07.157
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
एकवीरवधे मोघा शक्तिः सूतात्मजे यदा। कस्मात्सर्वान्समुत्सृज्य स तां पार्थे न मुक्तवान् ॥७-१५७-१॥
When the power became ineffective in killing the one hero, why did he, leaving everyone else, not unleash it upon Arjuna?
तस्मिन्हते हता हि स्युः सर्वे पाण्डवसृञ्जयाः। एकवीरवधे कस्मान्न युद्धे जयमादधत् ॥७-१५७-२॥
In that event, if he were slain, all the Pāṇḍavas and Sṛñjayas would indeed be destroyed. Why did they not secure victory in the battle with the slaying of just one hero?
आहूतो न निवर्तेयमिति तस्य महाव्रतम्। स्वयमाह्वयितव्यः स सूतपुत्रेण फल्गुनः ॥७-१५७-३॥
Arjuna, known for his great vow of not turning back when called, must be personally invited by Karna, the son of a charioteer.
ततो द्वैरथमानीय फल्गुनं शक्रदत्तया। न जघान वृषा कस्मात्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥७-१५७-४॥
Then, Sanjaya, tell me why Vrisha did not kill Arjuna, who was brought to the chariot duel by Indra's gift.
नूनं बुद्धिविहीनश्चाप्यसहायश्च मे सुतः। शत्रुभिर्व्यंसितोपायः कथं नु स जयेदरीन् ॥७-१५७-५॥
"Certainly, my son is devoid of intelligence and without any help. His plans are thwarted by enemies. How can he possibly conquer the enemies?"
या ह्यस्य परमा शक्तिर्जयस्य च परायणम्। सा शक्तिर्वासुदेवेन व्यंसितास्य घटोत्कचे ॥७-१५७-६॥
The supreme power and refuge of victory that he possessed was destroyed by Vāsudeva in Ghaṭotkaca.
कुणेर्यथा हस्तगतं ह्रियेद्बिल्वं बलीयसा। तथा शक्तिरमोघा सा मोघीभूता घटोत्कचे ॥७-१५७-७॥
Just as a fruit held by a mongoose is snatched away by someone stronger, similarly, the unfailing power becomes ineffective in Ghatotkacha.
यथा वराहस्य शुनश्च युध्यतो; स्तयोरभावे श्वपचस्य लाभः। मन्ये विद्वन्वासुदेवस्य तद्व; द्युद्धे लाभः कर्णहैडिम्बयोर्वै ॥७-१५७-८॥
"Just as the gain of the outcaste occurs when the boar and the dog are absent from fighting, O wise one, I believe that similarly, in the battle, the gain is indeed of Karṇa and Haiḍimba."
घटोत्कचो यदि हन्याद्धि कर्णं; परो लाभः स भवेत्पाण्डवानाम्। वैकर्तनो वा यदि तं निहन्या; त्तथापि कृत्यं शक्तिनाशात्कृतं स्यात् ॥७-१५७-९॥
If Ghatotkacha kills Karna, it would be a significant advantage for the Pandavas. However, if Vaikartana (Karna) kills him, the objective would still be achieved due to the loss of power.
इति प्राज्ञः प्रज्ञयैतद्विचार्य; घटोत्कचं सूतपुत्रेण युद्धे। अयोधयद्वासुदेवो नृसिंहः; प्रियं कुर्वन्पाण्डवानां हितं च ॥७-१५७-१०॥
Thus, the wise Vasudeva, considering the situation wisely, engaged Ghatotkacha in battle with Karna, the son of a charioteer, acting as Narasimha to ensure the welfare and favor of the Pandavas.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एतच्चिकीर्षितं ज्ञात्वा कर्णे मधुनिहा नृप। नियोजयामास तदा द्वैरथे राक्षसेश्वरम् ॥७-१५७-११॥
Upon realizing this intention, O king, Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, then arranged for Karna to engage in a duel with the lord of the Rakshasas.
घटोत्कचं महावीर्यं महाबुद्धिर्जनार्दनः। अमोघाया विघातार्थं राजन्दुर्मन्त्रिते तव ॥७-१५७-१२॥
O King, Janardana, with great heroism and intellect, obstructed the unfailing Ghatotkacha due to your ill-advised actions.
तदैव कृतकार्या हि वयं स्याम कुरूद्वह। न रक्षेद्यदि कृष्णस्तं पार्थं कर्णान्महारथात् ॥७-१५७-१३॥
"O carrier of the Kuru lineage, our tasks would only be accomplished if Krishna does not protect Arjuna from Karna, the great chariot-warrior."
साश्वध्वजरथः सङ्ख्ये धृतराष्ट्र पतेद्भुवि। विना जनार्दनं पार्थो योगानामीश्वरं प्रभुम् ॥७-१५७-१४॥
In the battle, Dhritarashtra's forces, with their horses, banners, and chariots, would fall to the ground without Janardana, as Arjuna, the lord and master of the yogas, was absent.
तैस्तैरुपायैर्बहुभी रक्ष्यमाणः स पार्थिव। जयत्यभिमुखः शत्रून्पार्थः कृष्णेन पालितः ॥७-१५७-१५॥
Arjuna, protected by Krishna, uses various strategies to defeat his enemies in battle.
सविशेषं त्वमोघायाः कृष्णोऽरक्षत पाण्डवम्। हन्यात्क्षिप्ता हि कौन्तेयं शक्तिर्वृक्षमिवाशनिः ॥७-१५७-१६॥
Especially, your infallible Krishna protected the Pandava. The weapon hurled would indeed kill the son of Kunti like a thunderbolt strikes a tree.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra said:
विरोधी च कुमन्त्री च प्राज्ञमानी ममात्मजः। यस्यैष समतिक्रान्तो वधोपायो जयं प्रति ॥७-१५७-१७॥
My son, who is both an opponent and a bad counselor, considers himself wise, and has surpassed the means of destruction aimed at victory.
तवापि समतिक्रान्तमेतद्गावल्गणे कथम्। एतमर्थं महाबुद्धे यत्त्वया नावबोधितः ॥७-१५७-१८॥
"How did you, O Gavalgaṇa, also let this pass without understanding its meaning, O wise one?"
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
दुर्योधनस्य शकुनेर्मम दुःशासनस्य च। रात्रौ रात्रौ भवत्येषा नित्यमेव समर्थना ॥७-१५७-१९॥
This always indeed becomes the support of Duryodhana, Shakuni, myself, and Duhshasana at night.
श्वः सर्वसैन्यानुत्सृज्य जहि कर्ण धनञ्जयम्। प्रेष्यवत्पाण्डुपाञ्चालानुपभोक्ष्यामहे ततः ॥७-१५७-२०॥
Tomorrow, after leaving all the armies, defeat Karna and Dhananjaya. Then, we shall enjoy the Pandavas and Panchalas as if they were our servants.
अथ वा निहते पार्थे पाण्डुष्वन्यतमं ततः। स्थापयेद्युधि वार्ष्णेयस्तस्मात्कृष्णो निपात्यताम् ॥७-१५७-२१॥
Then, if Arjuna (Pārtha) is slain, Vārṣṇeya should place another among the Pāṇḍavas in battle; therefore, Kṛṣṇa should be killed.
कृष्णो हि मूलं पाण्डूनां पार्थः स्कन्ध इवोद्गतः। शाखा इवेतरे पार्थाः पाञ्चालाः पत्रसञ्ज्ञिताः ॥७-१५७-२२॥
Krishna is indeed the root of the Pandavas, with Arjuna as the trunk that has risen. The other sons of Pritha are like branches, and the Panchalas are known as the leaves.
कृष्णाश्रयाः कृष्णबलाः कृष्णनाथाश्च पाण्डवाः। कृष्णः परायणं चैषां ज्योतिषामिव चन्द्रमाः ॥७-१५७-२३॥
The Pandavas, who rely on Krishna, are empowered by him and have him as their lord. Krishna is their ultimate refuge, akin to how the moon is among the stars.
तस्मात्पर्णानि शाखाश्च स्कन्धं चोत्सृज्य सूतज। कृष्णं निकृन्धि पाण्डूनां मूलं सर्वत्र सर्वदा ॥७-१५७-२४॥
Therefore, O son of Sūta, leave aside the leaves, branches, and trunk, and cut off Kṛṣṇa, who is the root of the Pāṇḍavas, at all times and in all places.
हन्याद्यदि हि दाशार्हं कर्णो यादवनन्दनम्। कृत्स्ना वसुमती राजन्वशे ते स्यान्न संशयः ॥७-१५७-२५॥
If Karna were to kill Krishna, the joy of the Yadavas, then, O king, the entire earth would undoubtedly be under your control.
यदि हि स निहतः शयीत भूमौ; यदुकुलपाण्डवनन्दनो महात्मा। ननु तव वसुधा नरेन्द्र सर्वा; सगिरिसमुद्रवना वशं व्रजेत ॥७-१५७-२६॥
If indeed he, the noble soul and delight of the Yadu and Pandava clans, were to be slain and lay upon the earth, then surely, O king, your entire realm, with its mountains, seas, and forests, would fall under your dominion.
सा तु बुद्धिः कृताप्येवं जाग्रति त्रिदशेश्वरे। अप्रमेये हृषीकेशे युद्धकाले व्यमुह्यत ॥७-१५७-२७॥
But even though her intelligence was thus awakened in the lord of the thirty gods, the immeasurable Hṛṣīkeśa, she became confused at the time of battle.
अर्जुनं चापि कौन्तेयं सदा रक्षति केशवः। न ह्येनमैच्छत्प्रमुखे सौतेः स्थापयितुं रणे ॥७-१५७-२८॥
Keshava always protects Arjuna, the son of Kunti. He did not want to position him in front of the charioteer during the battle.
अन्यांश्चास्मै रथोदारानुपस्थापयदच्युतः। अमोघां तां कथं शक्तिं मोघां कुर्यामिति प्रभो ॥७-१५७-२९॥
Acyuta presented other magnificent chariots to him. O lord, how could I render that infallible power ineffective?
ततः कृष्णं महाबाहुः सात्यकिः सत्यविक्रमः। पप्रच्छ रथशार्दूल कर्णं प्रति महारथम् ॥७-१५७-३०॥
Then, the mighty-armed Satyaki, known for his true prowess, asked Krishna, the tiger among charioteers, about Karna, the great chariot-warrior.
अयं च प्रत्ययः कर्णे शक्त्या चामितविक्रम। किमर्थं सूतपुत्रेण न मुक्ता फल्गुने तु सा ॥७-१५७-३१॥
This belief in Karna's power and immeasurable valor, why was it not unleashed by the son of a charioteer upon Arjuna, but instead withheld?
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva said:
दुःषासनश्च कर्णश्च शकुनिश्च ससैन्धवः। सततं मन्त्रयन्ति स्म दुर्योधनपुरोगमाः ॥७-१५७-३२॥
Duhshasana, Karna, Shakuni, and Saindhava were constantly consulting, led by Duryodhana.
कर्ण कर्ण महेष्वास रणेऽमितपराक्रम। नान्यस्य शक्तिरेषा ते मोक्तव्या जयतां वर ॥७-१५७-३३॥
Karna, Karna, you are a great archer with immeasurable valor in battle. This power is unique to you and should not be released by anyone else, O best among the victorious.
ऋते महारथात्पार्थात्कुन्तीपुत्राद्धनञ्जयात्। स हि तेषामतियशा देवानामिव वासवः ॥७-१५७-३४॥
Without Arjuna, the great charioteer and son of Kunti, he is indeed the most glorious among them, akin to Indra among the gods.
तस्मिन्विनिहते सर्वे पाण्डवाः सृञ्जयैः सह। भविष्यन्ति गतात्मानः सुरा इव निरग्नयः ॥७-१५७-३५॥
In that event, when all are slain, the Pāṇḍavas along with the Sṛñjayas will become spiritless, like gods who have lost their fire.
तथेति च प्रतिज्ञातं कर्णेन शिनिपुङ्गव। हृदि नित्यं तु कर्णस्य वधो गाण्डीवधन्वनः ॥७-१५७-३६॥
Thus, Karna promised, O bull among the Shinis. However, in Karna's heart, there is always the intent to kill Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow.
अहमेव तु राधेयं मोहयामि युधां वर। यतो नावसृजच्छक्तिं पाण्डवे श्वेतवाहने ॥७-१५७-३७॥
I am the one who deludes Radheya, the greatest among warriors, because he did not release his weapon at Arjuna, who is also known as Shvetavahana.
फल्गुनस्य हि तां मृत्युमवगम्य युयुत्सतः। न निद्रा न च मे हर्षो मनसोऽस्ति युधां वर ॥७-१५७-३८॥
Having realized the impending death of Arjuna, who is eager to fight, I find neither sleep nor joy in my mind, O best among warriors.
घटोत्कचे व्यंसितां तु दृष्ट्वा तां शिनिपुङ्गव। मृत्योरास्यान्तरान्मुक्तं पश्याम्यद्य धनञ्जयम् ॥७-१५७-३९॥
O Ghaṭotkaca, seeing you defeated, O best of the Śinis, I perceive today that Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) has been freed from the jaws of death.
न पिता न च मे माता न यूयं भ्रातरस्तथा। न च प्राणास्तथा रक्ष्या यथा बीभत्सुराहवे ॥७-१५७-४०॥
Neither my father nor my mother, nor you brothers, nor even lives are as worthy of protection as the abhorrent in battle.
त्रैलोक्यराज्याद्यत्किञ्चिद्भवेदन्यत्सुदुर्लभम्। नेच्छेयं सात्वताहं तद्विना पार्थं धनञ्जयम् ॥७-१५७-४१॥
I do not desire anything else, even if it is as rare as the kingdom of the three worlds, O descendant of Sātvata, without Arjuna, Dhanañjaya.
अतः प्रहर्षः सुमहान्युयुधानाद्य मेऽभवत्। मृतं प्रत्यागतमिव दृष्ट्वा पार्थं धनञ्जयम् ॥७-१५७-४२॥
Therefore, today I experienced immense joy from Yuyudhāna, as if seeing Pārtha Dhanañjaya return from the dead.
अतश्च प्रहितो युद्धे मया कर्णाय राक्षसः। न ह्यन्यः समरे रात्रौ शक्तः कर्णं प्रबाधितुम् ॥७-१५७-४३॥
Therefore, I sent a demon to Karna in the battle, as no one else could overpower Karna during the night in the battlefield.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
इति सात्यकये प्राह तदा देवकिनन्दनः। धनञ्जयहिते युक्तस्तत्प्रिये सततं रतः ॥७-१५७-४४॥
Thus, Devaki's son, always engaged in Arjuna's welfare and delighted in him, spoke to Sātyaki.
