without indulging in brag is the duty of good men.  Ever roaring aloud, O Suta’s son like the dry clouds of autumn, thou showest thyself, O Karna to be without substance.  The king, however, does not understand it.  Thou roarest, O son of Radha, as long as thou seest not the son of Pritha.  These thy roars disappear when thou seest Partha near.  Indeed, thou roarest as long as thou art out of the range of Phalguna’s shafts.  Those roars of thine disappear when thou art pierced with Partha’s shafts.  Kshatriyas evince their eminence by means of their arms; Brahmanas, by means of speech; Arjuna evinces his by means of the bow; but Karna, by the castles he builds in the air.  Who is there that will resist that Partha who gratified Rudra himself (in battle)?’ Thus railed at by Saradwat’s son, Karna, that foremost of smiters, answered Kripa in the following strain, ’Heroes always roar like clouds in the season of rains, and like steeds put in the soil, quickly yield fruits.  I do not see any fault in heroes that take great burdens on their shoulders, indulging in boastful speeches on the field of battle.  When a person mentally resolves to bear a burden, Destiny itself aids him in the execution.  Wishing in my heart bear a great burden, I always summon sufficient resolution.  If, slaying the sons of Pandu with Krishna and Satwatas in battle, I indulge in such roars, what is it to thee, O Brahmana?  They that are heroes never roar fruitlessly like autumnal clouds.  Conscious of their own might, the wise indulge in roars!  In my heart I am determined to vanquish in battle today Krishna and Partha united together and fighting with resolution!  It is for this that I roar, O son of Gotama!  Behold the fruit of these my roars, O Brahmana!  Slaying the son of Pandu in battle, with all their followers, Krishna and Satwatas, I will bestow on Duryodhana the whole earth without a thorn in it.’

“Kripa said, ’Little do I reckon, O Suta’s son, these delirious saying of thine discovering thy thoughts, not deeds.  Thou always speakest in depreciation of the two Krishnas and king Yudhishthira the just.  He, O Karna, is certain, to have the victory who hath on his side those two heroes skilled in battle.  Indeed, Krishna and Arjuna are incapable of being defeated by the celestials, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, human beings, the Nagas, and the birds, all clad in mail.  Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma is devoted to the Brahmanas.  He is truthful in speech and self-restrained.  He reverences the Pitris and the deities.  He is devoted to the practice of truth and righteousness.  He is, again, skilled in weapons.  Possessed of great intelligence, he is also grateful.  His brothers are all endued with great might and well-practised in all weapons.  They are devoted to the service of their seniors.  Possessed of wisdom and fame, they are also righteous in their practices.  Their kinsmen and relatives are all endued with the prowess of Indra.  Effectual smiters, they are all exceedingly devoted to the Pandavas.