and said, “O thou of mighty arms, in the very sight of all the troops, my armour, standard, bow, dart, steeds, and arrows, were cut off in battle, O great bowman, by Karna with his shafts, although I exerted myself with care.  Thinking of and seeing his feats in battle, O Phalguna, I lose my energies in grief.  Life itself is no longer dear to me.  If thou dost not slay that hero in battle today, I will cast away my life breaths.  What use have I with life?” Thus addressed, Vijaya, replied, O bull of Bharata’s race, saying, “I swear by Truth, O king, and by thy grace, by Bhima, O best of men, and by the twins, O lord of the earth, that today I shall slay Karna, in battle, or, being myself slain by him fall down on the earth.  Swearing truly, I touch my weapons.”  Having said these words unto the king, he addressed Madhava, saying, “Without doubt, O Krishna, I will slay Karna in battle today.  Aided by thy intelligence, blessed be thou, the slaughter of that wicked-souled one is certain.”  Thus addressed, Keshava, O best of kings, said unto Partha, “Thou art competent, O best of the Bharatas, to slay the mighty Karna.  Even this hath ever been my thought, O mighty car-warrior, as to how, O best of men thou, wouldst slay Karna in battle.”  Endued with great intelligence, Madhava once more addressed the son of Dharma, saying, “O Yudhishthira, it behoveth thee to comfort Vibhatsu, and command him to slaughter Karna of wicked soul.  Having heard that thou hadst been afflicted with shafts of Karna, myself and this one came hither, O son of Pandu, for ascertaining thy plight.  By good luck, O king, thou wert not slain.  By good luck thou wert not seized.  Comfort thy Vibhatsu, and bless him, O sinless one, with thy wishes for his victory.’”

“’Yudhishthira said, “Come, Come, O Partha, O Vibhatsu, and embrace me, O son of Pandu.  Thou hast told me beneficial words that deserved to be said, and I have forgiven thee.  I command thee, O Dhananjaya, go and slay Karna.  Do not, O Partha, be angry for the harsh words I said unto thee.’”

“Sanjaya continued, ’Then Dhananjaya, O king, bowed unto Yudhishthira by bending his head, and seized with his two hands, O sire, the feet of his eldest brother.  Raising him and embracing him closely, the king smelt his head and once more said these words unto him, “O Dhananjaya, O thou of mighty arms, I have been greatly honoured by thee.  Do thou ever win greatness and victory.’”

“’Arjuna said, “Approaching Radha’s son today that is proud of his might, I shall slay that man of sinful deeds with my shafts in battle, along with all his kinsmen and followers.  He who, having bent the bow strongly, afflicted thee with his shafts, I say, that Karna, will obtain today the bitter fruit of that act of his.  Having slain Karna, O lord of the earth, I shall today come back from the dreadful battle to pay thee my respects by walking behind thee.  I tell thee this truly.  Without having slain Karna I shall not come back today from the great battle.  Truly do I swear this by touching thy feet, O lord of the universe.’”