Karna Parva — The vows of Arjuna

Sanjaya said O majesty! Govinda, the religious soul and dignity of Yadu clan began explaining something to Arjuna in response to the vivid statement made by Dharamaraja (Yudhishthira).

Having addressed Yudhishthira in such an unbecoming manner and thus being guilty of an unrighteous conduct, Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, became disconsolate beyond measure.

Vasudeva (then) in caustic tone addressing the son of Pandu said-"How, O Partha, would you have fared, had you mindful of (your) truthfulness, slain the son of Dharma with the keen edge of your steel. a

By simply 'you think the king you are affected so much-what, would you have done, O Partha, had you actually fulfilled your promise. The law of policy are indeed too subtle for comprehension, especially to those of weak intellect.

For moral scruples you would surely have taken out the life of your eldest and would have thus committed a heinous sin and fallen into eternal perdition.

I adjure you, therefore, to assuage the sorrows of the pious king, the adored of the devout and the head of the Kurus.

Let us pacify king Yudhishthira with due obeisance and when he is reconciled let both of us march against the chariot of the son of Suta and fight him out.es

O bestower of honors, secure the blessings of the son of Dharma, by shooting down Karna with the keen points of your arrows.

O mighty-aimed one, in my opinion this is the best course you could follow at present. By acting thus you will gain you ends."

After this, O monarch, Arjuna became quite ashamed of himself; bending his head down he touched Yudhishthira's feet and repeatedly said unto that chief of the Bharatas, "O king, be appeased; forgive me for the impropriety of my language towards you; they were given expression to (as the only course left me) for maintaining truthfulness and avoiding sin.”

O giant of the Bharata race, seeing Dhananjaya, the slayer of foes, thus fall at his feet with tears in his eyes, Yudhishthira, the lord of creation, the emblem of religion, rose up from his reclining position and with gushing eyes affectionately embraced him.

Having thus indulged themselves for some time and assuaged their grief the two brothers of bright effulgence became reconciled to each other and were once again cheerful.

Later on the son of Pandu, again giving Jaya a hug and taking the fragrance of his head, became supremely happy and praising his conduct, said-

O mighty-wielder of bows, in spite of all my exertions in the battle-field, Karna with his shafts has, in the midst of the whole assembly, shattered my armours pinions, forces, arrows, bows and steeds.

O Phalguna, thinking of this and witnessing his conduct in the battle, I have been sorely aggrieved. Life has no longer any charm for Ime.

If you do not overcome that indomitable hero in today's battle, then surely I will give up my life, what would be the use of bearing the burden of this body and carrying it on the earth any longer?

O mighty scion of the Bharata race, upon hearing Yudhishthira thus express himself, Vijaya replied-"O foremost of kings, O lord of the earth, solemnly do I swear unto you that by your grace, by Bhima and the twins that this day either I shall slay Karna or myself kiss the earth being slain by him. I take this vow upon this weapon."

Having delivered himself thus to the king he addressed the following words to Madhava-“Verily, O Krishna, I will slay Karna in today's battle. May you be blessed for it is only through your tactics that the wretch could be slain.”

O foremost of kings, upon Partha's uttering these words Keshava said unto him-"O mighty Bharata, you are well worthy of slaying Karna. Indeed, O best of men, O foremost of car-warriors, it has ever been upper most in my thoughts as to how you would succeed in slaying him.”

Then the ever-intelligent Madhava once more turned towards the son of Dharma and said-“O Yudhishthira it is met that you would console Vibhatsu and order him to slay the wretched Karna today.

O son of Pandu, it is upon hearing that you were being afflicted with the arrows of Karna that we came to ascertain the plight you were in.

O king, it was very fortunate that you were not slain or captured. O holy one, do now console your Vibhatsu and bless him that he may attain victory."

Yudhishthira said Come O Partha, O Vibhatsu, come and embrace me; O son of Pandu, you have addressed me in words befitting the position and for my good and I have forgive you for their expressions.

O Dhananjaya you have my orders to go and slay Karna. Do not, O Partha, take offence with me for the vile expression I have made use of against you.

Sanjaya continued O king, thereupon Dhananjaya bent his head low and with his hands took hold of the feet of his eldest brother.

The king them raising him clasped him to his bosom and smelling his head once more addressed him thus :

O Dhananjaya of mighty arms, I feel highly honoured by you, do you attain once more the greatness and victory you ever deserve.

Arjuna said Getting hold of that sinful son of Radha, who vaunts of his prowess, I shall in today's battle slay him along with his allies.

Karna, who had afflicted you with his arrows shot from a full-drawn bow, would reap the dire effects of his act, this day.

O ruler of the earth, I assure you that I will slay Karna today in dreadful battle and come back to bring unto you the happy tidings walking all the while in your steps.

O lord of the universe, I swear unto you by your feet that I shall not return from the terrible battle today without having slain Karna.

Sanjaya said As the diadem-decked Arjuna was speaking in this strain, Yudhishthira cheerfully addressed to him these graver words-“Do you ever attain unfading fame, eternal life, ready consummation of hopes, perpetual victory, ceaseless energy and continual success over your enemies!

May the gods grant you prosperity! May you realise all that I wish of you! At present go at once to the battle and kill Karna for selfelevation even as Purandara killed Vritra.