Drona Parwa 2

Dronabhisheka Parva

 

Mahabharata 7.2 - Drona Parwa 2

 

1 [स]           

हतं भीष्मम आधिरथिर विदित्वा; भिन्नां नावम इवात्यगाधे कुरूणाम           

सॊदर्यवद वयसनात सूतपुत्रः; संतारयिष्यंस तव पुत्रस्य सेनाम       

2 शरुत्वा तु कर्णः पुरुषेन्द्रम अच्युतं; निपातितं शांतनवं महारथम           

अथॊपायात तूर्णम अमित्रकर्शनॊ; धनुर्धराणां परवरस तदा वृषः       

3 हते तु भीष्मे रथसत्तमे परैर; निमज्जतीं नावम इवार्णवे कुरून           

पितेव पुत्रांस तवरितॊ ऽभययात ततः; संतारयिष्यंस तव पुत्रस्य सेनाम

 

 1 [s]           

hataṃ bhīṣmam ādhirathir viditvā; bhinnāṃ nāvam ivātyagādhe kurūṇām           

sodaryavad vyasanāt sūtaputraḥ; saṃtārayiṣyaṃs tava putrasya senām       

2 śrutvā tu karṇaḥ puruṣendram acyutaṃ; nipātitaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ mahāratham           

athopāyāt tūrṇam amitrakarśano; dhanurdharāṇāṃ pravaras tadā vṛṣaḥ       

3 hate tu bhīṣme rathasattame parair; nimajjatīṃ nāvam ivārṇave kurūn           

piteva putrāṃs tvarito 'bhyayāt tataḥ; saṃtārayiṣyaṃs tava putrasya senām

 

Sanjaya said, 'Then Adhiratha's son of the Suta caste, knowing that Bhishma had been slain, became desirous of rescuing, like a brother, thy son's army from the distress into which it had fallen, and which then resembled a boat sunk in the fathomless ocean. [Indeed], O king, having heard that that mighty car-warrior and foremost of men, that hero of unfading glory, viz., Santanu's son, had been thrown down (from his car), that grinder of foes, that foremost of all wielders of bows, viz., Karna, soon came (to the field of battle). When the best of car-warriors, viz., Bhishma, was slain by the foe, Karna speedily came there, desirous of rescuing the Kuru host which resembled a boat sunk in the ocean, like a sire desirous of rescuing his children.'

 

 4 [कर्ण]          

 यस्मिन धृतिर बुद्धिपराक्रमौजॊ; दमः सत्यं वीर गणाश च सर्वे           

अस्त्राणि दिव्यान्य अथ संनतिर हरीर; परिया च वाग अनपायीनि भीष्मे       

5 बरह्म दविषघ्ने सततं कृतज्ञे; सनातनं चन्द्रमसीव लक्ष्म           

स चेत परशान्तः परवीर हन्ता; मन्ये हतान एव हि सर्वयॊधान       

6 नेह धरुवं किं चन जातु विद्यते; अस्मिँल लॊके कर्मणॊ ऽनित्य यॊगात          

 सूर्यॊदये कॊ हि विमुक्तसंशयॊ; भावं कुर्वीताद्य महाव्रते हते       

7 वसु परभावे वसु वीर्यसंभवे; गते वसून एव वसुंधराधिपे           

वसूनि पुत्रांश च वसुंधरां तथा; कुरूंश च शॊचध्वम इमां च वाहिनीम

 

 4 [karṇa]           

yasmin dhṛtir buddhiparākramaujo; damaḥ satyaṃ vīra gaṇāś ca sarve           

astrāṇi divyāny atha saṃnatir hrīr; priyā ca vāg anapāyīni bhīṣme       

5 brahma dviṣaghne satataṃ kṛtajñe; sanātanaṃ candramasīva lakṣma           

sa cet praśāntaḥ paravīra hantā; manye hatān eva hi sarvayodhān       

6 neha dhruvaṃ kiṃ cana jātu vidyate; asmiṁl loke karmaṇo 'nitya yogāt          

 sūryodaye ko hi vimuktasaṃśayo; bhāvaṃ kurvītādya mahāvrate hate       

7 vasu prabhāve vasu vīryasaṃbhave; gate vasūn eva vasuṃdharādhipe           

vasūni putrāṃś ca vasuṃdharāṃ tathā; kurūṃś ca śocadhvam imāṃ ca vāhinīm

 

And Karna (addressing the soldiers) said, 'That Bhishma who possessed firmness, intelligence, prowess, vigour, truth, self-restraint, and all the virtues of a hero, as also celestial weapons, and humidity, and modesty, agreeable speech, and freedom from malice, that ever-grateful Bhishma, that slayer of the foes of Brahmanas, in whom were these attributes as permanently as Lakshmi in the moon, alas, when that Bhishma, that slayer of hostile heroes, hath received his quietus, I regard all other heroes as already slain. In consequence of the eternal connection (of all things) with work, nothing exists in this world that is imperishable. When Bhisma of high vows hath been slain, who is there that would take upon himself to say with certitude that tomorrow's sun will rise? When he that was endued with prowess equal to that of the Vasus, he that was born of the energy of the Vasus, when he, that ruler of the earth, hath once more been united with the Vasus, grieve ye, therefore, for your possessions and children for this earth and the Kurus, and this host.

 

 8 [स]           

महाप्रभावे वरदे निपातिते; लॊकश्रेष्ठे शांतनवे महौजसि           

पराजितेषु भरतेषु दुर्मनाः; कर्णॊ भृशं नयश्वसद अश्रुवर्तयन       

9 इदं तु राधेय वचॊ निशम्य ते; सुताश च राजंस तव सैनिकाश च ह           

परस्परं चुक्रुशुर आर्तिजं भृशं; तदाश्रु नेत्रैर मुमुचुर हि शब्दवत       

10 परवर्तमाने तु पुनर महाहवे; विगाह्यमानासु चमूषु पार्थिवैः          

अथाब्रवीद धर्ष करं वचस तदा; रथर्षभान सर्वमहारथर्षभः

 

 8 [s]           

mahāprabhāve varade nipātite; lokaśreṣṭhe śāṃtanave mahaujasi           

parājiteṣu bharateṣu durmanāḥ; karṇo bhṛśaṃ nyaśvasad aśruvartayan      

 9 idaṃ tu rādheya vaco niśamya te; sutāś ca rājaṃs tava sainikāś ca ha          

 parasparaṃ cukruśur ārtijaṃ bhṛśaṃ; tadāśru netrair mumucur hi śabdavat       

10 pravartamāne tu punar mahāhave; vigāhyamānāsu camūṣu pārthivaiḥ          

athābravīd dharṣa karaṃ vacas tadā; ratharṣabhān sarvamahāratharṣabhaḥ

 

Sanjaya continued, 'Upon the fall of that boon-giving hero of great might, that lord of the world, viz., Santanu's son of great energy, and upon the (consequent) defeat of the Bharatas, Karna, with cheerless heart and eyes filled with tears, began to console (the Dhartarashtras). Hearing these words of Radha's son, thy sons, O monarch, and thy troops, began to wail aloud and shed copious tears of grief corresponding with the loudness of those wails. When, however, the dreadful battle once more took place and the Kaurava divisions, urged on by the Kings, once more set up loud shouts, that bull among mighty car-warriors, viz., Karna, then addressed the great car-warriors (of the Kaurava army) and said words which caused them great delight:

 

 11 [क]          

जगत्य अनित्ये सततं परधावति; परचिन्तयन्न अस्थिरम अद्य लक्षये          

भवत्सु तिष्ठत्स्व इह पातितॊ रणे; गिरिप्रकाशः कुरुपुंगवः कथम      

12 निपातिते शांतनवे महारथे; दिवाकरे भूतलम आस्थिते यथा         

 न पार्थिवाः सॊढुम अलं धनंजयं; गिरिप्रवॊढारम इवानिलं दरुमाः      

13 हतप्रधानं तव इदम आर्तरूपं; परैर हतॊत्साहम अनाथम अद्य वै          

मया कुरूणां परिपाल्यम आहवे; बलं यथा तेन महात्मना तथा      

14 समाहितं चात्मनि भारम ईदृशं; जगत तथानित्यम इदं च लक्षये          

निपातितं चाहवशौण्डम आहवे; कथं नु कुर्याम अहम आहवे भयम      

15 अहं तु तान कुरु वृषभान अजिह्मगैः; परवेरयन यम सदनं रणे चरन         

 यशः परं जगति विभाव्य वर्तिता; परैर हतॊ युधि शयिताथ वा पुनः      

16 युधिष्ठिरॊ धृतिमतिधर्मतत्त्ववान; वृकॊदरॊ गजशततुल्यविक्रमः          

तथार्जुनस तरिदशवरात्मजॊ यतॊ; न तद बलं सुजयम अथामरैर अपि      

17 यमौ रणे यत्र यमॊपमौ बले; स सात्यकिर यत्र च देवकी सुतः          

न तद बलं कापुरुषॊ ऽभयुपेयिवान; निवर्तते मृत्युमुखाद इवासकृत      

18 तपॊ ऽभयुदीर्णं तपसैव गम्यते; बलं बलेनापि तथा मनस्विभिः          

मनश च मे शत्रुनिवारणे धरुवं; सवरक्षणे चाचलवद वयवस्थितम      

19 एवं चैषां बुध्यमानः परभावं; गत्वैवाहं ताञ जयाम्य अद्य सूत          

मित्रद्रॊहॊ मर्षणीयॊ न मे ऽयं; भग्ने सैन्ये यः सहायः स मित्रम      

20 कर्तास्म्य एतत सत्पुरुषार्य कर्म; तयक्त्वा पराणान अनुयास्यामि भीष्मम          

सर्वान संख्ये शत्रुसंघान हनिष्ये; हतस तैर वा वीरलॊकं गमिष्ये      

21 संप्राक्रुष्टे रुदितस्त्री कुमारे; पराभूते पौरुषे धार्तराष्ट्रे          

मया कृत्यम इति जानामि सूत; तस्माच छत्रून धार्तराष्ट्रस्य जेष्ये      

22 कुरून रक्षन पाण्डुपुत्राञ जिघांसंस; तयक्त्वा पराणान गॊर रूपे रणे ऽसमिन          

सर्वान संख्ये शत्रुसंघान निहत्य; दास्याम्य अहं धार्तराष्ट्राय राज्यम      

23 निबध्यतां मे कवचं विचित्रं; हैमं शुभ्रं मणिरत्नावभासि          

शिरस तराणं चार्कसमानभासं; धनुः शरांश चापि विषाहि कल्पान      

24 उपासन गान षॊडश यॊजयन्तु; धनूंषि दिव्यानि तथाहरन्तु          

असींश च शक्तीश च गदाश च गुर्वीः; शङ्खं च जाम्बूनदचित्रभासम      

25 एतां रौक्मीं नागकक्ष्यां च जैत्रीं; जैत्रं च मे धवजम इन्दीवराभम         

 शलक्ष्णैर वस्त्रैर विप्रमृज्यानयस्व; चित्रां मालां चात्र बद्ध्वा स जालाम      

26 अश्वान अग्र्यान पाण्डुराभ्रप्रकाशान; पुष्टान सनातान मन्त्रपूताभिर अद्भिः         

 तप्तैर भाण्डैः काञ्चनैर अभ्युपेताञ; शीघ्राञ शीघ्रं सूतपुत्रानयस्व      

27 रथं चाग्र्यं हेमजालावनद्धं; रत्रैश चित्रं चन्द्रसूर्यप्रकाशैः          

दरव्यैर युक्तं संप्रहारॊपपन्नैर; वाहैर युक्तं तूर्णम आवर्तयस्व      

28 चित्राणि चापानि च वेगवन्ति; जयाश चॊत्तमाः संहननॊपपन्नाः          

तूर्णांश च पूर्णान महतः शराणाम; आसज्य गात्रावरणानि चैव      

29 परायात्रिकं चानयताशु सर्वं; कन्याः पूर्णं वीर कांस्यं च हैमम          

आनीय मालाम अवबध्य चाङ्के; परवादयन्त्व आशु जयाय भेरीः      

30 परयाहि सूताशु यतः किरीटी; वृकॊदरॊ धर्मसुतॊ यमौ च          

तान वा हनिष्यामि समेत्य संख्ये; भीष्माय वैष्यामि हतॊ दविषद्भिः      

31 यस्मिन राजा सत्यधृतिर युधिष्ठिरः; समास्थितॊ भीमसेनार्जुनौ च          

वासुदेवः सात्यकिः सृञ्जयाश च; मन्ये बलं तद अजय्यं महीपैः      

32 तं चेन मृत्युः सर्वहरॊ ऽभिरक्षेत; सदा परमत्तः समरे किरीटिनम          

तथापि हन्तास्मि समेत्य संख्ये; यास्यामि वा भीष्म पथा यमाय      

33 न तव एवाहं न गमिष्यामि तेषां; मध्ये शूराणां तत तथाहं बरवीमि          

मित्र दरुहॊ दुर्बलभक्तयॊ ये; पापात्मानॊ न ममैते सहायाः

 

 11 [k]         

 jagaty anitye satataṃ pradhāvati; pracintayann asthiram adya lakṣaye          

bhavatsu tiṣṭhatsv iha pātito raṇe; giriprakāśaḥ kurupuṃgavaḥ katham      

12 nipātite śāṃtanave mahārathe; divākare bhūtalam āsthite yathā          

na pārthivāḥ soḍhum alaṃ dhanaṃjayaṃ; giripravoḍhāram ivānilaṃ drumāḥ      

13 hatapradhānaṃ tv idam ārtarūpaṃ; parair hatotsāham anātham adya vai         

 mayā kurūṇāṃ paripālyam āhave; balaṃ yathā tena mahātmanā tathā      

14 samāhitaṃ cātmani bhāram īdṛśaṃ; jagat tathānityam idaṃ ca lakṣaye         

 nipātitaṃ cāhavaśauṇḍam āhave; kathaṃ nu kuryām aham āhave bhayam     

15 ahaṃ tu tān kuru vṛṣabhān ajihmagaiḥ; praverayan yama sadanaṃ raṇe caran         

 yaśaḥ paraṃ jagati vibhāvya vartitā; parair hato yudhi śayitātha vā punaḥ      

16 yudhiṣṭhiro dhṛtimatidharmatattvavān; vṛkodaro gajaśatatulyavikramaḥ          

tathārjunas tridaśavarātmajo yato; na tad balaṃ sujayam athāmarair api      

17 yamau raṇe yatra yamopamau bale; sa sātyakir yatra ca devakī sutaḥ         

 na tad balaṃ kāpuruṣo 'bhyupeyivān; nivartate mṛtyumukhād ivāsakṛt      

18 tapo 'bhyudīrṇaṃ tapasaiva gamyate; balaṃ balenāpi tathā manasvibhiḥ         

 manaś ca me śatrunivāraṇe dhruvaṃ; svarakṣaṇe cācalavad vyavasthitam      

19 evaṃ caiṣāṃ budhyamānaḥ prabhāvaṃ; gatvaivāhaṃ tāñ jayāmy adya sūta         

 mitradroho marṣaṇīyo na me 'yaṃ; bhagne sainye yaḥ sahāyaḥ sa mitram     

 20 kartāsmy etat satpuruṣārya karma; tyaktvā prāṇān anuyāsyāmi bhīṣmam          

sarvān saṃkhye śatrusaṃghān haniṣye; hatas tair vā vīralokaṃ gamiṣye      

21 saṃprākruṣṭe ruditastrī kumāre; parābhūte pauruṣe dhārtarāṣṭre          

mayā kṛtyam iti jānāmi sūta; tasmāc chatrūn dhārtarāṣṭrasya jeṣye      

22 kurūn rakṣan pāṇḍuputrāñ jighāṃsaṃs; tyaktvā prāṇān gora rūpe raṇe 'smin          

sarvān saṃkhye śatrusaṃghān nihatya; dāsyāmy ahaṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāya rājyam      

23 nibadhyatāṃ me kavacaṃ vicitraṃ; haimaṃ śubhraṃ maṇiratnāvabhāsi          

śiras trāṇaṃ cārkasamānabhāsaṃ; dhanuḥ śarāṃś cāpi viṣāhi kalpān      

24 upāsan gān ṣoḍaśa yojayantu; dhanūṃṣi divyāni tathāharantu         

 asīṃś ca śaktīś ca gadāś ca gurvīḥ; śaṅkhaṃ ca jāmbūnadacitrabhāsam      

25 etāṃ raukmīṃ nāgakakṣyāṃ ca jaitrīṃ; jaitraṃ ca me dhvajam indīvarābham         

ślakṣṇair vastrair vipramṛjyānayasva; citrāṃ mālāṃ cātra baddhvā sa jālām      

26 aśvān agryān pāṇḍurābhraprakāśān; puṣṭān snātān mantrapūtābhir adbhiḥ          

taptair bhāṇḍaiḥ kāñcanair abhyupetāñ; śīghrāñ śīghraṃ sūtaputrānayasva      

27 rathaṃ cāgryaṃ hemajālāvanaddhaṃ; ratraiś citraṃ candrasūryaprakāśaiḥ          

dravyair yuktaṃ saṃprahāropapannair; vāhair yuktaṃ tūrṇam āvartayasva      

28 citrāṇi cāpāni ca vegavanti; jyāś cottamāḥ saṃhananopapannāḥ          

tūrṇāṃś ca pūrṇān mahataḥ śarāṇām; āsajya gātrāvaraṇāni caiva     

 29 prāyātrikaṃ cānayatāśu sarvaṃ; kanyāḥ pūrṇaṃ vīra kāṃsyaṃ ca haimam          

ānīya mālām avabadhya cāṅke; pravādayantv āśu jayāya bherīḥ      

30 prayāhi sūtāśu yataḥ kirīṭī; vṛkodaro dharmasuto yamau ca          

tān vā haniṣyāmi sametya saṃkhye; bhīṣmāya vaiṣyāmi hato dviṣadbhiḥ      

31 yasmin rājā satyadhṛtir yudhiṣṭhiraḥ; samāsthito bhīmasenārjunau ca          

vāsudevaḥ sātyakiḥ sṛñjayāś ca; manye balaṃ tad ajayyaṃ mahīpaiḥ      

32 taṃ cen mṛtyuḥ sarvaharo 'bhirakṣet; sadā pramattaḥ samare kirīṭinam         

 tathāpi hantāsmi sametya saṃkhye; yāsyāmi vā bhīṣma pathā yamāya      

33 na tv evāhaṃ na gamiṣyāmi teṣāṃ; madhye śūrāṇāṃ tat tathāhaṃ bravīmi          

mitra druho durbalabhaktayo ye; pāpātmāno na mamaite sahāyāḥ

 

In this transient world everything is continually flitting (towards the jaws of Death). Thinking of this, I regard everything as ephemeral. When, however, all of you were here, how could Bhishma, that bull among the Kurus, immovable as a hill, be thrown down from his car? When that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Santanu, hath been overthrown, who even now lieth on the ground like the Sun himself dropped (from the firmament), the Kuru kings are scarcely competent to bear Dhananjaya, like trees incapable of bearing the mountain-wind. I shall, however, now protect, as that high-souled one did, this helpless Kuru host of cheerless mien, whose foremost warriors have already been slain by the foe. Let this burden now devolve on me. I see that this universe is transient, since that foremost of heroes hath been slain in battle. Why shall I then cherish any fear of battle? Coursing, therefore, on the field I shall despatch those bulls of Kuru's race (viz., the Pandavas) to Yama's abode by means of my straight shafts. Regarding fame as the highest object in the world, I shall slay them in battle, or, slain by the foe, shall sleep on the field. Yudhishthira is possessed of firmness, intelligence, virtue, and might. Vrikodara is equal to a hundred elephant in prowess, Arjuna is young and is the son of the chief of the celestials. The Pandava host, therefore, is not capable of being easily defeated by the very celestials. That force in which are the twins, each resembling Yama himself, that force in which are Satyaki and the son of Devaki, that force is like the jaws of Death. No coward, approaching it, can come back with life. The wise oppose swelling ascetic power with ascetic austerities, so should force be opposed by force. Verily, my mind is firmly fixed upon opposing the foe and protecting my own party, O charioteer, I shall today certainly resist the might of the enemy, and vanquish him by repairing only to the field of battle. I will not tolerate this intestine feud. When the troops are broken, he that cometh (for aiding) in the endeavour to rally is a friend. I shall either achieve this righteous feat worthy of an honest man, or casting off my life shall follow Bhishma. I shall either slay all my foes united together, or slain by them proceed to the regions reserved for heroes. O charioteer, I know that even this is what I should do, when women and children cry for help, or when Duryodhana's prowess sustains a check. Therefore, I shall today conquer the foe. Reckless of my very life in this terrible battle, I shall protect the Kurus and slay the sons of Pandu. Slaying in battle all my foes banded together, I shall bestow (undisputed) sovereignty on Dhritarashtra's son. Let my armour, beautiful, made of gold, bright, and radiant with jewels and gems, be donned; and my head-gear, of effulgence equal to that of the sun; and my bows and arrows that resemble fire, poison, or snakes. Let also sixteen quivers be tied (to my car) at the proper places, and let a number of excellent bows be procured. Let also shafts, and darts and heavy maces, and my conch, variegated with gold, be got ready. Bring also my variegated, beautiful, and excellent standard, made of gold, possessed of the effulgence of the lotus, and bearing the device of the elephant's girth, cleaning it with a delicate cloth, and decking it with excellent garlands and a network of wires. O charioteer's son, bring me also, with speed, some fleet steeds of the hue of tawny clouds, not lean, and bathed in water sanctified with mantras, and furnished with trappings of bright gold. Bring me also, with speed, an excellent car decked with garlands of gold, adorned gems, bright as the sun or the moon, furnished with every necessary, as also with weapons, and unto which are yoked excellent animals. Bring me also a number of excellent bows of great toughness, and a number of excellent bow-strings capable of smitting (the foe), and some quivers, large and full of shafts and some coats of mail for my body. Bring me also, with speed, O hero, every (auspicious) article needed for occasions of setting out (for battle), such as vessels of brass and gold, full of curds. Let garlands of flowers be brought, and let them be put on the (proper) limbs of my body. Let drums also be beaten for victory! Go, O charioteer, quickly to the spot where the diadem-decked (Arjuna), and Vrikodara, and Dharma's son (Yudhishthira), and the twins, are. Encountering them in battle, either I shall slay them, or, being slain by them, my foes, I shall follow Bhishma. Arjuna, and Vasudeva, and Satyaki, and the Srinjayas, that force, I think, is incapable of being conquered by the kings. If all-destroying Death himself with unremitting vigilance, were to protect Kiritin, still shall I slay him, encountering him in battle, or repair myself to Yama's abode by Bhishma's track. Verily, I say, that I will repair into the midst of those heroes. Those (kings) that are my allies are not provokers of intestine feuds, or of weak attachment to me, or of unrighteous souls.'

 

 34 [स]          

स सिद्धिमन्तं रथम उत्तमं दृढं; स कूबरं हेमपरिष्कृतं शुभम         

पताकिनं वातजवैर हयॊत्तमैर; युक्तं समास्थाय ययौ जयाय      

35 संपूज्यमानः कुरुभिर महात्मा; रथर्षभः पाण्डुरवाजियाता          

ययौ तदायॊधनम उग्रधन्वा; यत्रावसानं भरतर्षभस्य      

36 वरूथिना महता स धवजेन; सुवर्णमुक्ता मणिवज्र शालिना          

सदश्वयुक्तेन रथेन कर्णॊ; मेघस्वनेनार्क इवामितौजाः      

37 हुताशनाभः स हुताशनप्रभे; शुभः शुभे वै सवरथे धनुर्धरः          

सथितॊ रराजाधिरथिर महारथः; सवयं विमाने सुरराड इव सथितः

 

 34 [s]          

sa siddhimantaṃ ratham uttamaṃ dṛḍhaṃ; sa kūbaraṃ hemapariṣkṛtaṃ śubham          

patākinaṃ vātajavair hayottamair; yuktaṃ samāsthāya yayau jayāya      

35 saṃpūjyamānaḥ kurubhir mahātmā; ratharṣabhaḥ pāṇḍuravājiyātā         

 yayau tadāyodhanam ugradhanvā; yatrāvasānaṃ bharatarṣabhasya      

36 varūthinā mahatā sa dhvajena; suvarṇamuktā maṇivajra śālinā          

sadaśvayuktena rathena karṇo; meghasvanenārka ivāmitaujāḥ      

37 hutāśanābhaḥ sa hutāśanaprabhe; śubhaḥ śubhe vai svarathe dhanurdharaḥ          

sthito rarājādhirathir mahārathaḥ; svayaṃ vimāne surarāḍ iva sthitaḥ

 

Sanjaya continued, Riding on an excellent and costly car of great strength, with an excellent pole, decked with gold, auspicious, furnished with a standard, and unto which were yoked excellent steeds that were fleet as the wind, Karna proceeded (to battle) for victory. Worshipped by the foremost of Kuru car-warriors like Indra by the celestials, that high-souled and fierce bowman, endued with immeasurable energy like the Sun himself, upon his car decked with gold and jewels and gems, furnished with an excellent standard, unto which were yoked excellent steeds, and whose rattle resembled the roll of the clouds, proceeded, accompanied by a large force, to that field of battle where that bull of Bharata's race (Bhishma) had paid his debt to nature. Of beautiful person, and endued with the splendour of fire, that great bowman and mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Adhiratha, then mounted on his own beautiful car possessed of the effulgence of fire, and shone like the lord of the celestials himself riding on his celestial car.'