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containing ten thousand brave warriors, Arjuna looked across at Karṇa and said, “O Keśava, I see Karṇa not I am not going to return today without slaying him. Go quickly, before he destroys our entire host.”

“If it was virtue acting on all these occasions, then do not waste your time summoning it now. You wish us to practice piety today, but you will not escape with your life.

Yudhiṣṭhira did not like to disobey Vyāsadeva or the other ṛṣis, but he still had no heart for the ruler he said to Vyāsadeva, “My lord, the thought of sovereignty, with all its objects of enjoyment, does not

You have not committed any fault.”

Yet still it was hard not to see how things might have been different. Why had he not been by Abhimanyu’s side when he needed him most? All of you together could not protect my son.”

The sun was not far from the western horizon. Perhaps all was not yet lost. Surely even Arjuna would not have enough time to fight his way past Droṇa, Karṇa, Kṛpa, Aśvatthāmā, Śalya

You are the Pāṇḍavas’ refuge, without doubt, but please do not violate Your promise. These were Your words, O Lord: ‘I will not take up arms.’ Do not falsify Your vow.

Surely I am being consumed by miserly and selfish considerations, but I am not able to overcome them. Even winning a prosperous kingdom equal to that of the gods will not assuage my sorrow. O Govinda, I will not fight.”

Could you not give charity to one who asked, or could you not keep your promise to someone? Could you, a great protector of the people, not give protection to some helpless persons when they approached Have you contacted a woman of questionable character, or have you not properly treated a deserving woman Yudhiṣṭhira paused, not wanting to express his greatest fear.

“O foremost of men, do not be afraid. He will not even be able to get near you tomorrow. Drive the fear from your heart.”

Karṇa, remembering again his promise to Kuntī, did not attempt to kill Nakula, who then ran to Yudhiṣṭhira He could display his power only for as long as those two great souls did not charge at him in anger.

I have vowed this: I will not fight with weapons against women, or those who bear women’s names, or even O Duryodhana, I will not fight with Śikhaṇḍī even if he attacks me, desiring my death.”

When you defeated the kṣatriyas, I had not yet been born, nor anyone like me. You consumed straw. Do not doubt it.”

Bhīma, standing by Yudhiṣṭhira’s side, heard Kṛṣṇa’s words and said, “O Madhava, do not grieve. My mace is more powerful than his, and my skills are not lacking.

But Bhīma could not forget the ills the Pāṇḍavas had experienced at the Kauravas’ hands. Dhṛtarāṣṭra also could not feel much love for Bhīma, who had killed his sons.

Knowing that Yudhiṣṭhira would not easily accede to him going alone as an ascetic into the wild, he did not reply to Vidura.

He did not deserve to be mistreated by the charioteer’s son. The ācārya spoke the truth about Arjuna and his brothers, but because you are envious you could not tolerate Even the celestials and Asuras could not overcome Arjuna. O vilest of men, I will not stand by as you insult my uncle.

Duryodhana had not been happy with the decision to rest for the night, but the other Kuru chiefs had Duryodhana was infuriated that the Kauravas had not been able to gain the upper hand when they had the You should not have permitted our troops to follow Arjuna’s order.

He was not surprised that the Pāṇḍavas’ uncle should have spoken to discourage him, but he was not prepared Only out of regard for Duryodhana have I not done so already. Drive on toward Arjuna.

Therefore, it was not yet time for Karṇa to die. Karṇa did not relent. Remembering his promise to Kuntī, he did not attempt to kill Bhīma.