Do thou choose another husband!' thou
lookedest on the scene with delight. Whither then, O Karna, had this
virtue of thine gone? Covetous of kingdom and relying on the ruler of the
Gandharvas, thou summonedest the Pandavas (to a match of dice). Whither
then had this virtue of thine gone? When many mighty car-warriors,
encompassing the boy Abhimanyu in battle, slew him, whither had this
virtue of thine then gone? If this virtue that thou now invokest was
nowhere on those occasions, what is the use then of parching thy palate
now, by uttering that word? Thou art now for the practice of virtue, O
Suta, but thou shalt not escape with life. Like Nala who was defeated by
Pushkara with the aid of dice but who regained his kingdom by prowess,
the Pandavas, who are free from cupidity, will recover their kingdom by
the prowess of their arms, aided with all their friends. Having slain in
battle their powerful foes, they, with the Somakas, will recover their
kingdom. The Dhartarashtras will meet with destruction at the hands of
those lions among men (viz., the sons of Pandu), that are always
protected by virtue!'"
"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed, O Bharata, by Vasudeva, Karna hung
down his head in shame and gave no answer. With lips quivering in rage,
he raised his bow, O Bharata, and, being endued with great energy and
prowess, he continued to fight with Partha. Then Vasudeva, addressing
Phalguna, that bull among men, said, "O thou of great might, piercing
Karna with a celestial weapon, throw him down.
Pages:
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494