04.055
Arjuna said
Karna, that boast of yours in the midst of the assembly, with many words, that 'there is none equal to me in battle' — now this (occasion) has arrived before you. (04-55-1)
You have spoken harsh words, abandoning righteousness. But I think that this act which you intend is difficult. (4-55-2)
O son of Radha, whatever you said before without coming to me, do that today in the midst of the Kurus, together with me. (04-55-3)
Today, you shall obtain only the result of having seen Pañcālī being harassed by evil-minded men in the assembly. (04-55-4)
See, in battle, the victory of the anger of that Radheya, which I, bound by the bonds of dharma, formerly endured. (04-55-5)
Come, Karṇa, together with me, take up battle. Let all the Kurus be observers along with their soldiers. (04-55-6)
Karna said.
O Pārtha, you speak by words, but do that by action. Indeed, action is truly said to surpass speech in this world. (04-55-7)
What you previously endured, I consider that to have been the endurance of the powerless, O Pārtha, upon seeing your lack of valor. (04-55-8)
If you once endured being bound by the ropes of righteousness, in the same way, though bound, you now consider yourself as if unbound. (04-55-9)
If, though you have conducted yourself in the forest dwelling as earlier agreed, you, possessing the true knowledge of dharma and artha and being troubled, wish to break the promise, (04-55-10)
O Pārtha, even if Śakra himself fought for your sake, still, there would be no distress at all for me as I go forth to battle. (04-55-11)
O son of Kunti, this wish of yours has come to fruition without delay. Today, you will fight side by side with me; you will see my strength. (04-55-12)
Arjuna said.
Just now, for the present, you have withdrawn from my battle, O Rādheya; thus you remain alive, but your younger brother has been killed. (04-55-13)
Who else but you, among honorable men, having caused his brother to be slain and abandoned him on the battlefield, would speak thus, being so situated? (04-55-14)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, even while speaking to Karṇa, the undefeated Bhībhatsu (Arjuna) advanced, releasing arrows that pierced bodily armor. (04-55-15)
Karṇa received those arrows, which were like flames of fire, with a great shower of arrows, just as a rain cloud pours down. (04-55-16)
Clusters of arrows of dreadful form sprang up on all sides; they pierced the horses and, in both arms, the hands were wounded separately. (04-55-17)
He, unable to bear it, cut the suspension of Karṇa's quiver with a sharp-pointed, bent-jointed arrow. (04-55-18)
Karṇa, having taken other arrows from the Upāsaṅga, then pierced the Pāṇḍava in his hand, and his fist was shattered. (04-55-19)
Then Pārtha, the mighty-armed, cut off Karṇa's bow. He (Karṇa) hurled a spear at him, which Pārtha shattered with his arrows. (04-55-20)
Then, many followers of Rādheya approached, and Arjuna dispatched them with arrows shot from the Gāṇḍīva to the abode of Yama (death). (04-55-21)
Then Bībhatsu (Arjuna), using sharp and powerful arrows drawn to the ear, struck his (enemy's) horses; those struck fell to the ground. (04-55-22)
Then the mighty-armed Kunti's son, the powerful one, pierced Karna in the chest with another fiery sharp arrow. (04-55-23)
The arrow pierced through his thin armor and struck his body; then, overcome by darkness, he became completely unconscious. (04-55-24)
He, overwhelmed with pain, left the battlefield and departed facing north. Then Arjuna called out, and Uttara, the great chariot-warrior, responded. (04-55-25)
