And Drona stood, surrounded by the five brothers, the sons of Pritha, and looked like the moon in conjunction with the five-starred constellation Hasta.  And Duryodhana, that slayer of foes, stood up in haste and was surrounded by his century of haughty brothers with Aswatthaman amongst them.  And that prince, mace in hand, thus surrounded by his hundred brothers with uplifted weapons appeared like Purandara in days of yore, encircled by the celestial host on the occasion of the battle with the Danavas.’”

SECTION CXXXVIII

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana continued, ’When the spectators, with eyes expanded with wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities, Karna, that hero with his natural mail and face brightened with ear-rings, took up his bow and girded on his sword, and then entered the spacious lists, like a walking cliff.  That far-famed destroyer of hostile hosts, the large-eyed Karna, was born of Pritha in her maidenhood.  He was a portion of the hot-beamed Sun and his energy and prowess were like unto those of the lion, or the bull, or the leader of a herd of elephants.  In splendour he resembled the Sun, in loveliness the Moon, and in energy the fire.  Begotten by the Sun himself, he was tall in stature like a golden palm tree, and, endued with the vigour of youth, he was capable of slaying a lion.  Handsome in features, he was possessed of countless accomplishments.  The mighty-armed warrior, eyeing all around the arena, bowed indifferently to Drona and Kripa.  And the entire assembly, motionless and with steadfast gaze, thought, ‘Who is he?’ And they became agitated in their curiosity to know the warrior.  And that foremost of eloquent men, the offspring of the Sun, in a voice deep as that of the clouds, addressed his unknown brother, the son of the subduer of the Asura, Paka (Indra), saying, ’O Partha, I shall perform feats before this gazing multitude; excelling all thou hast performed!  Beholding them, thou shall be amazed.’  And, O thou best of those blest with speech, he had hardly done when the spectators stood up all at once, uplifted by some instrument, as it were.  And, O tiger among men, Duryodhana was filled with delight, while Vibhatsu was instantly all abashment and anger.  Then with the permission of Drona, the mighty Karna, delighting in battle, there did all that Partha had done before.  And, O Bharata, Duryodhana with his brothers thereupon embraced Karna in joy and then addressed him saying, ’Welcome O mighty-armed warrior!  I have obtained thee by good fortune, O polite one!  Live thou as thou pleasest, and command me, and the kingdom of the Kurus.’  Kama replied, ’When thou hast said it, I regard it as already accomplished.  I only long for thy friendship.  And, O lord, my wish is even for a single combat with Arjuna.’  Duryodhana said, ’Do thou with me enjoy the good things of life!  Be thou the benefactor of thy friend, and, O represser of enemies, place thou thy feet on the heads of all foes.”