08.069
Pancharatra and Core: Then, the great warriors, filled with joy, praised the king, who was surrounded by all his brothers including Bhima.
Sanjaya said:
With Karna defeated and your army in retreat, Krishna joyfully embraced Arjuna and spoke.
O Dhananjaya, Vritra was slain by the mighty Karna. People will indeed speak of the slaying by Karna and Vritra.
Vritra was slain in battle by Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, with great prowess. However, Karna was slain by you with sharp arrows from your bow.
We offer this renowned valor of yours, celebrated in the world, to the wise Dharmaraja, O son of Kunti.
You will inform Yudhishthira about the long-desired killing of Karna in battle, and you will attain freedom from debt.
Upon Pārtha's words, Keśava, the foremost among the Yadus, calmly turned the excellent chariot around.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Yudhāmanyu, the sons of Mādrī, Vṛkodara, Yuyudhāna, and Govinda spoke these words.
Stand facing the enemies with attention. May you be safe until the king is informed that Karṇa has indeed been killed by Arjuna.
Permitted by the heroes, he went to the royal palace. Krishna, having taken Arjuna, saw Yudhishthira.
The two joyfully held the feet of the king who was lying on the best golden bed, like a tiger among kings.
Yudhishthira, observing the joy and the superhuman attacks, and thinking that Radheya had been slain, rose up.
Then Vasudeva, known for his sweet speech, narrated to him the events as they happened, including the death of Karna, who was cherished by the Yadus.
Krishna, slightly smiling, addressed King Yudhishthira, whose enemies have been defeated, with folded hands, then Acyuta spoke.
By good fortune, Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow, and Bhima, known as Vrikodara, are well. You too, O king, and the sons of Madri, Nakula and Sahadeva, are in good health.
O king, having been released from the destruction of heroes and the thrilling battle, quickly attend to the tasks for the future.
The cruel and mighty Karna, son of a charioteer, has been slain. Fortuitously, you are victorious, O king, and you thrive, O son of Pandu.
The vile man who once laughed at Draupadi after winning her in a game of dice, today the earth drinks his blood, the blood of the charioteer's son.
He lies there, your enemy, with limbs pierced by arrows, O best of the Kurus. Behold him, O tiger among men, pierced in many ways by arrows.
Yudhishthira, filled with joy, welcomed Dasharha warmly. He expressed his happiness by saying, "Fortunately, fortunately," to the king with affection.
It is not surprising, O mighty-armed Krishna, that Arjuna, with you as his charioteer, would perform a heroic act today.
The best of the Kurus, having grasped his right arm adorned with an armlet, spoke to both Krishna and Arjuna, the upholders of dharma and sons of Pritha.
Narada indeed mentioned that the gods Nara and Narayana are engaged in establishing righteousness, being the ancient and supreme among men.
The wise Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, repeatedly and also, narrated this divine story of mine, O mighty-armed one.
Due to your influence, Krishna, Arjuna, wielding the Gandiva bow, conquers his enemies and is never defeated in battle.
"Victory is assured for us, not defeat, when you take up the role of Arjuna's charioteer in battle."
Having spoken thus, O great king, the great chariot adorned with gold and yoked with ivory-colored horses with black manes was ready.
The tiger among men, having relied on his own strength and surrounded by the heroic Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, then approved what was dear to him.
Then, having arrived to witness the many events and the battle, those two heroes, Madhava and Phalguna, spoke to each other.
He saw Karṇa, the great warrior, lying on the battlefield, completely shattered by the arrows shot from Arjuna's bow, the Gandiva.
Upon witnessing the death of Karṇa and his son, King Yudhiṣṭhira lauded both Mādhava and Pāṇḍava, who were like tigers among men.
Today, O Govinda, I am a king on earth, together with my brothers, protected by you, the lord, the hero, and the wise one.
Upon witnessing the fall of the proud Radheya, the formidable warrior, today Dhritarashtra's son will be plunged into despair. With Karna, the great charioteer, slain, he loses both his life and his kingdom.
By your grace, we have achieved success, O best of men. You, the wielder of the Gandiva bow, have emerged victorious, O joy of the Yadus. It is fortunate that you have conquered, O Govinda, and that Karna has been slain.
Thus, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, being pleased, praised Janardana and Arjuna many times, O king.
Then, the great warriors, filled with joy, praised the king, who was surrounded by all his brothers including Bhima.
Nakula, Sahadeva, Pandava, and Vrikodara, along with Satyaki, are the foremost warriors of the Vrishnis, O great king.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍī, along with the Pāṇḍavas, Pāñcālas, and Sṛñjayas, paid homage to the son of Kunti after the son of Sūta was killed.
They elevated King Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, who were conquerors of Kashi, had achieved their goals, and were skilled in battle and striking.
Praising Krishna, the scorcher of foes, with hymns and words, the great charioteers went to their own camp with joy.
Thus, this great and terrifying destruction has occurred due to your poor counsel. O king, why do you lament over what is past?
Vaishampayana said:
Upon hearing the distressing news, King Dhritarashtra, overwhelmed with grief, collapsed to the ground, motionless. Likewise, Queen Gandhari, known for her virtue, was deeply affected.
Vidura and Sanjaya welcomed the king and together they consoled him.
The royal women then helped Gandhari to stand. The king, comforted by them, remained silent and in a state of shock.
