O king, is one of thy foremost of Rathas.  Born in Madhu’s race, that slayer of hostile heroes, is prepared to cast away his very life in battle.  Skilled in battle, that mighty-armed warrior, scattering the enemy’s ranks before him, will fight in battle mounted on car or from the elephant’s back.  That best of kings, O monarch, is in my judgment, a Ratha.  He will, in fierce battle, cast away for thy sake his very life with all, his troops possessed of great prowess and acquainted with all the modes of warfare, he will, O king, fight fearlessly with thy foes in battle.  Never retreating from battle, brave, and resembling Yama himself, Vahlika, O king, is in my judgment, an Atiratha.  Rushing to the encounter he never cometh back.  Indeed, he will slay hostile warriors in battle like the Wind-god himself.  That router of hostile car-ranks, that car-warrior of wonderful feats in battle, commander of thy forces, Satyavan is, O king, a Maharatha.  He never cherisheth grief at the prospect of battle.  Confounding those warriors that stand in the way of his car, he falleth upon them.  Always displaying his prowess against the enemy, that best of men will, for thy sake, in fierce press of battle, achieve all that a good Kshatriya should.  Thai chief of Rakshasas, Alambhusha, of cruel deeds, is a Maharatha.  Remembering his old hostilities (with the Pandavas), he will commit great execution among the foe.  He is the best of Rathas amongst all the Rakshasa-warriors.  Possessing powers of illusion, and firm in enmity, he will wander fiercely on the field.  The ruler of Pragjyotisha, the brave Bhagadatta of exceeding prowess, is the foremost of those holding the elephant hook, and is skilled also in fighting from a car.  An encounter took place between him and the wielder of Gandiva for days together, O king, each desirous of victory over the other.  Then Bhagadatta, O son of Gandhari, who regarded Indra as his friend, made friendship with (Indra’s son) the high-souled Pandava.  Skilled in fight from the elephant’s neck, this king will fight in battle, like Vasava among the celestials, fighting from his Airavata.’”

SECTION CLXIX

“Bhishma said, ’Both the brothers Achala and Vrisha are Rathas.  Invincible (in battle) they will slay thy foes.  Endued with great strength, those tigers among men, those foremost of Gandharvas, are firm in wrath.  Young and handsome, they are possessed of great strength.  As regards this thy ever dear friend, this one who is always boastful of his skill in battle, this one who always urgeth thee, O king, to fight with the Pandavas, this vile braggart, Karna, the son of Surya, this one who is thy counsellor, guide, and friend, this vain wight who is destitute of sense, this Karna, is neither a Ratha nor an Atiratha.  Without sense, this one hath been deprived of his natural coat of mail.  Always kind, he hath also been deprived of his celestial ear-rings.  In consequence of the curse of Rama