twilight, he caused the troops to be withdrawn.  Having caused the withdrawal of their troops, and having entered their own encampment, the Kauravas held with one another a consultation about their own welfare, seated like the celestials on costly couches overlaid with rich coverlets, and on excellent seats and luxurious beds.  Then king Duryodhana, addressing those mighty bowmen in agreeable and highly sweet expression, spoke the following words suited to the occasion.

“’Duryodhana said, “Ye foremost of intelligent men, declare all of you, without delay, your opinions!  Under these circumstances, ye kings, what is necessary and what is still more necessary?’”

“Sanjaya continued, ’When that prince of men had spoken those words, those lions among men, seated on their thrones, made various gestures expressive of their desire of battle.  Observing the indications of those who were all desirous of pouring their lives as libations on the battle-fire, and beholding the monarch’s face radiant as morning Sun, the preceptor’s son endued with intelligence and accomplished in speech, said these words:  “Enthusiasm, opportunity, skill and policy,—­these are the means declared by the learned, to be capable of accomplishing all ends.  They are, however, dependent on destiny.  Those foremost of men we had on our side, equal unto the celestials, mighty car-warriors all, possessed of policy, devoted, accomplished, and loyal, have been slain.  For all that we should not despair of victory.  If all these means be properly applied, even destiny may be made propitious.  All of us, therefore, O Bharata, shall install Karna, that foremost of men, endued besides with every accomplishment, in the command of the army!  Making Karna our commander, we shall crush our foes.  This Karna is endued with great might; he is a hero, accomplished in weapons, and incapable of defeat in battle.  Irresistible as Yama himself, he is quite competent to vanquish our foes in battle!” Hearing these words from the preceptor’s son, O king, at that time, built great hopes on Karna.  Cherishing the hope in his heart that after the fall of Bhishma and Drona, Karna would vanquish the Pandavas, and comforted (by it), O Bharata, Duryodhana then, filled with joy at having heard those words of Ashvatthama, steadying his mind and relying on the might of his arms, said unto Radha’s son, O monarch, these words that were fraught with affection and regard, and that were true, delightful, and beneficial to himself:  “O Karna, I know thy prowess, and the great friendship thou bearest to me!  For all that, O mighty-armed one, I shall address the certain words that are for my good!  Having heard them, O hero, do that which may appear desirable to thee!  Thou art endued with great wisdom, and thou art even my supreme refuge!  Those two Atirathas that were my Generals, viz., Bhishma and Drona, have been slain.  Be thou my General, thou that art mightier than they!  Both of those great bowmen were advanced in years.