07.123
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Thus, when the heroes had departed, tell me, Sanjaya, what exactly did Bhima do?
Sanjaya said:
Bhimasena, having lost his chariot and being tormented by Karna's harsh words, succumbed to anger and addressed Arjuna.
"Again and again, O foolish boy, ignorant and gluttonous, do not engage in battle, for you are unskilled in weapons and afraid of the fight."
Karna said to me in your presence, O Dhananjaya, that I am to be killed by him, O Bharata.
O mighty-armed one, this vow was undertaken by you along with me. Just as it is mine, O son of Kunti, it is also yours, without any doubt.
"O best of men, remember my words for his killing. Ensure that what happens is the truth, so act accordingly, O Dhananjaya."
Upon hearing the words of the immensely valiant Bhima, Arjuna approached Karna slightly in the battle and spoke to him.
"Karna, Karna, you who are vainly proud and self-praised as the son of a charioteer, with a wicked mind, listen to what I have to say to you now."
In battle, heroes face two outcomes: victory and defeat. These outcomes are impermanent, O son of Radha, even for the mighty Indra.
In your desire to die, you have been left without a chariot by Yuyudhana. By chance, you have rendered Bhimasena chariotless.
O son of Radha, it is unrighteous that you spoke to Bhima in such a manner, knowing well the duty of a warrior, as he fights bravely in battle without fleeing, fulfilling his heroic duties to the best of his ability.
In the presence of all the armies and Keshava, and even myself, you have been deprived of your chariot many times in battle by Bhimasena. Yet, the son of Pandu has not spoken any harsh words to you.
Because Vrikodara told you many harsh things, and indirectly, my Saubhadra was killed by you.
Therefore, you will immediately face the consequences of his arrogance. You have broken his bow, leading to your own destruction, O wicked-minded one.
Therefore, you are sentenced to death, my foolish one, along with your servants, strength, and vehicle. Attend to all your duties, for great fear has come upon you.
I will kill Vṛṣasena in the battle while you watch. Any other kings who approach me in their delusion, I will also kill them all. Truly, I take up my weapon.
Seeing you, who is foolish and arrogant in battle, Duryodhana, being slow-witted, will greatly suffer upon your fall.
When Arjuna vowed to kill Karna's son, a great tumultuous sound arose from the charioteers.
In the midst of that chaotic and fearsome battle, the sun, with its slow and thousand rays, approached the mountain to set.
Then, O king, Krishna, standing at the forefront of the battle, embraced Arjuna, who had fulfilled his vow, and spoke these words.
"O conqueror, it is fortunate that you have accomplished the great promise. It is also fortunate that the wicked Vṛddhakṣatra, along with his sons, has been killed."
O Bharata, having acquired the army of Dhritarashtra and the divine forces, even a conqueror would falter in battle; hence, no further deliberation is needed here.
"O tiger among men, I do not see anyone in the world who could think of fighting this strength without you."
Many kings of great influence, equal or superior to you, assembled for Dhritarashtra's sake. Upon encountering you, angry in battle, they did not dare to approach, being frightened.
Your strength and power are comparable to the wrath of Rudra and Indra. No one else could display such valor in battle as you have today, single-handedly defeating your foes.
Thus, with the death of Karna and his followers, the wicked ones, I shall further empower you, the conqueror and destroyer of enemies.
Arjuna replied to Krishna, "O Mādhava, it is by your grace that I have fulfilled this promise, which even the wise find difficult to accomplish."
It is no wonder that those who have you as their lord, O Mādhava, achieve victory. Through your grace, Yudhiṣṭhira will gain dominion over the entire earth.
The responsibility and victory are solely yours, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi and lord. We are to be uplifted as your servants, O slayer of Madhu.
Upon being spoken to in this manner, Krishna, with a smile, slowly drove the horses, revealing to Arjuna the vast and dreadful battlefield.
Shri Krishna said:
Desiring victory in battle and great fame, the heroes and kings lie on the earth, slain by your arrows.
The battlefield was strewn with weapons and ornaments, the horses, chariots, and elephants were destroyed, and the soldiers, with their armors cut and broken, were in a state of extreme despair.
The kings, though devoid of vitality, appear as if alive, endowed with supreme radiance.
Behold the earth filled with their golden-feathered arrows, sharp weapons, and various vehicles and arms.
The scene was adorned with armors, skins, necklaces, heads, earrings, turbans, crowns, garlands, crest-jewels, and garments, creating a vivid and opulent display.
The land of India is adorned with necklaces, armlets, coins, and various other brilliant ornaments, shining beautifully.
The scene was adorned with yak-tail fans, colorful flags, horses, chariots, elephants, and various praises, with scattered horses adding to the grandeur.
Behold the earth adorned with blankets, diverse canopies, and immense wealth, as if covered with painted cloths.
The others, imagined as fallen from the elephants, were like lions struck by thunderbolts, fallen from the mountain peaks.
Observe the scene where others are bound with horses on the ground, and groups of infantry and others are soaked in streams of blood.
Sanjaya said:
Thus, Krishna, showing the battlefield to Arjuna, joyfully blew his conch Panchajanya, surrounded by his own.
