When both Bhishma and Drona have been slain, Karna will surely then defeat the Pandavas. O descendant of the Bharata race, having cherished this hope in his heart and also having comforted himself. Thereupon king Duryodhana was exceedingly gratified to hear his words, that were fraught with delight and reverence, that were also beneficial to himself and true and most pleasant. Then having secured the steadiness of his mind and relied upon the strength of his own arms, the most powerful king Duryodhana spoke these words to the son of Radha-.
हते भीष्मे च द्रोणे च कर्णो जेष्यति पाण्डवान्। तामाशां हृदये कृत्वा समाश्वस्य च भारत॥ ततो दुर्योधनः प्रीतः प्रियं श्रुत्वाऽस्य तद् वचः। प्रीतिसत्कार संयुक्तं तथ्यमात्महितं शुभम्॥ स्वं मनः समवस्थाप्य बाहुवीर्यमुपाश्रितः। दुर्योधनो महाराज राधेयमिदमब्रवीत्॥