08.005
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said:
śrutvā karṇaṃ hataṃ yuddhe putrāṃścaivāpalāyinaḥ। narendraḥ kiñcidāśvasto dvijaśreṣṭha kimabravīt ॥8-5-1॥
Upon hearing of Karna's death in battle and the retreat of his sons, the king, slightly comforted, asked, "O esteemed sage, what did he say?"
prāptavān paramaṃ duḥkhaṃ putravyasanajaṃ mahat। tasmin yad uktavān kāle tan mamācakṣva pṛcchataḥ ॥8-5-2॥
He experienced immense sorrow due to the affliction of his son. Tell me what was said at that time, as I am asking.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaishampayana said:
śrutvā karṇasya nidhanamaśraddheyamivādbhutam। bhūtasaṃmohanaṃ bhīmaṃ meroḥ paryasanaṃ yathā ॥8-5-3॥
Upon hearing of Karna's death, it seemed both unbelievable and astonishing, akin to the terrifying upheaval of Mount Meru.
cittamohamivāyuktaṃ bhārgavasya mahāmateḥ। parājayamivendrasya dviṣadbhyo bhīmakarmaṇaḥ ॥8-5-4॥
It is as if the delusion of the mind is unfit for the wise Bhārgava, just as the defeat of Indra is by enemies of terrible deeds.
divaḥ prapatanaṃ bhānorurvyāmiva mahādyuteḥ। saṃśoṣaṇamivācintyaṃ samudrasyākṣayāmbhasaḥ ॥8-5-5॥
The sun falling from the sky to the earth, like the unimaginable drying up of the ocean with inexhaustible waters, is an event of great effulgence.
mahīviyaddigīśānāṃ sarvanāśamivādbhutam। karmaṇoriva vaiphalyamubhayoḥ puṇyapāpayoḥ ॥8-5-6॥
It is as if there is a wonderful total destruction of the earth, sky, and the lords of directions, akin to the fruitlessness of actions whether virtuous or sinful.
sañcintya nipuṇaṃ buddhyā dhṛtarāṣṭro janeśvaraḥ। nedamastīti sañcintya karṇasya nidhanaṃ prati ॥8-5-7॥
Dhritarashtra, the king, after carefully considering with his intellect, concluded that Karna's death was not a reality.
prāṇināmetadātmatvātsyādapīti vināśanam। śokāgninā dahyamāno dhamyamāna ivāśayaḥ ॥8-5-8॥
The inherent nature of living beings may lead to their destruction. The mind feels as if it is being burned and tormented by the fire of sorrow.
vidhvastātmā śvasandīno hā hetyuktvā suduḥkhitaḥ। vilalāpa mahārāja dhṛtarāṣṭro'mbikāsutaḥ ॥8-5-9॥
The deeply distressed King Dhritarashtra, son of Ambika, sighed heavily and lamented, saying 'Alas, the cause of my sorrow!'
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
sañjayādhiratho vīraḥ siṃhadviradavikramaḥ। vṛṣamapratimaskandho vṛṣabhākṣagatisvanaḥ ॥8-5-10॥
Sanjaya, the heroic charioteer, strides like a lion and elephant, with unmatched shoulders like a bull, and possesses the eyes, movement, and sound of a bull.
vṛṣabho vṛṣabhasyeva yo yuddhe na nivartate। śatrorapi mahendrasya vajrasaṃhanano yuvā ॥8-5-11॥
The young warrior, like a bull, never retreats in battle, even against the formidable enemy of Mahendra, possessing a body as strong as a thunderbolt.
yasya jyātalaśabdena śaravṛṣṭiraveṇa ca। rathāśvanaramātaṅgā nāvatiṣṭhanti saṃyuge ॥8-5-12॥
In the battle, where the sound of the bowstring and the roar of the arrows' rain are heard, chariots, horses, men, and elephants cannot stand firm.
yamāśritya mahābāhuṃ dviṣatsaṅghaghnamacyutam। duryodhano'karodvairaṃ pāṇḍuputrairmahābalaiḥ ॥8-5-13॥
Relying on the mighty-armed Krishna, the destroyer of enemy hosts, Duryodhana waged enmity against the powerful sons of Pandu.
sa kathaṁ rathināṁ śreṣṭhaḥ karṇaḥ pārthena saṁyuge। nihataḥ puruṣavyāghraḥ prasahyāsahyavikramaḥ ॥8-5-14॥
How was Karna, the best among charioteers and a tiger among men with irresistible valor, forcibly killed by Partha in battle?
yo nāmanyata vai nityam acyutaṃ na dhanañjayam। na vṛṣṇīn api tān anyān sva-bāhu-balam āśritaḥ ॥8-5-15॥
The one who never respected Krishna, Arjuna, or the Vrishnis, and relied solely on his own strength.
śārṅgagāṇḍīvadhanvānau sahitāvarājitau। ahaṃ divyādrathādekaḥ pātayiṣyāmi saṃyuge ॥8-5-16॥
The invincible archers with the bows of Vishnu and Arjuna stand together, yet I alone shall bring them down from their divine chariot in battle.
iti yaḥ satataṁ mandamavocal lobhamohitam। duryodhanam apādīnaṁ rājyakāmukam āturam ॥8-5-17॥
Thus, the one who always spoke slowly, deluded by greed, was Duryodhana, deprived and distressed, desirous of the kingdom.
yaścājaiṣīdatibalānamitrānapi durjayān। gāndhārānmadrakānmat syāṃstrigartāṃstaṅgaṇāñśakān ॥8-5-18॥
He who conquered the formidable and mighty enemies, including the Gandharas, Madras, Matsyas, Trigartas, Tanganas, and Shakas.
pāñcālāṁśca videhāṁśca kuṇindānkāśikosalān। suhmānaṅgāṁśca puṇḍrāṁśca niṣādānvaṅgakīcakān ॥8-5-19॥
The verse lists various ancient Indian tribes and regions, including the Panchalas, Videhas, Kunindas, Kashis, Kosalas, Suhmas, Angas, Pundras, Nishadas, Vangas, and Kichakas.
vatsān kaliṅgāṁs taralān aśmakān ṛṣikāṁs tathā। yo jitvā samare vīraś cakre balibhṛtaḥ purā ॥8-5-20॥
The hero, who once conquered the Vatsas, Kaliṅgas, Taralas, Aśmakas, and Ṛṣikas in battle, made them pay tribute.
uccaiḥśravā varo'śvānāṃ rājñāṃ vaiśravaṇo varaḥ। varo mahendro devānāṃ karṇaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ ॥8-5-21॥
"Uccaiḥśravā is the best among horses, Vaiśravaṇa is the best among kings. Mahendra is the best among gods, and Karna is the best among warriors."
yaṁ labdhvā māgadhō rājā sāntvamānārthagauravaiḥ। arautsīt pārthivaṁ kṣatram ṛtē kauravayādavān ॥8-5-22॥
The king of Magadha, after gaining him, managed to subdue all the kshatriyas of the earth with respect and honor, except for the Kauravas and Yadavas.
taṁ śrutvā nihataṁ karṇaṁ dvairathe savyasācinā। śokārṇave nimagno'hamaplavaḥ sāgare yathā ॥8-5-23॥
Upon hearing of Karṇa's death at the hands of Arjuna in a duel, I find myself drowning in sorrow, as if lost at sea without a raft.
īdṛśairyadyahaṃ duḥkhairna vinaśyāmi sañjaya। vajrāddṛḍhataraṃ manye hṛdayaṃ mama durbhidam ॥8-5-24॥
O Sanjaya, if I do not succumb to such sorrows, then my heart must be stronger and more unyielding than a thunderbolt.
jñātisambandhimitrāṇām imaṃ śrutvā parājayam। ko madanyaḥ pumāṁlloke na jahyātsūta jīvitam ॥8-5-25॥
Upon hearing of the defeat of my relatives, relations, and friends, who else but me, O charioteer, would not give up life in this world?
viṣamagniṃ prapātaṃ vā parvatāgrādahaṃ vṛṇe। na hi śakṣyāmi duḥkhāni soḍhuṃ kaṣṭāni sañjaya ॥8-5-26॥
I would rather choose to face a dangerous fire or fall from a mountain top than endure the unbearable sorrows and hardships, Sanjaya.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
śriyā kulena yaśasā tapasā ca śrutena ca। tvām adya santo manyante yayātim iva nāhuṣam ॥8-5-27॥
Today, the wise regard you as comparable to Yayati, the son of Nahusha, due to your prosperity, family, fame, penance, and learning.
śrute maharṣipratimaḥ kṛtakṛtyo'si pārthiva। paryavasthāpayātmānaṃ mā viṣāde manaḥ kṛthāḥ ॥8-5-28॥
Upon hearing this, O king, you are like a great sage who has fulfilled his duties. Steady yourself and do not let your mind fall into despair.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra said:
daivameva paraṃ manye dhikpauruṣamanarthakam। yatra rāmapratīkāśaḥ karṇo' hanyata saṃyuge ॥8-5-29॥
I believe that fate is supreme and manliness is useless, as demonstrated by the fact that Karna, who was like Rama, was killed in battle.
hatvā yudhiṣṭhirānīkaṃ pāñcālānāṃ rathavrajān। pratāpya śaravarṣeṇa diśaḥ sarvā mahārathaḥ ॥8-5-30॥
The great chariot warrior, after defeating Yudhishthira's army and the charioteer groups of the Panchalas, unleashed a devastating shower of arrows, scorching all directions.
mohayitvā raṇe pārthānvajrahasta ivāsurān। sa kathaṁ nihataḥ śete vātarugṇa iva drumaḥ ॥8-5-31॥
After bewildering the sons of Pṛthā in battle like Vajrahasta did to demons, how does he now lie slain, like a tree broken by the wind?
śokasyāntaṃ na paśyāmi samudrasyeva viplukāḥ। cintā me vardhate tīvrā mumūrṣā cāpi jāyate ॥8-5-32॥
I cannot see the end of my sorrow, much like the endless waves of the ocean. My anxiety is growing more intense, and I even feel a desire to die.
karṇasya nidhanaṃ śrutvā vijayaṃ phalgunasya ca। aśraddheyamahaṃ manye vadhaṃ karṇasya sañjaya ॥8-5-33॥
Upon hearing of Karna's death and Arjuna's victory, I find it unbelievable, Sanjaya, that Karna has been killed.
vajrasāramayaṃ nūnaṃ hṛdayaṃ sudṛḍhaṃ mama। yacchrutvā puruṣavyāghraṃ hataṃ karṇaṃ na dīryate ॥8-5-34॥
"Indeed, my heart must be very strong and made of diamond essence, for it does not break upon hearing that the great warrior Karṇa, the tiger among men, has been slain."
āyurnūnaṃ sudīrghaṃ me vihitaṃ daivataiḥ purā। yatra karṇaṃ hataṃ śrutvā jīvāmīha suduḥkhitaḥ ॥8-5-35॥
My life was certainly destined to be long by the gods in the past. Now, having heard of Karṇa's death, I live here in great sorrow.
dhigjīvitamidaṃ me'dya suhṛddhīnasya sañjaya। adya cāhaṃ daśāmetāṃ gataḥ sañjaya garhitām ॥ kṛpaṇaṃ vartayiṣyāmi śocyaḥ sarvasya mandadhīḥ ॥8-5-36॥
"Shame on my life today, Sanjaya, as I am deprived of friends. Today, I have reached this deplorable state, Sanjaya. I will live miserably, lamentable and dull-witted for everyone."
ahameva purā bhūtvā sarvalokasya satkṛtaḥ। paribhūtaḥ kathaṃ sūta punaḥ śakṣyāmi jīvitum ॥ duḥkhātsuduḥkhaṃ vyasanaṃ prāptavān asmi sañjaya ॥8-5-37॥
I was once honored by all the worlds, but now I am disrespected. O charioteer, how can I live again? I have fallen from sorrow into great sorrow and calamity, O Sanjaya.
tasmādbhīṣmavadhe caiva droṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ। nātra śeṣaṃ prapaśyāmi sūtaputre hate yudhi ॥8-5-38॥
Therefore, with the fall of Bhishma and the great Drona, I see no hope left here when the son of a charioteer is slain in battle.
sa hi pāraṃ mahān āsīt putrāṇāṃ mama sañjaya। yuddhe vinihataḥ śūro visṛjan sāyakān bahūn ॥8-5-39॥
He was truly a great one among my sons, O Sanjaya. In the battle, the brave hero was slain while releasing many arrows.
ko hi me jīvitenaarthastamṛte puruṣarṣabham। rathādatiratho nūnamapatatsāyakārditaḥ ॥8-5-40॥
"What purpose does my life serve without him, the bull among men? Surely, the great warrior has fallen from the chariot, struck by arrows."
parvatasyeva śikharaṃ vajrapātavidāritam। śayīta pṛthivīṃ nūnaṃ śobhayanrudhirokṣitaḥ ॥ mātaṅga iva mattena mātaṅgena nipātitaḥ ॥8-5-41॥
He lies on the ground like the peak of a mountain split by a thunderbolt, adorned with blood, resembling an elephant struck down by another intoxicated elephant.
yad balaṁ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ yato bhayam। so'rjunena hataḥ karṇaḥ pratimānaṁ dhanuṣmatām ॥8-5-42॥
Karna, who was the strength of the Kauravas and feared by the Pandavas, was slain by Arjuna, the greatest of archers.
sa hi vīro maheṣvāsaḥ putrāṇāmabhayaṅkaraḥ। śete vinihato vīraḥ śakreṇeva yathā balaḥ ॥8-5-43॥
He, indeed, the hero and great archer who was a fearless protector of his sons, lies slain like Bala was by Indra.
paṅgorivādhvagamanaṃ daridrasyeva kāmitam। duryodhanasya cākūtaṃ tṛṣitasyeva piplukāḥ ॥8-5-44॥
The intentions of Duryodhana are as futile as a lame person's attempt to walk, a poor person's desires, or a thirsty person's hope for water bubbles.
anyathā cintitaṃ kāryamanyathā tattu jāyate। aho nu balavaddaivaṃ kālaśca duratikramaḥ ॥8-5-45॥
An action thought to be one way happens in another way. Oh, indeed, fate and time are strong and insurmountable.
palāyamānaḥ kṛpaṇaṃ dīnātmā dīnapauruṣaḥ। kaccinna nihataḥ sūta putro duḥśāsano mama ॥8-5-46॥
"Fleeing and miserable, with a wretched soul and weak courage, is my Duḥśāsana, the son of the charioteer, not slain?"
kaccinna nīcācaritaṃ kṛtavāṃstāta saṃyuge। kaccinna nihataḥ śūro yathā na kṣatriyā hatāḥ ॥8-5-47॥
Dear, I hope you have not committed any base act in battle. I also hope that the hero has not been killed like the other warriors.
yudhiṣṭhirasya vacanaṃ mā yuddhamiti sarvadā। duryodhano nābhyagṛhṇānmūḍhaḥ pathyamivauṣadham ॥8-5-48॥
Yudhishthira always advised against war, but foolish Duryodhana never accepted his words, just as one might reject beneficial medicine.
śaratalpe śayānena bhīṣmeṇa sumahātmanā। pānīyaṃ yācitaḥ pārthaḥ so'vidhyanmedinītalam ॥8-5-49॥
Bhishma, the great soul, lay on the bed of arrows. He requested water, and Arjuna pierced the earth to fulfill his request.
jalasya dhārāṃ vihitāṃ dṛṣṭvā tāṃ pāṇḍavena ha। abravīts mahābāhustāta saṃśāmya pāṇḍavaiḥ ॥8-5-50॥
Upon witnessing the stream of water set up by the Pandava, the mighty-armed one addressed, "Dear, remain calm with the Pandavas."
praśamāddhi bhavecchāntirmadantaṃ yuddhamastu ca। bhrātṛbhāvena pṛthivīṃ bhuṅkṣva pāṇḍusutaiḥ saha ॥8-5-51॥
Indeed, from calmness comes peace; let the intoxicated war be, and enjoy the earth in brotherhood with the sons of Pandu.
akurvan vacanaṁ tasya nūnaṁ śocati me sutaḥ। tad idaṁ samanuprāptaṁ vacanaṁ dīrghadarśinaḥ ॥8-5-52॥
"My son surely grieves for not following his words. Now, the prophecy of the far-sighted sage has come true."
ahaṁ tu nihatāmātyo hataputraśca sañjaya। dyūtataḥ kṛcchramāpanno lūnapakṣa iva dvijaḥ ॥8-5-53॥
"But I, Sanjaya, have lost my ministers and sons, and having fallen into great difficulty due to gambling, I am like a bird with clipped wings."
yathā hi śakuniṃ gṛhya chittvā pakṣau ca sañjaya। visarjayanti saṃhṛṣṭāḥ krīḍamānāḥ kumārakāḥ ॥8-5-54॥
O Sañjaya, just as boys, delighted and playing, catch a bird, cut its wings, and then release it.
chinnapakṣatayā tasya gamanaṃ nopapadyate। tathāhamapi samprāpto lūnapakṣa iva dvijaḥ ॥8-5-55॥
His movement is impossible due to broken wings. Similarly, I have also arrived like a bird with clipped wings.
kṣīṇaḥ sarvārthahīnaśca nirbandhurjñātivarjitaḥ। kāṁ diśaṁ pratipatsyāmi dīnaḥ śatruvaśaṁ gataḥ ॥8-5-56॥
"Depleted of all resources and without any relatives or acquaintances, I am left wretched and under the control of my enemies. Which direction should I take now?"
duryodhanasya vṛddhyarthaṃ pṛthivīṃ yo'jayatprabhuḥ। sa jitaḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ śūraiḥ samarthairvīryaśālibhiḥ ॥8-5-57॥
The lord who conquered the earth for Duryodhana's prosperity was ultimately defeated by the heroic and capable Pandavas.
tasminhate maheṣvāse karṇe yudhi kirīṭinā। ke vīrāḥ paryavartanta tanmamācakṣva sañjaya ॥8-5-58॥
Sanjaya, tell me which heroes returned in the battle when the great archer Karna was slain by Arjuna.
kaccinnaikaḥ parityaktaḥ pāṇḍavairnihato raṇe। uktaṃ tvayā purā vīra yathā vīrā nipātitāḥ ॥8-5-59॥
Did the Pandavas not abandon anyone who was then killed in battle? You had said before, hero, that the heroes were defeated.
bhīṣmam apratiyudhyantaṃ śikhaṇḍī sāyakottamaiḥ। pātayām āsa samare sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varam ॥8-5-60॥
Shikhandi, using his excellent arrows, brought down Bhishma in the battle, who was the best among all the warriors, while Bhishma was not counter-attacking.
tathā draupadinā droṇo nyastasarvāyudho yudhi। yuktayogo maheṣvāsaḥ śarairbahubhirācitaḥ ॥ nihataḥ khaḍgamudyamya dhṛṣṭadyumnena sañjaya ॥8-5-61॥
Thus, Drona, having laid down all his weapons in the battle and engaged in meditation, was covered by many arrows and ultimately killed by Dhrishtadyumna who raised his sword, O Sanjaya.
antareṇa hatāvetau chalena ca viśeṣataḥ। aśrauṣamahametadvai bhīṣmadroṇau nipātitau ॥8-5-62॥
I heard that Bhishma and Drona were especially killed by deceit, without these two being felled.
bhīṣmadroṇau hi samare na hanyādvajrabhṛtsvayam। nyāyena yudhyamānau hi tadvai satyaṃ bravīmi te ॥8-5-63॥
I tell you the truth: Even the wielder of the thunderbolt himself could not kill Bhishma and Drona in battle when they were fighting justly.
karṇaṁ tvasayantamastrāṇi divyāni ca bahūni ca। kathamindropamaṁ vīraṁ mṛtyuryuddhe samaspṛśat ॥8-5-64॥
Karna, who was releasing many divine weapons, was touched by death in battle, despite being a hero like Indra.
yasya vidyutprabhāṃ śaktiṃ divyāṃ kanakabhūṣaṇām। prāyacchaddviṣatāṃ hantrīṃ kuṇḍalābhyāṃ puraṃdaraḥ ॥8-5-65॥
Indra, the destroyer of cities, bestowed upon him the divine power, radiant like lightning, adorned with golden earrings, to vanquish his foes.
yasya sarpamukho divyaḥ śaraḥ kanakabhūṣaṇaḥ। aśeta nihataḥ patrī candaneṣvarisūdanaḥ ॥8-5-66॥
The divine arrow with a serpent face, adorned with gold, lay defeated in the sandalwood, belonging to the enemy-slayer.
bhīṣmadroṇamukhānvīrānyo'vamanya mahārathān। jāmadagnyānmahāghoraṃ brāhmamastramaśikṣata ॥8-5-67॥
He ignored the great warriors, the heroes led by Bhishma and Drona, and learned the fearsome Brahma weapon from the lineage of Jamadagni.
yaśca droṇamukhāndṛṣṭvā vimukhānarditāñśaraiḥ। saubhadrasya mahābāhurvyadhamatkārmukaṃ śaraiḥ ॥8-5-68॥
The mighty-armed son of Subhadra, upon seeing Drona and his companions disheartened and afflicted by arrows, pierced their bows with his own arrows.
yaśca nāgāyutaprāṇaṃ vātaraṃhasamacyutam। virathaṃ bhrātaraṃ kṛtvā bhīmasenamupāhasat ॥8-5-69॥
He who mocked his brother Bhimasena, who possessed the strength of ten thousand elephants and was swift as the wind, after making him chariotless.
sahadevaṁ ca nirjitya śaraiḥ saṁnataparvabhiḥ। kṛpayā virathaṁ kṛtvā nāhanaddharmavittayā ॥8-5-70॥
After defeating Sahadeva with arrows that had bent joints, and out of compassion, he made him chariotless but did not kill him, adhering to the knowledge of dharma.
yaśca māyāsahasrāṇi dhvaṁsayitvā raṇotkaṭam। ghaṭotkacaṁ rākṣasendraṁ śakraśaktyābhijaghnivān ॥8-5-71॥
He who destroyed thousands of illusions and struck down the fierce demon king Ghatotkacha with Indra's weapon.
etāni divasāny asya yuddhe bhīto dhanañjayaḥ। nāgamad dvairathaṃ vīraḥ sa kathaṃ nihato raṇe ॥8-5-72॥
In these days, Arjuna, who was fearful in battle, did not go to the duel. How then was that hero slain in battle?
rathasaṅgo na cettasya dhanurvā na vyaśīryata। na cedastrāṇi nirṇeśuḥ sa kathaṁ nihataḥ paraiḥ ॥8-5-73॥
If he had no attachment to his chariot, and his bow and weapons were intact, how could he have been slain by others?
ko hi śakto raṇe karṇaṃ vidhunvānaṃ mahaddhanuḥ। vimuñcantaṃ śarānghorāndivyānyastrāṇi cāhave ॥ jetuṃ puruṣaśārdūlaṃ śārdūlamiva vegitam ॥8-5-74॥
Who indeed can defeat Karna in battle, as he wields a mighty bow and releases terrible arrows and divine weapons, like a swift tiger among men?
dhruvaṃ tasya dhanuśchinnaṃ ratho vāpi gato mahīm। astrāṇi vā pranaṣṭāni yathā śaṃsasi me hatam ॥ na hyanyadanupaśyāmi kāraṇaṃ tasya nāśane ॥8-5-75॥
"Certainly, his bow is broken, or the chariot has fallen to the ground, or the weapons are destroyed, as you have told me, he is killed. Indeed, I see no other reason for his destruction."
na hanyāmarjunaṃ yāvattāvatpādau na dhāvaye। iti yasya mahāghoraṃ vratamāsīnmahātmanaḥ ॥8-5-76॥
The great soul had a very terrible vow: "I would not kill Arjuna until I would not run on feet."
yasya bhīto vane nityaṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। trayodaśa samā nidrāṃ na lebhe puruṣarṣabhaḥ ॥8-5-77॥
Afraid in the forest, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, the bull among men, did not sleep for thirteen years.
yasya vīryavato vīryaṃ samāśritya mahātmanaḥ। mama putraḥ sabhāṃ bhāryāṃ pāṇḍūnāṃ nītavānbalāt ॥8-5-78॥
Relying on the strength of the great soul, my son forcibly took the wife of the Pandavas to the assembly.
tatra cāpi sabhāmadhye pāṇḍavānāṃ ca paśyatām। dāsabhāryeti pāñcālīmabravītkurusaṃsadi ॥8-5-79॥
In the Kuru assembly, while the Pandavas were watching, Draupadi was referred to as a "slave wife."
yaśca gāṇḍīvamuktānāṃ sparśamugramacintayan। apatirhyasi kṛṣṇeti bruvanpārthānavaiḳṣata ॥8-5-80॥
The one who contemplated the fierce impact of the arrows released from the Gandiva bow, remarked to Krishna, "You are without a master," and gazed upon the sons of Pritha.
yasya nāsīdbhayaṃ pārthaiḥ saputraiḥ sajanārdanaiḥ। svabāhubalamāśritya muhūrtamapi sañjaya ॥8-5-81॥
O Sanjaya, there was no fear in him from the sons of Pritha, along with their sons and Janardana, as he relied on his own arm strength, even for a moment.
tasya nāhaṃ vadhaṃ manye devairapi savāsavaiḥ। pratīpamupadhāvadbhiḥ kiṃ punastāta pāṇḍavaiḥ ॥8-5-82॥
I believe that even the gods, including Indra, cannot kill him, so how can the Pandavas, dear father?
na hi jyāṃ spṛśamānasya talatre cāpi gṛhṇataḥ। pumānādhiratheḥ kaścitpramukhe sthātumarhati ॥8-5-83॥
Indeed, no one can stand in front of a great charioteer while touching the bowstring and holding it on the palm.
api syānmedinī hīnā somasūryaprabḥāṃśubhiḥ। na vadhaḥ puruṣendrasya samareṣvapalāyinaḥ ॥8-5-84॥
"Even if the earth loses the light of the moon and sun, the lord of men will not be killed in battles if he does not flee."
yadi mandaḥ sahāyena bhrātrā duḥśāsanena ca। vāsudevasya durbuddhiḥ pratyākhyānamarocayat ॥8-5-85॥
If the foolish one, along with his brother Duhshasana, approved the rejection of Vasudeva's evil counsel.
sa nūnam ṛṣabha-skandhaṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇaṃ nipātitam। duḥśāsanaṃ ca nihataṃ manye śocati putrakaḥ ॥8-5-86॥
The son certainly grieves, I think, having seen the mighty Karṇa and Duḥśāsana slain.
hataṁ vaikartanaṁ śrutvā dvairathe savyasācinā। jayataḥ pāṇḍavāndṛṣṭvā kiṁ svidduryodhano'bravīt ॥8-5-87॥
Upon hearing of Karna's death at the hands of Arjuna in their duel, and witnessing the victorious Pandavas, Duryodhana pondered what to say.
durmarṣaṇaṃ hataṃ śrutvā vṛṣasenaṃ ca saṃyuge। prabhagnaṃ ca balaṃ dṛṣṭvā vadhyamānaṃ mahārathaiḥ ॥8-5-88॥
Upon hearing of the deaths of Durmarshana and Vrishasena in battle, and witnessing the army being broken and slaughtered by the great charioteers, the morale was shattered.
parāṅmukhāṃstathā rājñaḥ palāyanaparāyaṇān। vidrutānrathino dṛṣṭvā manye śocati putrakaḥ ॥8-5-89॥
The son, observing the charioteers who have turned away and are intent on fleeing, seems to be grieving.
aneyascābhimānena bālabuddhiramarṣaṇaḥ। hatotsāhaṃ balaṃ dṛṣṭvā kiṃ svidduryodhano'bravīt ॥8-5-90॥
Uncontrolled by pride and child-minded, impatient, having seen the discouraged strength, what indeed did Duryodhana say?
bhrātaraṃ nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenena saṃyuge। rudhiraṃ pīyamānena kiṃ svidduryodhano'bravīt ॥8-5-91॥
Upon witnessing his brother slain by Bhimasena in the battle, as the blood was being drunk, what indeed did Duryodhana say?
saha gāndhārarājena sabhāyāṃ yadabhāṣata. karṇo'rjunaṃ raṇe hantā hate tasminkimabravīt ॥8-5-92॥
In the assembly with the king of Gandhara, what was spoken? After Karna, the killer of Arjuna in battle, was killed, what was then said?
dyūtaṃ kṛtvā purā hṛṣṭo vañcayitvā ca pāṇḍavān। śakuniḥ saubalastāta hate karṇe kimabravīt ॥8-5-93॥
Shakuni, the son of Subala, was once elated after gambling and deceiving the Pandavas. O dear, what did he say when Karna was killed?
kṛtavarmā maheṣvāsaḥ sātvatānāṃ mahārathaḥ। karṇaṃ vinihataṃ dṛṣṭvā hārdikyaḥ kimabhāṣata ॥8-5-94॥
Kritavarma, a distinguished warrior among the Satvatas, witnessed the fall of Karna. What words did Hardikya utter upon seeing this?
brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyā yasya śikṣāmupāsate। dhanurvedaṃ cikīrṣanto droṇaputrasya dhīmataḥ ॥8-5-95॥
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas seek the teachings of archery from the wise son of Drona, eager to learn and master the skill.
yuvā rūpeṇa sampanno darśanīyo mahāyaśāḥ। aśvatthāmā hate karṇe kimabhāṣata sañjaya ॥8-5-96॥
The young and handsome Ashwatthama, greatly renowned, spoke to Sanjaya after Karna was killed. What did he say?
ācāryatvaṃ dhanurvede gataḥ paramatattvavit। kṛpaḥ śāradvatastāta hate karṇe kimabravīt ॥8-5-97॥
Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat, who had become a teacher in the science of archery and was a knower of the supreme truth, spoke to the dear one after Karna was slain. What did he say?
madrarājo maheṣvāsaḥ śalyaḥ samitiśobhanaḥ। diṣṭaṃ tena hi tatsarvaṃ yathā karṇo nipātitaḥ ॥8-5-98॥
The king of Madra, Shalya, who was a great archer and splendid in battle, was indeed destined to witness all this as Karna was slain.
ye ca kecana rājānaḥ pṛthivyāṃ yoddhum āgatāḥ। vaikartanaṃ hataṃ dṛṣṭvā kim abhāṣanta sañjaya ॥8-5-99॥
Sanjaya, what did the kings who came to fight on earth say after seeing Karna slain?
karṇe tu nihate vīre rathavyāghre nararṣabhe। kiṃ vo mukhamanīkānāmāsītsañjaya bhāgaśaḥ ॥8-5-100॥
Sanjaya, with the mighty Karna, the hero and tiger among charioteers, slain, what was the condition of your front ranks, in parts?
madrarājaḥ kathaṃ śalyo niyukto rathināṃ varaḥ। vaikartanasya sārathye tanmamācakṣva sañjaya ॥8-5-101॥
O Sanjaya, tell me how King Śalya of Madra was appointed as the charioteer for the great Karna, the best among charioteers.
ke'rakṣandakṣiṇaṃ cakraṃ sūtaputrasya saṃyuge। vāmaṃ cakraṃ rarakṣurvā ke vā vīrasya pṛṣṭhataḥ ॥8-5-102॥
Who guarded the right wheel of the charioteer's son during the battle? Or who was there to guard the left wheel, or stood behind the hero?
ke karṇaṃ vājahuḥ śūrāḥ ke kṣudrāḥ prādravanbhayāt। kathaṃ ca vaḥ sametānāṃ hataḥ karṇo mahārathaḥ ॥8-5-103॥
Who among the heroes fought against Karna, and who among the cowards fled in fear? How was the great warrior Karna killed among your assembled forces?
pāṇḍavāśca kathaṃ śūrāḥ pratyudīyurmahāratham। sṛjantaṃ śaravarṣāṇi vāridhārā ivāmbudam ॥8-5-104॥
The Pandavas, known for their bravery, confronted the great chariot, which was unleashing a barrage of arrows akin to streams of water pouring from a cloud.
sa ca sarpamukho divyo maheṣupravarastadā। vyarthaḥ kathaṃ samabhavattanmamācakṣva sañjaya ॥8-5-105॥
Sanjaya, tell me how he, the divine serpent-faced great arrow-expert, became useless at that time.
māmakasyāsya sainyasya hṛtotsedhasya sañjaya। avaśeṣaṁ na paśyāmi kakude mṛdite sati ॥8-5-106॥
O Sanjaya, I see no remains of my army, which has been deprived of its pride, as it is crushed on the battlefield.
tau hi vīrau maheṣvāsau madarthe kurusattamau। bhīṣmadroṇau hatau śrutvā ko nv artho jīvitena me ॥8-5-107॥
"Those two heroes, Bhishma and Drona, the greatest archers and the best of the Kurus, have been slain for my sake. What purpose does life hold for me now?"
na mṛṣyāmi ca rādheyaṃ hatamāhavaśobhinam। yasya bāhvor-balaṃ tulyaṃ kuñjarāṇāṃ śataṃ śatam ॥8-5-108॥
I cannot bear the thought of Radheya, the illustrious warrior, being killed, for his strength in arms is comparable to that of a hundred hundred elephants.
droṇe hate ca yadvṛttaṃ kauravāṇāṃ paraiḥ saha। saṅgrāme naravīrāṇāṃ tanmamācakṣva sañjaya ॥8-5-109॥
Sanjaya, tell me what happened to the Kauravas and their enemies in the battle when Drona was slain.
yathā ca karṇaḥ kaunteyaiḥ saha yuddhamayojayat। yathā ca dviṣatāṃ hantā raṇe śāntastaducyatām ॥8-5-110॥
"As Karna fought alongside the sons of Kunti, and as the slayer of enemies found peace in battle, let it be told."
