Sanjaya said Then king Duryodhana, Shakuni the son of Subala, your son Dushasana and the invincible son of Suta,

These assembled together, O monarch, began to consult as to 'how could the sons of Pandu with their partisans be conquered in battle.'

Thereafter king Duryodhana, addressing the son of Suta and the highly powerful son of Subala, spoke to all his counselors thus

“Even Drona, Bhishma, Kripa, Shalya, and the son of Somadatta cannot withstand the sons of Pritha in battle. I know not what the cause may be.

Thus unslain, they (the Pandavas) are every day reducing my troops in great number. Therefore, O Karna, I am becoming weaker in strength, and my store of weapons is also being exhausted.

I am deceived by the warlike Pandavas, who cannot even be slain by the celestial themselves. I am doubtful of the means as to how to smile them down in battle.” To these words of the ruler of men, O king, Suta's son replied

Karna said "Grieve not, O foremost of the Bharatas, I will compass your pleasure. Let Bhishma the son of Shantanu be speedily withdrawn from the battle.

When, O scion of the Bharata race, the son of Ganga shall cease to fight, and when he shall lay aside his weapons, I will slay the sons of Pritha together with all the Somakas,

In the battle even before the eyes of Bhishma himself. O king, I pledge my troth for this. Bhishma always uses the Pandavas leniently.

Bhishma also is incapable of conquering these mighty car-warriors (the Pandavas) in battle. Moreover Bhishma is proud in battle and is very fond of battle.

How could he, O sire, then conquer the Pandavas who have mustered a mighty force. Therefore, without the least delay, haying yourself towards the tent of Bhishma.

Persuade that venerable and old hero to lay aside weapons. Thus when Bhishma will lay aside his weapons, you shall see the Pandavas slain.

With all their kinsmen and allies, by my single self in battle" Sanjaya said Thus spoke spoken to by Karna, your son Duryodhana,

Then said these words addressing his brother Dushasana 'Look to it O Dushasana, that all my retinue may without delay be dressed and ready'. Having thus spoken, O king, to Dushasana, that ruler of men addressed Karna saying:

“Having persuaded that foremost of men, Bhishma to withdraw himself from the battle, I shall soon come back to you, O redresser of foes.

When Bhishma will be withdrawn from the fight, you shall slay the Pandavas in battle." Then, O ruler of men your son, without any more loss of time, set out,

Accompanied by his brothers, and loO king like Indra surrounded by the celestial. Thereafter, his brother Dushasana, helped that foremost of kings equal to a tiger in strength, to mount on his steed. Decked with bracelets, with a diadem on his head, and O king, his arms graced with other ornaments,

That son of yours, O monarch, shone brightly as he went towards Bhishma's tent. Smeared with fragrant sandal paste of the colour of Vandi flowers and of the effulgence of gold, and vested in dirtless raiment's, and proceeding with the playful gait of the lion, O king, Duryodhana appeared beautiful like the bright rayed orb of day in the skies. As that foremost of men (Duryodhana) proceeded towards the tent of Bhishma,

Numerous fierce bowmen of worldwide fame with bows in hand, as also his brothers all mighty bowmen, followed him like the celestial following Vasava.

Mounted on other horses, elephants and chariots, other foremost of men, O Bharata, surrounded him on all sides.

Many of his friends bearing weapons came there for protecting the king, and accompanying Indra in heaven.

Thus honored by the Kurus, that highly puissant king of the Kurus repaired to the son of Ganga of illustrious fame.

Followed and surrounded by his uterine brother, he proceeded, raising his right arm sinewy like the trunk of the elephant and capable of crushing all his foes, and therewith accepting the homage's offered by men on all sides with their raised and folder palms.

He heard sweet words uttered by the assembled inhabitants of various countries. moon That illustrious one was applauded and eulogised by the bards and minstrels.

That lord paramount of all men honorea all these men in return. Many high-souled persons then surrounded him on all sides with golden lamps, lighted and fed with fragrant oil. Thus surrounded by those lighted lamps made of gold, king Duryodhana,

Shone resplendent like the surrounded by blazing mighty planets. Then attendants, graced with golden turbans, and bearing canes and Jharjharas in their hands,

Gradually cleared the crowd that surrounded the king on all sides. Thereafter, the king, reaching the beautiful tent of Bhishma.

And then descending from his horse, that ruler of men approached Bhishma. Thereafter doing obeisance to Bhishma, he seated himself on a beautiful seat,

Made of gold, of exquisite workmanship and over-spread with an excellent coverlet. Then he thus spoke to Bhishma, with his palms folded, his voice choked in grief and his eyes bathed in tears.

"Reliving upon you, O slayer of foes, we are even capable of vanquishing in battle the celestials and the Asuras united together, with Indra at their head,

What to speak of the sons of Pandu though they may be warlike and supported by their friends, allies and kinsmen. Therefore, O son of Ganga, O lord, it behold you to be merciful on me.

Do you slay the heroic sons of Pandu like the great Indra slaying the Danavas. 'O monarch, I shall slaughter all the Somakas,

The Panchalas, the Kauravas, O Bharata.' These were your words to me, verify them by slaying the assembled sons of Pritha,

As also the Somakas, all fierce bowmen. Prove, O Bharata, the truth of your words. But if out of mercy, or out of your hatred, O lord,

For my unfortunate self, you are inclined to spare the sons of Pandu, then permit Karna, that ornament of battle, to join the fight.

He will conquer the sons of Pritha together with all their friends, allies and kinsmen." Having thus spoken, your royal son dreadful prowess. airunn