05.139
Karna spoke:
Undoubtedly, O Keshava, it is from friendship, affection, and companionship, O descendant of Vrishni, that I speak, with the desire for your welfare.
I am fully aware of everything, being the rightful son of Pandu. As you believe, Krishna, it is through the restraint taught by the scriptures of law.
The girl conceived me from Bhaskara, O Janardana. Following Aditya's words, she abandoned me after my birth.
I am Kṛṣṇa, thus born as the rightful son of Pāṇḍu. By Kuntī, you are scattered as not well, thus.
O Madhusudana, the charioteer Adhiratha, upon seeing me, led me to Radha's house and gave me away out of friendship.
Due to my affection for Rādhā, milk immediately descended. She accepted even my urine and excrement, O Mādhava.
How can someone like us, who is always devoted to listening to the scriptures of dharma, undertake the task of removing her body?
Thus, Sūta and Adhiratha recognize me as their son, and I always recognize him as my father out of friendship.
Madhava, out of affection for his son, Janardana, indeed caused my birth ceremonies and other rituals to be performed according to the scriptural methods.
The twice-born indeed named me Vasuṣena. Keśava married my wife when I reached youth.
O Janardana, in them, my sons and grandsons were born. O Krishna, in them, my heart has developed a bond of desire.
O Govinda, neither the whole earth nor heaps of gold can compel me to speak falsehood, whether out of joy or fear.
O Krishna, in the family of Dhritarashtra, I enjoyed a kingdom without obstacles for thirteen years due to Duryodhana's support.
I have repeatedly performed many sacrifices with charioteers. I have also conducted invitations and marriages with charioteers.
O Krishna, having taken refuge in me, Duryodhana has made an effort with weapons, and there is also conflict with the Pandavas, O descendant of Vrishni.
Therefore, O infallible one, in the battle, as I approached in a duel, I was surrounded by supreme joy, opposing Arjuna.
O Janardana, I cannot speak falsehood out of fear, greed, or any other reason for the wise son of Dhritarashtra.
O Hrishikesha, if I do not go to the duel with Arjuna today, it would bring disgrace to both me and Partha.
Undoubtedly, O Madhusudana, you should speak for the benefit. There is no doubt that all the Pandavas will act under your control.
O best of men, you should regulate the mantra here. I believe this is beneficial here, O delight of all Yadavas.
If the righteous king, who is firm in his vows, knows me to be Kunti's first-born son, he will not accept the kingdom.
O Madhusudana, having obtained a great and prosperous kingdom, I would give it only to Duryodhana, O subduer of enemies.
May Yudhishthira, the righteous and eternal king, whose leader is Hrishikesha and whose warrior is Dhananjaya, continue to reign.
The earth and his kingdom are protected by Bhima, the great charioteer, along with Nakula, Sahadeva, the sons of Draupadi, and Madhava.
Uttamaujas, Yudhāmanyu, Satyadharma, and Somaki; Caidya, Cekitāna, Śikhaṇḍī, and Aparājita were present.
The Kekaya brothers, who are as colorful as Indragopa insects, and Kuntibhoja, who is as colorful as Indra's bow, are great charioteers.
The uncle of Bhimasena, Senajit, and the great chariot-warrior, Shankha, who is the son of Virata, and you, Janardana, are considered treasures.
This great assembly of Kshatriyas, orchestrated by Krishna, has resulted in this brilliant and renowned kingdom being obtained among all kings.
O descendant of Vrishni, there will be a weapon-sacrifice of Dhritarashtra. You, O Janardana, will be the knower of this sacrifice. And, O Krishna, your priestly duty will be in this sacrifice.
Here, indeed, Bibhatsu (Arjuna), armed and with the monkey-banner, will be the invoker. The Gandiva bow, ladle, clarified butter, and the strength of men will be present.
O Mādhava, the mantras associated with Indra, Paśupati, Brahma, and Sthūṇākarṇa will be used there by Savyasācin.
Saubhadra, who followed his father and was greater in prowess, will properly perform the Gravastotra there.
Here, once more, Bhima, the mighty reciter and singer, roared like a tiger among men, destroying the elephant army in battle.
Yudhishthira, the righteous and eternal king, will attain divinity through his engagement in chants and offerings.
The sounds of conches, drums, and kettle-drums, along with the excellent lion roars, will be present, O Madhusudana, and Subrahmanya will be there.
Nakula and Sahadeva, the illustrious sons of Madri, will act properly there with great strength alongside Shamitram.
O Govinda, let the spotted sticks, pure chariot spears, and sacrificial posts be arranged in this sacrifice, O Janardana.
There are arrows with iron tips and strengthened with calf teeth, javelins, vessels containing soma, pure bows, and more.
In this sacrifice, O Krishna, the swords will serve as skulls, the heads as oblations, and the offering will be blood.
The fuel sticks, enclosures, spears, and pure maces were there, along with the members who were students of Drona, Kripa, and Sharadvata.
The arrows, released by the wielder of the Gandiva bow, encircle here, driven by great charioteers and urged by Drona and his son.
Satyaki will undertake the preparatory rituals. Here, the initiated son of Dhritarashtra, along with his wife and the great army, will be present.
Ghatotkacha, known for his might, will oppose here. O mighty-armed one, during the Atiratra sacrifice, in the extensive sacrificial act.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the glorious one, was born from the dark fire in the Vaitāna ritual, which was the southern part of his sacrifice.
I am tormented today, O Krishna, because I spoke harsh words to the Pandavas for the sake of pleasing Dhritarashtra's son.
O Krishna, when you see me slain by Arjuna, then the consciousness of this sacrifice will be restored.
When the Pāṇḍava drinks the blood of Duḥśāsana, it will be the moment of truth, accompanied by a proper roar.
O Janārdana, when Droṇa, Bhīṣma, and the two Pāñcālas are defeated, then the sacrifice will come to an end.
O Madhava, when the mighty Bhimasena kills Duryodhana, the sacrifice of Dhritarashtra's son will be completed.
O Keshava, the daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law of Dhritarashtra, gathered together, having lost their lords, sons, and protectors.
Together with Gāndhārī, they cry amidst the chaos of dogs, vultures, and ospreys. In this sacrifice, O Janardana, the final bath will take place.
O Madhusudana, wise and aged elders, as well as warriors, should not face a futile death for your sake.
O Keśava, the prosperous warrior circle should meet its end by weapon in Kurukshetra, the most sacred place in the three worlds.
O lotus-eyed one, please ensure that what is desired here is accomplished so that the kṣatriya, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, may fully attain heaven.
O Janardana, as long as the mountains and rivers exist, this word of fame will remain eternal.
In gatherings, Brahmins will recount the epic battle of the Mahabharata, O descendant of Vrishni, who upholds the fame of the Kshatriyas.
O Krishna, bring Arjuna, the son of Kunti, for battle, always ensuring the protection of mantras, indeed, O scorcher of foes.
