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.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tataḥ karṇo raṇe dṛṣṭvā pārṣataṃ paravīrahā. ājaghānorasi śarairdśabhirmarmabhedibhiḥ ॥7-148-1॥
Then Karṇa, known for his prowess in battle, saw Pārṣata and struck him on the chest with ten arrows that pierced his vital parts.
prativivyādha taṃ tūrṇaṃ dhṛṣṭadyumno'pi māriṣa। pañcabhiḥ sāyakairhṛṣṭastiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt ॥7-148-2॥
Dhrishtadyumna, filled with joy, swiftly pierced him with five arrows and commanded, "Stay, stay," O sir.
tāvanyonyaṃ śaraiḥ saṅkhye sañchādya sumahārathau। punaḥ pūrṇāyatotsṛṣṭairvivyadhāte parasparam ॥7-148-3॥
The two great charioteers, engaged in battle, covered each other with arrows and once more pierced each other with fully drawn and released arrows.
tataḥ pāñcālamukhyasya dhṛṣṭadyumnasya saṃyuge। sārathiṃ caturaścāśvānkārṇo vivyādha sāyakaiḥ ॥7-148-4॥
Then, during the battle, Karṇa shot arrows at and wounded the charioteer and the four horses of Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the leader of the Pāñcālas.
kārmukapravaraṃ cāsya praciccheda śitaiḥ śaraiḥ। sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena rathanīḍādapātayat ॥7-148-5॥
He severed the finest of his bows with sharp arrows and struck down his charioteer from the chariot with a spear.
dhṛṣṭadyumnastu viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ। gṛhītvā parighaṃ ghoraṃ karṇasyāśvān apīpiṣat ॥7-148-6॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, though deprived of his chariot and with his horses and charioteer slain, took up a formidable club and crushed the horses of Karna.
viddhaśca bahubhistena śarairāśīviṣopamaiḥ। tato yudhiṣṭhirānīkaṃ padbhyāmevānvavartata ॥ āruroha rathaṃ cāpi sahadevasya māriṣa ॥7-148-7॥
Pierced by many serpent-like arrows, he then followed Yudhishthira's army on foot. O lord, he also ascended Sahadeva's chariot.
karṇasyāpi rathe vāhānanyānsūto nyayojayat। śaṅkhavarṇānmahāvegānsaindhavānsādhuvāhinaḥ ॥7-148-8॥
The charioteer also yoked other horses to Karna's chariot, which were conch-colored, very swift, of the Sindhu breed, and excellent bearers.
labdhalakṣyastu rādheyaḥ pāñcālānāṃ mahārathān। abhyapīḍayadāyastaḥ śarairmegha ivācalān ॥7-148-9॥
Radheya, having found his target, relentlessly attacked the great charioteers of the Panchalas with his arrows, as a cloud would cover mountains.
sā pīḍyamānā karṇena pāñcālānāṃ mahācamūḥ। samprādravatsusantrastā siṃhenevārditā mṛgī ॥7-148-10॥
Oppressed by Karna, the great army of the Panchalas fled in terror, like a deer afflicted by a lion.
patitāsturagebhyaśca gajebhyaśca mahītale। rathebhyaśca narāstūrṇamadṛśyanta tatastataḥ ॥7-148-11॥
Men, having fallen from horses, elephants, and chariots, were quickly seen scattered on the ground here and there.
dhāvamānasya yodhasya kṣurapraiḥ sa mahāmṛdhe। bāhū ciccheda vai karṇaḥ śiraścaiva sakuṇḍalam ॥7-148-12॥
In the great battle, Karna indeed severed the arms, head, and earrings of the fleeing warrior with his sharp arrows.
ūrū ciccheda cānyasya gajasthasya viśāṃ pate। vājipṛṣṭhagatasya api bhūmiṣṭhasya ca māriṣa ॥7-148-13॥
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.
nā-jñāsiṣuḥ-dhāvamānā bahavaś-ca mahārathāḥ। sañchinnāni-ātma-gātrāṇi vāhanāni ca saṃyuge ॥7-148-14॥
Many great warriors, unaware and running, had their own limbs and vehicles severed in the battle.
te vadhyamānāḥ samare pāñcālāḥ sṛñjayaiḥ saha। tṛṇapraspandanāccāpi sūtaputraṃ sma menire ॥7-148-15॥
The Panchalas and the Srinjayas, being defeated in battle, thought of Karna as easily swayed as the trembling grass.
api svaṁ samare yodhaṁ dhāvamānaṁ vicetasaḥ। karṇamevābhyamanyanta tato bhītā dravanti te ॥7-148-16॥
Even their own warrior, running unconsciously in battle, was seen as Karna; then, in fear, they fled.
tāny anīkāni bhagnāni dravamāṇāni bhārata। abhyadravad drutaṃ karṇaḥ pṛṣṭhato vikirañ śarān ॥7-148-17॥
O Bharata, those armies were broken and fleeing. Karna rushed quickly from behind, scattering arrows.
avekṣamāṇāste'nyonyaṃ susaṃmūḍhā vicetasaḥ। nāśaknuvannavasthātuṃ kālyamānā mahātmanā ॥7-148-18॥
They looked at each other in utter confusion and bewilderment, unable to stand as they were tormented by the great soul.
karṇenābhyāhatā rājanpāñcālāḥ parameṣubhiḥ। droṇena ca diśaḥ sarvā vīkṣamāṇāḥ pradudruvuḥ ॥7-148-19॥
O king, the Panchalas, struck by Karna's excellent arrows, and observing all directions covered by Drona, fled in panic.
tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā svasainyaṃ prekṣya vidrutam। apayāne matiṃ kṛtvā phalgunaṃ vākyamabravīt ॥7-148-20॥
Then King Yudhishthira, observing his army in flight, decided to retreat and addressed Arjuna with these words.
paśya karṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ dhanuṣpāṇimavasthitam। niśīthe dāruṇe kāle tapantamiva bhāskaram ॥7-148-21॥
Behold Karna, the great archer, standing with his bow in hand, glowing like the sun at the dreadful hour of midnight.
karṇasāyakanunnānāṃ krośatāmeṣa nisvanaḥ। aniśaṃ śrūyate pārtha tvadbandhūnāmanāthavat ॥7-148-22॥
O Partha, the cries of those pierced by Karna's arrows are constantly heard, as if your relatives are left helpless.
yathā visṛjataścāsya saṁdadhānasya cāśugān। paśyāmi jayavikrāntaṁ kṣapayiṣyati no dhruvam ॥7-148-23॥
As he releases and holds the arrows, I see that the victorious one will certainly destroy us.
yadatrānantaraṃ kāryaṃ prāptakālaṃ prapaśyasi। karṇasya vadhasaṃyuktaṃ tatkuruṣva dhanañjaya ॥7-148-24॥
O Dhananjaya, do what you see as your immediate duty, which is timely and connected with the killing of Karna.
evamukto mahābāhuḥ pārthaḥ kṛṣṇamathābravīt। bhītaḥ kuntīsuto rājā rādheyasyātivikramāt ॥7-148-25॥
Thus addressed, the mighty-armed Arjuna, son of Kunti, spoke to Krishna, fearful of the great prowess of Karna.
evaṃ gate prāptakālaṃ karṇānīke punaḥ punaḥ। bhavānvyavasyatāṃ kṣipraṃ dravate hi varūthinī ॥7-148-26॥
Thus, the time has come for you to make a quick decision, as Karna's army is repeatedly retreating.
droṇasāyakanunnānāṃ bhagnānāṃ madhusūdana। karṇena trāsyamānānāmavasthānaṃ na vidyate ॥7-148-27॥
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.
paśyāmi ca tathā karṇaṃ vicarantam abhītavat। dravamāṇān rathodārān kirantaṃ viśikhaiḥ śitaiḥ ॥7-148-28॥
I see Karna moving fearlessly, scattering the fleeing chariots with his sharp arrows.
naitadasyotsahe soḍhuṃ caritaṃ raṇamūrdhani। pratyakṣaṃ vṛṣṇiśārdūla pādasparśamivoragaḥ ॥7-148-29॥
I cannot endure this behavior in the midst of battle, just as a serpent cannot endure the touch of the Vrishni tiger's foot.
sa bhavānatra yātvāśu yatra karṇo mahārathaḥ। ahamenaṃ vadhiṣyāmi māṃ vaiṣa madhusūdana ॥7-148-30॥
"You should quickly go to where Karna, the great charioteer, is. I will kill him, O Madhusudana, indeed."
vāsudeva uvāca॥
Vasudeva said:
paśyāmi karṇaṃ kaunteya devarājamivāhave। vicarantaṃ naravyāghramatimānuṣavikramam ॥7-148-31॥
I see Karna, son of Kunti, resembling the king of gods in battle, moving like a tiger among men with extraordinary strength.
naitasyānyo'sti samare pratyudyātā dhanañjaya। ṛte tvāṃ puruṣavyāghra rākṣasādvā ghaṭotkacāt ॥7-148-32॥
"There is no one else who can challenge Dhananjaya in battle except you, the tiger among men, or the demon Ghatotkacha."
na tu tāvad ahaṃ manye prāptakālaṃ tavānagha। samāgamaṃ mahābāho sūtaputreṇa saṃyuge ॥7-148-33॥
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.
dīpyamānā maholkeva tiṣṭhatyasya hi vāsavī। tvadarthaṃ hi mahābāho raudrarūpaṃ bibharti ca ॥7-148-34॥
Vasavi, shining like a great meteor, stands here indeed. O mighty-armed one, she bears a terrible form for your sake.
ghaṭotkacastu rādheyaṃ pratyudyātu mahābalaḥ। sa hi bhīmena balinā jātaḥ suraparākramaḥ ॥7-148-35॥
Ghatotkacha, the mighty warrior, confronted Radheya. He was born of Bhima and possessed immense strength and divine prowess.
tasminnastrāṇi divyāni rākṣasānyāsurāṇi ca। satataṃ cānurakto vo hitaiṣī ca ghaṭotkacaḥ ॥ vijeṣyati raṇe karṇamiti me nātra saṃśayaḥ ॥7-148-36॥
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.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
evamuktvā mahābāhuḥ pārthaṃ puṣkaralocanaḥ। ājuhāvātha tadrakṣaḥ taccāsītprāduragrataḥ ॥7-148-37॥
After speaking thus, the mighty-armed, lotus-eyed one called Arjuna, and then that demon appeared in front.
kavacī sa śarī khaḍgī sadhanvā ca viśāṃ pate। abhivādya tataḥ kṛṣṇaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ ca dhanañjayam ॥ abravīttaṃ tadā hṛṣṭastvayamasmyanuśādhi mām ॥7-148-38॥
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."
tatastaṁ meghasaṅkāśaṁ dīptāsyaṁ dīptakuṇḍalam। abhyabhāṣata haiḍimbaṁ dāśārhaḥ prahasanniva ॥7-148-39॥
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.
ghaṭotkaca vijānīhi yattvāṃ vakṣyāmi putraka। prāpto vikramakālo'yaṃ tava nānyasya kasyacit ॥7-148-40॥
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.
sa bhavānmajjamānānāṃ bandhūnāṃ tvaṃ plavo yathā। vividhāni tavāstrāṇi santi māyā ca rākṣasī ॥7-148-41॥
You are like a boat for your sinking relatives. You possess various weapons and demonic illusions.
paśya karṇena haiḍimba pāṇḍavānāmanīkinī। kālyamānā yathā gāvaḥ pālena raṇamūrdhani ॥7-148-42॥
"See how Karna, like a herdsman, drives the Pandava army, just as cows are driven in the battlefield by Hidimba."
eṣa karṇo maheṣvāso matimāndṛḍhavikramaḥ। pāṇḍavānāmanīkeṣu nihanti kṣatriyarṣabhān ॥7-148-43॥
Karṇa, known for his great archery skills, wisdom, and steadfast courage, is slaying the foremost warriors among the Pandavas' forces.
kirantaḥ śaravarṣāṇi mahānti dṛḍhadhanvinaḥ। na śaknuvantyavasthātuṃ pīḍyamānāḥ śarārciṣā ॥7-148-44॥
The strong-bowmen, who are showering great arrow-showers, cannot withstand the torment of the flaming arrows.
niśīthe sūtaputreṇa śaravarṣeṇa pīḍitāḥ। ete dravanti pāñcālāḥ siṃhasyeva bhayānmṛgāḥ ॥7-148-45॥
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.
etasyaivaṃ pravṛddhasya sūtaputrasya saṃyuge। niṣeddhā vidyate nānyastvadṛte bhīmavikrama ॥7-148-46॥
In the battle, there is no one else who can restrain the grown son of the charioteer except you, mighty Bhima.
sa tvaṁ kuru mahābāho karma yuktamihātmanaḥ। mātulānāṁ pitṝṇāṁ ca tejaso'strabalasya ca ॥7-148-47॥
O mighty-armed one, you should perform your duty here for yourself, your uncles, fathers, and for the splendor and power of weapons.
etadarthaṁ hi haiḍimba putrānicchanti mānavāḥ। kathaṁ nastārayedduḥkhāts tvaṁ tāraya bāndhavān ॥7-148-48॥
For this reason, humans indeed desire the sons of Hidimba. How will you save us from sorrow? Please save our relatives.
tava hyastrabalaṁ bhīmaṁ māyāśca tava dustarāḥ। saṅgrāme yudhyamānasya satataṁ bhīmanandana ॥7-148-49॥
Indeed, your weapon power and illusions are formidable and insurmountable, O son of Bhima, who is always engaged in battle.
pāṇḍavānāṃ prabhagnānāṃ karṇena śitasāyakaiḥ। majjatāṃ dhārtarāṣṭreṣu bhava pāraṃ parantapa ॥7-148-50॥
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.
rātrau hi rākṣasā bhūyo bhavantyamitavikramāḥ। balavantaḥ sudurdharṣāḥ śūrā vikrāntacāriṇaḥ ॥7-148-51॥
At night, the demons regain their immeasurable prowess and become strong, formidable, heroic, and valiant in their actions.
jahi karṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ niśīthe māyayā raṇe। pārthā droṇaṃ vadhiṣyanti dhṛṣṭadyumnapurogamāḥ ॥7-148-52॥
"Conquer Karṇa, the great archer, at night by trick in battle. The sons of Pṛthā, led by Dhṛṣṭadyumna, will kill Droṇa."
keśavasya vacaḥ śrutvā bībhatsurapi rākṣasam। abhyabhāṣata kauravya ghaṭotkacamariṃdamam ॥7-148-53॥
Upon hearing Keshava's words, Bibhatsu spoke to the demon, saying, "O Kauravya, Ghatotkacha, the vanquisher of foes."
ghaṭotkaca bhavāṃścaiva dīrghabāhuśca sātyakiḥ। matau me sarvasainyeṣu bhīmasenaśca pāṇḍavaḥ ॥7-148-54॥
In my opinion, among all the armies, Ghatotkacha, you, the long-armed Satyaki, Bhimasena, and the Pandava are prominent.
sa bhavānyātu karṇena dvairathaṃ yudhyatāṃ niśi। sātyakiḥ pṛṣṭhagopaste bhaviṣyati mahārathaḥ ॥7-148-55॥
You may proceed to duel with Karna at night. Satyaki will be your rear guard, a formidable charioteer.
jahi karṇaṃ raṇe śūraṃ sātvaten sahāyavān। yathendrastārakaṃ pūrvaṃ skandena saha jaghnivān ॥7-148-56॥
Conquer Karṇa in battle, heroic one, with the assistance of Sātvata, just as Indra, with Skanda, once defeated Tāraka.
ghaṭotkaca uvāca॥
Ghatotkacha said:
alamevāmi karṇāya droṇāyālaṃ ca sattama। anyeṣāṃ kṣatriyāṇāṃ ca kṛtāstrāṇāṃ mahātmanām ॥7-148-57॥
I am sufficient for Karna and Drona, and also for other great warriors skilled in weapons, O virtuous one.
adya dāsyāmi saṅgrāmaṃ sūtaputrāya taṃ niśi। yaṃ janāḥ sampravakṣyanti yāvadbhūmirdhariṣyati ॥7-148-58॥
"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."
na cātra śūrān mokṣyāmi na bhītān na kṛtāñjalīn। sarvān eva vadhiṣyāmi rākṣasaṃ dharmam āsthitaḥ ॥7-148-59॥
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.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
evamuktvā mahābāhurhaiḍimbaḥ paravīrahā। abhyayāttumule karṇaṃ tava sainyaṃ vibhīṣayan ॥7-148-60॥
After saying this, the mighty-armed Hidimba, known for slaying enemy heroes, advanced towards Karna amidst the chaos, striking fear into your army.
tam āpatantaṃ saṅkruddhaṃ dīptāsyam iva pannagam। abhyasyan parameṣvāsaḥ pratijagrāha sūtajaḥ ॥7-148-61॥
The son of the charioteer, being a great archer, confronted the approaching enemy who was enraged and resembled a serpent with a blazing face.
tayoḥ samabhavadyuddhaṃ karṇarākṣasayorniśi। garjato rājaśārdūla śakraprahrādayoriva ॥7-148-62॥
At night, a fierce battle erupted between Karṇa and the demons, echoing the legendary clash between Indra and Prahlada, O tiger among kings.
