the night!” Hearing these words, both Gandhari and Dhritarashtra said unto Keshava that slayer of Keshi, these words:  “Go, quickly, O mighty-armed one, protect the Pandavas!  Let me soon meet thee again, O Janardana!” Then Keshava of unfading glory proceeded with Daruka.  After Vasudeva had departed, O king, Vyasa, that adored of the whole world, of inconceivable soul, began to comfort king Dhritarashtra.  The righteous-souled Vasudeva departed, having achieved his mission successfully, from Hastinapura, for seeing the camp and the Pandavas.  Arrived at the camp, he proceeded to the presence of the Pandavas.  Telling them everything (about his mission to the city), he took his seat with them.”

64

“Dhritarashtra said, ’Kicked at the head, his thighs broken, prostrated on the ground, exceedingly proud, what, O Sanjaya, did my son then say?  King Duryodhana was exceedingly wrathful and his hostility to the sons of Pandu was deep-rooted.  When therefore this great calamity overtook him, what did he next say on the field?’

“Sanjaya said, ’Listen to me, O monarch, as I describe to thee what happened.  Listen, O king, to what Duryodhana said when overtaken by calamity.  With his thighs broken, the king, O monarch, covered with dust, gathered his flowing locks, casting his eyes on all sides.  Having with difficulty gathered his locks, he began to sigh like a snake.  Filled with rage and with tears flowing fast from his eyes, he looked at me.  He struck his arms against the Earth for a while like an infuriated elephant.  Shaking his loose locks, and gnashing his teeth, he began to censure the eldest son of Pandu.  Breathing heavily, he then addressed me, saying, “Alas, I who had Santanu’s son Bhishma for my protector, and Karna, that foremost of all wielders of weapons and Gotama’s son, Shakuni, and Drona, that first of all wielders of arms, and Ashvatthama, and the heroic Shalya, and Kritavarma, alas, even I have come to this plight!  It seems that Time is irresistible!  I was the lord of eleven Chamus of troops and yet I have come to this plight!  O mighty-armed one, no one can rise superior to Time!  Those of my side that have escaped with life from this battle should be informed, how I have been struck down by Bhimasena in contravention of the rules of fair fight!  Many have been the very unfair and sinful acts that have been perpetrated towards Bhurishrava, and Bhishma, and Drona of great prosperity!  This is another very infamous act that the cruel Pandavas have perpetrated, for which, I am certain, they will incur the condemnation of all righteous men!  What pleasure can a righteously disposed person enjoy at having gained a victory by unfair acts?  What wise man, again, is there that would accord his approbation to a person contravening the rules of fairness?  What learned man is there that would rejoice after having won victory by unrighteousness as that sinful wretch, Vrikodara the son of Pandu, rejoices?  What can be more amazing than this,