are contending earnestly in battle.  Behold, the Pandava host crushed at dead of night, like an extensive forest of heath by a couple of infuriated elephants.  Disregarding the might of Bhimasena’s son, as also the variety of weapon that Partha bears, the Kauravas are putting forth their prowess, Yonder, Drona and Karna and king Suyodhana, having slain the Rakshasa in battle, are uttering loud roars.  How, O Janardana, when we are alive and thyself too, could Hidimva’s son be slain while engaged with the Suta’s son?  Having caused a great slaughter amongst us, and in the very sight of Savyasachin, Karna, O Krishna, hath slain Bhimasena’s son of great strength, the Rakshasa, Ghatotkacha.  When Abhimanyu was slain by the wicked Dhartarashtras, the mighty car-warrior Savyasachin, O Krishna, was not present in that battle.  We also were all held in check by the illustrious ruler of the Sindhus.  Drona, with his son (Aswatthaman), became the cause of that act.  The preceptor himself told Karna the means of Abhimanyu’s slaughter.  While Abhimanyu was battling with the sword it was the preceptor himself that cut off that weapon.  And while fallen into such distress, Kritavarman most cruelly slew the steeds and the two Parshni drivers (of the boy).  Other great bowmen then despatched the son of Subhadra.  For a little offence, O Krishna, was the ruler of the Sindhus slain by the wielder of Gandiva.  O foremost one among the Yadavas, that act did not give me great joy.  If the slaughter of foes is just and should be achieved by the Pandavas, then Drona and Karna should have been slain before this.  This is what I think.  O bull among men, those two are the root of our woes.  Obtaining those two (as his allies) in battle, Suyodhana has become confident.  Indeed, when it was Drona that should have been slain or the Suta’s son with his followers, the mighty-armed Dhananjaya slew the Sindhu king whose connection with the affair was very remote.  The punishment of the Suta’s son should certainly by undertaken by me.  I shall, therefore, O hero, now fight for slaying the Suta’s son.  The mighty-armed Bhimasena is now engaged with Drona’s division.’  Having said these words, Yudhishthira quickly proceeded against Karna, holding his formidable bow and blowing his conch fiercely.  Then, surrounded by a Panchala and Prabhadraka force of a thousand cars, three hundred elephants and five thousand horses,

Sikhandin speedily followed in the wake of the king.  Then the mail-clad Panchalas and the Pandavas headed by Yudhishthira beat their drums and blew their conchs.  At this time Vasudeva of mighty arms, addressing Dhananjaya said, ’Filled with wrath, yonder proceedeth Yudhishthira with great speed from desire of slaying the Suta’s son.  It is not proper that thou shouldst rely upon him in this.’  Having said these words, Hrishikesa quickly urged the steeds.  Indeed, Janardana followed in the wake of the king who was now at a distance.  At that time, seeing Dharma’s son, Yudhishthira, whose mind was afflicted by grief and who seemed to be scorched as if by fire, rush with speed from desire of slaying the Suta’s son, Vyasa approached him and said these words.’[240]