“Sanjaya continued, ’Unto the diadem-decked (Arjuna) who was speaking in that way, Yudhishthira, with a cheerful heart, said these words of grave import, “Do thou obtain imperishable fame, and such a period of life as accordeth with thy own desire, and victory, and energy, and the destruction of thy foes.  Let the gods grant thee prosperity.  Obtain thou all these to the measure desired by me.  Go quickly to battle, and slay Karna, even as Purandara slew Vritra for his own aggrandisement."’”

72

“Sanjaya said, ’Having with a cheerful heart gratified king Yudhishthira the just, Partha, prepared to slay the Suta’s son, addressed Govinda, saying, “Let my car be once more equipped and let my foremost of steeds be yoked thereto.  Let all kinds of weapon be placed upon that great vehicle.  The steeds have rolled on the ground.  They have been trained by persons skilled in horse lore.  Along with the other equipment of the car, let them be quickly brought and decked in their trappings.  Proceed quickly, O Govinda, for the slaughter of the Suta’s son.”  Thus addressed, O monarch, by the high-souled Phalguna, Krishna commanded Daruka, saying, “Do all that Arjuna, that chief of Bharata’s race and that foremost of all wielders of the bow, hath said.”  Thus ordered by Krishna, Daruka, O best of kings, yoked those steeds unto that car covered with tiger-skins and ever capable of scorching all foes.  He then represented unto the high-souled son of Pandu the fact of having equipped his vehicle.  Beholding the car equipped by the high-souled Daruka, Phalguna, obtaining Yudhishthira’s leave and causing the Brahmanas to perform propitiatory rites and utter benedictions on him, ascended that excellent vehicle.  King Yudhishthira the just, of great wisdom, also blessed him.  After this, Phalguna proceeded towards Karna’s car.  Beholding that great bowman thus proceeding, all creatures, O Bharata, regarded Karna as already slain by the high-souled Pandava.  All the points of the compass, O king, became serene.  King-fishers and parrots and herons, O king, wheeled around the son of Pandu.  A large number of beautiful and auspicious birds, O king, called Pung, causing Arjuna (by their timely appearance) to put forth greater speed in battle, cheerfully uttered their cries around him.  Terrible Kankas and vultures, and cranes and hawks and ravens, O king, tempted by the prospect of food, proceeded in advance of his car, and indicated auspicious omens foreboding the destruction of the hostile host and the slaughter of Karna.  And while Partha proceeded, a copious perspiration covered his body.  His anxiety also became very great as to how he would achieve his vow.  The slayer of Madhu then, beholding Partha filled with anxiety as he proceeded, addressed the wielder of Gandiva and said these words.