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sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
hate droṇe maheṣvāse tasminnahani bhārata। kṛte ca moghasaṅkalpe droṇaputre mahārathe ॥8-6-1॥
On that day, when the great archer Droṇa was killed, and the plans of Droṇa's son, the great chariot-warrior, were rendered futile, O descendant of Bharata.
dravamāṇe mahārāja kauravāṇāṃ bale tathā। vyūhya pārthaḥ svakaṃ sainyamatīṣṭhadbhrātṛbhiḥ saha ॥8-6-2॥
As the Kaurava army was in retreat, O great king, Arjuna organized his forces and stood firm with his brothers.
tamavasthitamājñāya putraste bharatarṣabha। dravacca svabalaṃ dṛṣṭvā pauruṣeṇa nyavārayat ॥8-6-3॥
Seeing him standing there, your son, O best of the Bharatas, realized the situation and courageously restrained his fleeing army.
svamanīkamavasthāpya bāhuvīrye vyavasthitaḥ। yuddhvā ca suciraṃ kālaṃ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha bhārata ॥8-6-4॥
O Bharata, having positioned his own army and relying on the strength of his arms, he engaged in a prolonged battle with the Pandavas.
labdhalakṣaiḥ parairhṛṣṭairvyāyacchadbhiściraṃ tadā। sandhyākālaṃ samāsādya pratyāhāramakārayat ॥8-6-5॥
Then, at the evening time, he gathered those who had achieved their goals and were joyful, and engaged them in exercises for a long time, leading to their withdrawal.
kṛtvāvahāraṃ sainyānāṃ praviśya śibiraṃ svakam। kuravo''tmahitaṃ mantraṃ mantrayāṃ cakrire tadā ॥8-6-6॥
After withdrawing their forces and entering their camp, the Kauravas devised a strategy for their own advantage.
paryaṅkeṣu parārdhyeṣu spardhyāstaraṇavatsu ca। varāsaneṣūpaviṣṭāḥ sukhaśayyāsvivāmarāḥ ॥8-6-7॥
The gods were seated on luxurious couches with splendid coverings and excellent seats, as if they were on comfortable beds.
tato duryodhano rājā sāmnā paramavalgunā। tānābhāṣya maheṣvāsānprāptakālamabhāṣata ॥8-6-8॥
Then King Duryodhana, with his very charming diplomacy, addressed the great archers and spoke to them at the right moment.
matiṁ matimatāṁ śreṣṭhāḥ sarve prabrūta māciram। evaṁ gate tu yatkāryaṁ bhavetkāryakaraṁ nṛpāḥ ॥8-6-9॥
O best of the wise, please express your thoughts without delay. In this situation, what actions should the kings take to ensure effectiveness?
evamukte narendreṇa narasiṁhā yuyutsavaḥ। cakrurnānāvidhāśceṣṭāḥ siṁhāsanagatāstadā ॥8-6-10॥
When the king spoke thus, the heroes, eager for battle, engaged in various activities while seated on their thrones.
teṣāṃ niśamyeṅgitāni yuddhe prāṇāñjuhūṣatām। samudvīkṣya mukhaṃ rājño bālārkasamavarcasaḥ ॥ ācāryaputro medhāvī vākyajño vākyamādade ॥8-6-11॥
Upon hearing the gestures of those desiring to sacrifice their lives in battle, and observing the face of the king, which shone like the rising sun, the wise son of the teacher, skilled in speech, began to speak.
rāgo yogastathā dākṣyaṃ nayaścetyarthasādhakāḥ। upāyāḥ paṇḍitaiḥ proktāḥ sarve daivasamāśritāḥ ॥8-6-12॥
"Passion, union, skill, and policy are considered means of success. All methods, as stated by the wise, are ultimately dependent on fate."
lokapravīrā ye'smākaṃ devakalpā mahārathāḥ। nītimantastathā yuktā dakṣā raktāśca te hatāḥ ॥8-6-13॥
The heroes of our world, who were like gods and great charioteers, wise, skilled, capable, and devoted, have been slain.
na tveva kāryaṃ nairāśyamasmābhirvijayaṃ prati। sunītairiha sarvārthairdaivamapyanulomyate ॥8-6-14॥
We should not despair in our pursuit of victory. Here, through good policies and all possible means, even fate aligns with us.
te vayaṃ pravaraṃ nṝṇāṃ sarvairguṇagaṇairyutam। karṇaṃ senāpatiṃ kṛtvā pramathiṣyāmahe ripūn ॥8-6-15॥
We, having appointed Karna, who is endowed with all excellent qualities of men, as the general, will crush the enemies.
tato duryodhanaḥ prītaḥ priyaṃ śrutvā vacastadā। prītisaṃskārasaṃyuktaṃ tathyamātmahitaṃ śubham ॥8-6-16॥
Then Duryodhana was pleased after hearing the pleasant and truthful words, which were auspicious and beneficial to himself, and were endowed with affectionate culture.
svaṁ manaḥ samavasthāpya bāhuvīryamupāśritaḥ। duryodhano mahārāja rādheyamidamabravīt ॥8-6-17॥
King Duryodhana, having composed his mind and relying on his own strength, addressed Radheya with these words.
karṇa jānāmi te vīryaṃ sauhṛdaṃ ca paraṃ mayi। tathāpi tvāṃ mahābāho pravakṣyāmi hitaṃ vacaḥ ॥8-6-18॥
Karna, I am aware of your valor and the profound friendship you have for me. Nevertheless, O mighty-armed warrior, I shall convey words that are for your benefit.
śrutvā yatheṣṭaṃ ca kuru vīra yattava rocate। bhavānprājñatamo nityaṃ mama caiva parā gatiḥ ॥8-6-19॥
"Having heard, act as you desire, O hero, in a manner that pleases you. You are always the wisest and indeed my ultimate refuge."
bhīṣmadroṇāvatirathau hatau senāpatī mama। senāpatirbhavānastu tābhyāṃ draviṇavattaraḥ ॥8-6-20॥
Bhishma and Drona, my generals, who were like descended charioteers, have been killed. You should be the general, more resourceful than those two.
vṛddhau ca tau maheṣvāsau sāpekṣau ca dhanañjaye। mānitau ca mayā vīrau rādheya vacanāttava ॥8-6-21॥
O son of Radha, those two great archers have grown dependent on Dhananjaya. They are respected heroes by me, as per your words.
pitāmahatvaṃ samprekṣya pāṇḍuputrā mahāraṇe। rakṣitāstāta bhīṣmeṇa divasāni daśaiva ha ॥8-6-22॥
Observing the role of Bhishma as the grandfather, the sons of Pandu were safeguarded by him for ten days during the great battle, O dear one.
nyastaśastre ca bhavati hato bhīṣmaḥ pitāmahaḥ। śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya phalgunena mahāhave ॥8-6-23॥
In the great battle, Bhishma, the revered grandfather, is slain when Arjuna places Shikhandi in front, having laid down his weapons.
hate tasminmahābhāge śaratalpagate tadā। tvayokte puruṣavyāghra droṇo hyāsīt puraḥsaraḥ ॥8-6-24॥
When that great-souled one was slain and lay on the bed of arrows, then, O tiger among men, Droṇa indeed was at the forefront, as you had said:
tenāpi rakṣitāḥ pārthāḥ śiṣyatvādiha saṃyuge। sa cāpi nihato vṛddho dhṛṣṭadyumnena satvaram ॥8-6-25॥
The sons of Pṛthā were protected by him in the battle because he was their disciple. However, the elder was swiftly killed by Dhṛṣṭadyumna.
nihatābhyāṃ pradhānābhyāṃ tābhyāmamitavikrama। tvatsamaṃ samare yodhaṃ nānyaṃ paśyāmi cintayan ॥8-6-26॥
Reflecting on the two slain chiefs, O one of immeasurable prowess, I see no other warrior equal to you in battle.
bhavān eva tu naḥ śakto vijayāya na saṃśayaḥ। pūrvaṃ madhye ca paścāc ca tavaiva viditaṃ hi tat ॥8-6-27॥
"You are indeed the one capable of ensuring our victory, without a doubt. It is known to you what happened before, during, and after."
sa bhavāndhuryavatsaṅkhye dhuramudvoḍhumarhasi। abhiṣecaya senānye svayamātmānamātmanā ॥8-6-28॥
You, like a leader in battle, should bear the burden. Anoint yourself as a general by your own effort.
devatānāṃ yathā skandaḥ senānīḥ prabhuravyayaḥ। tathā bhavānimāṃ senāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrīṃ bibhartu me ॥ jahi śatrugaṇānsarvānmheṃdra iva dānavān ॥8-6-29॥
Just as Skanda is the eternal commander and lord of the gods, may you also uphold my army of the Kauravas. Vanquish all the enemies like Indra does with the demons.
avasthitaṃ raṇe jñātvā pāṇḍavāstvāṃ mahāratham। draviṣyanti sapāñcālā viṣṇuṃ dṛṣṭveva dānavāḥ ॥ tasmāttvaṃ puruṣavyāghra prakarṣethā mahācamūm ॥8-6-30॥
Recognizing you as a formidable warrior in the battlefield, the Pandavas and the Panchalas will retreat, much like the demons do when they behold Vishnu. Hence, you, the valiant one, must lead the grand army.
bhavatyavasthite yatte pāṇḍavā gatacētasaḥ। bhaviṣyanti sahāmātyāḥ pāñcālaiḥ sṛñjayaiḥ saha ॥8-6-31॥
When the situation arises that your Pandavas, absorbed in thought, will align with their ministers, the Panchalas, and the Srinjayas.
yathā hy abhyuditaḥ sūryaḥ pratapan svena tejasā। vyapohati tamas tīvram tathā śatrūn vyapoha naḥ ॥8-6-32॥
Just as the sun rises and dispels the intense darkness with its brilliance, may our enemies be removed in the same way.
karṇa uvāca॥
Karna said:
uktam etan mayā pūrvaṃ gāndhāre tava sannidhau। jeṣyāmi pāṇḍavān rājan saputrān sajanārdanān ॥8-6-33॥
I have already declared this before, O Gandhari, in your presence: I shall defeat the Pandavas, O King, along with their sons and allies.
senāpatirbhaviṣyāmi tavāhaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ। sthiro bhava mahārāja jitānviddhi ca pāṇḍavān ॥8-6-34॥
"I will be your commander, there is no doubt about it. Remain steadfast, O great king, and know that the Pandavas have been defeated."
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
evamukto mahātejāstato duryodhano nṛpaḥ। uttasthau rājabhiḥ sārdhaṃ devairiva śatakratuḥ ॥ senāpatyena satkartuṃ karṇaṃ skandamivāmarāḥ ॥8-6-35॥
Thus addressed, the greatly radiant King Duryodhana rose with the kings, akin to Indra with the gods, to honor Karna as the commander, like the immortals did with Skanda.
tato'bhisiṣicustūrṇaṃ vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā। duryodhanamukhā rājanrājāno vijayaiṣiṇaḥ ॥ śātakaumbhamayaiḥ kumbhairmāheyaiścābhimantritaiḥ ॥8-6-36॥
Then, O king, the kings led by Duryodhana, eager for victory, quickly anointed him according to the prescribed rites, using sacred and consecrated golden pots.
toyapūrṇairviṣāṇaiśca dvīpikhaḍgamaharṣabhaiḥ। maṇimuktāmayaścānyaiḥ puṇyagandhaistathauṣadhaiḥ ॥8-6-37॥
The scene is adorned with vessels filled with water, horns, leopards, swords, and great bulls. There are gems and pearls, along with other fragrant scents and medicinal herbs, creating an atmosphere of opulence and sanctity.
audumbare samāsīnamāsane kṣaumasaṁvṛtam। śāstradṛṣṭena vidhinā sambhāraiśca susambhṛtaiḥ ॥8-6-38॥
Seated on a fig tree seat covered with linen, following the method prescribed by the scriptures, with well-prepared materials.
jaya pārthān sagovindān sānugāṁs tvaṁ mahāhave। iti taṁ bandinaḥ prāhur dvijāś ca bharatarṣabha ॥8-6-39॥
The bards and Brahmins proclaimed, "Victory to the sons of Pritha, along with Govinda and their followers, in the great battle!" addressing him as the best of the Bharatas.
jahi pārthān sapāñcālān rādheya vijayāya naḥ। udyann iva sadā bhānus tamāṃsy ugrair gabhastibhiḥ ॥8-6-40॥
"O son of Radha, conquer the sons of Pritha and the Panchalas for our victory, just as the ever-rising sun dispels darkness with its fierce rays."
na hy alaṁ tvad-visṛṣṭānāṁ śarāṇāṁ te sakeśavāḥ। kṛtaghnāḥ sūryaraśmīnām jvalatām iva darśane ॥8-6-41॥
"O Keshava, your released arrows are not enough, just like the ungrateful cannot bear the sight of the blazing sun rays."
na hi pārthāḥ sapāñcālāḥ sthātuṃ śaktāstavāgrataḥ। āttaśastrasya samare mahendrasyeva dānavāḥ ॥8-6-42॥
The sons of Pṛthā and the Pāñcālas cannot stand before you in battle, just as the demons could not stand before Mahendra with weapons drawn.
abhiṣiktastu rādheyaḥ prabhayā so'mitaprabhaḥ। vyatyaricyata rūpeṇa divākara ivāparaḥ ॥8-6-43॥
Radheya, anointed and possessing immeasurable radiance, surpassed others in form, appearing like another sun.
senāpatyena rādheyamabhiṣicya sutastava। amanyata tadātmānaṃ kṛtārthaṃ kālacoditaḥ ॥8-6-44॥
Your son, having been anointed as the general by Karna, then considered himself successful, driven by the force of time.
karṇo'pi rājansamprāpya senāpatyamariṃdamaḥ। yogamājñāpayāmāsa sūryasyodayanaṃ prati ॥8-6-45॥
Karna, having been appointed as the general, instructed preparations to be made for the battle at sunrise, O king, subduer of enemies.
tava putrairvṛtaḥ karṇaḥ śuśubhe tatra bhārata। devairiva yathā skandaḥ saṅgrāme tārakāmaye ॥8-6-46॥
Karna, surrounded by your sons, shone there, O Bharata, just as Skanda did in the battle against Tārakāsura.
