04.044
Kṛpa said.
O son of Radha, your intention in battle is always more cruel. You do not understand the
nature of things, nor do you consider the consequences. (04-44-1)
Indeed, many new treatises, having been considered based on them, are declared by the
ancients to regard war as most sinful. (04-44-2)
A battle conducted at the right place and time may lead to victory; however, that very
same battle, if fought at the wrong time, does not yield results here. Bold action, in
proper place and time, is always undertaken for welfare. (04-44-3)
Tasks should be arranged appropriately in accordance with their suitability; wise persons
do not assign the burden of a chariot-maker to others. (04-44-4)
But, having considered, Pārtha (Arjuna) found that an attack was not possible for us. One
person protected the Kurus, and one (other) satisfied the fire. (04-44-5)
One of them practiced celibacy for five years; one, carrying Subhadrā, challenged Krishna
to a duel on chariots; and here in this very forest, Krishna recovered the abducted
Draupadī. (04-44-6)
And one (of them) learned missiles from Śakra for five years; one, having conquered
Sāṃyamini, brought fame to the Kurus. (04-44-7)
The subduer of enemies single-handedly conquered the king of the Gandharvas, Citraseṇa, by
strength in battle, along with his very difficult-to-defeat army. (04-44-8)
Thus the Nivātakavaca, Kālakhañja, and Dānava demons—invincible even to the gods—were all
defeated by one (hero) in battle. (04-44-9)
O Karṇa, what indeed have you alone accomplished here before, such that, by each one of
them, the kings were subdued? (04-44-10)
Even Indra himself is not capable of fighting with Pārtha in battle. Whoever wishes to
fight with him must be given a remedy. (04-44-11)
You wish to seize the fang of an angry venomous serpent with your right hand raised and
your index finger, without considering (the consequences). (04-44-12)
Or else, do you wish to go to the city riding alone upon an intoxicated elephant, roaming
in the forest without a goad? (04-44-13)
You, anointed with ghee and wearing bark cloth, desire to cross through the midst of the
kindled fire or even offerings of ghee, fat, and flesh. (04-44-14)
If someone binds himself to a great stone at the neck, yet crosses the ocean by his own
two arms, what could possibly be called manliness in that?
One untrained in weapons and very weak who wishes to fight with Karna, who is powerful and
skilled in arms like Partha, is truly foolish. (04-44-16)
This one, having been subdued by us for thirteen years here, the lion, now released from
bondage, will not do any harm to us. (04-44-17)
By approaching Pārtha, who sat hidden in solitude like fire in a well, out of ignorance we
have incurred supreme fear. (04-44-18)
Let us together fight Arjuna, who has arrived intoxicated by battle. Let the armies,
well-armored and arrayed in their divisions, stand ready to strike. (04-44-19)
Droṇa, Duryodhana, Bhīṣma, yourself, Drauṇi, and all of us fight against Arjuna. Karṇa, do
not act rashly. (04-44-20)
If we six chariot warriors unite, we could face Arjuna, who stands firm and ready like
Indra with upraised thunderbolt. (04-44-21)
Our armies, with arrayed divisions and supreme archers devoted, fight Arjuna in battle
just as the Dānavas fought Indra. (04-44-22)
