Duryodhana Returns and Resolves to Fight

The daityas embraced Duryodhana like a son. They consoled him, steadied his intelligence with loving words, and gave him permission to leave. "Go," they said. "Be victorious." Kritya brought the mighty-armed king back to the spot where he had decided to fast unto death. She placed him down, honored him, took his permission to leave — and instantly disappeared. When she was gone, Duryodhana thought it had all been a dream. But a thought remained with him, fixed and immovable: "I will vanquish the sons of Pandu in battle." He believed that Karna and the Samshaptakas — the warriors sworn to fight together or die together — had been given the task of killing Arjuna, and that they were capable of it. Resolution hardened in Dhritarashtra's son. What Duryodhana did not know — what he could not see — was that forces beyond human will had already begun to move through his army. Karna's mind and soul had been possessed by the soul of Naraka, the asura (demon) king. This turned his thoughts toward the cruel task of killing Arjuna. Various rakshasas (evil spirits) had possessed the intelligence of the brave Samshaptakas, overtaking them with rajas and tamas — the qualities of passion and darkness — filling them with the single wish to kill Phalguna (Arjuna). Even the minds of Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and the other elders had been taken over by danavas (demons). They were no longer as affectionate toward the sons of Pandu as they had once been. But King Suyodhana (Duryodhana) told no one this. He kept the secret of what had happened in the night, and what had been done to his warriors, locked inside himself. When the night was over, Karna Vaikartana smiled at King Duryodhana. He joined his hands in salutation and spoke words full of reason. "No one who is dead can defeat his enemies. Only those who are alive witness fortune. How does a dead one obtain fortune? Where is the victory? This is not the time for despondency, fear or death." He embraced the mighty-armed king and said, "Arise. Why are you lying down? Why are you sorrowing? How can you desire to die when the enemy has been tormented through your valour? Or if fear has been engendered at the sight of Arjuna's valour, I truly promise that I will kill Arjuna in battle. When thirteen years have elapsed, I swear on my weapons that I will bring the Parthas under your subjugation." Duryodhana arose. He remembered the words of the daityas. He witnessed the prostrations of the others. He adopted a firm resolution in his heart. The tiger among men asked his army to be prepared — with many chariots, elephants, horses and large numbers of infantry. The great army marched like the waves of the Ganga. It had white umbrellas and pennants and extremely white whisks. It was radiant with chariots, elephants and infantry, like the sky when the thick clouds have disappeared and autumn has arrived. Indras among brahmanas (brahmanas as radiant as the god Indra) pronounced benedictions of victory over him and praised him like an emperor. With hands joined in salutation, Duryodhana received the homage of garlands. Blazing in supreme prosperity, Suyodhana was in the front, together with Karna and the dice-player Soubala. Beginning with Duhshasana, all his other brothers were there, and Bhurishravas, Somadatta and the great king Bahlika. The extenders of the Kuru lineage followed that lion among kings on many types of chariots, horses and excellent elephants. In a short while, they entered their own city.