Chapter 48

Janamejaya said, “These feats of Pritha’s son endued with immeasurableenergy, were certainly marvellous. O Brahmana, what did Dhritarashtra ofgreat wisdom say, when he heard of them?”

Vaisampayana said, “Amvika’s son, king Dhritarashtra, having heard ofArjuna’s arrival and stay at Indra’s abode, from Dwaipayana, thatforemost of Rishis, spake unto Sanjaya, saying, ‘O charioteer, dost thouknow in detail the acts of the intelligent Arjuna, of which I have heardfrom beginning to end? O charioteer, my wretched and sinful son is evennow engaged in a policy of the most vulgar kind. Of wicked soul, he willcertainly depopulate the earth. The illustrious person whose words evenin jest are true, and who hath Dhananjaya to fight for him, is sure towin the three worlds. Who that is even beyond the influence of Death andDecay will be able to stay before Arjuna, when he will scatter his barbedand sharp-pointed arrows whetted on stone? My wretched sons, who have tofight with the invincible Pandavas are indeed, all doomed. Reflecting dayand night, I see not the warrior amongst us that is able to stay inbattle before the wielder of the Gandiva. If Drona, or Karna, or evenBhishma advance against him in battle, a great calamity is likely tobefall the earth. But even in that case, I see not the way to our successKarna is kind and forgetful. The preceptor Drona is old, and the teacher(of Arjuna) Arjuna, however, is wrathful, and strong, and proud, and offirm and steady prowess. As all these warriors are invincible, a terriblefight will take place between them. All of them are heroes skilled inweapons and of great reputation. They would not wish for the sovereigntyof the world, if it was to be purchased by defeat. Indeed, peace will berestored only on the death of these or of Phalguna. The slayer of Arjuna,however, existeth not, nor doth one that can vanquish him. Oh, how shallthat wrath of his which hath myself for its object be pacified. Equalunto the chief of the celestials, that hero gratified Agni at Khandavaand vanquished all the monarchs of the earth on the occasion of the greatRajasuya. O Sanjaya, the thunder-bolt falling on the mountain top,leaveth a portion unconsumed; but the shafts, O child, that are shot byKiriti leave not a rack behind. As the rays of the sun heat this mobileand immobile universe, so will the shafts shot by Arjuna’s hands scorchmy sons. It seemeth to me that the Chamus of the Bharatas, terrified atthe clatter of Arjuna’s chariot-wheels, are already broken through in alldirections. Vidhatri hath created Arjuna as an all-consuming Destroyer.He stayeth in battle as a foe, vomitting and scattering swarms of arrows.Who is there that will defeat him?”