he encountered the divine chief of the celestials himself.  The illustrious Arjuna, with his shafts baffled the pouring Indra.  Yakshas, and Nagas, and Daityas, and all others proud of their might, were slain by that foremost of men.  That also is known to thee.  On the occasion of the tale of cattle, the Gandharvas headed by Chitrasena and others were vanquished by him.  That firm bowman rescued you, while you were being carried away by those Gandharvas.  Nivatakavachas also, those enemies of the celestials, that were unslayable in battle by the celestials, themselves, were vanquished by that hero.  Thousands of Danavas dwelling in Hiranyapura, that tiger among men vanquished.  How can human beings then withstand him?  O monarch, thou hast seen with thy own eyes how this host of thine, although exerting themselves so heroically, hath been destroyed by the son of Pandu.’

“Sanjaya continued, ’Unto Drona who was thus applauding Arjuna, thy son, O king, angered thereat, once more said these words:  ’Myself and Duhsasana, and Karna, and my maternal uncle, Sakuni, dividing this Bharata host into two divisions (and taking one with us), shall to-day slay Arjuna in battle.’  ’Hearing these words of his, Bharadwaja’s son, laughing, sanctioned that speech of the king and said, ’Blessings to thee!  What Kshatriya is there that would slay that bull amongst Kshatriyas, that unslayable one, viz., the bearer of Gandiva, that hero blazing forth with energy?  Neither the Lord of treasures, nor Indra, nor Yama, nor the Asuras, the Uragas, and the Rakshasas can stay Arjuna armed with weapons.  Only they that are fools say such words as those thou hast said, O Bharata!  Who is there that would return home in safety, having encountered Arjuna in battle?  As regards thyself, thou art sinful and cruel and suspicious of everybody.  Even them that are employed in thy welfare, thou art ready to rebuke in this way.  Go thou against the son of Kunti, for withstanding him for thy own sake.  Thou art a well-born Kshatriya.  Thou seekest battle.  Why dost thou cause all these unoffending Kshatriyas to be slain?  Thou art the root of this hostility.  Therefore, go thou against Arjuna.  This thy maternal uncle is possessed of wisdom and observant of Kshatriya duties.  O son of Gandhari, let this one addicted to gambling proceed against Arjuna in battle.  This one, skilled in dice, wedded to deception, addicted to gambling, versed in cunning and imposture, this gambler conversant with the ways of deceiving, will vanquish the Pandavas in battle!  With Karna in thy company, thou hadst often joyfully boasted, from folly and emptiness of understanding, in the hearing of Dhritarashtra, saying, ’O sire, myself, and Karna, and my brother Duhsasana, these three, uniting together, will slay the sons of Pandu in battle.’  This thy boast was heard in every meeting of the court.  Accomplish thy vow, be truthful in speech, with them.  There thy mortal foe, the son of Pandu, is staying before thee.  Observe the duties of a Kshatriya.  Thy slaughter at the hands of Jaya would be worthy of every praise.  Thou hast practised charity.  Thou hast eaten (everything ever desired by thee).  Thou hast obtained wealth to the measure of thy wish.  Thou hast no debts.  Thou hast done all that one should do.  Do not fear.  Fight now with the son of Pandu.’  These words said, the battle commenced.’”