07.133
Pancharatra and Core: Conversation between Kripa and Karna, where Kripa highlights the shortcomings of Karna. Karna responds by stating the weapon given to him by Indra will be decisive.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
उदीर्यमाणं तद्दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवानां महद्बलम्। अविषह्यं च मन्वानः कर्णं दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत् ॥७-१३३-१॥
Duryodhana, observing the formidable and rising strength of the Pandavas, which he deemed irresistible, spoke to Karna.
अयं स कालः सम्प्राप्तो मित्राणां मित्रवत्सल। त्रायस्व समरे कर्ण सर्वान्योधान्महाबल ॥७-१३३-२॥
This is the moment that has come for the friends, dear to friends. Protect in the battle, Karna, all the warriors, O mighty one.
पाञ्चालैर्मत्स्यकैकेयैः पाण्डवैश्च महारथैः। वृतान्समन्तात्सङ्क्रुद्धैर्निःश्वसद्भिरिवोरगैः ॥७-१३३-३॥
The Panchalas, Matsyas, Kaikeyas, Pandavas, and great charioteers surrounded them on all sides, angry and breathing heavily like serpents.
एते नदन्ति संहृष्टाः पाण्डवा जितकाशिनः। शक्रोपमाश्च बहवः पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजाः ॥७-१३३-४॥
The elated Pāṇḍavas, having achieved victory, roar triumphantly. Many chariots of the Pāñcālas, comparable to Indra, are present.
कर्ण उवाच॥
Karna said:
परित्रातुमिह प्राप्तो यदि पार्थं पुरंदरः। तमप्याशु पराजित्य ततो हन्तास्मि पाण्डवम् ॥७-१३३-५॥
If Indra has come here to protect Arjuna, then I will quickly defeat him and kill the Pandava.
सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि समाश्वसिहि भारत। हन्तास्मि पाण्डुतनयान्पाञ्चालांश्च समागतान् ॥७-१३३-६॥
"I assure you, O Bharata, that I will indeed fulfill my promise. Rest assured, I will defeat the sons of Pandu and the gathered Panchalas."
जयं ते प्रतिजानामि वासवस्येव पावकिः। प्रियं तव मया कार्यमिति जीवामि पार्थिव ॥७-१३३-७॥
"I assure you of victory, just as the son of fire assured Indra. I live to fulfill what is dear to you, O king."
सर्वेषामेव पार्थानां फल्गुनो बलवत्तरः। तस्यामोघां विमोक्ष्यामि शक्तिं शक्रविनिर्मिताम् ॥७-१३३-८॥
Arjuna is the strongest among all the sons of Pritha. I will unleash the infallible weapon crafted by Indra.
तस्मिन्हते महेष्वासे भ्रातरस्तस्य मानद। तव वश्या भविष्यन्ति वनं यास्यन्ति वा पुनः ॥७-१३३-९॥
When that great archer is slain, his brothers, O honorable one, will either become your subjects or return to the forest.
मयि जीवति कौरव्य विषादं मा कृथाः क्वचित्। अहं जेष्यामि समरे सहितान्सर्वपाण्डवान् ॥७-१३३-१०॥
As long as I am alive, O Kauravya, do not despair at any time. I shall defeat all the Pandavas together in the battle.
पाञ्चालान्केकयांश्चैव वृष्णींश्चापि समागतान्। बाणौघैः शकलीकृत्य तव दास्यामि मेदिनीम् ॥७-१३३-११॥
I will give you the earth after shattering the assembled Panchalas, Kekayas, and Vrishnis with showers of arrows.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवं ब्रुवाणं कर्णं तु कृपः शारद्वतोऽब्रवीत्। स्मयन्निव महाबाहुः सूतपुत्रमिदं वचः ॥७-१३३-१२॥
Kripa, the son of Sharadvata, addressed Karna, who was speaking, with a smile, saying, "O mighty-armed son of a charioteer, listen to this speech."
शोभनं शोभनं कर्ण सनाथः कुरुपुङ्गवः। त्वया नाथेन राधेय वचसा यदि सिध्यति ॥७-१३३-१३॥
"Auspicious indeed is Karna, the best of the Kurus, protected by you, O son of Radha, if your words come true."
बहुशः कत्थसे कर्ण कौरव्यस्य समीपतः। न तु ते विक्रमः कश्चिद्दृश्यते बलमेव वा ॥७-१३३-१४॥
"Karna, you often boast near the Kaurava, but neither your valor nor strength is evident."
समागमः पाण्डुसुतैर्दृष्टस्ते बहुशो युधि। सर्वत्र निर्जितश्चासि पाण्डवैः सूतनन्दन ॥७-१३३-१५॥
O son of Suta, you have encountered the sons of Pandu many times in battle and have been defeated by them everywhere.
ह्रियमाणे तदा कर्ण गन्धर्वैर्धृतराष्ट्रजे। तदायुध्यन्त सैन्यानि त्वमेकस्तु पलायथाः ॥७-१३३-१६॥
When Karna, the son of Dhritarashtra, was captured by the Gandharvas, the armies engaged in battle, but you alone chose to flee.
विराटनगरे चापि समेताः सर्वकौरवाः। पार्थेन निर्जिता युद्धे त्वं च कर्ण सहानुजः ॥७-१३३-१७॥
In the city of Virata, all the Kauravas gathered and were defeated in battle by Arjuna (Partha), and you, Karna, along with your younger brother, were also defeated.
एकस्याप्यसमर्थस्त्वं फल्गुनस्य रणाजिरे। कथमुत्सहसे जेतुं सकृष्णान्सर्वपाण्डवान् ॥७-१३३-१८॥
You cannot even face Arjuna alone in battle; how do you expect to defeat all the Pandavas along with Krishna?
अब्रुवन्कर्ण युध्यस्व बहु कत्थसि सूतज। अनुक्त्वा विक्रमेद्यस्तु तद्वै सत्पुरुषव्रतम् ॥७-१३३-१९॥
They urged Karna to fight, pointing out that he boasts a lot as the son of a charioteer, but a noble person acts without speaking much.
गर्जित्वा सूतपुत्र त्वं शारदाभ्रमिवाजलम्। निष्फलो दृश्यसे कर्ण तच्च राजा न बुध्यते ॥७-१३३-२०॥
"O son of a charioteer, having thundered like an autumn cloud without rain, you appear fruitless, Karna, and the king does not understand that."
तावद्गर्जसि राधेय यावत्पार्थं न पश्यसि। पुरा पार्थं हि ते दृष्ट्वा दुर्लभं गर्जितं भवेत् ॥७-१३३-२१॥
O son of Radha, you roar as long as you do not see Partha. Once you see Partha, your roaring would indeed become difficult.
त्वमनासाद्य तान्बाणान्फल्गुनस्य विगर्जसि। पार्थसायकविद्धस्य दुर्लभं गर्जितं भवेत् ॥७-१३३-२२॥
You boast without facing Arjuna's arrows. It's rare for someone struck by Arjuna's arrows to boast.
बाहुभिः क्षत्रियाः शूरा वाग्भिः शूरा द्विजातयः। धनुषा फल्गुनः शूरः कर्णः शूरो मनोरथैः ॥७-१३३-२३॥
Warriors are considered heroes through their strength, brahmins through their words; Arjuna is a hero with his bow, while Karna is seen as a hero through his ambitions.
एवं परुषितस्तेन तदा शारद्वतेन सः। कर्णः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः कृपं वाक्यमथाब्रवीत् ॥७-१३३-२४॥
Having been harshly addressed by Śāradvata, Karṇa, the greatest among warriors, then spoke to Kṛpa.
शूरा गर्जन्ति सततं प्रावृषीव बलाहकाः। फलं चाशु प्रयच्छन्ति बीजमुप्तमृताविव ॥७-१३३-२५॥
Heroes constantly roar like clouds during the rainy season and quickly yield results like seeds sown in the right season.
दोषमत्र न पश्यामि शूराणां रणमूर्धनि। तत्तद्विकत्थमानानां भारं चोद्वहतां मृधे ॥७-१३३-२६॥
I see no fault here among the heroes at the forefront of battle, who boast variously and bear the burden in battle.
यं भारं पुरुषो वोढुं मनसा हि व्यवस्यति। दैवमस्य ध्रुवं तत्र साहाय्यायोपपद्यते ॥७-१३३-२७॥
When a man decides to bear a burden with determination, divine assistance surely comes to his aid.
व्यवसायद्वितीयोऽहं मनसा भारमुद्वहन्। गर्जामि यद्यहं विप्र तव किं तत्र नश्यति ॥७-१३३-२८॥
As the second in command, I bear the burden mentally. I proclaim loudly, O wise one, what of yours would be lost if I do so?
वृथा शूरा न गर्जन्ति सजला इव तोयदाः। सामर्थ्यमात्मनो ज्ञात्वा ततो गर्जन्ति पण्डिताः ॥७-१३३-२९॥
Heroes do not boast in vain, like clouds that are full of water. Only after knowing their own strength do the wise ones speak out.
सोऽहमद्य रणे यत्तः सहितौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ। उत्सहे तरसा जेतुं ततो गर्जामि गौतम ॥७-१३३-३०॥
Today, I am prepared in battle, together with Krishna and Pandava. I am confident in my strength to conquer, and thus I roar, O Gautama.
पश्य त्वं गर्जितस्यास्य फलं मे विप्र सानुगः। हत्वा पाण्डुसुतानाजौ सहकृष्णान्ससात्वतान् ॥ दुर्योधनाय दास्यामि पृथिवीं हतकण्टकाम् ॥७-१३३-३१॥
"See, O wise one, the result of this roaring. With my followers, having slain the sons of Pandu in battle along with Krishna and the Satvatas, I shall present the earth, rid of its thorns, to Duryodhana."
कृप उवाच॥
Kṛpa said:
मनोरथप्रलापो मे न ग्राह्यस्तव सूतज। यदा क्षिपसि वै कृष्णौ धर्मराजं च पाण्डवम् ॥७-१३३-३२॥
"Your talk of wishes is not acceptable to me, O son of Suta, when you insult the two Krishnas, Dharmaraja and Pandava."
ध्रुवस्तत्र जयः कर्ण यत्र युद्धविशारदौ। देवगन्धर्वयक्षाणां मनुष्योरगरक्षसाम् ॥ दंशितानामपि रणे अजेयौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ ॥७-१३३-३३॥
Victory is assured where Karna and the skilled warriors are present, amidst gods, gandharvas, yakshas, humans, serpents, and rakshasas. Even those who are bitten remain invincible in battle, akin to Krishna and Pandava.
ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यवाग्दान्तो गुरुदैवतपूजकः। नित्यं धर्मरतश्चैव कृतास्त्रश्च विशेषतः ॥ धृतिमांश्च कृतज्ञश्च धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ॥७-१३३-३४॥
Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, is devoted to Brahman, truthful, self-controlled, a worshipper of teachers and deities, always engaged in righteousness, skilled in weapons, especially steadfast and grateful.
भ्रातरश्चास्य बलिनः सर्वास्त्रेषु कृतश्रमाः। गुरुवृत्तिरताः प्राज्ञा धर्मनित्या यशस्विनः ॥७-१३३-३५॥
His brothers were strong and skilled in all weapons, dedicated to the conduct of teachers, wise, eternally righteous, and renowned.
सम्बन्धिनश्चेन्द्रवीर्याः स्वनुरक्ताः प्रहारिणः। धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च दौर्मुखिर्जनमेजयः ॥७-१३३-३६॥
The relatives, endowed with the strength of Indra and self-devoted to the cause, include the strikers Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍī, Daurmukhi, and Janamejaya.
चन्द्रसेनो भद्रसेनः कीर्तिधर्मा ध्रुवो धरः। वसुचन्द्रो दामचन्द्रः सिंहचन्द्रः सुवेधनः ॥७-१३३-३७॥
Chandrasena, Bhadraseṇa, Kīrtidharmā, Dhruva, and Dhara are followed by Vasucandra, Dāmacandra, Siṃhacandra, and Suvedhana.
द्रुपदस्य तथा पुत्रा द्रुपदश्च महास्त्रवित्। येषामर्थाय संयत्तो मत्स्यराजः सहानुगः ॥७-१३३-३८॥
Drupada and his sons, including the great archer Drupada, were the reason for which the king of the Matsyas, along with his followers, was prepared for action.
शतानीकः सुदशनः श्रुतानीकः श्रुतध्वजः। बलानीको जयानीको जयाश्वो रथवाहनः ॥७-१३३-३९॥
Shatānīka, Sudashana, Shrutānīka, Shrutadhvaja, Balānīka, Jayānīka, Jayāśva, and Rathavāhana are mentioned.
चन्द्रोदयः कामरथो विराटभ्रातरः शुभाः। यमौ च द्रौपदेयाश्च राक्षसश्च घटोत्कचः ॥ येषामर्थाय युध्यन्ते न तेषां विद्यते क्षयः ॥७-१३३-४०॥
The moonrise, the chariot of desire, Virata's brothers, and the auspicious ones, the twins and Draupadi's sons, along with the demon Ghatotkacha — for whom they fight, they are indestructible.
कामं खलु जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुरमानवम्। सयक्षराक्षसगणं सभूतभुजगद्विपम् ॥ निःशेषमस्त्रवीर्येण कुर्यातां भीमफल्गुनौ ॥७-१३३-४१॥
Bhima and Arjuna are expected to conquer the entire world, including all beings like gods, demons, humans, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and others, using their prowess in weaponry.
युधिष्ठिरश्च पृथिवीं निर्दहेद्घोरचक्षुषा। अप्रमेयबलः शौरिर्येषामर्थे च दंशितः ॥७-१३३-४२॥
Yudhishthira, with his fierce gaze, could scorch the earth. Krishna, possessing immeasurable strength, endured suffering for their cause.
कथं तान्संयुगे कर्ण जेतुमुत्सहसे परान् ॥७-१३३-४२॥
How do you intend to defeat the enemies, Karna, in battle?
महानपनयस्त्वेष तव नित्यं हि सूतज। यस्त्वमुत्सहसे योद्धुं समरे शौरिणा सह ॥७-१३३-४३॥
This is a great removal of yours, O son of Sūta, as you are always eager to fight in battle with Śauri.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवमुक्तस्तु राधेयः प्रहसन्भरतर्षभ। अब्रवीच्च तदा कर्णो गुरुं शारद्वतं कृपम् ॥७-१३३-४४॥
Upon being addressed in this manner, Radheya, with a smile, spoke to his teacher, Kripa, the son of Sharadvata, saying, "O best of the Bharatas."
सत्यमुक्तं त्वया ब्रह्मन्पाण्डवान्प्रति यद्वचः। एते चान्ये च बहवो गुणाः पाण्डुसुतेषु वै ॥७-१३३-४५॥
You have spoken the truth, O Brahman, regarding the Pandavas. These and many other qualities are indeed present in the sons of Pandu.
अजय्याश्च रणे पार्था देवैरपि सवासवैः। सदैत्ययक्षगन्धर्वपिशाचोरगराक्षसैः ॥ तथापि पार्थाञ्जेष्यामि शक्त्या वासवदत्तया ॥७-१३३-४६॥
The sons of Pritha are considered invincible in battle, even by the gods along with Vasava, and with demons, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Pisachas, serpents, and Rakshasas. Yet, I am determined to conquer the sons of Pritha with the power bestowed by Vasavadatta.
ममाप्यमोघा दत्तेयं शक्तिः शक्रेण वै द्विज। एतया निहनिष्यामि सव्यसाचिनमाहवे ॥७-१३३-४७॥
My infallible power, given by Indra, O Brahmin, will enable me to slay Arjuna in battle.
हते तु पाण्डवे कृष्णो भ्रातरश्चास्य सोदराः। अनर्जुना न शक्ष्यन्ति महीं भोक्तुं कथञ्चन ॥७-१३३-४८॥
If Pāṇḍava is killed, Kṛṣṇa and his brothers, along with his kinsmen, will not be able to enjoy the kingdom without Arjuna in any manner.
तेषु नष्टेषु सर्वेषु पृथिवीयं ससागरा। अयत्नात्कौरवेयस्य वशे स्थास्यति गौतम ॥७-१३३-४९॥
O Gautama, when all of them are destroyed, the entire earth with its oceans will effortlessly come under the control of the Kaurava.
सुनीतैरिह सर्वार्थाः सिध्यन्ते नात्र संशयः। एतमर्थमहं ज्ञात्वा ततो गर्जामि गौतम ॥७-१३३-५०॥
"By good policies, all objectives are achieved without any doubt here. Knowing this, I declare it, O Gautama."
त्वं तु वृद्धश्च विप्रश्च अशक्तश्चापि संयुगे। कृतस्नेहश्च पार्थेषु मोहान्मामवमन्यसे ॥७-१३३-५१॥
You are old and a Brahmin, powerless in battle, yet you have affection for the sons of Pṛthā. Out of delusion, you disrespect me.
यद्येवं वक्ष्यसे भूयो मामप्रियमिह द्विज। ततस्ते खड्गमुद्यम्य जिह्वां छेत्स्यामि दुर्मते ॥७-१३३-५२॥
If you dare to speak unpleasantly to me once more, O Brahmin, I shall raise your sword and sever your tongue, you wicked-minded one.
यच्चापि पाण्डवान्विप्र स्तोतुमिच्छसि संयुगे। भीषयन्सर्वसैन्यानि कौरवेयाणि दुर्मते ॥ अत्रापि शृणु मे वाक्यं यथावद्गदतो द्विज ॥७-१३३-५३॥
O learned one, if you wish to praise the Pāṇḍavas in battle, frightening all the Kaurava armies, O wicked-minded one, then hear my words properly as I speak, O twice-born.
दुर्योधनश्च द्रोणश्च शकुनिर्दुर्मुखो जयः। दुःशासनो वृषसेनो मद्रराजस्त्वमेव च ॥ सोमदत्तश्च भूरिश्च तथा द्रौणिर्विविंशतिः ॥७-१३३-५४॥
Duryodhana, Drona, Shakuni, Durmukha, Jaya, Duhshasana, Vrishasena, the King of Madra, you, Somadatta, Bhuri, the son of Drona, and Vivimshati are all present.
तिष्ठेयुर्दंशिता यत्र सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः। जयेदेतान्रणे को नु शक्रतुल्यबलोऽप्यरिः ॥७-१३३-५५॥
Where all the warriors, skilled in battle, stand ready, who indeed, even if an enemy as strong as Indra, could conquer them in battle?
शूराश्च हि कृतास्त्राश्च बलिनः स्वर्गलिप्सवः। धर्मज्ञा युद्धकुशला हन्युर्युद्धे सुरानपि ॥७-१३३-५६॥
The heroes, skilled in weaponry and strong, who desire heaven and know dharma, are so adept in battle that they could even defeat the gods.
एते स्थास्यन्ति सङ्ग्रामे पाण्डवानां वधार्थिनः। जयमाकाङ्क्षमाणा हि कौरवेयस्य दंशिताः ॥७-१३३-५७॥
These warriors will stand in battle, intent on killing the Pandavas, driven by the desire for victory, and indeed urged by the Kaurava.
दैवायत्तमहं मन्ये जयं सुबलिनामपि। यत्र भीष्मो महाबाहुः शेते शरशताचितः ॥७-१३३-५८॥
I believe that victory is determined by fate, even for the strongest, as evidenced by Bhishma, the mighty warrior, who lies on the battlefield covered with countless arrows.
विकर्णश्चित्रसेनश्च बाह्लीकोऽथ जयद्रथः। भूरिश्रवा जयश्चैव जलसन्धः सुदक्षिणः ॥७-१३३-५९॥
Vikarna, Citrasena, Bahlika, Jayadratha, Bhurishrava, Jaya, Jalasandha, and Sudakshina were present.
शलश्च रथिनां श्रेष्ठो भगदत्तश्च वीर्यवान्। एते चान्ये च राजानो देवैरपि सुदुर्जयाः ॥७-१३३-६०॥
Śala and Bhagadatta, the foremost among charioteers and valiant warriors, along with other kings, are formidable and challenging to defeat even by the gods.
निहताः समरे शूराः पाण्डवैर्बलवत्तराः। किमन्यद्दैवसंयोगान्मन्यसे पुरुषाधम ॥७-१३३-६१॥
The heroes, though stronger, were killed in battle by the Pandavas. What else do you think, O lowest of men, could have caused this, if not divine intervention?
यांश्च तान्स्तौषि सततं दुर्योधनरिपून्द्विज। तेषामपि हताः शूराः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥७-१३३-६२॥
O Brahmin, those whom you always praise as the enemies of Duryodhana, even among them, hundreds and thousands of heroes have been slain.
क्षीयन्ते सर्वसैन्यानि कुरूणां पाण्डवैः सह। प्रभावं नात्र पश्यामि पाण्डवानां कथञ्चन ॥७-१३३-६३॥
The armies of the Kauravas are being decimated along with the Pandavas. I cannot perceive any influence of the Pandavas here whatsoever.
यांस्तान्बलवतो नित्यं मन्यसे त्वं द्विजाधम। यतिष्येऽहं यथाशक्ति योद्धुं तैः सह संयुगे ॥ दुर्योधनहितार्थाय जयो दैवे प्रतिष्ठितः ॥७-१३३-६४॥
O lowest of the twice-born, you always think of them as strong. I will strive with all my might to fight them in battle. Victory for Duryodhana's benefit is destined by divine will.
