hath been snatched from Karna, like a fruit from the hand of a cripple, with a withered arm, by a strong person.  Even so hath that fatal dart been rendered fruitless through Ghatotkacha.  As in a fight between a boar and a dog, upon the death of either, the hunter is the party profited, I think, O learned one, that even so was Vasudeva the party to profit by the battle between Karna and Hidimva’s son.  If Ghatotkacha had slain Karna in battle, that would have been a great gain for the Pandavas.  If, on the other hand, Karna had slain Ghatotkacha, that too would have been a great gain to them in consequence of the loss of Karna’s dart.  Endued with great wisdom, that lion among men, viz., Vasudeva, reflecting in this way, and for doing what was agreeable to and good for the Pandavas, caused Ghatotkacha to be slain by Karna in battle.’

“Sanjaya said, ’Knowing the feat that Karna desired to achieve, the slayer of Madhu, the mighty-armed Janardana, O king, commanded the prince of the Rakshasas, Ghatotkacha of mighty energy, to engage in single combat with Karna for rendering, O monarch, the latter’s fatal dart fruitless.  All this, O king, is the result of thy evil policy!  We would certainly have achieved success, O perpetuator of Kuru’s race, if Krishna had not (thus) rescued the mighty car-warrior Partha from Karna’s hands.  Indeed, Partha would have been destroyed with his steeds, standard, and car, in battle, Oh Dhritarashtra, if that master, that lord of Yogins, viz., Janardana had not saved him.  Protected by diverse means, O king, and well-aided by Krishna, Partha approaching his foes, vanquished that fatal dart, otherwise that weapon would have quickly destroyed the son of Kunti like the lightning destroying a tree.’

“Dhritarashtra said, ’My son is fond of quarrel.  His advisers are foolish.  He is vain of his wisdom.  It is for that, that this certain means of Arjuna’s death hath been baffled.  Why, O Suta, did not Duryodhana, or that foremost of all wielders, viz., Karna, possessed of great intelligence, hurl that fatal dart at Dhananjaya?  Why, O son of Gavalgana, didst thou too forget this great object, possessed as thou art of great wisdom, or why didst not thou remind Karna of it?’

“Sanjaya said, ’Indeed, O king, every night this formed the subject of deliberation with Duryodhana and Sakuni and myself and Duhsasana.  And we said unto Karna, ’Excluding all other warriors, O Karna, slay Dhananjaya.  We would then lord it over the Pandu’s and the Panchalas as if these were our slaves.  Or, if upon Partha’s fall, he of Vrishni’s race appoints another amongst the sons of Pandu (in this place for carrying on the fight), let Krishna himself be slain.  Krishna is the root of the Pandavas, and Partha is like their risen trunk.  The other sons of Pritha are like their branches, while the Panchalas may be called their leaves.  The Pandavas have Krishna for their refuge, Krishna for their might, Krishna