by no consideration affecting his own interests.  Slaying that Karna, therefore, fulfill thy purpose today.  Despatch today unto Yama’s presence that Suta’s son, that foremost of car-warriors, whose death is near.  Indeed, slaying that Suta’s son, that first of car-warriors, show the love for Yudhishthira the just.  I know thy prowess truly, O Partha, which is incapable of being resisted by the gods and Asuras.  The Suta’s son of wicked soul, from exceeding pride, always disregards the sons of Pandu.  O Dhananjaya, slay that man today for whose sake the wretched Duryodhana regardeth himself a hero, that root of all (those) sinful persons, that son of a Suta.  Slay, O Dhananjaya, that tiger among men, that active and proud Karna, who hath a sword for his tongue, a bow for his mouth, and arrows for his teeth.  I know thee well as regards the energy and the might that are in thee.  Slay the brave Karna in battle, like a lion slaying an elephant.  Slay in battle today, O Partha, that Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, in consequence of whose energy Dhritarashtra’s son disregards thine.’”

73

“Sanjaya said, ’Once more Keshava of immeasurable soul said these words unto Arjuna, who, O Bharata, was advancing (to battle), firmly resolved upon slaying Karna, ’Today is the seventeenth day, O Bharata, of this terrible massacre of men and elephants and steeds.  At the outset vast was the host that belonged to you.  Encountering the foe in battle, that host has been very much reduced in numbers, O king!  The Kauravas also, O Partha, were numerous at first, teeming with elephants and steeds.  Encountering thee, however, as their foe, they have been nearly exterminated in the van of battle!  These lords of Earth and these Srinjayas, united together, and these Pandava troops also, obtaining thy invincible self as their leader, are maintaining their ground on the field.  Protected by thee, O slayer of foes, the Pancalas, the Matsyas, the Karushas, and the Cedis, have caused a great destruction of thy foes.  Who is there that can vanquish the assembled Kauravas in battle?  On the other hand, who is there that can vanquish the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas protected by thee?  Thou, however, art competent to vanquish in battle the three worlds consisting of the gods, the asuras, and human beings, united together.  What need I say then of the Kaurava host?  Save thee, O tiger among men, who else is there, even if he resemble Vasava himself in prowess, that could vanquish king Bhagadatta?  So also, O sinless one, all the lords of earth, united together, are incapable, O Partha, of even gazing at this vast force that is protected by thee.  So also, O Partha, it is owing to their having been always protected by thee that Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi succeeded in slaying Drona and Bhishma.  Who, indeed, O Partha, could vanquish in battle those two mighty car-warriors of the Bharatas, Bhishma and Drona, both of whom were endued with prowess equal to that of Sakra himself?