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Even if Susharma could not kill Arjuna, which seemed likely, he would at least give Droṇa the freedom Perhaps he would not need to slay Arjuna after all. The Kaurava prince did not care.

O Bharata, resembling thunderbolts and coming at me in a straight line end-to-end, are Arjuna’s and not Even the gods could not resist them. Even the world’s monarchs united could not afflict me.”

“Whether or not the blow was fair, it was the only way your son could be killed. Without killing him, Yudhiṣṭhira could not have established a righteous rule. Were I not restrained by Yudhiṣṭhira I would have done that long ago--on the day he insulted Drupada’

Do you not know the practices of respectable women? Are you not devoted to your husband? Why are you not grieving? O snake-lady, you are a goddess. I beseech you to revive our husband.”

We have not gained our object and our enemies have not gained theirs. I do not wish to be king any longer.”

Why, then, had Karṇa not used it earlier against him?

Amba replied, “I desire to destroy Bhīṣma, who is so powerful that not even Paraśurāma could defeat him

According to Śiva’s boon, the Sindhu monarch did not encounter Arjuna, who was fighting with the Samshaptakas Arjuna’s brothers could not overpower Jayadratha as they hurried to follow Abhimanyu.

Why, then, did not all men devote themselves to Kṛṣṇa’s instructions? Arjuna voiced his doubt. “Why, dear Lord, do men not do their religious duties?”

Seeing that the king’s anger had abated, Kṛṣṇa said, “Do not grieve, O Bharata. It will not revive your sons, O King. Give up your spite and be peaceful.”

Śalya, seeing Karṇa’s terrified expression, said, “Come, O hero, do not be depressed. Do not be afraid.

I am not pleased that you have forgotten them, and I do not think I can repeat them now.

But after everything was said, Yudhiṣṭhira still could not agree. He was not convinced that performing his duty would purify him.

Do not fear. I will destroy Pārtha along with all his brothers.

“I will not be affected by your words, O man of evil intent. You cannot inspire me with fear.

“Do not be afraid of the Pāṇḍavas, O King, for I am here to help you.”

Within a short time they caught up with Bhīma, who could not be deterred from pursuing Aśvatthāmā.

Under normal circumstances I would not risk you against him, but we face a dire calamity. Still, you need not fear. I will make you invincible even to Arjuna. Even if the creatures of the three worlds come together against you, still you need not fear.

“If the heroic Arjuna does not protect Yudhiṣṭhira, then you may consider him captured; but if Arjuna stands before him, I will not be able to carry it out. Not even Indra with all the celestials could overpower Arjuna and capture Yudhiṣṭhira before his eyes

He began to chant the sacred incantations to invoke the weapon but found he could not remember them. He tried repeatedly to recite the mantras he knew so well, but they would not come to his mind. Karṇa recalled his teacher’s curse: “When your life depends on your most powerful weapon, you will not