राजधर्मानुशासन पर्व — चित्रांगद की कन्या का स्वयंवर; कर्ण की सफलता

Narada Said Having thus learnt the use of weapons from Rama of Bhrigu's race, Karna began to live happily in the company of Duryodhana, O foremost of Bharata's race.

Once on a time, O monarch, many kings went to a Svayamvara at the capital of Chitrangada, the king of the Kalingas.

That prosperous city, O Bharata, was known by the name of Rajapura. Hundreds of kings went there for securing the hand of the maiden.

Hearing that various kings had come there, : Duryodhana also, on his golden car, proceeded there, accompanied by Karna.

When the festivities commenced in that Svayamvara various kings, O best of kings, came there for the hand of the maiden.

There were amongst them Shisupala, Jarasandha, Bhishmaka, Vakra, Kaportroman, Nila, Rukmi of steady prowess, Shrigala who was ruler of the kingdom of females, Ashoka, Satadhanvan and the heroic king of the Bhojas.

Besides these, many others who lived in the Deccan and many preceptors of the Mlechchha tribes, and many kings from the East and the North, O Bharata, came there.

All of them were bedecked with golden Angadas and shone resplendent like pure gold. Of shining persons they were like tigers of fierce might.

After all those kings had taken their seats, O Bharata, the maiden entered the arena, accompanied by her nurse and a guard of eunuchs.

The names of the kings being mentioned to her that fair maiden passed by the son of Dhritarashtra as she had passed others before him.

Duryodhana, however, of Kuru's race could not bear that insult of self. Disregarding all the kings, he ordered the maiden to stop.

Elated with the pride of power and relying upon Bhishma and Drona, king Duryodhana taking up that maiden on his car, carried her away forcibly.

Armed with sword, clad in mail, and his fingers cased in leathern fences, Karna, that foremost of all holders of weapons, riding on his car, followed Duryodhana.

A great tumult then took place among the kings, all the whom were bent upon fighting.-Put on your coats of mail. Get the cars ready!-(These were the words that were heard).

Filled with ire, they pursued Karna and Duryodhana, pouring their shafts upon them like masses of clouds pouring rain upon a couple of hills.

As they thus pursued them, Karna struck down their bows and arrows on the ground, each with a single arrow.

Amongst them some were deprived of bow, some rushed bow in hand, some were on the point of discharging their arrows, and some pursued them, armed with darts and maces.

Endued with great lightness of hands, Karna, that foremost of all strikers, assailed them all. He deprived many kings of their drivers, and thus defeated them.

They then themselves took up the reins of their horses, and saying.-Go away, go away-turned away from the battle with depressed hearts.

Protected by Karna, Duryodhana also came away, with a gladdened heart, bringing with him the maiden to Hastinapura.