all the celestials united together and diverse other creatures.  This one will subjugate the Madras, the Kalingas, and the Kaikeyas.  This one will, in the midst of many kings, slay the Kurus.  There will be no bowman superior to him, and no creature will ever be able to vanquish him.  With his senses under control, and having obtained mastery over all branches of knowledge, this one, by merely desiring it, will bring all creatures under subjection to himself.  This high-souled son that is born of thee, O Kunti, will in beauty be the rival of Soma, in speed of the god of wind, in patience of Meru, in forgiveness of Earth, in splendour of Surya, in prosperity of the Lord of treasures, in courage of Sakra, and in might of Vishnu.  He will be the slayer of all foes like Vishnu, the son of Aditi.  Endued with immeasurable energy, he will be celebrated for the destruction he will deal to foes and the success he will win for friends.  He will, besides, be the founder of a race!’ Even thus, in the skies, on the summit of the Satasringa mountains, in the hearing of many ascetics, that voice spoke.  All that, however, hath not come to pass.  Alas, it shows that the gods even may speak untruths!  Hearing also the words of praise always uttered about thee by many foremost of Rishis, I never expected that Suyodhana would win success and prosperity or that thou thyself wouldst be afflicted with the fear of Karna!  Thou ridest upon an excellent car constructed by the celestial artificer himself, with axles that do not creak, and with standard that bears the ape.  Thou bearest a sword attached to thy belt of gold and silk.  This thy bow Gandiva is full six cubits long.  Thou hast Keshava for thy driver.  Why, then, through fear of Karna hast thou come away from battle, O Partha?  If, O thou of wicked soul, thou hadst given this bow to Keshava and become his driver, then Keshava could have (by this time) slain the fierce Karna like the lord of the Maruts (Sakra) slaying with his thunder the Asura Vritra.  If thou art unable to resist the fierce son of Radha today, as he is careering in battle, give this thy Gandiva today to some other king, that may be thy superior in (the use and knowledge of) weapons.  If that be done, the world will not then behold us bereft of sons and wives, deprived of happiness in consequence of the loss of kingdom, and sunk, O son of Pandu, in an unfathomable hell of great misery.  It would have been better for thee if thou hadst never been born in the womb of Kunti, or having taken thy birth there, if thou hadst come out on the fifth month an abortion, than to have, O prince, thus come away from battle, O thou of wicked soul!  Fie on thy Gandiva, fie on the might of thy arms, fie on thy inexhaustible arrows!  Fie on thy banner with the gigantic ape on it, and fie on thy car given thee by the god of fire!"’”

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