms and endued with great heroism, he appeared (on the field) recollecting his old quarrel (with the Pandavas).  His kinsmen, that valiant Vaka, who ate Brahmanas, as also Kirmira of great energy, and his friend Hidimva, had been slain (by Bhima).  He had waited for a long time, brooding over his old quarrel.  Learning now that a nocturnal battle was raging, he came, impelled by the desire of slaying Bhima in fight, like an infuriated elephant or an angry snake.  Desirous of battle, he addressed Duryodhana and said, ’It is known to thee, how my kinsmen, the Rakshasa Vaka and Kirmira and Hidimva have been slain by Bhima.  What shall I say more, the virgin Hidimva was formerly deflowered by him, disregarding us and the other Rakshasas.  I am here, O king, to slay that Bhima with all his followers, steeds, cars, and elephants, as also that son of Hidimva with friends.  Slaying today all the sons of Kunti, Vasudeva and others that walk before them, I will devour them with all their followers.  Command all thy troops to desist from battle.  We will fight with the Pandavas.’