07.148
Core and Pancharatra: Karna starts destroying the Pandava forces, because of which they start retreating. When Yudhisthira instructs Arjuna to take on Karna, Krishna intervenes and suggests, let demon Ghatotkacha take on Karna. The mighty-armed Ghatotkacha, known for slaying enemy heroes, advanced towards Karna amidst the chaos, striking fear into Kaurava army.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततः कर्णो रणे दृष्ट्वा पार्षतं परवीरहा। आजघानोरसि शरैर्दशभिर्मर्मभेदिभिः ॥७-१४८-१॥
Then Karṇa, known for his prowess in battle, saw Pārṣata and struck him on the chest with ten arrows that pierced his vital parts.
प्रतिविव्याध तं तूर्णं धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि मारिष। पञ्चभिः सायकैर्हृष्टस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥७-१४८-२॥
Dhrishtadyumna, filled with joy, swiftly pierced him with five arrows and commanded, "Stay, stay," O sir.
तावन्योन्यं शरैः सङ्ख्ये सञ्छाद्य सुमहारथौ। पुनः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैर्विव्यधाते परस्परम् ॥७-१४८-३॥
The two great charioteers, engaged in battle, covered each other with arrows and once more pierced each other with fully drawn and released arrows.
ततः पाञ्चालमुख्यस्य धृष्टद्युम्नस्य संयुगे। सारथिं चतुरश्चाश्वान्कर्णो विव्याध सायकैः ॥७-१४८-४॥
Then, during the battle, Karṇa shot arrows at and wounded the charioteer and the four horses of Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the leader of the Pāñcālas.
कार्मुकप्रवरं चास्य प्रचिच्छेद शितैः शरैः। सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत् ॥७-१४८-५॥
He severed the finest of his bows with sharp arrows and struck down his charioteer from the chariot with a spear.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः। गृहीत्वा परिघं घोरं कर्णस्याश्वानपीपिषत् ॥७-१४८-६॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, though deprived of his chariot and with his horses and charioteer slain, took up a formidable club and crushed the horses of Karna.
विद्धश्च बहुभिस्तेन शरैराशीविषोपमैः। ततो युधिष्ठिरानीकं पद्भ्यामेवान्ववर्तत ॥ आरुरोह रथं चापि सहदेवस्य मारिष ॥७-१४८-७॥
Pierced by many serpent-like arrows, he then followed Yudhishthira's army on foot. O lord, he also ascended Sahadeva's chariot.
कर्णस्यापि रथे वाहानन्यान्सूतो न्ययोजयत्। शङ्खवर्णान्महावेगान्सैन्धवान्साधुवाहिनः ॥७-१४८-८॥
The charioteer also yoked other horses to Karna's chariot, which were conch-colored, very swift, of the Sindhu breed, and excellent bearers.
लब्धलक्ष्यस्तु राधेयः पाञ्चालानां महारथान्। अभ्यपीडयदायस्तः शरैर्मेघ इवाचलान् ॥७-१४८-९॥
Radheya, having found his target, relentlessly attacked the great charioteers of the Panchalas with his arrows, as a cloud would cover mountains.
सा पीड्यमाना कर्णेन पाञ्चालानां महाचमूः। सम्प्राद्रवत्सुसन्त्रस्ता सिंहेनेवार्दिता मृगी ॥७-१४८-१०॥
Oppressed by Karna, the great army of the Panchalas fled in terror, like a deer afflicted by a lion.
पतितास्तुरगेभ्यश्च गजेभ्यश्च महीतले। रथेभ्यश्च नरास्तूर्णमदृश्यन्त ततस्ततः ॥७-१४८-११॥
Men, having fallen from horses, elephants, and chariots, were quickly seen scattered on the ground here and there.
धावमानस्य योधस्य क्षुरप्रैः स महामृधे। बाहू चिच्छेद वै कर्णः शिरश्चैव सकुण्डलम् ॥७-१४८-१२॥
In the great battle, Karna indeed severed the arms, head, and earrings of the fleeing warrior with his sharp arrows.
ऊरू चिच्छेद चान्यस्य गजस्थस्य विशां पते। वाजिपृष्ठगतस्यापि भूमिष्ठस्य च मारिष ॥७-१४८-१३॥
He severed the thighs of another king who was on an elephant, and also of one who was on a horse and standing on the ground, O lord.
नाज्ञासिषुर्धावमाना बहवश्च महारथाः। सञ्छिन्नान्यात्मगात्राणि वाहनानि च संयुगे ॥७-१४८-१४॥
Many great warriors, unaware and running, had their own limbs and vehicles severed in the battle.
ते वध्यमानाः समरे पाञ्चालाः सृञ्जयैः सह। तृणप्रस्पन्दनाच्चापि सूतपुत्रं स्म मेनिरे ॥७-१४८-१५॥
The Panchalas and the Srinjayas, being defeated in battle, thought of Karna as easily swayed as the trembling grass.
अपि स्वं समरे योधं धावमानं विचेतसः। कर्णमेवाभ्यमन्यन्त ततो भीता द्रवन्ति ते ॥७-१४८-१६॥
Even their own warrior, running unconsciously in battle, was seen as Karna; then, in fear, they fled.
तान्यनीकानि भग्नानि द्रवमाणानि भारत। अभ्यद्रवद्द्रुतं कर्णः पृष्ठतो विकिरञ्शरान् ॥७-१४८-१७॥
O Bharata, those armies were broken and fleeing. Karna rushed quickly from behind, scattering arrows.
अवेक्षमाणास्तेऽन्योन्यं सुसंमूढा विचेतसः। नाशक्नुवन्नवस्थातुं काल्यमाना महात्मना ॥७-१४८-१८॥
They looked at each other in utter confusion and bewilderment, unable to stand as they were tormented by the great soul.
कर्णेनाभ्याहता राजन्पाञ्चालाः परमेषुभिः। द्रोणेन च दिशः सर्वा वीक्षमाणाः प्रदुद्रुवुः ॥७-१४८-१९॥
O king, the Panchalas, struck by Karna's excellent arrows, and observing all directions covered by Drona, fled in panic.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा स्वसैन्यं प्रेक्ष्य विद्रुतम्। अपयाने मतिं कृत्वा फल्गुनं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥७-१४८-२०॥
Then King Yudhishthira, observing his army in flight, decided to retreat and addressed Arjuna with these words.
पश्य कर्णं महेष्वासं धनुष्पाणिमवस्थितम्। निशीथे दारुणे काले तपन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥७-१४८-२१॥
Behold Karna, the great archer, standing with his bow in hand, glowing like the sun at the dreadful hour of midnight.
कर्णसायकनुन्नानां क्रोशतामेष निस्वनः। अनिशं श्रूयते पार्थ त्वद्बन्धूनामनाथवत् ॥७-१४८-२२॥
O Partha, the cries of those pierced by Karna's arrows are constantly heard, as if your relatives are left helpless.
यथा विसृजतश्चास्य संदधानस्य चाशुगान्। पश्यामि जयविक्रान्तं क्षपयिष्यति नो ध्रुवम् ॥७-१४८-२३॥
As he releases and holds the arrows, I see that the victorious one will certainly destroy us.
यदत्रानन्तरं कार्यं प्राप्तकालं प्रपश्यसि। कर्णस्य वधसंयुक्तं तत्कुरुष्व धनञ्जय ॥७-१४८-२४॥
O Dhananjaya, do what you see as your immediate duty, which is timely and connected with the killing of Karna.
एवमुक्तो महाबाहुः पार्थः कृष्णमथाब्रवीत्। भीतः कुन्तीसुतो राजा राधेयस्यातिविक्रमात् ॥७-१४८-२५॥
Thus addressed, the mighty-armed Arjuna, son of Kunti, spoke to Krishna, fearful of the great prowess of Karna.
एवं गते प्राप्तकालं कर्णानीके पुनः पुनः। भवान्व्यवस्यतां क्षिप्रं द्रवते हि वरूथिनी ॥७-१४८-२६॥
Thus, the time has come for you to make a quick decision, as Karna's army is repeatedly retreating.
द्रोणसायकनुन्नानां भग्नानां मधुसूदन। कर्णेन त्रास्यमानानामवस्थानं न विद्यते ॥७-१४८-२७॥
O Madhusudana, those who have been pierced by Drona's arrows and broken, and who are being terrified by Karna, have no position or standing.
पश्यामि च तथा कर्णं विचरन्तमभीतवत्। द्रवमाणान्रथोदारान्किरन्तं विशिखैः शितैः ॥७-१४८-२८॥
I see Karna moving fearlessly, scattering the fleeing chariots with his sharp arrows.
नैतदस्योत्सहे सोढुं चरितं रणमूर्धनि। प्रत्यक्षं वृष्णिशार्दूल पादस्पर्शमिवोरगः ॥७-१४८-२९॥
I cannot endure this behavior in the midst of battle, just as a serpent cannot endure the touch of the Vrishni tiger's foot.
स भवानत्र यात्वाशु यत्र कर्णो महारथः। अहमेनं वधिष्यामि मां वैष मधुसूदन ॥७-१४८-३०॥
"You should quickly go to where Karna, the great charioteer, is. I will kill him, O Madhusudana, indeed."
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva said:
पश्यामि कर्णं कौन्तेय देवराजमिवाहवे। विचरन्तं नरव्याघ्रमतिमानुषविक्रमम् ॥७-१४८-३१॥
I see Karna, son of Kunti, resembling the king of gods in battle, moving like a tiger among men with extraordinary strength.
नैतस्यान्योऽस्ति समरे प्रत्युद्याता धनञ्जय। ऋते त्वां पुरुषव्याघ्र राक्षसाद्वा घटोत्कचात् ॥७-१४८-३२॥
"There is no one else who can challenge Dhananjaya in battle except you, the tiger among men, or the demon Ghatotkacha."
न तु तावदहं मन्ये प्राप्तकालं तवानघ। समागमं महाबाहो सूतपुत्रेण संयुगे ॥७-१४८-३३॥
However, I believe it is not yet the appropriate moment for you, O sinless one, to confront the son of a charioteer in battle, O mighty-armed hero.
दीप्यमाना महोल्केव तिष्ठत्यस्य हि वासवी। त्वदर्थं हि महाबाहो रौद्ररूपं बिभर्ति च ॥७-१४८-३४॥
Vasavi, shining like a great meteor, stands here indeed. O mighty-armed one, she bears a terrible form for your sake.
घटोत्कचस्तु राधेयं प्रत्युद्यातु महाबलः। स हि भीमेन बलिना जातः सुरपराक्रमः ॥७-१४८-३५॥
Ghatotkacha, the mighty warrior, confronted Radheya. He was born of Bhima and possessed immense strength and divine prowess.
तस्मिन्नस्त्राणि दिव्यानि राक्षसान्यासुराणि च। सततं चानुरक्तो वो हितैषी च घटोत्कचः ॥ विजेष्यति रणे कर्णमिति मे नात्र संशयः ॥७-१४८-३६॥
In that place, there are divine, demonic, and Asura weapons. Ghatotkacha, who is always devoted and your well-wisher, will surely conquer Karna in battle. I have no doubt about this.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुः पार्थं पुष्करलोचनः। आजुहावाथ तद्रक्षः तच्चासीत्प्रादुरग्रतः ॥७-१४८-३७॥
After speaking thus, the mighty-armed, lotus-eyed one called Arjuna, and then that demon appeared in front.
कवची स शरी खड्गी सधन्वा च विशां पते। अभिवाद्य ततः कृष्णं पाण्डवं च धनञ्जयम् ॥ अब्रवीत्तं तदा हृष्टस्त्वयमस्म्यनुशाधि माम् ॥७-१४८-३८॥
The armored warrior, equipped with arrows, sword, and bow, saluted Krishna and Pandava Dhananjaya. Then, joyfully, he said to them, "I am guided by your instructions."
ततस्तं मेघसङ्काशं दीप्तास्यं दीप्तकुण्डलम्। अभ्यभाषत हैडिम्बं दाशार्हः प्रहसन्निव ॥७-१४८-३९॥
Then, the descendant of Dasharha, with a demeanor as if smiling, spoke to Hidimba, who appeared like a cloud with a radiant face and gleaming earrings.
घटोत्कच विजानीहि यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि पुत्रक। प्राप्तो विक्रमकालोऽयं तव नान्यस्य कस्यचित् ॥७-१४८-४०॥
Ghatotkacha, understand that what I am about to tell you is important, my son. This is your time for valor, and it is not meant for anyone else.
स भवान्मज्जमानानां बन्धूनां त्वं प्लवो यथा। विविधानि तवास्त्राणि सन्ति माया च राक्षसी ॥७-१४८-४१॥
You are like a boat for your sinking relatives. You possess various weapons and demonic illusions.
पश्य कर्णेन हैडिम्ब पाण्डवानामनीकिनी। काल्यमाना यथा गावः पालेन रणमूर्धनि ॥७-१४८-४२॥
"See how Karna, like a herdsman, drives the Pandava army, just as cows are driven in the battlefield by Hidimba."
एष कर्णो महेष्वासो मतिमान्दृढविक्रमः। पाण्डवानामनीकेषु निहन्ति क्षत्रियर्षभान् ॥७-१४८-४३॥
Karṇa, known for his great archery skills, wisdom, and steadfast courage, is slaying the foremost warriors among the Pandavas' forces.
किरन्तः शरवर्षाणि महान्ति दृढधन्विनः। न शक्नुवन्त्यवस्थातुं पीड्यमानाः शरार्चिषा ॥७-१४८-४४॥
The strong-bowmen, who are showering great arrow-showers, cannot withstand the torment of the flaming arrows.
निशीथे सूतपुत्रेण शरवर्षेण पीडिताः। एते द्रवन्ति पाञ्चालाः सिंहस्येव भयान्मृगाः ॥७-१४८-४५॥
At midnight, the Pāñcālas, afflicted by the son of a charioteer with a shower of arrows, are fleeing like deer out of fear of the lion.
एतस्यैवं प्रवृद्धस्य सूतपुत्रस्य संयुगे। निषेद्धा विद्यते नान्यस्त्वदृते भीमविक्रम ॥७-१४८-४६॥
In the battle, there is no one else who can restrain the grown son of the charioteer except you, mighty Bhima.
स त्वं कुरु महाबाहो कर्म युक्तमिहात्मनः। मातुलानां पितॄणां च तेजसोऽस्त्रबलस्य च ॥७-१४८-४७॥
O mighty-armed one, you should perform your duty here for yourself, your uncles, fathers, and for the splendor and power of weapons.
एतदर्थं हि हैडिम्ब पुत्रानिच्छन्ति मानवाः। कथं नस्तारयेद्दुःखात्स त्वं तारय बान्धवान् ॥७-१४८-४८॥
For this reason, humans indeed desire the sons of Hidimba. How will you save us from sorrow? Please save our relatives.
तव ह्यस्त्रबलं भीमं मायाश्च तव दुस्तराः। सङ्ग्रामे युध्यमानस्य सततं भीमनन्दन ॥७-१४८-४९॥
Indeed, your weapon power and illusions are formidable and insurmountable, O son of Bhima, who is always engaged in battle.
पाण्डवानां प्रभग्नानां कर्णेन शितसायकैः। मज्जतां धार्तराष्ट्रेषु भव पारं परन्तप ॥७-१४८-५०॥
O scorcher of foes, be the savior for the Pandavas, who are broken by Karna's sharp arrows and are sinking among the sons of Dhritarashtra.
रात्रौ हि राक्षसा भूयो भवन्त्यमितविक्रमाः। बलवन्तः सुदुर्धर्षाः शूरा विक्रान्तचारिणः ॥७-१४८-५१॥
At night, the demons regain their immeasurable prowess and become strong, formidable, heroic, and valiant in their actions.
जहि कर्णं महेष्वासं निशीथे मायया रणे। पार्था द्रोणं वधिष्यन्ति धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमाः ॥७-१४८-५२॥
"Conquer Karṇa, the great archer, at night by trick in battle. The sons of Pṛthā, led by Dhṛṣṭadyumna, will kill Droṇa."
केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा बीभत्सुरपि राक्षसम्। अभ्यभाषत कौरव्य घटोत्कचमरिंदमम् ॥७-१४८-५३॥
Upon hearing Keshava's words, Bibhatsu spoke to the demon, saying, "O Kauravya, Ghatotkacha, the vanquisher of foes."
घटोत्कच भवांश्चैव दीर्घबाहुश्च सात्यकिः। मतौ मे सर्वसैन्येषु भीमसेनश्च पाण्डवः ॥७-१४८-५४॥
In my opinion, among all the armies, Ghatotkacha, you, the long-armed Satyaki, Bhimasena, and the Pandava are prominent.
स भवान्यातु कर्णेन द्वैरथं युध्यतां निशि। सात्यकिः पृष्ठगोपस्ते भविष्यति महारथः ॥७-१४८-५५॥
You may proceed to duel with Karna at night. Satyaki will be your rear guard, a formidable charioteer.
जहि कर्णं रणे शूरं सात्वतेन सहायवान्। यथेन्द्रस्तारकं पूर्वं स्कन्देन सह जघ्निवान् ॥७-१४८-५६॥
Conquer Karṇa in battle, heroic one, with the assistance of Sātvata, just as Indra, with Skanda, once defeated Tāraka.
घटोत्कच उवाच॥
Ghatotkacha said:
अलमेवास्मि कर्णाय द्रोणायालं च सत्तम। अन्येषां क्षत्रियाणां च कृतास्त्राणां महात्मनाम् ॥७-१४८-५७॥
I am sufficient for Karna and Drona, and also for other great warriors skilled in weapons, O virtuous one.
अद्य दास्यामि सङ्ग्रामं सूतपुत्राय तं निशि। यं जनाः सम्प्रवक्ष्यन्ति यावद्भूमिर्धरिष्यति ॥७-१४८-५८॥
"Today, I will engage in a battle with the son of a charioteer at night, a battle that will be recounted by people for as long as the earth exists."
न चात्र शूरान्मोक्ष्यामि न भीतान्न कृताञ्जलीन्। सर्वानेव वधिष्यामि राक्षसं धर्ममास्थितः ॥७-१४८-५९॥
Here, I will neither release the heroes nor the frightened ones, nor those who have folded their hands. I am committed to slaying all the demons, adhering to my duty.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुर्हैडिम्बः परवीरहा। अभ्ययात्तुमुले कर्णं तव सैन्यं विभीषयन् ॥७-१४८-६०॥
After saying this, the mighty-armed Hidimba, known for slaying enemy heroes, advanced towards Karna amidst the chaos, striking fear into your army.
तमापतन्तं सङ्क्रुद्धं दीप्तास्यमिव पन्नगम्। अभ्यस्यन्परमेष्वासः प्रतिजग्राह सूतजः ॥७-१४८-६१॥
The son of the charioteer, being a great archer, confronted the approaching enemy who was enraged and resembled a serpent with a blazing face.
तयोः समभवद्युद्धं कर्णराक्षसयोर्निशि। गर्जतो राजशार्दूल शक्रप्रह्रादयोरिव ॥७-१४८-६२॥
At night, a fierce battle erupted between Karṇa and the demons, echoing the legendary clash between Indra and Prahlada, O tiger among kings.
