that Karna of mighty energy had been slain by Dhananjaya, his armour, ornaments, robes, and weapons having all been displaced, fled in fear like a herd of kine afflicted with exceeding fear at losing its bull.  Bhima then, uttering loud roars and causing the welkin to tremble with those awful and tremendous shouts, began to slap his armpits, jump, and dance, frightening the Dhartarashtras by those movements.  The Somakas and the Srinjayas also loudly blew their conchs.  All the Kshatriyas embraced one another in joy, upon beholding the Suta’s son slain at that juncture.  Having fought a dreadful battle, Karna was slain by Arjuna like an elephant by a lion.  That bull among men, Arjuna, thus accomplished his vow.  Indeed even thus, Partha reached the end of his hostility (towards Karna).  The ruler of the Madras, with stupefied heart, quickly proceeding, O king, to the side of Duryodhana, on that car divested of standard said in sorrow these words, “The elephants, the steeds, and the foremost of car-warriors of thy army have been slain.  In consequence of those mighty warriors, and steeds, and elephants huge as hills, having been slain after coming into contact with one another, thy host looks like the domains of Yama.  Never before, O Bharata, has a battle been fought like that between Karna and Arjuna today.  Karna had powerfully assailed the two Krishnas today and all others who are thy foes.  Destiny, however, has certainly flowed, controlled by Partha.  It is for this that Destiny is protecting the Pandavas and weakening us.  Many are the heroes who, resolved to accomplish thy objects have been forcibly slain by the enemy.  Brave kings, who in energy, courage, and might, were equal to Kuvera or Yama or Vasava or the Lord of the waters, who were possessed of every merit, who were almost unslayable, and who were desirous of achieving thy object, have in battle been slain by the Pandavas.  Do not, O Bharata, grieve for this.  This is Destiny.  Comfort thyself.  Success cannot be always attained.”  Hearing these words of the ruler of the Madras and reflecting on his own evil doings.  Duryodhana, with a cheerless heart, became almost deprived of his senses and sighed repeatedly the very picture of woe.’”

93

“Dhritarashtra said, ’What was the aspect of the Kuru and the Srinjaya host on that awful day while it was crushed with arrows and scorched (with weapons) in that encounter between Karna and Arjuna and while it was flying away from the field?’

“Sanjaya said, ’Hear, O king, with attention how that awful and great carnage of human beings and elephants and steeds occurred in battle.  When, after Karna’s fall Partha uttered leonine shouts, a great fright entered the hearts of thy sons.  Upon the fall of Karna no warrior of thy army set his heart on rallying the troops or putting forth his prowess.  Their refuge having been destroyed by Arjuna, they were then like raftless merchants, whose vessels have wrecked on the fathomless ocean, desirous