“Sanjaya said, ’Struck and wounded and overthrown from their vehicles and divested of armour and deprived of weapons and their beasts slain, with plaintive voices and burning with grief and vanquished by their foes, the vain Kauravas, entering their tents once more took counsel of one another.  They then looked like snakes deprived of fangs and poison trod upon by others.  Unto them, Karna, sighing like an angry snake, squeezing his hands, and eyeing thy son, said, “Arjuna is always careful, firm, possessed of skill, and endued with intelligence.  Again, when the time comes, Vasudeva awakes him (to what should be done).  Today, by that sudden shower of weapons we were deceived by him.  Tomorrow, however, O lord of Earth, I will frustrate all his purposes.”  Thus addressed by Karna, Duryodhana said, “So be it,” and then granted permission to those foremost of kings to retire.  Bidden by the king, all those rulers proceeded to their respective tents.  Having passed the night happily, they cheerfully went out for battle (the next day).  They then beheld an invincible array formed by king Yudhishthira the just, that foremost one of Kuru race, with great care, and according to the sanction of Brihaspati and Usanas.  Then that slayer of foes, Duryodhana, called to mind the heroic Karna, that counteractor of foes, that warrior with neck like that of a bull, equal to Purandara himself in battle, the Maruts in might, and Kartavirya in energy.  Indeed, the heart of the king turned towards Karna.  And the hearts of all the troops also turned to that hero, that Suta’s son, that mighty bowman, as one’s heart turns to a friend in a situation of great danger.’

“Dhritarashtra said, ’What did Duryodhana next do, O Suta, when the hearts of all of you turned towards Vikarna’s son Karna?  Did my troops cast their eyes on Radha’s son like persons afflicted with cold turning their gaze towards the Sun?  Upon the recommencement of the battle after the withdrawal of the troops, how, O Sanjaya, did Vikarna’s son Karna fight?  How also did all the Pandavas fight with the Suta’s son?  The mighty-armed Karna would, single-handed, slay the Parthas with the Srinjayas.  The might of Karna’s arms in battle equals that of Sakra or Vishnu.  His weapons are fierce, and the prowess also of that high-souled one is fierce.  Relying upon Karna, king Duryodhana had set his heart on battle.  Beholding Duryodhana deeply afflicted by the son of Pandu, and seeing also the sons of Pandu displaying great prowess, what did that mighty car-warrior, viz., Karna, do?  Alas, the foolish Duryodhana, relying on Karna, hopeth to vanquish the Parthas with their sons and Keshava in battle!  Alas, it is a matter of great grief that Karna could not, with his strength, overcome the sons of Pandu in fight!  Without doubt, Destiny is supreme.  Alas, the terrible end of that gambling match hath now come!  Alas, these heartrending sorrows, due to Duryodhana’s acts, many in number and like unto terrible darts, are now being borne