05.165
Pancharatra-core: Bhishma insults Karna as a half-charioteer while describing warriors. Because of this Karna refuses to engage, as long as Bhishma is the commander in chief.
Bhishma said:
Acala and Vṛṣaka, the two brothers, together with your invincible chariots, will destroy the enemies.
The two strong and young warriors, who are like tigers among men, firm in their anger and skilled in striking, are the chiefs of Gandhara, handsome and very powerful.
Your beloved friend, who is always battle-hardened, encourages you, O king, to engage in conflict with the Pandavas.
Karṇa, the son of Vikartana, is harsh, boastful, and lowly. He is your advisor, leader, and relative, and is extremely proud and exalted.
This chariot is neither complete nor does it belong to a great charioteer, O king. It is without armor and naturally unconscious, and is always compassionate, lacking the divine earrings.
Due to the curse and the words of Rāma and the Brāhmaṇa, and the separation from actions, I am deemed a half-charioteer by him. This will not be freed again after reaching Phalguna alive.
Sanjaya said:
Then the mighty-armed Droṇa, the best among warriors, affirmed: "Indeed, as you have stated, nothing is untrue."
In every battle, Karna, though very proud, is seen to turn away. He is compassionate and careless, and thus I consider him only half a chariot-warrior.
Upon hearing this, Radheya, his eyes wide with anger, addressed Bhishma, O king, with words that pierced like a goad.
Grandfather, you criticize me harshly as you wish, always out of hatred, at every step. I endure all this because of Duryodhana.
You think of me as incapable, like a coward, but I see you as only half a warrior. There is no doubt about this.
O son of Ganga, I speak nothing false about the entire world. The king, always an enemy of the Kurus, does not understand.
Who indeed, in equal royal and noble deeds, would cause this destruction of energy desiring to divide in battle, as you intend to commit an offense by pointing out qualities?
O Kaurava, the status of a great warrior cannot be determined by age, gray hair, wealth, or relatives.
The warrior class is regarded as the strongest, the twice-born as the wisest, the merchant class as the wealthiest, and the laborer class as the oldest.
You act out of delusion, driven by desire and hatred, taking chariots and great chariots as you wish.
O mighty-armed Duryodhana, observe well and properly. Abandon this evil intention towards Bhishma, who is sinful.
O king, a divided army is indeed difficult to unite. Even if it is originally united, O tiger among men, how much more so when it has arisen in various forms?
O Bharata, among these warriors in battle, a division has arisen. Our energy is being destroyed directly and especially.
Where is the expertise in chariots, and where is Bhishma, who is of little sense? I will halt the Pandavas' army.
The Pandavas and the Panchalas, armed with unfailing arrows, will surround me from all ten directions like bulls encircling a tiger.
Where is the clash of battle or the well-articulated counsels? And where is Bhishma, who is aged, slow-witted, and deluded by the passage of time?
He is always in competition with the entire world and does not regard anyone else, being one with a futile vision.
It is said that one should indeed listen to the elders as they provide scriptural examples, but the very old are not to be considered in the same way, as they are regarded as children once more.
I alone will defeat the Pandavas without any doubt. In a fair battle, O tiger among kings, the glory will belong to Bhishma.
O king, you have appointed Bhishma as the general. The virtue will go to the general, but not to the warriors in any way.
O king, I refuse to engage in battle as long as Bhīṣma, the son of Ganga, is alive. However, once Bhīṣma is slain, I shall join the fight alongside all the great warriors.
