SECTION 86
"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the gigantic and roaring Karna, incapable of
being resisted by the very gods, advancing like the surging sea, that
bull amongst men, viz., he of Dasharha's race, addressed Arjuna, saying,
"That car-warrior having white steeds and owning Shalya for his driver
cometh hither with whom you are to contend in battle. Therefore, O
Dhananjaya, summon all your coolness. Behold then, O son of Pandu, the
well-equipped car of Karna. White steeds are yoked unto it and Radha's
son himself is the warrior that stands upon it. Teeming with banners and
decked with rows of bells, it looks like a celestial car borne along the
welkin by steeds white in hue. Behold also the standard of the
high-souled Karna, bearing the device of the elephant's rope, and looking
like the bow of Indra himself that divides the firmament by a clear line.
Behold Karna as he advanceth from desire of doing what is agreeable to
Dhritarashtra's son, shooting showers of shafts like the clouds pouring
torrents of rain. There the royal chief of the Madras, stationed on the
fore-part of the car, guideth the steeds of Radha's son of immeasurable
energy. Hear the peal of their drums and the fierce blare of their
conchs. Hear, O son of Pandu, the diverse leonine roars coming from every
side. Hear the terrible twang, silencing all other loud sounds, of the
bow (Vijaya) stretched by Karna of immeasurable energy. There the mighty
car-warriors among the Pancalas, with their followers, are breaking like
a herd of deer in the great forest at the sight of an angry lion. It
behoveth thee, O son of Kunti, to slay the Suta's son with every care. No
other person save you can venture to bear the shafts of Karna. It is
well known to me that you are competent to vanquish in battle the three
worlds with all their mobile and immobile creatures including the very
gods and the Gandharvas. What need be said about battling with that
puissant one, when people are incapable of even gazing at him, viz., the
fierce and terrible Isana, that great god, the three-eyed Sarva,
otherwise called Kapardin? Thou, however, hadst, by battle, gratified
that god of gods himself, that Siva who is the source of bliss unto all
creatures, that deity called Sthanu. The other deities also have all
given you boons. Through the grace, O Partha, of that god of gods, that
deity armed with a trident, slay Karna, O mighty-armed one, like Indra
slaying the Asura Namuci. Let prosperity be ever with thee, O Partha, and
do you obtain victory in battle."
"'Arjuna said, "My victory, O Krishna, is, certain. There is no doubt in
this, since thou, O slayer of Madhu, that are the master of all the
worlds, are pleased with me. Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesha, and my car,
O great car-warrior! Today Phalguna will not return from battle without
slaying Karna. Behold Karna slain today and cut in pieces with my shafts.
Or, O Govinda, you wilt today behold me slain with (Karna's) arrows.
That terrible battle, capable of stupefying the three words, is at hand.
As long as the earth will last, people will speak of it." Saying these
words unto Krishna who is never tired with exertion, Partha quickly
proceeded on his car against Karna like an elephant against a rival
elephant. Once more Partha of great energy said unto Krishna, that
chastiser of foes, these words, "Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesha, for time
passeth." Thus addressed by the high-souled son of Pandu, Keshava wished
him victory and urged steeds as fleet as thought. Then that car of
Pandu's son, possessed of great speed, soon reached the front of Karna's
car.'"
--------------------END OF PARVA 8 : UPA-PARVA 86 ---------------------
