Chapter 142

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these words of Karna, Kesava, that slayer ofhostile heroes, spoke unto him these words smilingly, ‘Do not the meansof winning an empire recommend themselves to thee. O Karna? Wishest thounot to rule over the whole earth given by me to thee? The victory of thePandavas, therefore, is very certain. There seems to be no doubt in this.The triumphal banner of Pandu’s son, with the fierce ape on it, seems tobe already set up. The divine artificer, Bhaumana, hath applied suchcelestial illusion (in its construction) that it standeth high, displayedlike Indra’s banner. Various celestial creatures of terrific shape,indicating victory, are seen on that standard. Extending for a yojanaupwards and all around, that beautiful standard of Arjuna, resemblingfire in radiance, is never, O Karna, when set up, obstructed by hills ortrees. When thou wilt behold in battle Arjuna, on his car drawn by whitesteeds and driven by Krishna, applying Aindra, Agneya and Maruta weapons,and when thou wilt hear the twang of Gandiva piercing the welkin like thevery thunder, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwaparaages will disappear (but, instead, Kali embodied will be present). Whenthou wilt behold in battle Kunti’s son, invincible Yudhishthira, devotedto Yapa and Homa and resembling the very sun in brilliance, protectinghis own mighty army and burning the army of his foes, then all signs ofthe Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara ages will disappear. When thou wiltbehold in battle the mighty Bhimasena dancing, after having quaffed theblood of Dussasana, like a fierce elephant with rent temples after havingkilled a mighty antagonist, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, andthe Dwapara ages will disappear. When thou wilt behold in battle Arjunachecking Drona and Santanu’s son and Kripa and king Suyodhana, andJayadratha of Sindhu’s race, all rushing fiercely to the encounter, thenall signs of the Krita, the Treta and the Dwapara ages will disappear.When thou wilt behold in battle the two mighty sons of Madri,–thoseheroic car-warriors, capable of breaking into pieces all hostilecars,–agitating, from the very moment when weapons will begin to clash,the army of Dhritarashtra’s sons like a couple of infuriated elephants,then all signs of the Krita, the Treta and the Dwapara ages willdisappear. Returning hence, O Karna, say unto Drona and Santanu’s son andKripa that the present month is a delightful one, and that food, drink,and fuel are abundant now. All plants and herbs are vigorous now, alltrees full of fruits, and flies there are none. The roads are free frommire, and the waters are of agreeable taste. The weather is neither veryhot nor very cold and is, therefore, highly pleasant. Seven days after,will be the day of the new moon. Let the battle commence then, for thatday, it hath been said, is presided over by Indra. Say also unto all thekings that have come for battling that I will fully accomplish the desirecherished by them. Indeed, all the kings and princes that are obedient tothe orders of Duryodhana, obtaining death by weapons, will attain to anexcellent state.'”