01.127
Core:The sun goes down, and the fight between Karna and Arjuna gets halted.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Then Adhiratha, with his upper cloth fallen, sweating and trembling, entered the arena, as if summoned, his staff being his very life.
Seeing him, Karṇa, his head still wet from anointment, dropped his bow, restrained by reverence for his father, and bowed his head in respect.
Then the charioteer, with emotion, covering his feet with the end of his garment, said with full meaning, "My son."
Embracing him, his father, overcome with affection, again sprinkled his son’s head—already wet from his anointment as king of Aṅga—with his tears.
Seeing this and concluding he was the son of a charioteer, Bhīmasena, the Pāṇḍava, then mockingly spoke these words as if laughing.
O son of a charioteer, you do not deserve to be slain in battle by Pārtha. Take up a goad instead, something suited to your lineage.
O lowest of men, you are not worthy to enjoy the kingdom of Aṅga, like a dog near the sacrificial fire reaching out for the sacred offering.
Thus addressed, Karṇa, with lips slightly trembling, sighed and looked toward the sun in the sky.
Then mighty Duryodhana rose in wrath like an intoxicated elephant emerging from the lotus-lake of his brothers.
He said to Bhīmasena, of terrible deeds, "O Vṛkodara, such words are not fitting for you to speak."
The strength of kṣatriyas is foremost and should be challenged only by another kṣatriya; the origins of heroes and rivers are indeed difficult to trace.
Fire arose from water and pervaded all; the thunderbolt made from Dadhīci’s bones became the slayer of demons.
The deity Guha is called the son of Agni, the Kṛttikās, Rudra, and Gaṅgā—he is the lord, Guha, composed of all mysteries.
Brāhmaṇas born from kṣatriyas are also renowned; the teacher was born from a pot, Kṛpa from a heap of arrows—your birth too is known by kings.
How can a deer give birth to a tiger radiant like the sun, adorned with earrings and armor, marked by divine signs?
This man deserves the sovereignty of the whole earth, not just Aṅga, O lord of men—with this arm's strength and my faithful service.
Let any man who cannot bear my act mount a chariot or on foot and bend the bow.
Then a great uproar arose in the arena, mingled with cries of approval, and the sun set.
Then Duryodhana, holding Karṇa by the hand and lit by the lamp-fire, departed from the arena, O king.
And the Pāṇḍavas, along with Droṇa, Kṛpa, and Bhīṣma, all returned to their respective abodes, O lord of people.
One said "Arjuna," another "Karna," another "Duryodhana"—so speaking, the people then departed, O Bhārata.
Recognizing the son of Aṅga, marked with divine signs, as her own, Kunti's love, concealed by affection, grew even more.
Then, O king, Duryodhana’s fear, which had arisen due to Arjuna’s strength, quickly vanished after gaining Karna.
That hero, skilled in weapons, spoke gently to Suyodhana; and even Yudhiṣṭhira then thought—there is no bowman on earth equal to Karna.
