The thunder that slayeth the Danavas was made of a bone of (a
mortal named) Dadhichi. The illustrious deity Guha, who combines in his
composition the portions of all the other deities is of a lineage unknown.
Some call him the offspring of Agni; some, of Krittika, some, of Rudra,
and some of Ganga. It hath been heard by us that persons born in the
Kshatriya order have become Brahmanas. Viswamitra and others (born
Kshatriyas) have obtained the eternal Brahma. The foremost of all wielders
of weapons, the preceptor Drona hath been born in a waterpot and Kripa of
the race of Gotama hath sprung from a clump of heath. Your own births, ye
Pandava princes, are known to me. Can a she-deer bring forth a tiger (like
Karna), of the splendour of the Sun, and endued with every auspicious mark,
and born also with a natural mail and ear-rings? This prince among men
deserveth the sovereignty of the world, not of Anga only, in consequence
of the might of his arm and my swearing to obey him in everything. If
there be anybody here to whom all that I have done unto Karna hath become
intolerable, let him ascend his chariot and bend his bow with the help of
his feet.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then there arose a confused murmur amongst the
spectators approving of Duryodhana's speech. The sun, however, went down,
but prince Duryodhana taking Karna's hand led him out of the arena lighted
with countless lamps. And, O king, the Pandavas also, accompanied by Drona
and Kripa and Bhishma, returned to their abodes.
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