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.
Sanjaya said:
Duryodhana, observing the formidable and rising strength of the Pandavas, which he deemed irresistible, spoke to Karna.
This is the moment that has come for the friends, dear to friends. Protect in the battle, Karna, all the warriors, O mighty one.
The Panchalas, Matsyas, Kaikeyas, Pandavas, and great charioteers surrounded them on all sides, angry and breathing heavily like serpents.
The elated Pāṇḍavas, having achieved victory, roar triumphantly. Many chariots of the Pāñcālas, comparable to Indra, are present.
Karna said:
If Indra has come here to protect Arjuna, then I will quickly defeat him and kill the Pandava.
"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."
"I assure you of victory, just as the son of fire assured Indra. I live to fulfill what is dear to you, O king."
Arjuna is the strongest among all the sons of Pritha. I will unleash the infallible weapon crafted by Indra.
When that great archer is slain, his brothers, O honorable one, will either become your subjects or return to the forest.
As long as I am alive, O Kauravya, do not despair at any time. I shall defeat all the Pandavas together in the battle.
I will give you the earth after shattering the assembled Panchalas, Kekayas, and Vrishnis with showers of arrows.
Sanjaya said:
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."
"Auspicious indeed is Karna, the best of the Kurus, protected by you, O son of Radha, if your words come true."
"Karna, you often boast near the Kaurava, but neither your valor nor strength is evident."
O son of Suta, you have encountered the sons of Pandu many times in battle and have been defeated by them everywhere.
When Karna, the son of Dhritarashtra, was captured by the Gandharvas, the armies engaged in battle, but you alone chose to flee.
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.
You cannot even face Arjuna alone in battle; how do you expect to defeat all the Pandavas along with Krishna?
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.
"O son of a charioteer, having thundered like an autumn cloud without rain, you appear fruitless, Karna, and the king does not understand that."
O son of Radha, you roar as long as you do not see Partha. Once you see Partha, your roaring would indeed become difficult.
You boast without facing Arjuna's arrows. It's rare for someone struck by Arjuna's arrows to boast.
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.
Having been harshly addressed by Śāradvata, Karṇa, the greatest among warriors, then spoke to Kṛpa.
Heroes constantly roar like clouds during the rainy season and quickly yield results like seeds sown in the right season.
I see no fault here among the heroes at the forefront of battle, who boast variously and bear the burden in battle.
When a man decides to bear a burden with determination, divine assistance surely comes to his aid.
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?
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.
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.
"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."
Kṛpa said:
"Your talk of wishes is not acceptable to me, O son of Suta, when you insult the two Krishnas, Dharmaraja and Pandava."
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.
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.
His brothers were strong and skilled in all weapons, dedicated to the conduct of teachers, wise, eternally righteous, and renowned.
The relatives, endowed with the strength of Indra and self-devoted to the cause, include the strikers Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍī, Daurmukhi, and Janamejaya.
Chandrasena, Bhadraseṇa, Kīrtidharmā, Dhruva, and Dhara are followed by Vasucandra, Dāmacandra, Siṃhacandra, and Suvedhana.
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.
Shatānīka, Sudashana, Shrutānīka, Shrutadhvaja, Balānīka, Jayānīka, Jayāśva, and Rathavāhana are mentioned.
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.
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.
Yudhishthira, with his fierce gaze, could scorch the earth. Krishna, possessing immeasurable strength, endured suffering for their cause.
How do you intend to defeat the enemies, Karna, in battle?
This is a great removal of yours, O son of Sūta, as you are always eager to fight in battle with Śauri.
Sanjaya said:
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."
You have spoken the truth, O Brahman, regarding the Pandavas. These and many other qualities are indeed present in the sons of Pandu.
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.
My infallible power, given by Indra, O Brahmin, will enable me to slay Arjuna in battle.
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.
O Gautama, when all of them are destroyed, the entire earth with its oceans will effortlessly come under the control of the Kaurava.
"By good policies, all objectives are achieved without any doubt here. Knowing this, I declare it, O Gautama."
You are old and a Brahmin, powerless in battle, yet you have affection for the sons of Pṛthā. Out of delusion, you disrespect me.
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.
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.
Duryodhana, Drona, Shakuni, Durmukha, Jaya, Duhshasana, Vrishasena, the King of Madra, you, Somadatta, Bhuri, the son of Drona, and Vivimshati are all present.
Where all the warriors, skilled in battle, stand ready, who indeed, even if an enemy as strong as Indra, could conquer them in battle?
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.
These warriors will stand in battle, intent on killing the Pandavas, driven by the desire for victory, and indeed urged by the Kaurava.
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.
Vikarna, Citrasena, Bahlika, Jayadratha, Bhurishrava, Jaya, Jalasandha, and Sudakshina were present.
Śala and Bhagadatta, the foremost among charioteers and valiant warriors, along with other kings, are formidable and challenging to defeat even by the gods.
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?
O Brahmin, those whom you always praise as the enemies of Duryodhana, even among them, hundreds and thousands of heroes have been slain.
The armies of the Kauravas are being decimated along with the Pandavas. I cannot perceive any influence of the Pandavas here whatsoever.
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.
