musical instruments been suspended, there was heard proceeding from the gate, the slapping of arms, betokening might and strength, and even like unto the roar of thunder. And, O king, as soon as this sound was heard, the assembled multitude instantly thought, 'Are the mountains splitting, or is the Earth itself rending asunder, or is the welkin resounding with the roar of gathering clouds?' And then all the spectators turned their eyes towards the entrance. And Drona stood surrounded by the five brothers—the sons of Pritha, and seemed like the moon in conjunction with the five-starred constellation Hastā. And Duryodhana, that slayer of foes, stood up in haste and was surrounded by his century of haughty brothers with Aswathama amongst them. And that prince, mace in hand, thus surrounded by his hundred brothers with uplifted weapons, appeared like Purandara in days of yore, encircled by the celestial host on the occasion of the battle with the Danavas."
Thus ends the hundred and thirty-seventh Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.
( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Vaisampayana continued, "When the spectators, with eyes expanded with wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities, Karna, that hero with his natural mail and face brightened up with ear-rings, taking his bow and girding on his sword, entered the spacious lists, like a walking cliff. That far-famed destroyer of hostile hosts, the large-eyed, Karna, was born of Pritha in her maidenhood. He was a portion of the hot-beamed Sun. His energy and prowess were like unto those of the lion, or the bull, or the leader of a herd of elephants. He resembled the sun in splendour, the moon in loveliness, and the fire in energy. Born of the Sun himself he was tall in stature like a golden palm tree, and endued with the vigor of youth he was capable of slaying a lion. Handsome in features, he was possessed of countless accomplishments. The mighty-armed warrior eyeing all around the
