07.158
Dhritarashtra spoke:
The possessions of Karna, Duryodhana, Shakuni, the son of Subala, and especially your own, O great one, have been taken away.
When he wielded that formidable weapon in battle, it was unstoppable and irresistible even by the gods, including Indra.
Sanjaya, why was she not released by Karna in the previous battle, neither to the son of Devaki nor to Arjuna?
Sanjaya said:
O lord of the people, at night, this counsel arose for all of us who have returned from battle, O best of the Kuru lineage.
At the break of dawn tomorrow, this power should always be released to either Keshava or Arjuna, O Karna.
Then, at dawn, O king, the deities once again destroy the intelligence of Karna and the other warriors.
I believe that fate is supreme, as Karna, despite having the opportunity, did not kill Arjuna (Partha) or Krishna, the son of Devaki, in the battle.
Karna, with his power in hand, was ready like Kalaratri. However, due to his fate-afflicted intelligence, he did not release her.
O lord, deluded by divine illusion, whether in Krishna, the son of Devaki, or in Arjuna, resembling Indra, indeed for the purpose of killing Indra's enemy.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
By fate and your own intelligence, along with Keshava's, you all met your end. Vasavi, after defeating Ghatotkacha who was rendered powerless, has departed.
Karna, my sons, and all the other kings have perished due to this ill-advised action, reaching the abode of Yama.
"Tell me again, how did the battle between the Kauravas and the Pandavas unfold when Hidimba was slain?"
The Sṛñjayas and Pāñcālas, who were arrayed in formation and attacked Droṇa, were fierce strikers. How did they conduct the battle?
Drona, distressed by the deaths of Saumadatta and the Sindhu prince, in his anger, gave up his life and entered the army.
The Pandavas and Srinjayas confronted Drona, who appeared as fierce as a yawning tiger and as deadly as death itself, with his mouth wide open, ready to strike.
The teacher, protected by those led by Duryodhana, including Drona's son, Karna, and Kripa, dear one, what actions did they take in the battle?
Arjuna and Bhima, desiring to kill Bharadvaja, attacked my men in battle. Tell me, Sanjaya, how this happened.
The killing of Sindhuraja and Ghatotkacha enraged them, and they engaged in battle at night, wondering how it would unfold.
Sanjaya said:
O king, when Ghatotkacha was killed by Karna during the night, the demon's fall caused rejoicing and delight among your men who were eager to fight.
During the swift attack, as the army was being slaughtered, the king fell into deep despair in the middle of the night.
The mighty-armed Bhimasena addressed, "O mighty-armed one, obstruct the army of Dhritarashtra. I was greatly confused by Hidimba's assault."
After instructing Bhima, the king sat in his chariot, his face full of tears, sighing repeatedly. He was overwhelmed with terrible despondency upon witnessing Karna's prowess.
Krishna, seeing Arjuna distressed, said: "Do not give in to this weakness, O son of Kunti. It does not suit you. O best of the Bharatas, such cowardice is for ordinary men."
"Arise, O king, and fight, for you must bear the heavy burden, O lord. If weakness occurs in you, there will be doubt in victory."
Upon hearing Krishna's words, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira wiped his eyes with his hands and spoke to Krishna.
O mighty-armed one, you know the supreme goal of dharmas. The consequence of killing a Brahmin is upon him who does not realize what he has done.
O Janardana, indeed, the great soul Haiḍimba, along with the boy, provided help to our forest dwellers.
Krishna, the great archer, knowing that the Pandava with white horses has gone for the sake of weapons, has arrived in Kamyaka to me. He stayed with us until Arjuna (Dhananjaya) was not there.
During the journey to Gandhamadana, they were indeed saved from difficulties. Exhausted, Panchali was carried on the back by the noble one.
O lord, from the very start of the battles, this great soul has undertaken the arduous task for my sake.
O Janardana, my natural affection for Sahadeva is the same as my doubled affection for Ghatotkacha, the lord of demons.
The mighty-armed devotee is dear to him, and I am dear to him as well. O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, I find myself confused and afflicted by grief.
Observe, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, how the armies are being driven by the Kauravas. Behold Droṇa and Karṇa, the great charioteers, engaged in the battle.
At midnight, behold the army of the Pandavas being crushed as a great bamboo grove is by two intoxicated elephants.
O Madhava, the Kauravas advanced, disregarding the strength of Bhimasena's arms and the remarkable skill in weapons of Partha.
Droṇa, Karṇa, and King Suyodhana, after defeating the demon in battle, are filled with joy and roar in the combat.
O Janardana, how did Hidimba meet his death at the hands of the charioteer's son while we were all still alive, including you?
The mighty Krishna, son of Bhimasena, killed the demon after he had insulted all of us in the presence of Arjuna.
When Abhimanyu was slain by the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, neither Krishna nor Arjuna, the mighty warrior, was present on the battlefield.
We were all restrained by the wicked Saindhava. There, Droṇa and his son became the cause of the action.
The teacher himself instructed the method of killing Karna, and he drew the sword and indeed split it into two with the sword.
In the midst of distress, Kritavarma, with cruelty, suddenly killed the horses and both the charioteers. Likewise, other great archers caused Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadra, to fall in battle.
Krishna was killed by Arjuna, the wielder of Gandiva, for a trivial reason. O best of the Yadavas, that act of killing Saindhava is not very pleasing to me.
If it is just for the Pāṇḍavas to kill their enemies, then Droṇa and Karṇa should be the first to be killed in battle; this is my opinion.
"These two are indeed the root of our sorrows, O best of men. In the battle, having encountered these two, Suyodhana felt reassured."
In the place where Droṇa and Karna with their followers were destined to be killed, the mighty-armed hero killed Jayadratha, who lived far away.
Certainly, I must subdue the son of a charioteer. Then, O hero, I will personally go with the intent to kill Karna. Bhimasena, the mighty-armed, is already engaged in battle with Drona's forces.
After speaking thus, Yudhishthira quickly departed in haste. He stretched his great bow and blew the conch, producing a terrifying sound.
Then Shikhandi, surrounded by a thousand chariots, hundreds of elephants, five thousand horses, and three thousand Prabhadrakas, swiftly followed the king from behind.
Then, the excited Panchalas and Pandavas, led by Yudhishthira, sounded the drums and blew the conches.
Then the mighty-armed Vasudeva said to Arjuna, "Yudhishthira is rushing in anger. It is not right to ignore his intent to kill Karna."
After speaking thus, Hṛṣīkeśa quickly urged the horses forward. Janārdana followed the king who had gone a long distance.
Vyasa, noticing Yudhishthira's sudden movement with the intent to kill the charioteer's son, and seeing him consumed by grief and burning like fire, approached him and spoke.
Having approached Karna in battle, Arjuna is fortunately still alive. The one desiring to kill Arjuna, indeed protected his power.
Arjuna, fortunately, did not engage in the duel, O best of the Bharatas. May these two rivals unleash all their divine weapons.
As the son of Sūta was being attacked and afflicted by weapons, he was sure to release the Vāsavī spear in the battle, O Yudhiṣṭhira.
Then, O best of the Bharatas, your terrible calamity will occur. Fortunately, the demon was slain in battle by the charioteer's son, O giver of honor.
Having made Indra's reason, he was eventually destroyed by time. Indeed, dear, because of your reason, the demon was slain in battle.
"Do not be angry, O best of the Bharatas, nor let your mind dwell in grief. This is the fate of all living beings here, O Yudhishthira."
O Bharata, accompanied by your brothers, all the kings, and great souls, engage in battle with the Kauravas. By the fifth day, the earth shall be yours.
"O noble Pandava, always reflect on your duties, compassion, austerity, charity, forgiveness, and truth, for these virtues define a righteous life."
Vyasa, greatly pleased, advised Pandava that where there is righteousness, there is victory. Having said this, he disappeared from there.
