“Vasudeva said, ’I behold Karna, O son of Kunti, that tiger among men, that warrior of superhuman prowess, careering in battle like the chief of the celestials himself.  O Dhananjaya, there is none else capable of advancing against him in battle, save thee, O tiger among men, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha.  I do not, however, O sinless one, regard the time to have come, O mighty-armed one, for thee to encounter the Suta’s son in battle.  The blazing dart, resembling a mighty meteor, given him by Vasava, is still with him, O thou of mighty arms, kept for thee with care, by the Suta’s son.  He keepeth that dart by him, and hath now assumed a terrible form.  As regards Ghatotkacha, he is always devoted to you and desirous of your good.  Let the mighty Ghatotkacha proceed against the son of Radha.  Endued with the prowess of a celestial, he has been begotten by the mighty Bhima.  With him are celestial weapons as also those used by Rakshasa.  The latter soon came before him, clad in mail, and armed, O king, with sword arrow, and bow.  Saluting Krishna and also Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, he proudly said, ‘Here I am, command me.’  Then he of Dasarha’s race, addressed Hidimva’s son, that Rakshasa of blazing mouth and fiery eyes and body of the hue of clouds, and said these words, ’Listen, O Ghatotkacha, attend to what I say.  The time is come for the display of thy prowess, and not of anybody else.  Be thou the raft in this battle to the sinking Pandavas.  Thou hast diverse weapons, and many kinds of Rakshasa illusion.  Behold, O son of Hidimva, the army of the Pandavas is being beaten by Karna on the field of battle, like a herd of kine by the herdsman.  Yonder, the mighty bowman Karna, endued with great intelligence and steady prowess, is scorching the foremost of Kshatriyas among the divisions of the Pandava host.  Afflicted by his fiery arrows, the Pandava warriors are incapable of standing in front of that firm bowman who is shooting showers of mighty shafts.  Afflicted at dead of night by the Suta’s son with his arrowy showers, the Panchalas are flying away like a herd of deer afflicted by a loin.  Except thee, O thou of terrible prowess, there is none else that can withstand the Suta’s son who is thus engaged in battle.  Aided by thy energy and might, do thou, O mighty-armed one, accomplish that which is worthy of thy own self, of thy maternal race, and of thy sires.  It is even for this, O son of Hidimva, that men desire children, viz., for being rescued from difficulties.  Do thou now rescue thy kinsmen.  O Ghatotkacha, sires desire sons for achieving their own objects.  Children, those sources of good, are expected to rescue their sires both here and hereafter.  Illustrious thou art, and thy might in battle is terrible and unrivalled, while contending in battle, there is none equal to thee.  O scorcher of foes, be thou the means by which the Pandavas who are routed by Karna with his shafts this night, and who are now sinking in the Dhartarashtra ocean, may safely reach the shore.  At night, Rakshasas, again, become endued with unlimited prowess, great might, and great courage.  They become (at such an hour) warriors of great valour and incapable of defeat.  Slay Karna in battle, at this dead of night, aided by thy illusions.  The Parthas, with Dhrishtadyumna, will dispose of Drona.’