“Sanjaya said, ’Beholding the Pandava heroes rushing impetuously towards thy host, Duryodhana, O monarch, endeavoured to check the warriors of his army on all sides, O bull of Bharata race.  Although, however, thy son cried at the top of his voice, his flying troops, O king, still refused to stop.  Then one of the wings of the army and its further wing, and Shakuni, the son of Subala, and the Kauravas well-armed turned against Bhimasena in that battle.  Karna also, beholding the Dhartarashtra force with all its kings flying away, addressed the ruler of the Madras, saying, “Proceed towards the car of Bhima.”  Thus addressed by Karna, the ruler of the Madras began to urge those foremost of steeds, of the hue of swans, towards the spot where Vrikodara was.  Thus urged by Shalya, that ornament of battle, those steeds approaching the car of Bhimasena, mingled in battle.  Meanwhile, Bhima, beholding Karna approach, became filled with rage, and set his heart on the destruction of Karna, O bull of Bharata’s race.  Addressing the heroic Satyaki and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, he said, “Go you to protect king Yudhishthira of virtuous soul.  With difficulty he escaped from a situation of great peril before my very eyes.  In my sight have the armour and robes of the king been cut off and torn, for Duryodhana’s gratification, by Radha’s son of wicked soul.  I shall today reach the end of that woe, O son of Prishata.  Today, either I shall slay Karna in battle, or he will slay me in dreadful battle.  I tell thee truly.  Today I make over the king to you as sacred pledge.  With cheerful hearts exert ye today for protecting the king.”  Having said these words, the mighty-armed Bhima proceeded towards Adhiratha’s son, making all the points of the compass resound with a loud leonine shout.  Beholding Bhima, that delighter in battle, advancing quickly, the puissant king of the Madras addressed the Suta’s son in the following words: 

“’Shalya said, “Behold, O Karna, the mighty-armed son of Pandu, who is filled with rage.  Without doubt, he is desirous of vomiting upon thee that wrath which he has cherished for many years.  Never before did I see him assume such a form, not even when Abhimanyu was slain and the Rakshasa Ghatotkaca.  Filled with wrath, the form he hath now assumed, endued with the splendour of the all-destroying fire at the end of the Yuga, is such that it seems he is capable of resisting the three worlds united together.’”

“Sanjaya continued, ’While the ruler of the Madras was saying these words unto the son of Radha, Vrikodara, excited with rage, came upon Karna.  Beholding Bhima, that delighter in battle, approaching him in that way, the son of Radha laughingly said unto Shalya these words, “The words that thou, O ruler of the Madras, hast today spoken to me regarding Bhima, O lord, are without doubt all true.  This Vrikodara is brave and is a hero full of wrath.  He is reckless in protecting his body, and in strength