“’Vasudeva said, “O wielder of Gandiva, save thee there exists no other man that could vanquish those whom thou hast vanquished with this bow of thine.  We have seen many heroes, who, endued with prowess like that Sakra, have attained to the highest regions, encountering thy heroic self in battle!  Who else, O puissant one, that is not equal to thee, would be safe and sound after encountering Drona and Bhishma and Bhagadatta, O sire, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti and Sudakshina, the chief of the Kambojas and Srutayudha of mighty energy and Acyutayudha as well?  Thou hast celestial weapons, and lightness of hand and might, and thou art never stupefied in battle!  Thou hast also that humility which is due to knowledge!  Thou canst strike with effect!  Thou hast sureness of aim, and presence of mind as regards the selection of means, O Arjuna!  Thou art competent to destroy all mobile and immobile creatures including the very gods with the Gandharvas!  On earth, O Partha, there is no human warrior who is equal to thee in battle.  Amongst all Kshatriyas, invincible in battle, that wield the bow, amongst the very gods, I have not seen or heard of even one that is equal to thee.  The Creator of all beings, viz., Brahma himself created the great bow Gandiva with which thou fightest, O Partha!  For this reason there is no one that is equal to thee.  I must, however, O son of Pandu, say that which is beneficial to thee.  Do not.  O mighty-armed one, disregard Karna, that ornament of battle!  Karna is possessed of might.  He is proud and accomplished in weapons.  He is a maharatha.  He is accomplished (in the ways of battle) and conversant with all modes of warfare.  He is also well-acquainted with all that suits place and time.  What need is there of saying much?  Hear in brief, O son of Pandu!  I regard the mighty car-warrior Karna as thy equal, or perhaps, thy superior!  With the greatest care and resolution shouldst thou slay him in great battle.  In energy he is equal to Agni.  As regards speed, he is equal to the impetuosity of the wind.  In wrath, he resembles the Destroyer himself.  Endued with might, he resembles a lion in the formation of his body.  He is eight ratnis in stature.  His arms are large.  His chest is broad.  He is invincible.  He is sensitive.  He is a hero.  He is, again, the foremost of heroes.  He is exceedingly handsome.  Possessed of every accomplishment of a warrior, he is a dispeller of the fears of friends.  Engaged in the good of Dhritarashtra’s son, he always hates the sons of Pandu.  No one, not even the gods with Vasava at their head, can slay the son of Radha, save thee, as I think.  Slay, therefore, the Suta’s son today.  No one possessed of flesh and blood, not even the gods fighting with great care, not all the warriors (of the three worlds) fighting together can vanquish that car-warrior.  Towards the Pandavas he is always of wicked soul and sinful behaviour, and cruel, and of wicked intelligence.  In his quarrel with the sons of Pandu, he is actuated