07.001
Pancharatra and Core: In the absence of Bhishma, the Kauravas turn to Karna for his valour.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya spoke:
तमप्रतिमसत्त्वौजोबलवीर्यपराक्रमम्। हतं देवव्रतं श्रुत्वा पाञ्चाल्येन शिखण्डिना ॥७-१-१॥
Upon hearing that Devavrata, with his unmatched strength and valor, was slain by Shikhandi, the prince of Panchala, there was a great stir.
धृतराष्ट्रस्तदा राजा शोकव्याकुलचेतनः। किमचेष्टत विप्रर्षे हते पितरि वीर्यवान् ॥७-१-२॥
Then King Dhritarashtra, overwhelmed with grief, was conscious of his distress. O sage, what actions did the valiant take upon the slaying of the father?
तस्य पुत्रो हि भगवन्भीष्मद्रोणमुखै रथैः। पराजित्य महेष्वासान्पाण्डवान्राज्यमिच्छति ॥७-१-३॥
His son, O Lord, led by Bhishma, Drona, and others, has defeated the great archers, the Pandavas, and now desires the kingdom.
तस्मिन्हते तु भगवन्केतौ सर्वधनुष्मताम्। यदचेष्टत कौरव्यस्तन्मे ब्रूहि द्विजोत्तम ॥७-१-४॥
O Lord, after Ketu, the best of all archers, was slain, tell me what the Kaurava did, O best of the twice-born.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
निहतं पितरं श्रुत्वा धृतराष्ट्रो जनाधिपः। लेभे न शान्तिं कौरव्यश्चिन्ताशोकपरायणः ॥७-१-५॥
Upon hearing of his father's death, King Dhritarashtra, the leader of the Kauravas, was engulfed in worry and sorrow, finding no peace.
तस्य चिन्तयतो दुःखमनिशं पार्थिवस्य तत्। आजगाम विशुद्धात्मा पुनर्गावल्गणिस्तदा ॥७-१-६॥
While the king was constantly in sorrow thinking about it, the pure-souled Gavalganih came again at that time.
शिबिरात्सञ्जयं प्राप्तं निशि नागाह्वयं पुरम्। आम्बिकेयो महाराज धृतराष्ट्रोऽन्वपृच्छत ॥७-१-७॥
Sanjaya arrived at the city of Nagahvaya from the camp at night. The great king Dhritarashtra, son of Ambika, asked about the events.
श्रुत्वा भीष्मस्य निधनमप्रहृष्टमना भृशम्। पुत्राणां जयमाकाङ्क्षन्विललापातुरो यथा ॥७-१-८॥
Upon hearing of Bhishma's demise, he was deeply troubled and, yearning for his sons' victory, lamented in distress.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
संसाध्य तु महात्मानं भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम्। किमकार्षुः परं तात कुरवः कालचोदिताः ॥७-१-९॥
After achieving the great Bhishma, who was of immense prowess, what actions did the Kauravas take next, O father, driven by the force of time?
तस्मिन्विनिहते शूरे दुराधर्षे महौजसि। किं नु स्वित्कुरवोऽकार्षुर्निमग्नाः शोकसागरे ॥७-१-१०॥
When that invincible and mighty hero was slain, what indeed did the Kurus do, perhaps lost in the ocean of sorrow?
तदुदीर्णं महत्सैन्यं त्रैलोक्यस्यापि सञ्जय। भयमुत्पादयेत्तीव्रं पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् ॥७-१-११॥
O Sanjaya, that mighty army, risen from the three worlds, would instill intense fear even in the great Pandavas.
देवव्रते तु निहते कुरूणामृषभे तदा। यदकार्षुर्नृपतयस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥७-१-१२॥
Sanjaya, tell me what the kings did when Devavrata, the bull of the Kurus, was slain.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
शृणु राजन्नेकमना वचनं ब्रुवतो मम। यत्ते पुत्रास्तदाकार्षुर्हते देवव्रते मृधे ॥७-१-१३॥
"Listen, O king, with full attention to my words. It is about what your sons did after Devavrata was slain in the battle."
निहते तु तदा भीष्मे राजन्सत्यपराक्रमे। तावकाः पाण्डवेयाश्च प्राध्यायन्त पृथक्पृथक् ॥७-१-१४॥
O king, after Bhishma, who was known for his true prowess, was slain, both your party and the Pandavas began to ponder separately and individually.
विस्मिताश्च प्रहृष्टाश्च क्षत्रधर्मं निशाम्य ते। स्वधर्मं निन्दमानाश्च प्रणिपत्य महात्मने ॥७-१-१५॥
Astonished and delighted by hearing about the warrior's duty, they criticized their own duty and bowed down to the great soul.
शयनं कल्पयामासुर्भीष्मायामिततेजसे। सोपधानं नरव्याघ्र शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥७-१-१६॥
They prepared a resting place for Bhishma, the one with immense energy, using arrows with bent joints as a pillow, O tiger among men.
विधाय रक्षां भीष्माय समाभाष्य परस्परम्। अनुमान्य च गाङ्गेयं कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम् ॥७-१-१७॥
After arranging protection for Bhishma, they conversed with each other, saluted Ganga's son, and circumambulated him.
क्रोधसंरक्तनयनाः समवेक्ष्य परस्परम्। पुनर्युद्धाय निर्जग्मुः क्षत्रियाः कालचोदिताः ॥७-१-१८॥
The warriors, with eyes inflamed by anger, looked at each other and, driven by time, went out once more to fight.
ततस्तूर्यनिनादैश्च भेरीणां च महास्वनैः। तावकानामनीकानि परेषां चापि निर्ययुः ॥७-१-१९॥
Then, with the resounding noise of trumpets and drums, the divisions of both your army and the enemy's marched out to the battlefield.
व्यावृत्तेऽहनि राजेन्द्र पतिते जाह्नवीसुते। अमर्षवशमापन्नाः कालोपहतचेतसः ॥७-१-२०॥
As the day ended, O King, the son of Jahnavi fell, and those overcome by anger had their minds afflicted by the passage of time.
अनादृत्य वचः पथ्यं गाङ्गेयस्य महात्मनः। निर्ययुर्भरतश्रेष्ठाः शस्त्राण्यादाय सर्वशः ॥७-१-२१॥
Ignoring the wise counsel of the noble son of Ganga, the esteemed Bharatas left, armed with all their weapons.
मोहात्तव सपुत्रस्य वधाच्छान्तनवस्य च। कौरव्या मृत्युसाद्भूताः सहिताः सर्वराजभिः ॥७-१-२२॥
Due to delusion, your son and Śāntanu's son were killed; the Kauravas, along with all the kings, met their end.
अजावय इवागोपा वने श्वापदसङ्कुले। भृशमुद्विग्नमनसो हीना देवव्रतेन ते ॥७-१-२३॥
They felt like goats and sheep without a shepherd in a forest teeming with wild animals, deeply troubled in their minds, as they were without Devavrata.
पतिते भरतश्रेष्ठे बभूव कुरुवाहिनी। द्यौरिवापेतनक्षत्रा हीनं खमिव वायुना ॥७-१-२४॥
When the best of the Bharatas fell, the Kuru army was left in disarray, like a sky without stars or space without wind.
विपन्नसस्येव मही वाक्चैवासंस्कृता यथा। आसुरीव यथा सेना निगृहीते पुरा बलौ ॥७-१-२५॥
The earth, when its crops are destroyed, and speech when it is uncultivated, are like a demonic army that was once restrained in its strength.
विधवेव वरारोहा शुष्कतोयेव निम्नगा। वृकैरिव वने रुद्धा पृषती हतयूथपा ॥७-१-२६॥
A woman of excellent limbs, like a widow, is trapped like a river in dried-up water, and like a female deer whose leader is killed, she is surrounded by wolves in the forest.
स्वाधर्षा हतसिंहेव महती गिरिकन्दरा। भारती भरतश्रेष्ठ पतिते जाह्नवीसुते ॥७-१-२७॥
O best of the Bharatas, the speech has fallen with self-confidence, like a great mountain cave where a lion has been slain, O son of Jahnavi.
विष्वग्वातहता रुग्णा नौरिवासीन्महार्णवे। बलिभिः पाण्डवैर्वीरैर्लब्धलक्षैर्भृशार्दिता ॥७-१-२८॥
The Pandavas, like a damaged ship struck by the all-pervading wind in the great ocean, were greatly afflicted but eventually achieved their goals through their heroic efforts.
सा तदासीद्भृशं सेना व्याकुलाश्वरथद्विपा। विषण्णभूयिष्ठनरा कृपणा द्रष्टुमाबभौ ॥७-१-२९॥
At that time, the army appeared greatly confused, with horses, chariots, and elephants in disarray; most of the men were dejected and miserable to behold.
तस्यां त्रस्ता नृपतयः सैनिकाश्च पृथग्विधाः। पाताल इव मज्जन्तो हीना देवव्रतेन ते ॥ कर्णं हि कुरवोऽस्मार्षुः स हि देवव्रतोपमः ॥७-१-३०॥
In that situation, the frightened kings and soldiers of various kinds seemed to be sinking as if into the netherworld, deprived of their strength by Devavrata. The Kurus indeed remembered Karna, for he was comparable to Devavrata.
सर्वशस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठं रोचमानमिवातिथिम्। बन्धुमापद्गतस्येव तमेवोपागमन्मनः ॥७-१-३१॥
The mind approached him as if he were the most illustrious guest, the best among all bearers of arms, akin to a relative in times of distress.
चुक्रुशुः कर्ण कर्णेति तत्र भारत पार्थिवाः। राधेयं हितमस्माकं सूतपुत्रं तनुत्यजम् ॥७-१-३२॥
The kings there cried out, "Karna, Karna!" O Bharata, Radheya, our well-wisher and the son of a charioteer, was abandoning his body.
स हि नायुध्यत तदा दशाहानि महायशाः। सामात्यबन्धुः कर्णो वै तमाह्वयत माचिरम् ॥७-१-३३॥
For ten days, the renowned Karṇa, along with his allies and friends, did not engage in battle. However, he soon challenged him without delay.
भीष्मेण हि महाबाहुः सर्वक्षत्रस्य पश्यतः। रथेषु गण्यमानेषु बलविक्रमशालिषु ॥ सङ्ख्यातोऽर्धरथः कर्णो द्विगुणः सन्नरर्षभः ॥७-१-३४॥
While Bhishma, the mighty-armed, watched all the Kshatriyas, Karna, known for his strength and valor, was counted among the chariots as a half-rathi, yet he was considered twice as capable, a true bull among men.
रथातिरथसङ्ख्यायां योऽग्रणीः शूरसंमतः। पितृवित्ताम्बुदेवेशानपि यो योद्धुमुत्सहेत् ॥७-१-३५॥
He is the foremost among the chariot-warriors, respected as a hero; he is capable of fighting even with his father, wealth, water, gods, and lords.
स तु तेनैव कोपेन राजन्गाङ्गेयमुक्तवान्। त्वयि जीवति कौरव्य नाहं योत्स्ये कथञ्चन ॥७-१-३६॥
In his anger, he said to Bhishma, "O king, as long as you are alive, I will not engage in battle, O descendant of Kuru."
त्वया तु पाण्डवेयेषु निहतेषु महामृधे। दुर्योधनमनुज्ञाप्य वनं यास्यामि कौरव ॥७-१-३७॥
O Kaurava, after you have slain the sons of Pandu in the great battle and obtained permission from Duryodhana, I shall retire to the forest.
पाण्डवैर्वा हते भीष्मे त्वयि स्वर्गमुपेयुषि। हन्तास्म्येकरथेनैव कृत्स्नान्यान्मन्यसे रथान् ॥७-१-३८॥
When Bhishma is killed by the Pandavas, and you have reached heaven, I will single-handedly destroy all the chariots you consider formidable.
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज दशाहानि महायशाः। नायुध्यत ततः कर्णः पुत्रस्य तव संमते ॥७-१-३९॥
Thus, having spoken these words, O great king, the greatly renowned refrained from fighting for ten days; then, with your son's consent, Karna took action.
भीष्मः समरविक्रान्तः पाण्डवेयस्य पार्थिव। जघान समरे योधानसङ्ख्येयपराक्रमः ॥७-१-४०॥
Bhishma, the valiant warrior and king associated with the Pandavas, slew countless warriors of great valor in the battle.
तस्मिंस्तु निहते शूरे सत्यसन्धे महौजसि। त्वत्सुताः कर्णमस्मार्षुस्तर्तुकामा इव प्लवम् ॥७-१-४१॥
But when that mighty and truthful hero was slain, your sons remembered Karna, as if desiring to cross over like a boat.
तावकास्तव पुत्राश्च सहिताः सर्वराजभिः। हा कर्ण इति चाक्रन्दन्कालोऽयमिति चाब्रुवन् ॥७-१-४२॥
Your sons, along with all the kings, cried out in lamentation, "Alas, Karna!" and declared, "This is the destined time."
जामदग्न्याभ्यनुज्ञातमस्त्रे दुर्वारपौरुषम्। अगमन्नो मनः कर्णं बन्धुमात्ययिकेष्विव ॥७-१-४३॥
The irresistible prowess in weaponry, sanctioned by Jamadagni, entered our minds as naturally as a relative would turn to Karna in times of crisis.
स हि शक्तो रणे राजंस्त्रातुमस्मान्महाभयात्। त्रिदशानिव गोविन्दः सततं सुमहाभयात् ॥७-१-४४॥
He is indeed capable, O king, of protecting us in battle from great danger, just as Govinda always protects the gods from great danger.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
तथा कर्णं युधि वरं कीर्तयन्तं पुनः पुनः। आशीविषवदुच्छ्वस्य धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥७-१-४५॥
Dhritarashtra, sighing like a serpent, repeatedly praised the valor of Karna in battle and then spoke these words.
यत्तद्वैकर्तनं कर्णमगमद्वो मनस्तदा। अप्यपश्यत राधेयं सूतपुत्रं तनुत्यजम् ॥७-१-४६॥
At that time, your mind went to Karna, the son of Vikartana. You also saw Radheya, the son of a charioteer, as he was leaving his body.
अपि तन्न मृषाकार्षीद्युधि सत्यपराक्रमः। सम्भ्रान्तानां तदार्तानां त्रस्तानां त्राणमिच्छताम् ॥७-१-४७॥
Did that true hero not act in vain in battle, seeking to protect those who were agitated, distressed, and frightened?
अपि तत्पूरयां चक्रे धनुर्धरवरो युधि। यत्तद्विनिहते भीष्मे कौरवाणामपावृतम् ॥७-१-४८॥
The best among archers also filled that gap in battle, which was left unprotected for the Kauravas with Bhishma slain.
तत्खण्डं पूरयामास परेषामादधद्भयम्। कृतवान्मम पुत्राणां जयाशां सफलामपि ॥७-१-४९॥
That part instilled fear in others, fulfilling my sons' hope of victory as well.
