06.117
Pancharatra and Core: Karna visits Bhishma and takes his blessings to engage in war.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said.
ततस्ते पार्थिवाः सर्वे जग्मुः स्वानालयान्पुनः। तूष्णीम्भूते महाराज भीष्मे शन्तनुनन्दने ॥६-११७-१॥
Then all the kings returned to their homes once more, falling silent as Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, lay silent, O great king.
श्रुत्वा तु निहतं भीष्मं राधेयः पुरुषर्षभः। ईषदागतसन्त्रासः त्वरयोपजगाम ह ॥६-११७-२॥
Upon hearing of Bhishma's fall, Radheya, known as Karna, felt a slight fear but quickly approached with urgency.
स ददर्श महात्मानं शरतल्पगतं तदा। जन्मशय्यागतं देवं कार्त्तिकेयमिव प्रभुम् ॥६-११७-३॥
He saw the great soul, who was lying on a bed of arrows, as if he had come to his birth-bed, resembling the god Kartikeya, the lord.
निमीलिताक्षं तं वीरं साश्रुकण्ठस्तदा वृषः। अभ्येत्य पादयोस्तस्य निपपात महाद्युतिः ॥६-११७-४॥
The greatly radiant bull, with tears in its throat, approached the hero with closed eyes and fell at his feet.
राधेयोऽहं कुरुश्रेष्ठ नित्यं चाष्किगतस्तव। द्वेष्योऽत्यन्तमनागाः सन्निति चैनमुवाच ह ॥६-११७-५॥
I am Radheya, O best of the Kurus, always dependent on you, though extremely hateful and innocent, thus he indeed spoke to him.
तच्छ्रुत्वा कुरुवृद्धः स बलात्संवृत्तलोचनः। शनैरुद्वीक्ष्य सस्नेहमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥६-११७-६॥
Upon hearing that, the elder of the Kurus, with his eyes forcibly closed, slowly looked up with affection and spoke these words.
रहितं धिष्ण्यमालोक्य समुत्सार्य च रक्षिणः। पितेव पुत्रं गाङ्गेयः परिष्वज्यैकबाहुना ॥६-११७-७॥
Upon seeing the empty throne and dismissing the guards, Bhishma embraced him with one arm, as a father would embrace his son.
एह्येहि मे विप्रतीप स्पर्धसे त्वं मया सह। यदि मां नाभिगच्छेथा न ते श्रेयो भवेद्ध्रुवम् ॥६-११७-८॥
"Come, come, my opponent, you are competing with me. If you do not approach me, your welfare will certainly not be assured."
कौन्तेयस्त्वं न राधेयो विदितो नारदान्मम। कृष्णद्वैपायनाच्चैव केशवाच्च न संशयः ॥६-११७-९॥
There is no doubt that you are known as the son of Kunti, not as the son of Radha, as informed to me by Narada, Krishna Dvaipayana, and Keshava.
न च द्वेषोऽस्ति मे तात त्वयि सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते। तेजोवधनिमित्तं तु परुषाण्यहमुक्तवान् ॥६-११७-१०॥
Dear father, I bear no hatred towards you. I assure you, I speak the truth. However, I have uttered harsh words to diminish your splendor.
अकस्मात्पाण्डवान्हि त्वं द्विषसीति मतिर्मम। येनासि बहुशो रूक्षं चोदितः सूर्यनन्दन ॥६-११७-११॥
Suddenly, I think you indeed hate the Pāṇḍavas, as you are often urged harshly by someone, O son of the Sun.
जानामि समरे वीर्यं शत्रुभिर्दुःसहं तव। ब्रह्मण्यतां च शौर्यं च दाने च परमां गतिम् ॥६-११७-१२॥
I am aware of your valor in battle, which is unbearable for enemies, as well as your devotion to Brahman, heroism, and supreme excellence in generosity.
न त्वया सदृशः कश्चित्पुरुषेष्वमरोपम। कुलभेदं च मत्वाहं सदा परुषमुक्तवान् ॥६-११७-१३॥
There is no one among men comparable to you, resembling a god. Considering the family distinction, I have always spoken harshly.
इष्वस्त्रे भारसन्धाने लाघवेऽस्त्रबले तथा। सदृशः फल्गुनेनासि कृष्णेन च महात्मना ॥६-११७-१४॥
In skills of archery, bearing weight, agility, and strength of weapons, you are comparable to Arjuna and the great soul Krishna.
कर्ण राजपुरं गत्वा त्वयैकेन धनुष्मता। तस्यार्थे कुरुराजस्य राजानो मृदिता युधि ॥६-११७-१५॥
Karna went to the royal city alone with a bow, and for the sake of the Kuru king, he crushed the kings in battle.
तथा च बलवान्राजा जरासन्धो दुरासदः। समरे समरश्लाघी त्वया न सदृशोऽभवत् ॥६-११७-१६॥
Thus, the mighty king Jarāsandha, known for his prowess in battle, was not deemed your equal in combat.
ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यवादी च तेजसार्क इवापरः। देवगर्भोऽजितः सङ्ख्ये मनुष्यैरधिको भुवि ॥६-११७-१७॥
He is devoted to Brahman, speaks the truth, and is like another sun in brilliance; born of a divine womb, unconquered in battle, and superior to men on earth.
व्यपनीतोऽद्य मन्युर्मे यस्त्वां प्रति पुरा कृतः। दैवं पुरुषकारेण न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् ॥६-११७-१८॥
Today, the anger I once held towards you has been dispelled. It is impossible to overcome fate with human effort.
सोदर्याः पाण्डवा वीरा भ्रातरस्तेऽरिसूदन। सङ्गच्छ तैर्महाबाहो मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम् ॥६-११७-१९॥
O slayer of enemies, the Pāṇḍavas, who are your heroic brothers, should be united with you, O mighty-armed one, if you desire my favor.
मया भवतु निर्वृत्तं वैरमादित्यनन्दन। पृथिव्यां सर्वराजानो भवन्त्वद्य निरामयाः ॥६-११७-२०॥
"Let the enmity be ended by me, O son of Aditi. May all the kings on earth be free from disease today."
कर्ण उवाच॥
Karna said.
जानाम्यहं महाप्राज्ञ सर्वमेतन्न संशयः। यथा वदसि दुर्धर्ष कौन्तेयोऽहं न सूतजः ॥६-११७-२१॥
I am fully aware, O wise one, of all this without any doubt. As you have stated, O invincible one, I am indeed the son of Kunti and not the son of a charioteer.
अवकीर्णस्त्वहं कुन्त्या सूतेन च विवर्धितः। भुक्त्वा दुर्योधनैश्वर्यं न मिथ्या कर्तुमुत्सहे ॥६-११७-२२॥
I, who was scattered and nurtured by Kunti and the charioteer, having enjoyed the prosperity of Duryodhana, am not able to commit falsehood.
वसु चैव शरीरं च यदुदारं तथा यशः। सर्वं दुर्योधनस्यार्थे त्यक्तं मे भूरिदक्षिण ॥६-११७-२३॥
I have sacrificed my wealth, body, and fame, all of which are noble, for the sake of Duryodhana, as a great offering.
कोपिताः पाण्डवा नित्यं मयाश्रित्य सुयोधनम् ॥६-११७-२३॥
The Pāṇḍavas, always angered, have taken refuge in me against Suyodhana.
अवश्यभावी वै योऽर्थो न स शक्यो निवर्तितुम्। दैवं पुरुषकारेण को निवर्तितुमुत्सहेत् ॥६-११७-२४॥
The inevitable purpose cannot be stopped by anyone. Who would dare to stop fate with human effort?
पृथिवीक्षयशंसीनि निमित्तानि पितामह। भवद्भिरुपलब्धानि कथितानि च संसदि ॥६-११७-२५॥
Grandfather, the omens and signs of the earth's destruction perceived by you have been told in the assembly.
पाण्डवा वासुदेवश्च विदिता मम सर्वशः। अजेयाः पुरुषैरन्यैरिति तांश्चोत्सहामहे ॥६-११७-२६॥
The Pandavas and Vasudeva are well known to me as being invincible by others; hence, we strive for them.
अनुजानीष्व मां तात युद्धे प्रीतमनाः सदा। अनुज्ञातस्त्वया वीर युध्येयमिति मे मतिः ॥६-११७-२७॥
"Father, please allow me to engage in battle with a joyful heart always. With your permission, O hero, it is my intention to fight."
दुरुक्तं विप्रतीपं वा संरम्भाच्चापलात्तथा। यन्मयापकृतं किञ्चित्तदनुक्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥६-११७-२८॥
Please forgive any harsh or contradictory words spoken by me in anger or impulsiveness.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
न चेच्छक्यमथोत्स्रष्टुं वैरमेतत्सुदारुणम्। अनुजानामि कर्ण त्वां युध्यस्व स्वर्गकाम्यया ॥६-११७-२९॥
It is impossible to let go of this intense enmity. Karna, I allow you to fight for the sake of attaining heaven.
विमन्युर्गतसंरम्भः कुरु कर्म नृपस्य हि। यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं सतां वृत्तेषु वृत्तवान् ॥६-११७-३०॥
Without anger and with calmness, perform the king's duty indeed, according to your ability and enthusiasm, engaging in the conduct of the virtuous.
अहं त्वामनुजानामि यदिच्छसि तदाप्नुहि। क्षत्रधर्मजिताँल्लोकान्सम्प्राप्स्यसि न संशयः ॥६-११७-३१॥
I grant you permission to achieve what you desire. You will undoubtedly attain the worlds conquered by the duty of a warrior.
युध्यस्व निरहङ्कारो बलवीर्यव्यपाश्रयः। धर्मो हि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ॥६-११७-३२॥
Fight without ego, relying on strength and valor. Indeed, for a warrior, there is nothing better than engaging in battle.
प्रशमे हि कृतो यत्नः सुचिरात्सुचिरं मया। न चैव शकितः कर्तुं यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः ॥६-११७-३३॥
I have indeed made efforts for a long time to bring about peace. However, it was not possible to achieve because where there is righteousness, there is victory.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said.
एवं ब्रुवन्तं गाङ्गेयमभिवाद्य प्रसाद्य च। राधेयो रथमारुह्य प्रायात्तव सुतं प्रति ॥६-११७-३४॥
Thus, after saluting and pleasing Bhishma, Karna mounted his chariot and proceeded towards your son.
