Janamejaya said, "These feats of Pritha's son endued with immeasurable
energy, were certainly marvellous. O Brahmana, what did Dhritarashtra of
great wisdom say, when he heard of them?"
Vaisampayana said, "Amvika's son, king Dhritarashtra, having heard of
Arjuna's arrival and stay at Indra's abode, from Dwaipayana, that
foremost of Rishis, spake unto Sanjaya, saying, 'O charioteer, dost thou
know in detail the acts of the intelligent Arjuna, of which I have heard
from beginning to end? O charioteer, my wretched and sinful son is even
now engaged in a policy of the most vulgar kind. Of wicked soul, he will
certainly depopulate the earth. The illustrious person whose words even
in jest are true, and who hath Dhananjaya to fight for him, is sure to
win the three worlds. Who that is even beyond the influence of Death and
Decay will be able to stay before Arjuna, when he will scatter his
barbed and sharp-pointed arrows whetted on stone? My wretched sons, who
have to fight with the invincible Pandavas are indeed, all doomed.
Reflecting day and night, I see not the warrior amongst us that is able
to stay in battle before the wielder of the _Gandiva_. If Drona, or
Karna, or even Bhishma advance against him in battle, a great calamity
is likely to befall the earth. But even in that case, I see not the way
to our success. Karna is kind and forgetful. The preceptor Drona is old,
and the teacher (of Arjuna). Arjuna, however, is wrathful, and strong,
and proud, and of firm and steady prowess. As all these warriors are
invincible, a terrible fight will take place between them. All of them
are heroes skilled in weapons and of great reputation. They would not
wish for the sovereignty of the world, if it was to be purchased by
defeat. Indeed, peace will be restored only on the death of these or of
Phalguna. The slayer of Arjuna, however, existeth not, nor doth one that
can vanquish him. Oh, how shall that wrath of his which hath myself for
its object be pacified. Equal unto the chief of the celestials, that
hero gratified Agni at _Khandava_ and vanquished all the monarchs of the
earth on the occasion of the great _Rajasuya_. O Sanjaya, the
thunder-bolt falling on the mountain top, leaveth a portion unconsumed;
but the shafts, O child, that are shot by Kiriti leave not a rack
behind. As the rays of the sun heat this mobile and immobile universe,
so will the shafts shot by Arjuna's hands scorch my sons. It seemeth to
me that the _Chamus_ of the Bharatas, terrified at the clatter of
Arjuna's chariot-wheels, are already broken through in all directions.
Vidhatri hath created Arjuna as an all-consuming Destroyer. He stayeth
in battle as a foe, vomitting and scattering swarms of arrows. Who is
there that will defeat him?'"