08.022
Core and Pancharatra: Karna gives lame excuses for his not having encountered Arjuna till date. Then he compares the strengths and weaknesses between him and Arjuna and recommends his chariot to be driven by Shalya, to become superior in comparison to Arjuna.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra said:
स्वेन च्छन्देन नः सर्वान्नावधीद्व्यक्तमर्जुनः। न ह्यस्य समरे मुच्येतान्तकोऽप्याततायिनः ॥८-२२-१॥
Arjuna, by his own will, did not kill us all. In battle, not even death would spare the aggressor.
पार्थो ह्येकोऽहरद्भद्रामेकश्चाग्निमतर्पयत्। एकश्चेमां महीं जित्वा चक्रे बलिभृतो नृपान् ॥८-२२-२॥
Arjuna, indeed, was the one who took away the auspicious one, satisfied the fire, and having conquered this earth, made the kings pay tribute.
एको निवातकवचानवधीद्दिव्यकार्मुकः। एकः किरातरूपेण स्थितं शर्वमयोधयत् ॥८-२२-३॥
One, with a divine bow, killed the Nivātakavacas. Another, in the guise of a hunter, fought against Shiva.
एकोऽभ्यरक्षद्भरतानेको भवमतोषयत्। तेनैकेन जिताः सर्वे मदीया उग्रतेजसः ॥ ते न निन्द्याः प्रशस्याश्च यत्ते चक्रुर्ब्रवीहि तत् ॥८-२२-४॥
One protected the Bharatas and pleased the world. By him alone, all my fierce warriors were conquered. They are not to be blamed; they are praiseworthy. Tell me what they did.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
हतप्रहतविध्वस्ता विवर्मायुधवाहनाः। दीनस्वरा दूयमाना मानिनः शत्रुभिर्जिताः ॥८-२२-५॥
The proud warriors, having been killed, struck down, and destroyed, were left without armor, weapons, or vehicles. They were distressed and with faint voices, having been conquered by their enemies.
शिबिरस्थाः पुनर्मन्त्रं मन्त्रयन्ति स्म कौरवाः। भग्नदंष्ट्रा हतविषाः पदाक्रान्ता इवोरगाः ॥८-२२-६॥
The Kauravas in the camp were once again deliberating on their strategy, feeling as helpless as serpents with broken fangs, devoid of poison, and trampled upon.
तानब्रवीत्ततः कर्णः क्रुद्धः सर्प इव श्वसन्। करं करेणाभिपीड्य प्रेक्षमाणस्तवात्मजम् ॥८-२२-७॥
Then Karna, furious and breathing like a snake, spoke to them while pressing his hand with his own, as he looked at your son.
यत्तो दृढश्च दक्षश्च धृतिमानर्जुनः सदा। स बोधयति चाप्येनं प्राप्तकालमधोक्षजः ॥८-२२-८॥
Arjuna, being controlled, firm, skillful, and steadfast, always enlightens him, and the transcendental Lord also guides him at the right time.
सहसास्त्रविसर्गेण वयं तेनाद्य वञ्चिताः। श्वस्त्वहं तस्य सङ्कल्पं सर्वं हन्ता महीपते ॥८-२२-९॥
"Suddenly, we have been deceived by the release of the weapon today by him. But tomorrow, O king, I shall destroy all his plans."
एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा सोऽनुजज्ञे नृपोत्तमान्। सुखोषितास्ते रजनीं हृष्टा युद्धाय निर्ययुः ॥८-२२-१०॥
After being addressed in this way, he agreed with the best of kings. They rested well and joyfully set out for battle after the night.
तेऽपश्यन्विहितं व्यूहं धर्मराजेन दुर्जयम्। प्रयत्नात्कुरुमुख्येन बृहस्पत्युशनोमतात् ॥८-२२-११॥
They observed the formidable formation set by Dharmaraja, which was difficult to conquer, meticulously organized by the leader of the Kurus following the guidance of Brihaspati and Ushanas.
अथ प्रतीपकर्तारं सततं विजितात्मनाम्। सस्मार वृषभस्कन्धं कर्णं दुर्योधनस्तदा ॥८-२२-१२॥
At that time, Duryodhana, who was always self-controlled, remembered Karna, who was strong like a bull and his opponent-maker.
पुरंदरसमं युद्धे मरुद्गणसमं बले। कार्तवीर्यसमं वीर्ये कर्णं राज्ञोऽगमन्मनः ॥ सूतपुत्रं महेष्वासं बन्धुमात्ययिकेष्विव ॥८-२२-१३॥
In the battle, the king's mind turned to Karna, who was as formidable as Purandara in battle, as strong as the Maruts, and as valiant as Kartavirya. Karna, the son of a charioteer and a great archer, was seen as a reliable ally in times of crisis.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra said:
यद्वोऽगमन्मनो मन्दाः कर्णं वैकर्तनं तदा। अप्यद्राक्षत तं यूयं शीतार्ता इव भास्करम् ॥८-२२-१४॥
When your slow mind turned to Karna, the son of Vikartana, you saw him as if he were the sun, afflicted by cold.
कृतेऽवहारे सैन्यानां प्रवृत्ते च रणे पुनः। कथं वैकर्तनः कर्णस्तत्रायुध्यत सञ्जय ॥ कथं च पाण्डवाः सर्वे युयुधुस्तत्र सूतजम् ॥८-२२-१५॥
When the armies withdrew and the battle resumed, how did Karna, the son of Vikartana, fight there, O Sanjaya? And how did all the Pandavas engage in battle with the son of the charioteer?
कर्णो ह्येको महाबाहुर्हन्यात्पार्थान्ससोमकान्। कर्णस्य भुजयोर्वीर्यं शक्रविष्णुसमं मतम् ॥ तथास्त्राणि सुघोराणि विक्रमश्च महात्मनः ॥८-२२-१६॥
Karna, the mighty warrior, is believed to have the strength and prowess comparable to the gods Indra and Vishnu. He could defeat the Pandavas and the Somakas with his fierce weapons and great valor.
दुर्योधनं तदा दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवेन भृशार्दितम्। पराक्रान्तान्पाण्डुसुतान्दृष्ट्वा चापि महाहवे ॥८-२२-१७॥
Then, seeing Duryodhana greatly troubled by the Pandava, and observing the valiant sons of Pandu in the great battle as well.
कर्णमाश्रित्य सङ्ग्रामे दर्पो दुर्योधने पुनः। जेतुमुत्सहते पार्थान्सपुत्रान्सहकेशवान् ॥८-२२-१८॥
Relying on Karna, Duryodhana's pride once more drives him to attempt to defeat the sons of Pritha, along with their sons and Krishna.
अहो बत महद्दुःखं यत्र पाण्डुसुतान्रणे। नातरद्रभसः कर्णो दैवं नूनं परायणम् ॥
"Alas, what great sorrow it is that Karna, in the battle where the sons of Pandu fought, did not act with impetuosity. Fate is certainly the refuge."
अहो दुःखानि तीव्राणि दुर्योधनकृतान्यहम्। सहिष्यामि सुघोराणि शल्यभूतानि सञ्जय ॥८-२२-२०॥
"Alas, the intense sorrows caused by Duryodhana are like thorns, and I must endure them, O Sanjaya."
सौबलं च तथा तात नीतिमानिति मन्यते। युद्धेषु नाम दिव्येषु वर्तमानेषु सञ्जय। अश्रौषं निहतान्पुत्रान्नित्यमेव च निर्जितान् ॥८-२२-२२॥
O father, Saubala is considered wise. In the ongoing divine battles, Sanjaya, I heard that the sons were always slain and defeated.
न पाण्डवानां समरे कश्चिदस्ति निवारकः। स्त्रीमध्यमिव गाहन्ति दैवं हि बलवत्तरम् ॥८-२२-२३॥
No one can stop the Pandavas in battle; fate is indeed stronger, like entering the midst of a woman.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
अतिक्रान्तं हि यत्कार्यं पश्चाच्चिन्तयतीति च। तच्चास्य न भवेत्कार्यं चिन्तया च विनश्यति ॥८-२२-२४॥
Indeed, any task that is considered only after it is past does not become his and perishes through mere contemplation.
तदिदं तव कार्यं तु दूरप्राप्तं विजानता। न कृतं यत्त्वया पूर्वं प्राप्ताप्राप्तविचारणे ॥८-२२-२५॥
This duty of yours, though far-reaching and known, was not performed by you earlier when considering what has been attained and what has not.
उक्तोऽसि बहुधा राजन्मा युध्यस्वेति पाण्डवैः। गृह्णीषे न च तन्मोहात्पाण्डवेषु विशां पते ॥८-२२-२६॥
O king, you have been repeatedly advised by the Pandavas not to engage in battle. However, due to your delusion, you do not heed this advice, O lord of the people.
त्वया पापानि घोराणि समाचीर्णानि पाण्डुषु। त्वत्कृते वर्तते घोरः पार्थिवानां जनक्षयः ॥८-२२-२७॥
You have committed terrible sins among the Pandavas, and because of you, there is a dreadful destruction of people among the kings.
तत्त्विदानीमतिक्रम्य मा शुचो भरतर्षभ। शृणु सर्वं यथावृत्तं घोरं वैशसमच्युत ॥८-२२-२८॥
At that time, do not grieve, O best of the Bharatas, for having transgressed. Listen to everything as it happened, the terrible calamity, O infallible one.
प्रभातायां रजन्यां तु कर्णो राजानमभ्ययात्। समेत्य च महाबाहुर्दुर्योधनमभाषत ॥८-२२-२९॥
In the morning, Karṇa approached the king and spoke to Duryodhana, the mighty-armed, after meeting him.
अद्य राजन्समेष्यामि पाण्डवेन यशस्विना। हनिष्यामि च तं वीरं स वा मां निहनिष्यति ॥८-२२-३०॥
Today, O king, I shall confront the illustrious Pandava. Either I will defeat that hero, or he will defeat me.
बहुत्वान्मम कार्याणां तथा पार्थस्य पार्थिव। नाभूत्समागमो राजन्मम चैवार्जुनस्य च ॥८-२२-३१॥
O King, because of the numerous tasks of both myself and Arjuna, there was no opportunity for us to meet.
इदं तु मे यथाप्रज्ञं शृणु वाक्यं विशां पते। अनिहत्य रणे पार्थं नाहमेष्यामि भारत ॥८-२२-३२॥
"Listen to my words, O lord of the people. I will not return without defeating Arjuna in battle, O Bharata."
हतप्रवीरे सैन्येऽस्मिन्मयि चैव स्थिते युधि। अभियास्यति मां पार्थः शक्रशक्त्या विनाकृतम् ॥८-२२-३३॥
With the heroes slain in the army and me standing in battle, Arjuna, empowered by Indra, will attack me.
ततः श्रेयस्करं यत्ते तन्निबोध जनेश्वर। आयुधानां च यद्वीर्यं द्रव्याणामर्जुनस्य च ॥८-२२-३४॥
Then, O lord of people, understand what is beneficial for you, and the strength of Arjuna's weapons and resources.
कायस्य महतो भेदे लाघवे दूरपातने। सौष्ठवे चास्त्रयोगे च सव्यसाची न मत्समः ॥८-२२-३५॥
In the breaking of great bodies, lightness, shooting far, skill, and weaponry, there is no one like Arjuna who is equal to me.
सर्वायुधमहामात्रं विजयं नाम तद्धनुः। इन्द्रार्थमभिकामेन निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा ॥८-२२-३६॥
The bow named 'Vijaya', known for its great power among all weapons, was crafted by Vishvakarma with the intent to serve Indra's purpose.
येन दैत्यगणान्राजञ्जितवान्वै शतक्रतुः। यस्य घोषेण दैत्यानां विमुह्यन्ति दिशो दश ॥ तद्भार्गवाय प्रायच्छच्छक्रः परमसंमतम् ॥८-२२-३७॥
O king, Indra, who conquered the groups of demons and whose sound confuses the ten directions of the demons, gave that highly esteemed (thing) to Bhārgava.
तद्दिव्यं भार्गवो मह्यमददाद्धनुरुत्तमम्। येन योत्स्ये महाबाहुमर्जुनं जयतां वरम् ॥ यथेन्द्रः समरे सर्वान्दैतेयान्वै समागतान् ॥८-२२-३८॥
Bhargava gave me a divine and excellent bow, with which I will challenge the mighty-armed Arjuna, the best among the victorious, just as Indra fought all the assembled Daityas in battle.
धनुर्घोरं रामदत्तं गाण्डीवात्तद्विशिष्यते। त्रिःसप्तकृत्वः पृथिवी धनुषा तेन निर्जिता ॥८-२२-३९॥
The formidable bow given by Rama surpasses the Gandiva. The earth was conquered twenty-one times with that bow.
धनुषो यस्य कर्माणि दिव्यानि प्राह भार्गवः। तद्रामो ह्यददान्मह्यं येन योत्स्यामि पाण्डवम् ॥८-२२-४०॥
Bhārgava mentioned the divine deeds associated with the bow, which Rama had indeed given to me, and with which I shall fight against the Pāṇḍava.
अद्य दुर्योधनाहं त्वां नन्दयिष्ये सबान्धवम्। निहत्य समरे वीरमर्जुनं जयतां वरम् ॥८-२२-४१॥
Today, I, Duryodhana, will bring joy to you and my relatives by defeating the heroic Arjuna, the best among the victorious, in battle.
सपर्वतवनद्वीपा हतद्विड्भूः ससागरा। पुत्रपौत्रप्रतिष्ठा ते भविष्यत्यद्य पार्थिव ॥८-२२-४२॥
Today, O king, your realm, complete with mountains, forests, islands, and oceans, and having vanquished enemies, will be established by your sons and grandsons.
नासाध्यं विद्यते मेऽद्य त्वत्प्रियार्थं विशेषतः। सम्यग्धर्मानुरक्तस्य सिद्धिरात्मवतो यथा ॥८-२२-४३॥
Today, nothing is impossible for me, especially for the sake of your beloved. Success is assured for one who is self-possessed and properly devoted to their duty.
न हि मां समरे सोढुं स शक्तोऽग्निं तरुर्यथा। अवश्यं तु मया वाच्यं येन हीनोऽस्मि फल्गुनात् ॥८-२२-४४॥
He cannot withstand me in battle, just as a tree cannot withstand fire. However, I must express myself because I am overshadowed by Arjuna.
ज्या तस्य धनुषो दिव्या तथाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी। तस्य दिव्यं धनुः श्रेष्ठं गाण्डीवमजरं युधि ॥८-२२-४५॥
The bowstring of his bow is divine, and the great arrows are inexhaustible. His divine bow, the excellent Gandiva, remains unaging in battle.
विजयं च महद्दिव्यं ममापि धनुरुत्तमम्। तत्राहमधिकः पार्थाद्धनुषा तेन पार्थिव ॥८-२२-४६॥
"I possess a great divine bow named Vijaya, and my bow is excellent. There, I am superior to Arjuna with that bow, O king."
मया चाभ्यधिको वीरः पाण्डवस्तन्निबोध मे। रश्मिग्राहश्च दाशार्हः सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः ॥८-२२-४७॥
"By me, the Pāṇḍava is acknowledged as a superior hero. Know this from me: the charioteer, a descendant of the Daśārhas, is revered by all the worlds."
अग्निदत्तश्च वै दिव्यो रथः काञ्चनभूषणः। अच्छेद्यः सर्वतो वीर वाजिनश्च मनोजवाः ॥ ध्वजश्च दिव्यो द्युतिमान्वानरो विस्मयङ्करः ॥८-२२-४८॥
The divine chariot, gifted by Agni, is adorned with gold and is unbreakable from all sides. It is heroic, with horses as swift as the mind. The flag is divine, radiant, and astonishing with a monkey emblem.
कृष्णश्च स्रष्टा जगतो रथं तमभिरक्षति। एभिर्द्रव्यैरहं हीनो योद्धुमिच्छामि पाण्डवम् ॥८-२२-४९॥
Krishna, the creator of the world, protects the chariot. I, deprived of these resources, wish to fight against Pandu's son.
अयं तु सदृशो वीरः शल्यः समितिशोभनः। सारथ्यं यदि मे कुर्याद्ध्रुवस्ते विजयो भवेत् ॥८-२२-५०॥
This hero Śalya, who is glorious in battle, would ensure your victory if he were to take up the role of charioteer.
तस्य मे सारथिः शल्यो भवत्वसुकरः परैः। नाराचान्गार्ध्रपत्रांश्च शकटानि वहन्तु मे ॥८-२२-५१॥
His charioteer, Śalya, should be easily manageable by others. Let my carts carry iron arrows and vulture-feathered ones.
रथाश्च मुख्या राजेन्द्र युक्ता वाजिभिरुत्तमैः। आयान्तु पश्चात्सततं मामेव भरतर्षभ ॥८-२२-५२॥
O King, let the chief chariots yoked with the best horses always follow me, O best of the Bharatas.
एवमभ्यधिकः पार्थाद्भविष्यामि गुणैरहम्। शल्यो ह्यभ्यधिकः कृष्णादर्जुनादधिको ह्यहम् ॥८-२२-५३॥
Thus, I will surpass Arjuna in qualities. Shalya is indeed superior to both Krishna and Arjuna.
यथाश्वहृदयं वेद दाशार्हः परवीरहा। तथा शल्योऽपि जानीते हयानां वै महारथः ॥८-२२-५४॥
The descendant of the Daśārhas, known for defeating enemy heroes, understands horses' nature just as well as Śalya, the renowned charioteer.
बाहुवीर्ये समो नास्ति मद्रराजस्य कश्चन। तथास्त्रैर्मत्समो नास्ति कश्चिदेव धनुर्धरः ॥८-२२-५५॥
There is no one who matches the king of Madra in arm strength, and similarly, no archer equals me in weaponry.
तथा शल्यसमो नास्ति हययाने ह कश्चन। सोऽयमभ्यधिकः पार्थाद्भविष्यति रथो मम ॥८-२२-५६॥
Thus, there is no one like Śalya in chariot-fighting. This chariot of mine will surpass Arjuna's.
एतत्कृतं महाराज त्वयेच्छामि परन्तप। एवं कृते कृतं मह्यं सर्वकामैर्भविष्यति ॥८-२२-५७॥
"O great king, this has been done by you, and I wish, O subduer of enemies, that by doing so, all my desires will be fulfilled."
ततो द्रष्टासि समरे यत्करिष्यामि भारत। सर्वथा पाण्डवान्सर्वाञ्जेष्याम्यद्य समागतान् ॥८-२२-५८॥
Then you will witness in the battle what I am going to do, O Bhārata. Today, I will surely defeat all the assembled Pāṇḍavas.
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said:
सर्वमेतत्करिष्यामि यथा त्वं कर्ण मन्यसे। सोपासङ्गा रथाः साश्वा अनुयास्यन्ति सूतज ॥८-२२-५९॥
I will carry out everything as you believe, Karna. The chariots along with their attendants and horses will accompany you, O son of a charioteer.
नाराचान्गार्ध्रपक्षांश्च शकटानि वहन्तु ते। अनुयास्याम कर्ण त्वां वयं सर्वे च पार्थिवाः ॥८-२२-६०॥
"Let the carts carry iron arrows with vulture wings. We, all the kings, will follow you, Karna."
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज तव पुत्राः प्रतापवान्। अभिगम्याब्रवीद्राजा मद्रराजमिदं वचः ॥८-२२-६१॥
After speaking thus, O great king, your glorious sons approached and the king addressed these words to the king of Madra.
