They were, besides, partial to Dhananjaya.  Still both those heroes were respected by me, O son of Radha, at thy word!  Viewing his relationship of grandsire unto them, the sons of Pandu, O sire, were spared in dreadful battle by Bhishma for ten successive days!  Thyself also having laid aside thy weapons, the valiant Bhishma was slain in great battle by Phalguni with Shikhandi before him!  After that great bowman had fallen and betaken himself to his bed of arrows, it was at thy word, O tiger among men, that Drona was made our leader!  By him also were the sons of Pritha spared, in consequence, as I think, of their relationship unto him of pupils.  That old man also has been slain by Dhrishtadyumna more speedily.  I do not see, even on reflection, another warrior equal to thee in battle,—­thee, that is, whose prowess could not be measured by even those two foremost of warriors that have been slain in the fight!  Without doubt, thou alone today art competent to win victory for us!  Before, in the middle, and later on, thou hast accordingly acted for our good.  Therefore, like a leader, it behoveth thee, in this battle, to bear the burden thyself.  Thyself install thy own self in the Generalship.  Like the celestial generalissimo, the lord Skanda of unfading prowess, (supporting the celestial army), do thou support this Dhartarashtra host!  Like Mahendra slaying the Danavas, destroy thou all the throngs of our foes!  Beholding thee staying in battle, the Pandavas, those mighty car-warriors, will, with the Pancalas, fly away from battle, like the Danavas at sight of Vishnu.  Do thou, therefore lead this vast force!  When thou shalt stand resolved on the field, the Pandavas of wicked hearts, the Pancalas, and the Srinjayas, will all fly away with their friends.  As the risen Sun, scorching everything by his energy, destroyeth the thick gloom, even so do thou destroy our foes!’”

“Sanjaya continued, ’Strong became that hope, O king, in the heart of thy son, viz., that where Bhishma and Drona had been slain, Karna would vanquish the Pandavas.  Cherishing that hope within his heart, he said unto Karna, “O Suta’s son, Partha never wishes to fight, standing before thee!” Karna said, “I have, O son of Gandhari, said before in thy presence, even these words, vanquish all the Pandavas with their sons and Janardana!’ I shall become thy General.  In this there is no doubt.  Tranquilise thyself, O monarch I Consider the Pandavas to be already vanquished!’”

“Sanjaya continued, ’Thus addressed, O monarch, king Duryodhana then stood up with all the monarchs, like He of a hundred sacrifices with the gods, for honouring Karna with the command of the army, like the celestials for honouring Skanda.  Then, O monarch, all the kings headed by Duryodhana, desirous of victory, installed Karna in the command, according to the rites enjoined by the ordinance.  With golden and earthen jars filled to the brim with water and sanctified with mantras, with tusks of elephants and