Chapter 43

“Sanjaya said, ‘That chastiser of foes, viz., the son of Radha, thussilencing the ruler of the Madras, once more addressed him, O monarch,saying these words, “In answer to that which, O Shalya, thou hast saidunto me by way of instance, I tell thee that I am incapable of beingfrightened by thee in battle with thy words. If all the gods themselveswith Vasava would fight with me, I would not still feel any fear, whatneed be said then of my fears from Pritha and Keshava? I am incapable ofbeing frightened by means of words alone. He, O Shalya, whom thou wouldstbe able to frighten in battle is some other person (and not myself)! Thouhast spoken many bitter words to me. Therein lieth the strength of aperson that is low. Incapable of speaking of my merits, thou sayst manybitter things, O thou of wicked heart; Karna was never born, O Madraka,for fear in battle. On the other hand, I was born for displaying valouras also for achieving glory for my own self. For the sake of myfriendship for thee, for my affection, and for thy being an ally,–forthese three reasons thou still livest, O Shalya. Important is the taskthat has now to be done for king Dhritarashtra. That task, O Shalya,depends on me. For this, thou livest a moment. Before this, I made acompact with thee that any disagreeable speeches thou mightest utterwould be pardoned by me. That compact should be observed. It is for thisthat thou livest, O Madraka. Without a 1,000 Salyas I would vanquish myfoes. He that injureth a friend is sinful. It is for this that thoulivest for the present.'”