07.021
Core and Pancharatra: Karna dampens the overexcitement of Duryodhana, by suggesting Bhima will certainly rally back the Pandava army.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
भारद्वाजेन भग्नेषु पाण्डवेषु महामृधे। पाञ्चालेषु च सर्वेषु कश्चिदन्योऽभ्यवर्तत ॥७-२१-१॥
When Bharadvaja defeated the Pandavas in the great battle, someone else advanced among all the Panchalas.
आर्यां युद्धे मतिं कृत्वा क्षत्रियाणां यशस्करीम्। असेवितां कापुरुषैः सेवितां पुरुषर्षभैः ॥७-२१-२॥
Having resolved to engage in the noble battle that brings fame to the warriors, a path not taken by cowards but pursued by the best of men.
स हि वीरो नरः सूत यो भग्नेषु निवर्तते। अहो नासीत्पुमान्कश्चिद्दृष्ट्वा द्रोणं व्यवस्थितम् ॥७-२१-३॥
Indeed, a true hero is one who returns to battle even when the ranks are broken. Alas, there was no man who dared to face Droṇa standing firm.
जृम्भमाणमिव व्याघ्रं प्रभिन्नमिव कुञ्जरम्। त्यजन्तमाहवे प्राणान्संनद्धं चित्रयोधिनम् ॥७-२१-४॥
The warrior, skilled in battle, appeared like a yawning tiger and a broken elephant, as he abandoned his life in the fight.
महेष्वासं नरव्याघ्रं द्विषतामघवर्धनम्। कृतज्ञं सत्यनिरतं दुर्योधनहितैषिणम् ॥७-२१-५॥
He was a great archer, a tiger among men, who increased the sorrow of his enemies, was grateful, devoted to truth, and a well-wisher of Duryodhana.
भारद्वाजं तथानीके दृष्ट्वा शूरमवस्थितम्। के वीराः संन्यवर्तन्त तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥७-२१-६॥
Sanjaya, tell me which warriors turned back upon seeing the hero Bharadvaja standing in the army.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तान्दृष्ट्वा चलितान्सङ्ख्ये प्रणुन्नान्द्रोणसायकैः। पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवान्मत्स्यान्सृञ्जयांश्चेदिकेकयान् ॥७-२१-७॥
Upon seeing the Panchalas, Pandavas, Matsyas, Srinjayas, and the Cedis and Kekayas being shaken and driven back in battle by Drona's arrows.
द्रोणचापविमुक्तेन शरौघेणासुहारिणा। सिन्धोरिव महौघेन ह्रियमाणान्यथा प्लवान् ॥७-२१-८॥
The flood of arrows released from Drona's bow took away lives just as a great flood of the ocean carries away boats.
कौरवाः सिंहनादेन नानावाद्यस्वनेन च। रथद्विपनराश्वैश्च सर्वतः पर्यवारयन् ॥७-२१-९॥
The Kauravas surrounded the area from all sides, creating a tumultuous sound with their lion-like roars, various instruments, and the movement of chariots, elephants, men, and horses.
तान्पश्यन्सैन्यमध्यस्थो राजा स्वजनसंवृतः। दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्कर्णं प्रहृष्टः प्रहसन्निव ॥७-२१-१०॥
Seeing his own people surrounding him in the midst of the army, King Duryodhana, joyful and as if smiling, spoke to Karna.
पश्य राधेय पाञ्चालान्प्रणुन्नान्द्रोणसायकैः। सिंहेनेव मृगान्वन्यांस्त्रासितान्दृढधन्वना ॥७-२१-११॥
Observe, O son of Radha, how the Panchalas are being scattered by Drona's arrows, akin to deer being frightened by a lion in the forest, by the mighty archer.
नैते जातु पुनर्युद्धमीहेयुरिति मे मतिः। यथा तु भग्ना द्रोणेन वातेनेव महाद्रुमाः ॥७-२१-१२॥
These warriors will never again desire to fight, I believe. They are shattered by Drona, like great trees by a storm.
अर्द्यमानाः शरैरेते रुक्मपुङ्खैर्महात्मना। पथा नैकेन गच्छन्ति घूर्णमानास्ततस्ततः ॥७-२१-१३॥
Afflicted by arrows with golden shafts by the great soul, these do not follow a single path, but whirl around from one place to another.
संनिरुद्धाश्च कौरव्यैर्द्रोणेन च महात्मना। एतेऽन्ये मण्डलीभूताः पावकेनेव कुञ्जराः ॥७-२१-१४॥
Restrained by the Kauravas and the noble Drona, these others formed a circle like elephants surrounded by fire.
भ्रमरैरिव चाविष्टा द्रोणस्य निशितैः शरैः। अन्योन्यं समलीयन्त पलायनपरायणाः ॥७-२१-१५॥
Overwhelmed by Drona's sharp arrows, like bees, they clung to each other, intent on fleeing from the battlefield.
एष भीमो दृढक्रोधो हीनः पाण्डवसृञ्जयैः। मदीयैरावृतो योधैः कर्ण तर्जयतीव माम् ॥७-२१-१६॥
This Bhima, with his firm anger, seems to threaten me, Karna, as he stands deprived of the Pandavas and Srinjayas, surrounded by my warriors.
व्यक्तं द्रोणमयं लोकमद्य पश्यति दुर्मतिः। निराशो जीवितान्नूनमद्य राज्याच्च पाण्डवः ॥७-२१-१७॥
Today, the evil-minded perceives the world as being made of Drona. The Pandava is indeed hopeless about his life and kingdom.
कर्ण उवाच॥
Karna said:
नैष जातु महाबाहुर्जीवन्नाहवमुत्सृजेत्। न चेमान्पुरुषव्याघ्र सिंहनादान्विशक्ष्यते ॥७-२१-१८॥
The mighty-armed warrior would never abandon the battle while alive, nor would he tolerate the challenges, O tiger among men.
न चापि पाण्डवा युद्धे भज्येरन्निति मे मतिः। शूराश्च बलवन्तश्च कृतास्त्रा युद्धदुर्मदाः ॥७-२१-१९॥
In my view, the Pāṇḍavas will not be defeated in battle. They are valiant, powerful, adept in weaponry, and confident in warfare.
विषाग्निद्यूतसङ्क्लेशान्वनवासं च पाण्डवाः। स्मरमाणा न हास्यन्ति सङ्ग्राममिति मे मतिः ॥७-२१-२०॥
The Pandavas, recalling their past sufferings from poison, fire, gambling, and exile in the forest, will not take the battle lightly; this is my belief.
निकृतो हि महाबाहुरमितौजा वृकोदरः। वरान्वरान्हि कौन्तेयो रथोदारान्हनिष्यति ॥७-२१-२१॥
Vrikodara, the mighty-armed and of immeasurable energy, has indeed been deceived. The son of Kunti, Bhima, will slay the great chariot warriors who are excellent in battle.
असिना धनुषा शक्त्या हयैर्नागैर्नरै रथैः। आयसेन च दण्डेन व्रातान्व्रातान्हनिष्यति ॥७-२१-२२॥
He will slay groups upon groups with a sword, bow, spear, horses, elephants, men, chariots, and an iron staff.
तमेते चानुवर्तन्ते सात्यकिप्रमुखा रथाः। पाञ्चालाः केकया मत्स्याः पाण्डवाश्च विशेषतः ॥७-२१-२३॥
These warriors, led by Satyaki, including the chariots, Panchalas, Kekayas, Matsyas, and especially the Pandavas, follow him.
शूराश्च बलवन्तश्च विक्रान्ताश्च महारथाः। विशेषतश्च भीमेन संरब्धेनाभिचोदिताः ॥७-२१-२४॥
The heroes, strong and valiant great charioteers, were especially urged on by the excited Bhima.
ते द्रोणमभिवर्तन्ते सर्वतः कुरुपुङ्गवाः। वृकोदरं परीप्सन्तः सूर्यमभ्रगणा इव ॥७-२१-२५॥
The best warriors of the Kuru dynasty surrounded Drona from all sides, aiming to protect Vrikodara, just as clouds gather around the sun.
एकायनगता ह्येते पीडयेयुर्यतव्रतम्। अरक्ष्यमाणं शलभा यथा दीपं मुमूर्षवः ॥ असंशयं कृतास्त्राश्च पर्याप्ताश्चापि वारणे ॥७-२१-२६॥
These individuals, united in their purpose, would indeed torment someone who has taken vows, just as moths that desire to die would torment an unprotected lamp. Undoubtedly, they are skilled in weaponry and are also sufficient in defense.
अतिभारं त्वहं मन्ये भारद्वाजे समाहितम्। ते शीघ्रमनुगच्छामो यत्र द्रोणो व्यवस्थितः ॥ काका इव महानागं मा वै हन्युर्यतव्रतम् ॥७-२१-२७॥
I believe that Bhāradvāja is burdened excessively. We should quickly proceed to where Droṇa is. Like crows attacking a great serpent, do not harm the one who is steadfast in his vows.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
राधेयस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा। भ्रातृभिः सहितो राजन्प्रायाद्द्रोणरथं प्रति ॥७-२१-२८॥
Upon hearing Radheya's words, King Duryodhana, accompanied by his brothers, proceeded to Drona's chariot.
तत्रारावो महानासीदेकं द्रोणं जिघांसताम्। पाण्डवानां निवृत्तानां नानावर्णैर्हयोत्तमैः ॥७-२१-२९॥
There arose a great clamor as the Pāṇḍavas, having returned with their excellent horses of various colors, sought to kill Droṇa.
