Chapter 140

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘O Sanjaya, in the midst of all the princes and theservants, the slayer of Madhu took Karna upon his car and went out (ofour city). What did that slayer of hostile heroes, that one ofimmeasurable soul, say unto Radha’s son? What conciliatory words didGovinda speak unto the Suta’s son? Tell me, O Sanjaya, what those wordswere, mild or fierce, that Krishna, possessed of a voice deep as that ofnewly-risen clouds during the rainy season said unto Karna?’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Listen to me, O Bharata, as I repeat in due order thosewords, both intimidating and mild, agreeable and consistent with virtue,true and beneficial, and pleasing to the heart, which the slayer ofMadhu, of immeasurable soul, said unto Radha’s son.’

“Vasudeva said, ‘O son of Radha, thou hast worshipped many Brahmanasfully conversant with the Vedas. With concentrated attention and mindfree from envy thou hast also (on many an occasion) enquired of themafter truth. Thou knowest, therefore, O Karna, what the eternal saying ofthe Vedas are. Thou art also well-versed in all the subtle conclusions ofthe scriptures. It is said by those conversant with the scriptures thatthe two kinds of sons called Kanina and Sahoda that are born of a maiden,have him for their father who weddeth the maid. Thou, O Karna, hast beenborn in this way. Thou art, therefore, morally the son of Pandu. Come, bea king, according to the injunction of the scriptures. On the side of thyfather, thou hast the sons of Pritha, on the side of thy mother, thouhast the Vrishnis, (for thy kinsmen). O bull among men, know that thouhast these two for thy own. Proceeding this very day with me hence, Osire, let the Pandavas know thee as a son of Kunti born beforeYudhishthira. The brothers, the five Pandavas, the son of Draupadi, andthe invincible son of Subhadra, will all embrace thy feet. All the kingsand princes, again, that have been assembled for the Pandava-cause, andall the Andhakas and Vrishnis, will also embrace thy feet. Let queens andprincesses bring golden and silver and earthen jars (full of water) anddelicious herbs and all kinds of seeds and gems, and creepers, for thyinstallation. During the sixth period, Draupadi also will come to thee(as a wife). Let that best of Brahmanas, Dhaumya, of restrained soul,pour libations of clarified butter on the (sacred) fire, and let thoseBrahmanas regarding all the four Vedas as authoritative (and who areacting as priests unto the Pandavas), perform the ceremony of thyinstallation. Let the family priest of the Pandavas who is devoted toVedic rites, and those bulls among men-those brothers, the five sons ofPandu,–and the five sons of Draupadi, and the Panchalas, and the Chedis,and myself also, install thee as the lord of the whole earth. LetDharma’s son Yudhishthira, of righteous soul and rigid vows, be thy heirpresumptive, ruling the kingdom under thee. Holding the white chamara inhis hand (for fanning thee), let Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, ride onthe same car behind thee. After thy installation is over, let that otherson of Kunti, the mighty Bhimasena, hold the white umbrella over thyhead. Indeed, Arjuna then will drive thy car furnished with a hundredtinkling bells, its sides covered with tiger-skins, and with white steedsharnessed to it. Then Nakula and Sahadeva, and the five sons of Draupadi,and the Panchalas with that mighty car-warrior Sikhandin, will allproceed behind thee. I myself, with all the Andhakas and the Vrishnis,will walk behind thee. Indeed, all the Dasarhas and the Dasarnas, will, Oking, be numbered with thy relatives. Enjoy the sovereignty of the earth,O thou of mighty arms, with thy brothers the Pandavas, with yapas andhomas and auspicious rites of diverse kinds performed in thy honour. Letthe Dravidas, with the Kuntalas, the Andhras, and the Talacharas, and theShuchupas, and the Venupas, all walk before thee. Let chanters andpanegyrists praise thee with innumerable laudatory hymns. Let thePandavas proclaim,–Victory to Vasusena. Surrounded by the Pandavas, likethe moon by the stars, rule thou the kingdom, O son of Kunti, and gladdenKunti herself. Let thy friends rejoice, and thy enemies grieve. Let therebe, this day, a brotherly union between thee and thy brothers, the sonsof Pandu.”