07.047
Pancharatra and Core: Abhimanyu fights Karna, then kills Aśvaketu, the son of the Magadha king. Shakuni sugests they all should crush Abhimanyu together. Karna severed the bow; Bhoja, the charioteer of Gautama, killed his horses. Droṇa severed the sword from his fist, while Radheya shattered the shield; Abhimanyu continued to fight with a disc in hand.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
स कर्णं कर्णिना कर्णे पुनर्विव्याध फाल्गुनिः। शरैः पञ्चाशता चैनमविध्यत्कोपयन्भृशम् ॥७-४७-१॥
Arjuna, with great skill, targeted Karna's ear once more, hitting him with fifty arrows, which greatly provoked Karna.
प्रतिविव्याध राधेयस्तावद्भिरथ तं पुनः। स तैराचितसर्वाङ्गो बह्वशोभत भारत ॥७-४७-२॥
Karna, the son of Radha, struck him again with numerous arrows. Covered entirely by them, he appeared resplendent, O Bharata.
कर्णं चाप्यकरोत्क्रुद्धो रुधिरोत्पीडवाहिनम्। कर्णोऽपि विबभौ शूरः शरैश्चित्रोऽसृगाप्लुतः ॥७-४७-३॥
In his anger, Karna caused the blood to flow. He stood out as a heroic figure, adorned with a variety of arrows and drenched in blood.
तावुभौ शरचित्राङ्गौ रुधिरेण समुक्षितौ। बभूवतुर्महात्मानौ पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ॥७-४७-४॥
The two great souls, with their bodies marked by arrows and smeared with blood, appeared like blooming Butea monosperma trees.
अथ कर्णस्य सचिवान्षट्शूरांश्चित्रयोधिनः। साश्वसूतध्वजरथान्सौभद्रो निजघान ह ॥७-४७-५॥
Then Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadra, valiantly defeated the six heroic ministers of Karna, who were known for their skill in battle, along with their horses, charioteers, banners, and chariots.
अथेतरान्महेष्वासान्दशभिर्दशभिः शरैः। प्रत्यविध्यदसम्भ्रान्तस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥७-४७-६॥
Then, unperturbed, he shot ten arrows each at the other great archers, and it appeared as if it was a marvelous feat.
मागधस्य पुनः पुत्रं हत्वा षड्भिरजिह्मगैः। साश्वं ससूतं तरुणमश्वकेतुमपातयत् ॥७-४७-७॥
Once more, having slain the son of the Magadha king with six straight arrows, he brought down the young Aśvaketu along with his horse and charioteer.
मार्तिकावतकं भोजं ततः कुञ्जरकेतनम्। क्षुरप्रेण समुन्मथ्य ननाद विसृजञ्शरान् ॥७-४७-८॥
Mārtikāvata Bhoja then pierced Kuñjaraketana with a razor-sharp arrow and roared while releasing arrows.
तस्य दौःशासनिर्विद्ध्वा चतुर्भिश्चतुरो हयान्। सूतमेकेन विव्याध दशभिश्चार्जुनात्मजम् ॥७-४७-९॥
Duhshasana's son pierced the four horses with four arrows, the charioteer with one, and Arjuna's son with ten arrows.
ततो दौःशासनिं कार्ष्णिर्विद्ध्वा सप्तभिराशुगैः। संरम्भाद्रक्तनयनो वाक्यमुच्चैरथाब्रवीत् ॥७-४७-१०॥
In his fury, Karna, his eyes red with anger, shot seven swift arrows at Duhshasana and then loudly declared his words.
पिता तवाहवं त्यक्त्वा गतः कापुरुषो यथा। दिष्ट्या त्वमपि जानीषे योद्धुं न त्वद्य मोक्ष्यसे ॥७-४७-११॥
Your father fled the battle like a coward. Fortunately, you also know how to fight, and today you will not escape.
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं कर्मारपरिमार्जितम्। नाराचं विससर्जास्मै तं द्रौणिस्त्रिभिराच्छिनत् ॥७-४७-१२॥
After speaking those polished words, he released the arrow towards him, but Drona's son cut it off with three arrows.
तस्यार्जुनिर्ध्वजं छित्त्वा शल्यं त्रिभिरताडयत्। तं शल्यो नवभिर्बाणैर्गार्ध्रपत्रैरताडयत् ॥७-४७-१३॥
Arjuna cut down the flag and struck Śalya with three arrows, but Śalya retaliated by striking him with nine feathered arrows.
तस्यार्जुनिर्ध्वजं छित्त्वा उभौ च पार्ष्णिसारथी। तं विव्याधायसैः षड्भिः सोऽपक्रामद्रथान्तरम् ॥७-४७-१४॥
Arjuna cut down his banner and both the charioteer, then pierced him with six arrows, causing him to retreat to another chariot.
शत्रुञ्जयं चन्द्रकेतुं मेघवेगं सुवर्चसम्। सूर्यभासं च पञ्चैतान्हत्वा विव्याध सौबलम् ॥७-४७-१५॥
After killing the five warriors Shatruñjaya, Chandraketu, Meghavega, Suvarcas, and Suryabhasa, he pierced Saubala.
तं सौबलस्त्रिभिर्विद्ध्वा दुर्योधनमथाब्रवीत्। सर्व एनं प्रमथ्नीमः पुरैकैकं हिनस्ति नः ॥७-४७-१६॥
Then Saubala pierced Duryodhana with three arrows and said, "Let us all crush him together before he destroys us one by one."
अथाब्रवीत्तदा द्रोणं कर्णो वैकर्तनो वृषा। पुरा सर्वान्प्रमथ्नाति ब्रूह्यस्य वधमाशु नः ॥७-४७-१७॥
Then Karna, the son of Vikartana, addressed Drona, urging him to quickly reveal the means to kill the one who threatens to destroy all.
ततो द्रोणो महेष्वासः सर्वांस्तान्प्रत्यभाषत। अस्ति वोऽस्यान्तरं कश्चित्कुमारस्य प्रपश्यति ॥७-४७-१८॥
Then Droṇa, the great archer, addressed them all, asking if anyone among them perceives any weakness in the prince.
अन्वस्य पितरं ह्यद्य चरतः सर्वतोदिशम्। शीघ्रतां नरसिंहस्य पाण्डवेयस्य पश्यत ॥७-४७-१९॥
Today, after his father, observe the speed with which Narasimha, the Pandava, moves in all directions.
धनुर्मण्डलमेवास्य रथमार्गेषु दृश्यते। संदधानस्य विशिखाञ्शीघ्रं चैव विमुञ्चतः ॥७-४७-२०॥
His bow's arc is visible along the paths of the chariot, as he swiftly strings and releases the arrows.
आरुजन्निव मे प्राणान्मोहयन्नपि सायकैः। प्रहर्षयति मा भूयः सौभद्रः परवीरहा ॥७-४७-२१॥
Saubhadra, the destroyer of enemy heroes, seems to tear my life apart and bewilder me with his arrows, yet he delights me once more.
अति मा नन्दयत्येष सौभद्रो विचरन्रणे। अन्तरं यस्य संरब्धा न पश्यन्ति महारथाः ॥७-४७-२२॥
This son of Subhadra, moving in battle, pleases me excessively; the great warriors, excited, do not see any gap in him.
अस्यतो लघुहस्तस्य दिशः सर्वा महेषुभिः। न विशेषं प्रपश्यामि रणे गाण्डीवधन्वनः ॥७-४७-२३॥
I see no difference in the battle prowess of the one wielding the Gandiva bow, who shoots great arrows lightly in all directions.
अथ कर्णः पुनर्द्रोणमाहार्जुनिशरार्दितः। स्थातव्यमिति तिष्ठामि पीड्यमानोऽभिमन्युना ॥७-४७-२४॥
Then Karna, struck by Arjuna's arrows, spoke again to Drona, "I must hold my ground, even as I am being pressed by Abhimanyu."
तेजस्विनः कुमारस्य शराः परमदारुणाः। क्षिण्वन्ति हृदयं मेऽद्य घोराः पावकतेजसः ॥७-४७-२५॥
The fierce arrows of the radiant prince pierce my heart today, filled with terrible fiery energy.
तमाचार्योऽब्रवीत्कर्णं शनकैः प्रहसन्निव। अभेद्यमस्य कवचं युवा चाशुपराक्रमः ॥७-४७-२६॥
The teacher, with a gentle smile, told Karna that his armor was impenetrable and that he was young and swift in valor.
उपदिष्टा मया अस्य पितुः कवचधारणा। तामेष निखिलां वेत्ति ध्रुवं परपुरञ्जयः ॥७-४७-२७॥
I instructed him on his father's armor-wearing. Parapurañjaya certainly knows it completely.
शक्यं त्वस्य धनुश्छेत्तुं ज्यां च बाणैः समाहितैः। अभीशवो हयाश्चैव तथोभौ पार्ष्णिसारथी ॥७-४७-२८॥
It is indeed possible to cut his bow and string with well-aimed arrows, and the fearless horses and both the charioteers at the back are also present.
एतत्कुरु महेष्वास राधेय यदि शक्यते। अथैनं विमुखीकृत्य पश्चात्प्रहरणं कुरु ॥७-४७-२९॥
"O great archer, son of Radha, if it is possible, do this. Then, after turning him away, make your attack."
सधनुष्को न शक्योऽयमपि जेतुं सुरासुरैः। विरथं विधनुष्कं च कुरुष्वैनं यदीच्छसि ॥७-४७-३०॥
Even with his bow, he cannot be conquered by gods or demons. If you wish, make him lose his chariot and bow.
तदाचार्यवचः श्रुत्वा कर्णो वैकर्तनस्त्वरन्। अस्यतो लघुहस्तस्य पृषत्कैर्धनुराच्छिनत् ॥७-४७-३१॥
Upon hearing the teacher's words, Karna, the son of Vikartana, quickly severed the bow of the swiftly shooting archer with his arrows.
अश्वानस्यावधीद्भोजो गौतमः पार्ष्णिसारथी। शेषास्तु छिन्नधन्वानं शरवर्षैरवाकिरन् ॥७-४७-३२॥
Bhoja, the charioteer of Gautama, killed his horses. However, the others showered arrows upon the one whose bow was cut.
त्वरमाणास्त्वराकाले विरथं षण्महारथाः। शरवर्षैरकरुणा बालमेकमवाकिरन् ॥७-४७-३३॥
In their haste, the six great charioteers, showing no mercy, showered arrows upon the lone, chariotless boy.
स छिन्नधन्वा विरथः स्वधर्ममनुपालयन्। खड्गचर्मधरः श्रीमानुत्पपात विहायसम् ॥७-४७-३४॥
He, with his bow broken and chariot gone, adhering to his duty, holding a sword and shield, the glorious one ascended to the sky.
मार्गैः स कैशिकाद्यैश्च लाघवेन बलेन च। आर्जुनिर्व्यचरद्व्योम्नि भृशं वै पक्षिराडिव ॥७-४७-३५॥
Arjuna's son, with Kaishika and others, moved swiftly and powerfully through the sky, much like the king of birds.
मय्येव निपतत्येष सासिरित्यूर्ध्वदृष्टयः। विव्यधुस्तं महेष्वासाः समरे छिद्रदर्शिनः ॥७-४७-३६॥
The great archers, seeing the gaps in battle, pierced him with their upward glances, as if saying, 'This falls on me with the sword.'
तस्य द्रोणोऽच्छिनन्मुष्टौ खड्गं मणिमयत्सरुम्। राधेयो निशितैर्बाणैर्व्यधमच्चर्म चोत्तमम् ॥७-४७-३७॥
Droṇa severed the jewel-studded sword from his fist, while Radheya shattered the excellent shield with his sharp arrows.
व्यसिचर्मेषुपूर्णाङ्गः सोऽन्तरिक्षात्पुनः क्षितिम्। आस्थितश्चक्रमुद्यम्य द्रोणं क्रुद्धोऽभ्यधावत ॥७-४७-३८॥
He, fully equipped with armor and arrows, descended from the sky to the earth, stood firm, raised his discus, and angrily charged towards Drona.
स चक्ररेणूज्ज्वलशोभिताङ्गो; बभावतीवोन्नतचक्रपाणिः। रणेऽभिमन्युः क्षणदासुभद्रः; स वासुभद्रानुकृतिं प्रकुर्वन् ॥७-४७-३९॥
He, with his body shining with the bright dust of the disc, appeared as if elevated with the disc in hand. In battle, Abhimanyu, like the night Subhadra, was performing the act of Vasubhadra.
स्रुतरुधिरकृतैकरागवक्त्रो; भ्रुकुटिपुटाकुटिलोऽतिसिंहनादः। प्रभुरमितबलो रणेऽभिमन्यु; र्नृपवरमध्यगतो भृशं व्यराजत् ॥७-४७-४०॥
Abhimanyu, with his face stained by flowing blood and a fierce lion-like roar, stood out prominently among the best of kings in the battle, displaying his immeasurable strength.
