’Having been thus addressed by Bhishma, Dhritarashtra’s son the king, laughed a good deal, and then suddenly sailed out with the son of Suvala. thereupon, knowing that he was gone, those mighty bowmen with Karna, and Dussasana at their head, followed the highly powerful son of Dhritarashtra.  And seeing them gone, Bhishma, the grandfather of the Kurus, hung down his head from shame, and then, O king, went to his own quarters.  And, O mighty monarch, when Bhishma had left, that lord of men, Dhritarashtra’s son came there again, and began to consult with his counsellors, ’What is it that is good for me?  What remaineth to be done?  And how we can most effectively bring about the good we shall discuss to-day.’  Karna said, ’O Kuru’s son, Duryodhana, do thou lay to heart tie words that I say.  Bhishma always blameth us, and praiseth the Pandavas.  And from the ill-will he beareth towards thee, he hateth me also.  And, O lord of men, in thy presence he ever crieth me down.  I shall never, O Bharata, bear these words that Bhishma had said in thy presence in relation to this matter, extolling the Pandavas, and censuring thee, O represser of foes!  Do thou, O king, enjoin on me, together with servants, forces, and cars.  I shall, O monarch, conquer the earth furnished with mountains and woods and forests.  The earth had been conquered by the four powerful Pandavas.  I shall, without doubt, conquer it for thee single-handed.  Let that wretch of the Kuru race, the exceedingly wicked-minded Bhishma, see it,—­he who vilifies those that do not deserve censure, and praises those that should not be praised.  Let him this day witness my might, and blame himself.  Do thou, O king, command me.  Victory shall surely be thine.  By my weapon, O monarch, I swear this before thee.’

“O king, O bull of the Bharata race, hearing those words of Karna, that lord of men, experiencing the highest delight, spoke unto Karna, saying, ’I am blessed.  I have been favoured by thee,—­since thou, endued with great strength, art ever intent on my welfare.  My life hath borne fruit, to-day.  As thou, O hero, intendest to subdue all our enemies, repair thou.  May good betide thee!  Do thou command me (what I am to do),’ O subduer of foes, having been thus addressed by Dhritarashtra’s intelligent son, Karna ordered all the necessaries for the excursion.  And on an auspicious lunar day, at an auspicious moment, and under the influence of a star presided over by an auspicious deity, that mighty bowman, having been honoured by twice-born ones, and been bathed with auspicious and holy substances and also worshipped by speech set out, filling with the rattle of his car the three worlds, with their mobile and immobile objects.”

SECTION CCLII