’I pray to thee, O bull of the Kshatriya race, let not the Kshatriyas, old in learning and old in years, perish miserably, O Janardana, for thy sake.  Oh, let this swelling host of Kshatriyas perish by means of weapons on that most sacred of all spots in the three worlds, viz.  Kurukshetra, O Kesava.  O thou of eyes like lotus-leaves, accomplish on this spot what thou hast in thy mind, so that, O thou of Vrishni’s race, the whole Kshatriya order may attain to heaven.  As long, O Janardana, as the hills and the rivers will last, so long will the fame of these achievements last.  The Brahmanas will recite this great war of the Bharatas.  The fame, O thou of Vrishni’s race, that they achieve in battles is the wealth that Kshatriyas own.  O Kesava, bring Kunti’s son (Arjuna) before me for battle, keeping for ever this our discourse a secret, O chastiser of foes.’”

SECTION CXLII

“Sanjaya said, ’Hearing these words of Karna, Kesava, that slayer of hostile heroes, spoke unto him these words smilingly, ’Do not the means of winning an empire recommend themselves to thee.  O Karna?  Wishest thou not to rule over the whole earth given by me to thee?  The victory of the Pandavas, therefore, is very certain.  There seems to be no doubt in this.  The triumphal banner of Pandu’s son, with the fierce ape on it, seems to be already set up.  The divine artificer, Bhaumana, hath applied such celestial illusion (in its construction) that it standeth high, displayed like Indra’s banner.  Various celestial creatures of terrific shape, indicating victory, are seen on that standard.  Extending for a yojana upwards and all around, that beautiful standard of Arjuna, resembling fire in radiance, is never, O Karna, when set up, obstructed by hills or trees.  When thou wilt behold in battle Arjuna, on his car drawn by white steeds and driven by Krishna, applying Aindra, Agneya and Maruta weapons, and when thou wilt hear the twang of Gandiva piercing the welkin like the very thunder, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara ages will disappear (but, instead, Kali embodied will be present).  When thou wilt behold in battle Kunti’s son, invincible Yudhishthira, devoted to Yapa and Homa and resembling the very sun in brilliance, protecting his own mighty army and burning the army of his foes, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara ages will disappear.  When thou wilt behold in battle the mighty Bhimasena dancing, after having quaffed the blood of Dussasana, like a fierce elephant with rent temples after having killed a mighty antagonist, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara ages will disappear.  When thou wilt behold in battle Arjuna checking Drona and Santanu’s son and Kripa and king Suyodhana, and Jayadratha of Sindhu’s race, all rushing fiercely to the encounter, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta and the Dwapara ages will disappear.  When thou wilt behold in battle