iors, smitten with the arrows shot from the
_Gandiva_, fled from the field in panic. And beholding the elephant
slain by Partha, and all the other warriors running away, Duryodhana,
the foremost of the Kurus, turning away his car precipitately fled in
that direction where Partha was not. And when Duryodhana was fast
running away in alarm, pierced by that arrow and vomitting forth blood,
Kiritin, still eager for battle and capable of enduring every enemy,
thus censured him from wrath, 'Sacrificing thy great fame and glory, why
dost thou fly away, turning thy back? Why are not those trumpets sounded
now, as they were when thou hadst set out from thy kingdom? Lo, I am an
obedient servant of Yudhishthira, myself being the third son of Pritha,
standing here for battle. Turn back, show me thy face, O son of
Dhritarashtra, and bear in thy mind the behaviour of kings. The name
_Duryodhana_ bestowed on thee before is hereby rendered meaningless.
When thou runnest away, leaving the battle, where is thy persistence in
battle? Neither do I behold thy body-guards, O Duryodhana, before nor
behind. O foremost of men, fly thou away and save thy life which is dear
from the hands of Pandu's son.'"

SECTION LXV

Vaisampayana said, "Thus summoned to battle by the illustrious hero,
Dhritarashtra's son turned back stung by those censures, like an
infuriate and mighty elephant pricked by a hook. And stung by those
reproaches and unable to bear them, that mighty and brave car-warrior
endued with great swiftness, turned back on his car, like a snake that
is trampled under foot. And beholding Duryodhana turn back with his
wounds, Karna, that hero among men, decked with a golden necklace,
stopped the king on the way and soothing him, himself proceeded along
the north of Duryodhana's car to meet Partha in battle. And the
mighty-armed Bhishma also, the son of Santanu, turning back his steeds
decked with gold, enormous in size, and of tawny hue, rushed bow in
hand, for protecting Duryodhana from Partha's hand. And Drona and Kripa
and Vivingsati and Duhsasana and others also, quickly turning back,
rushed forward with speed with drawn bows and arrows fixed on the
bow-strings, for protecting Duryodhana. And beholding those divisions
advance towards him like the swelling surges of the ocean, Dhananjaya,
the son of Pritha, quickly rushed at them like a crane rushing at a
descending cloud. And with celestial weapons in their hands, they
completely sur