Or, it may mean, that as regards our presence
here, we have not acted imprudently when even moralists cannot
always arrive at right conclusion. It seems that for this
Duryodhana proceeds to justify that presence in the following
sentences.
SECTION XLVIII
"Karna said, 'I behold all these blessed ones, looking as if alarmed and
panic-struck and unresolved and unwilling to fight. If he that is come
is the king of the Matsyas or Vibhatsu, even I will resist him as the
banks resist the swelling sea. Shot from my bow these straight and
flying arrows, like gliding snakes, are all sure of aim. Discharged by
my light hands, these keen-edged arrows furnished with golden wings
shall cover Partha all over, like locusts shrouding a tree. Strongly
pressed by these winged arrows, the bow-string will cause these my
leathern fences to produce sounds that will be heard to resemble those
of a couple of kettle-drums. Having been engaged in ascetic austerities
for the (last) eight and five years, Vibhatsu will strike me but mildly
in this conflict, and the son of Kunti having become a Brahmana endued
with good qualities, hath thus become a fit person to quietly receive
shafts by thousands shot by me. This mighty bowman is indeed, celebrated
over the three worlds. I, too, am, by no means, inferior to Arjuna, that
foremost of human beings. With golden arrows furnished with vulturine
wings shot on all sides, let the firmament seem today to swarm with
fire-flies.
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