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39.DURYODHANA DISGRACED
Duhsasana protested his unworthiness to
be king and caught hold of his brother's
feet and wept. Karna could not bear the
sight of the brother's sorrow.
Karna said: "This does not befit heroes of
the Kuru race. What is the use of just
collapsing under sorrow? It will but make
your enemies happy. Look at the
Pandavas. They have not taken to fasts in
spite of the disgrace they have suffered."
Sakuni interposed and said: "Listen to
Karna's words. Why do you say that you
would give up your life when the kingdom
seized from the Pandavas is yours to
enjoy? Fasting serves no purpose, for if
you really repent of what you have done
till now, you should make friends with the
Pandavas and give them back their
kingdom."
When Duryodhana heard this speech, his
evil nature regained ascendancy, for
giving back the kingdom to the Pandavas
was to him a hundred times worse than
defeat or disgrace. He shouted: "I shall
conquer the Pandavas."
Karna said: "That is the way for a king to
talk."
And he added: "What sense is there in
dying? You can do something worthwhile
only if you are alive."
While returning home, Karna said: "I
swear to you by all that is holy that, when
the stipulated period of thirteen years is
over, I will kill Arjuna in battle." And
then he touched his sword in token of the
oath.
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