07.127
Pancharatra and Core: Then King Duryodhana, provoked by Drona, succumbed to his anger and resolved to continue the fight.
Sanjaya said:
Then King Duryodhana, provoked by Drona, succumbed to his anger and resolved to fight.
Then Duryodhana, your son, said to Karna, "Look, the formation set by the teacher, which even the gods found hard to breach, has been shattered by the Pandava with Krishna's assistance, by the one with the crown."
While you and the great soul Droṇa were struggling, the Sindhu prince was slain in the presence of the chief warriors.
Behold, O son of Radha, the kings who were the best on earth have been slain in battle by Arjuna alone, just as other animals are by a lion.
O enemy-slayer, my army, which was engaged in battle, has been greatly reduced by Indra's son.
How could Arjuna, even if he tried, break through Drona's formidable battle formation?
Arjuna was always dear to his great teacher. Therefore, the teacher granted him access without the need for battle, O destroyer of enemies.
Drona, the scorcher of foes, granted fearlessness to Saindhava in battle and then allowed Arjuna to pass; observe my worthlessness.
If any permission had been given earlier to return home, there would not have been the destruction of people in the battle of the king of Sindhu.
Jayadratha, seeking to save his life, was heading home but was obstructed by me, an ignoble person, after having obtained safety from Drona in the battle.
Today, my brothers, including Citraseṇa, have been weakened in battle. Having encountered Bhīmasena, let our evil-minded ones witness this.
Karna said:
Do not criticize the teacher; this Brahmin is fighting with all his might. I believe that Droṇa, the expert in weaponry, is engaging the invincible Pāṇḍavas in battle.
Thus, Śvetavāhana, having transgressed, entered. I believe there is no other state determined by fate anywhere.
Then, O King Suyodhana, beyond our fighting capacity, Saindhava was killed, and here fate is remembered as supreme.
Supreme effort is made by those who fight alongside you in the battlefield. After our manliness is demonstrated by killing, fate indeed follows us, constantly striving through deceit and valor.
A man who is destined by fate, whatever action he performs anywhere, that action, indeed, is ultimately nullified by fate.
Whatever a person with determination and truth must do, that action should be performed without doubt, as success is established in the divine.
The sons of Pṛthā, O Bhārata, were deceived by deceit, poisoned, burned in the house of lac, and defeated in gambling.
Relying on political strategy, you were sent to the forest, and despite your efforts, what you accomplished was undone by fate.
Engage in battle with determination, considering death as a form of retreat. For both your efforts and theirs, destiny will follow its course.
Their good deeds are never seen, nor are your bad deeds, O hero, lacking wisdom, descendant of Kuru.
The divine authority governs all actions, whether they are good or otherwise. Even in those who are asleep, the divine influence is present.
Your armies and warriors were many and numerous, unlike those of the sons of Pandu, and thus the battle unfolded.
Though you were many and they were few, you were led to destruction by them. I suspect that it was the work of fate that destroyed manly effort.
Sanjaya said:
As they conversed, the various kings and the armies of the Pandavas became visible on the battlefield.
Then the battle began with chariots and elephants interlocked, involving your forces and the enemies, O king, as a result of your poor counsel.
