07.155
Pancharatra and Core: On Ghatotkacha's death, Vasudeva, filled with immense joy, embraced Arjuna.
Sanjaya said:
Upon witnessing the slain Haiḍimba, who appeared like a scattered mountain, all the Pāṇḍavas were filled with sorrow and their eyes welled up with tears.
Vasudeva, filled with immense joy, roared like a lion, as if to shake the world, O Bharata. After making a great sound, he embraced Arjuna.
He roared loudly and, having subdued his enemies, danced with joy like a tree swayed by the wind.
Then, Krishna, having whirled again and repeatedly struck Arjuna, seated on the chariot, Bhima roared once more.
Arjuna, perceiving the mighty Vasudeva to be joyful, spoke to the king as if he himself was not very pleased.
O Madhusudana, today your excessive joy is inappropriate, as others have arrived at a place of sorrow due to the killing of Hidimba.
The sight of Ghatotkacha's death disheartened the armies, and we were deeply troubled by the fall of Hidimba's son.
O Janardana, this reason will not be insignificant. Therefore, today, as asked, tell me the truth, O best among the truthful.
If this is not a secret to you, O subduer of enemies, please tell today, O Madhusudana, about the disturbance of courage.
O Janardana, I perceive your action to be as light as the agitation of the ocean and the spreading of Mount Meru.
Vasudeva said:
"Listen, Arjuna, to this immense joy that has come to me, which is exceedingly delightful to the mind and immediately gratifying."
O Dhananjaya, know that Karna has been killed in battle immediately after Ghatotkacha destroyed this weapon, O great one.
Who in this world is the man who can stand around Karna, wielding power in his hand, like Kartikeya in battle?
Fortunately, Ghatotkacha, your armor has been removed, your earrings have been taken away, and your spear has been shattered, O Amogha-faced one.
If Karṇa were equipped with his armor and earrings, he alone, being strong, could conquer the three worlds, including the gods.
Neither Indra, Kubera, Varuna, the lord of waters, nor Yama can face Karna in battle.
Having stretched the Gandiva bow, you wield the Sudarsana discus. You are not capable of conquering the well-equipped bull among men in battle.
For your benefit, Indra, through his illusion, has taken away the earrings, leaving this conqueror of enemy cities without armor.
Karṇa, having cut off his armor and pure earrings, gave them to Indra, and thus he is remembered as Vaikartana.
Today, Karna appears to me like an angry serpent paralyzed by the power of a mantra, resembling a fire whose flames have been extinguished.
"O mighty-armed one, from the time the weapon was given to Karna by the great soul, Indra, it was destined for Ghatotkacha."
Having adorned himself with earrings and divine armor, the bull thought that you were always killed in battle.
Even in this situation, it is possible to kill him, but not by anyone else except you, O tiger among men. I swear by truth, O sinless one.
Karṇa, known for his devotion to Brahman, truthfulness, asceticism, and fixed vows, is remembered as compassionate even towards his enemies, and thus he is regarded as a bull.
The mighty-armed warrior, always prepared with his bow, is like a lion in the forest crushing intoxicated elephant leaders, and he makes the proud chariot warriors at the forefront of battle.
Like the sun situated in the middle, who cannot be seen by your chief warriors and great souls, having thousands of rays of arrows like the sun in autumn, O tiger among men.
At the end of his penance, Karna, who was like a cloud pouring streams of arrows, akin to the rain god, has today attained human form, liberated by the gift of Indra.
Indeed, one method for his destruction is to strike him when he is negligent and self-neglectful, especially when he is in distress and trapped in the chariot wheel. But you should first consider his consciousness before striking.
Jarāsandha, the noble king of the Cedis, and Ekalavya, the powerful Nishada, were each slain individually by me using various strategies, all for your benefit.
Then others, including the demon lords Hiḍimba, Kirmīra, and Baka, who were chiefs, were killed. Alāyudha, known for oppressing enemy armies, and Ghaṭotkaca, known for his fierce deeds and might, were also mentioned.
