"Karna continued, 'O king, this conduct of thine to-day appeareth to be
childish. O hero, O slayer of foes, what is to be wondered at in this
that the Pandavas liberated thee when thou wert vanquished by the foe? O
son of the Kuru race, those that reside in the territories of the king,
especially those (amongst them) that lead the profession of arms, should
always do what is agreeable to the king whether they happen to be known
to their monarch or unknown to him. It happened often that foremost men
who crush the ranks of the hostile host, are vanquished by them, and are
rescued by their own troops. They that leading the profession of arms,
reside in the king's realm should always combine and exert themselves to
the best of their power, for the king. If, therefore, O king, the
Pandavas, who live in the territories, have liberated thee, what is
there to be regretted at in this? That the Pandavas, O best of kings,
did not follow thee when thou didst march forth to battle at the head of
thy troops, has been an improper act on their part. They had before this
come under thy power, becoming thy slaves. They are, therefore, bound to
aid thee now, being endued with courage and might and incapable of
turning away from the field of battle. Thou art enjoying all the rich
possessions of the Pandavas. Behold them yet alive, O king! They have
not resolved to die, forgoing all food. Blest be thou! Rise up, O king!
It behoveth thee not to indulge in great sorrow long. O king, it is the
certain duty of those that reside in the king's realm to do what is
agreeable to the king. Where should the regret be in all this? If thou,
O king, dost not act according to my words I shall stay here employed in
reverentially serving thy feet. O bull among men, I do not desire to
live deprived of thy company. O king, if thou resolvest to slay thyself
by forgoing food, thou wilt simply be an object of laughter with other
kings.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana,
firmly resolved to leave the world, desired not to rise from where he
sat."