the hostile army into portion for the share of each.  The share that had been allotted to Bhishma is now no more as also that which had been allotted to the high-souled Drona.  Going even beyond their allotted shares, those two slew my foes.  Those two tigers among men, however, were old, and both of them have been slain deceitfully.  Having achieved the most difficult feats, both of them, O sinless one, have departed hence to heaven.  Similarly, many other tigers among men, of our army, slain by foes in battle, have ascended to heaven, casting off their lives and having made great exertions to the best of their powers.  This my host, therefore, O king, the greater portion of which has been slaughtered, has been reduced to this state by the Parthas who were at first fewer than us.  What should be done for the present?  Do that now, O lord of Earth, by which the mighty and the high-souled sons of Kunti, of prowess incapable of being baffled, may be prevented from exterminating the remnant of my host.  O lord, the Pandavas have in battle slain the bravest warriors of this my force.  The mighty-armed Karna alone is devoted to our good, as also thyself, O tiger among men, that art the foremost of car-warriors in the whole world.  O Shalya, Karna wishes to contend in battle today with Arjuna.  On him, O ruler of the Madras, my hopes of victory are great.  There is none else in the world (save thee) that can make so good a holder of the reins for Karna.  As Krishna is the foremost of all holders of reins for Partha in battle, even so, O king, be thou the foremost of all holders of reins for Karna’s car.  Accompanied and protected, O sire, by him in battle, the feats that Partha achieve are all before thee.  Formerly, Arjuna had never slain his foes in battle in such a way.  Now however, his prowess has become great, united as he is with Krishna.  Day after day, O ruler of the Madras, this vast Dhritarashtra force is seen to be routed by Partha because he is united with Krishna.  A portion remains of the share allotted to Karna and thyself, O thou of great splendour.  Bear that share with Karna, and destroy it unitedly in battle.  Even as Surya, uniting with Aruna, destroys the darkness, do thou, uniting with Karna, slay Partha in battle.  Let the mighty car-warriors (of the enemy), fly away, beholding in battle those two warriors endued with the effulgence of the morning sun, viz., Karna and Shalya, resembling two Suns risen above the horizon.  Even as darkness is destroyed, O sire, at the sight of Surya and Aruna, even so let the Kaunteyas (Pandavas) with the Pancalas and the Srinjayas perish beholding thee and Karna.  Karna is the foremost of car-warriors, and thou art the foremost of drivers.  In the clash of battle, again there is none equal to thee.  As he of Vrishni’s race protects the son of Pandu under all circumstances, even so let thyself protect Vikarna’s son Karna in battle.  With thee as his driver, Karna will become invincible, O king, in battle even with the gods having Sakra at their head!  What then need be said about the Pandavas?  Do not doubt my words.’”