Chapter 143

“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing these beneficial and auspicious words of Kesava,Karna worshipped Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, and said these words,’Knowing (everything), why dost thou yet, O thou of mighty arms, seek tobeguile me? The destruction of the whole earth that is at hand for itscause, Sakuni, and myself, and Dussasana, and king Duryodhana, the son ofDhritarashtra. Without doubt, O Krishna, a great and fierce battle is athand between the Pandavas and the Kurus which will cover the earth withbloody mire. All the kings and princes following the lead of Duryodhana,consumed by the fire of weapons will proceed to the abode of Yama.Diverse frightful visions are seen, O slayer of Madhu, and many terribleportents, and fierce disturbances also. All these omens, making the hairs(of the spectators) stand on their ends, indicate, O thou of Vrishni’srace, the defeat of Dhritarashtra’s son and the victory of Yudhishthira.That fierce planet of great effulgence, Sanaischara (Saturn), isafflicting the constellation called Rohini, in order to afflict greatlythe creatures of the earth. The planet Angaraka (Mars), wheeling, Oslayer of Madhu, towards the constellation Jeshthya, approacheth towardsAnuradhas, indicating a great slaughter of friends. Without doubt, OKrishna, a terrible calamity approacheth the Kurus when specially, O thouof Vrishni’s race, the planet Mahapat afflicteth the constellationChitra. The spot on the lunar disc hath changed its position; and Rahualso approacheth towards the sun. Meteors are falling from the sky withloud noise and trembling motion. The elephants are sending forthfrightful cries, while the steeds, O Madhava, are shedding tears, withouttaking any delight in food and drink. They say, O thou of mighty arms,that on the appearance of these portents, a terrible calamityapproacheth, productive of a great slaughter. O Kesava, amongst thesteeds, elephants and soldiers, in all the divisions of Duryodhana’sarmy, it is seen, O slayer of Madhu, that while small is the food thesetake, ample is the excreta they evacuate. The wise have said that this isan indication of defect. The elephants and steeds of the Pandavas, OKrishna, all seem to be cheerful, while all the animals wheel along theirright. This also is an indication of their success. The same animal, OKesava, pass by the left side of Duryodhana’s army, while incorporealvoices are constantly heard (over their heads). All this is an indicationof defeat. All auspicious birds, such as peacocks, swans, cranes,Chatakas, Jivajivas, and large flights of Vakas, follow the Pandavas,while vultures, Kankas, hawks, Rakshasas, wolves and bees, in flights andherds, follow the Kauravas. The drums in the army of Dhritarashtra’s sonyield no sounds, while those of the Pandavas yield sounds without beingstruck. The wells in the midst of Duryodhana’s encampment send forth loudroars like those of huge bulls. All this is an indication of defeat. Thegods are showering flesh and blood, O Madhava, on Duryodhana’s soldiers.Vapoury edifices of great effulgence with high walls, deep trenches, andhandsome porches, are suddenly appearing in the skies (over the Kuruencampment). A black circle surrounding the solar disc appears to theview. Both twilights at sunrise and sunset indicate great terrors. Thejackals yell hideously. All this is an indication of defeat. Diversebirds, each having but one wing, one eye, and one leg, utter terriblecries. All this, O slayer of Madhu, indicates defeat. Fierce birds withblack wings and red legs hover over the Kuru encampment at nightfall. Allthis is an indication of defeat. The soldiers of Duryodhana betray hatredfor Brahmanas first, and then for their preceptors, and then for alltheir affectionate servants. The, eastern horizon of (Duryodhana’sencampment) appeareth red; the southern of the hue of weapons; andwestern, O slayer of Madhu, of an earthy hue. All the quarters aroundDuryodhana’s encampment seem, O Madhava, to be ablaze. In the appearanceof all these portents, great is the danger that is indicated.

‘I have in a vision, O Achyuta, beheld Yudhishthira ascending with hisbrothers a palace supported by a thousand columns. All of them appearedwith white head-gears and in white robes. And all of them appeared to meto be seated on white seats. In the midst of the same vision, thou, OJanardana, wast beheld by me to be employed in enveloping the blood-dyedearth with weapons. Yudhishthira at the same time, of immeasurableenergy, ascending upon a heap of bones, was gladly eating buttered payasaof a golden cup. I further beheld Yudhishthira to be employed inswallowing the earth handed over to him by thee. This indicates that hewill verily rule the earth I beheld that tiger among men, Vrikodara, offierce deeds, standing on the summit, mace in hand, and as if devouringthis earth. This plainly indicates that he will slay all of us in fiercebattle. It is known to me, O lord of the senses, that victory is therewhere righteousness is. I saw also Dhananjaya, the wielder of Gandiva,seated on the back of a white elephant, with thee, O lord of the senses,and blazing forth with great beauty. I have no doubt, O Krishna, that yewill slay in battle all the kings headed by Duryodhana. I saw Nakula andSahadeva and that mighty car-warrior Satyaki, adorned with whitebracelets, white cuirasses, white garlands, and white robes. This tigeramong men were seated upon excellent vehicles borne on the shoulders ofmen. And I saw that umbrellas were held over the heads of all the three.Amongst the soldiers of Dhritarashtra’s son, these three, O Janardana,were beheld by me decked with white head-gears. Know, O Kesava, thatthose three were Aswatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman of Satwata’s race.All other kings, O Madhava, were seen by me to have blood-red head-ears.I saw also, O thou of mighty arms, that those mighty car-warriors Bhishmaand Drona, ascending on a vehicle drawn by camels, and by myself, andDhritarashtra’s son, proceeded, O lord, to the quarter, O Janardana,ruled by Agastya. This indicates that we shall soon have to proceed toYama’s abode. I have no doubt that myself and the other kings, indeed,the entire assemblage of Kshatriyas shall have to enter into the Gandivafire.’

“Krishna said, ‘Indeed, the destruction of the earth is at hand when mywords, O Karna, do not become acceptable to thy heart. O sire, when thedestruction of all creatures approacheth, wrong assuming the semblance ofright leaveth not the heart.’

“Karna said, ‘If, O Krishna, we come out of this great battle that willbe so destructive of heroic Kshatriyas, with life, then, O thou of mightyarms may we meet here again. Otherwise, O Krishna, we shall certainlymeet in heaven. O sinless one, it seemeth to me now that there only it ispossible for us to meet.’

“Sanjaya said, ‘Having spoken these words, Karna closely pressed Madhavato his bosom. Dismissed by Kesava, he then descended from the car. Andriding on his own car decked with gold, Radha’s son greatly dejected,came back with us!'”