lost all its heroes.  Indeed, with all its foremost warriors slain, with its steeds, cars, and elephants destroyed, the Bharata army looketh today like the firmament, reft of the Sun, the Moon, and stars.  Yonder host of fierce prowess, O Partha, hath been shorn of its splendours today like the Asura host in days of yore shorn of its splendours by Sakra’s prowess.  The remnant of that grand master now consists of only five great car-warriors, viz., Ashvatthama, Kritavarma, Karna, Shalya, and Kripa.  Slaying those five great car-warriors today, O tiger among men, be thou a hero that hath killed all his foes, and bestow thou the Earth with all her islands and cities on king Yudhishthira.  Let Pritha’s son Yudhishthira of immeasurable energy and prosperity, obtain today the whole earth with the welkin above it, the waters on it, and the nether regions below it.  Slaying this host like Vishnu in days of yore slaying the Daityas and the Danavas, bestow the Earth on the king like Hari bestowing (the three worlds) on Sakra.  Let the Pancalas rejoice today, their foes being slain, like the celestials rejoicing after the slaughter of the Danavas by Vishnu.  If in consequence of thy regard for that foremost of men, viz., thy preceptor Drona, thou cherishest compassion for Ashvatthama, if, again, thou hast any kindness for Kripa for the sake of respect that is due to a preceptor, if, approaching Kritavarma, thou dost not despatch him today to Yama’s abode in consequence of the honour that is due to one’s kinsmen by the mother’s side, if, O lotus-eyed one, approaching thy mother’s brother, viz., Shalya, the ruler of the Madras, thou dost not from compassion slay him, I ask thee, do thou, with keen shafts, O foremost of men slay Karna today with speed, that vile wretch of sinful heart who cherisheth the fiercest hate for the son of Pandu.  This is thy noblest duty.  There is nothing in it that would be improper.  We approve of it, and here is no fault in the act.  The wicked-souled Karna is the root, O thou of unfading glory, of that attempt, O sinless one, made in the night for burning thy mother with all her children, and of that conduct which Suyodhana adopted towards you in consequence of that match at dice.  Suyodhana always hopeth for deliverance through Karna.  Filled with rage, he endeavours to afflict me also (in consequence of that support).  It is the firm belief of Dhritarashtra’s royal son, O giver of honours, that Karna, without doubt, will slay all the Prithas in battle.  Though fully acquainted with thy might, still, O son of Kunti, Dhritarashtra’s son hath selected war with you in consequence of his reliance on Karna.  Karna also always says, ’I will vanquish the assembled Parthas and that mighty car-warrior, viz., Vasudeva of Dasharha’s race’.  Buoying up the wicked-souled son of Dhritarashtra, the wicked Karna always roareth in the (Kuru) assembly.  Slay him today, O Bharata.  In all the acts of injury, of which Dhritarashtra’s