Drona hath been born in a waterpot and Kripa of the race of Gotama hath sprung from a clump of heath.  Your own births, ye Pandava princes, are known to me.  Can a she-deer bring forth a tiger (like Karna), of the splendour of the Sun, and endued with every auspicious mark, and born also with a natural mail and ear-rings?  This prince among men deserveth the sovereignty of the world, not of Anga only, in consequence of the might of his arm and my swearing to obey him in everything.  If there be anybody here to whom all that I have done unto Karna hath become intolerable, let him ascend his chariot and bend his bow with the help of his feet.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Then there arose a confused murmur amongst the spectators approving of Duryodhana’s speech.  The sun, however, went down, but prince Duryodhana taking Karna’s hand led him out of the arena lighted with countless lamps.  And, O king, the Pandavas also, accompanied by Drona and Kripa and Bhishma, returned to their abodes.  And the people, too, came away, some naming Arjuna, some Karna, and some Duryodhana (as the victor of the day).  And Kunti, recognising her son in Karna by the various auspicious marks on his person and beholding him installed in the sovereignty of Anga, was from motherly affection, very pleased.  And Duryodhana, O monarch, having obtained Karna (in this way), banished his fears arising out of Arjuna’s proficiency in arms.  And the heroic Karna, accomplished in arms, began to gratify Duryodhana by sweet speeches, while Yudhishthira was impressed with the belief that there was no warrior on earth like unto Karna.’”

SECTION CXL

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Beholding the Pandavas and the son of Dhritarashtra accomplished in arms, Drona thought the time had come when he could demand the preceptorial fee.  And, O king, assembling his pupils one day together, the preceptor Drona asked of them the fee, saying, ’Seize Drupada, the king of Panchala in battle and bring him unto me.  That shall be the most acceptable fee.’  Those warriors then answering, ‘So be it’, speedily mounted up on their chariots, and for bestowing upon their preceptor the fee he had demanded, marched out, accompanied by him.  Those bulls among men, smiting the Panchalas on their way, laid siege to the capital of the great Drupada.  And Duryodhana and Karna and the mighty Yuyutsu, and Duhsasana and Vikarna and Jalasandha and Sulochana,—­these and many other foremost of Kshatriya princes of great prowess, vied with one another in becoming the foremost in the attack.  And the princes, riding in first class chariots and following the cavalry, entered the hostile capital, and proceeded along the streets.

“Meanwhile, the king of Panchala, beholding that mighty force and hearing its loud clamour, came out of his palace, accompanied by his brothers.  Though king Yajnasena was well-armed, the Kuru army assailed him with a shower of arrows, uttering their war-cry.  Yajnasena, however, not easy to be subdued in battle, approaching the Kurus upon his white chariot, began to rain his fierce arrows around.