An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s7.293.3

c5.s7.293.3

Rāma gave the Dhanurveda to Karṇa, "whom I do not think to have been born in the Sūta order, but to be the son of a god, born in the Kṣatriya order and abandoned in infancy" (VIII, 34). Duryodhana said: "So did Brahmān act as Rudra's driver; the driver should be superior to the warrior; thou art selected by us as superior to Karṇa." Ḍalya said that many a time he had heard this history recited to him, and Kṛṣṇa, knowing the same, had become the charioteer of Arjuna, and would fight if Arjuna were slain. Duryodhana eulogized Karṇa (a) and then Ḍalya (etymology) as superior to Kṛṣṇa. Ḍalya repeated his promise and condition. Duryodhana embraced Karna and, requested by him, once more obtained the promise of Çalya, who embraced Duryodhana and asked their forgiveness for the words he might speak to Karna for his good; "what I shall say, in order to inspire thee confidence, is fraught with self-adulation; I am a driver like Matali himself" (VIII, 35). —§ 607: Duryodhana said to Karna: "Çalya, who is superior to Krishna, will act as a driver, like Matali to Indra." When the morning came, Duryodhana again successfully asked Çalya to become Karna's charioteer. Karna having worshipped the chariot (which had in days of old been sanctified by a priest), they both ascended it. Karna told Çalya to urge the steeds that he might slay Arjuna, etc. (β); Çalya endeavoured to inspire Karna with fear by eulogizing the Pandavas (VIII, 36). When Karna set out there appeared ill omens.