the
Mlechchhas, the mountaineers, the Bhadras, the Rohitakas, the Agneyas and
the Malavas. And, having conquered the mighty charioteers, headed by the
Nagnajitas, the Suta's son brought the Sasakas and the Yavanas under his
sway. Having thus conquered and brought under his subjection the world,
the mighty charioteer and tiger among men came (back) to Hastinapura.
That lord of men, Dhritarashtra's son, accompanied by his father and
brothers and friends, came to that mighty bowman, who had arrived, and
duly paid homage unto Karna crowned with martial merit. And the king
proclaimed his feats, saying, 'What I have not received from either
Bhishma, or Drona, or Kripa, or Vahlika, I have received from thee. May
good betide thee! What need of speaking at length! Hear my words, O
Karna! In thee, O chief of men, I have my refuge. O mighty-armed one. O
tiger among men, without doubt all the Pandavas and the other kings
crowned with prosperity, come not to a sixteenth part of thee. Do thou, O
mighty bowman, O Karna, see Dhritarashtra, and the illustrious Gandhari,
as the bearer of the thunderbolt did Aditi.'

"Then, O king, there arose in the city of Hastinapura a clamour, and
sounds of Oh! and Alas! and, O lord of men, some of the kings praised him
(Karna), while others censured him, while others, again, remained silent.
Having thus, O foremost of monarchs, in a short time conquered this earth
furnished with mountains and forests and skies, and with oceans, and
fields, and filled with high and low tracts, and cities, and replete also
with islands. O lord of earth, and brought the monarchs under
subjection,--and having gained imperishable wealth, the Suta's son
appeared before the king. Then, O represser of foes, entering into the
interior of the palace that hero saw Dhritarashtra with Gandhari, O tiger
among men, that one conversant with morality took hold of his feet even
like a son. And Dhritarashtra embraced him affectionately, and then
dismissed him. Ever since that time, O monarch, O Bharata, king
Duryodhana and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, thought that Pritha's sons had
already been defeated in battle by Karna."

SECTION CCLIII

Vaisampayana continued, "O king, O lord of men, that slayer of hostile
heroes, the Suta's son, said these words to Duryodhana, 'O Kaurava
Duryodhana, do thou lay unto thy heart the words that I shall tell thee;
and, O represser of foes, after having heard my words, it behoveth thee
to act acco