08.023
Pancharatra and Core: Hearing Karna's proposal, Shalya is reddened with anger as he considered himself to be superior to Karna. But Shalya succumbs to flattery, Duryodhana telling his skills are superior to those of Krishna, and yields.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
putrastava mahārāja madrarājamidaṃ vacaḥ। vinayenopasaṅgamya praṇayādvākyamabravīt ॥8-23-1॥
Your son, O great king, approached the king of Madra with humility and affectionately spoke these words.
satyavrata mahābhāga dviṣatām aghavardhana। madreśvara raṇe śūra parasainyabhayaṅkara ॥8-23-2॥
O greatly fortunate one with a truthful vow, who increases the sins of enemies, O lord of Madra, heroic in battle and fearsome to the enemy army.
śrutavān asi karṇasya bruvato vadatāṃ varaḥ। yathā nṛpatisiṃhānāṃ madhye tvāṃ varayatyayam ॥8-23-3॥
You have heard Karna, the best of speakers, as this one chooses you among the lion-like kings.
tasmāt-pārtha-vināśārthaṃ hitārthaṃ mama caiva hi। sārathyaṃ rathināṃ śreṣṭha sumanāḥ kartum-arhasi ॥8-23-4॥
Therefore, O Arjuna, for the purpose of destruction and my benefit, you, O kind-hearted and best of charioteers, should take up the role of a charioteer.
asyābhīśugraho loke nānyo'sti bhavatā samaḥ। sa pātu sarvataḥ karṇaṃ bhavān brahmeva śaṅkaram ॥8-23-5॥
In this world, there is no one like you who can protect the weak. May you guard Karna from all directions as Brahma guards Shankara.
pārthasya sacivaḥ kṛṣṇo yathābhīśugraho varaḥ। tathā tvamapi rādheyaṃ sarvataḥ paripālaya ॥8-23-6॥
Krishna, the minister of Arjuna, is the best among archers. Similarly, you must protect Karna in all respects.
bhīṣmo droṇaḥ kṛpaḥ karṇo bhavānbhojaśca vīryavān। śakuniḥ saubalo drauṇirahameva ca no balam ॥ eṣāmeva kṛto bhāgo navadhā pṛtanāpate ॥8-23-7॥
Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, yourself, Bhoja, and the powerful Shakuni, son of Subala, son of Drona, and I are indeed our strength. A division of these was made into nine parts, O commander of the army.
naiva bhāgo'tra bhīṣmasya droṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ। tābhyām atītya tau bhāgau nihatā mama śatravaḥ ॥8-23-8॥
"There is no contribution here from Bhishma and Drona, the great souls. My enemies have been defeated, surpassing the contributions of those two."
vṛddhau hi tau naravyāghrau chalena nihatou cha tau। kṛtvā nasukaraṃ karma gatau svargamito'nagha ॥8-23-9॥
Indeed, those two great warriors, known as tigers among men, were deceitfully killed. After accomplishing a challenging task, they ascended to heaven, O sinless one.
tathānye puruṣavyāghrāḥ parairvinihatā yudhi। asmadīyāśca bahavaḥ svargāyopagatā raṇe ॥ tyaktvā prāṇānyathāśakti ceṣṭāḥ kṛtvā ca puṣkalāḥ ॥8-23-10॥
Thus, other valiant warriors were slain by enemies in battle. Many of our own have ascended to heaven on the battlefield, having given up their lives, striving with all their might, and making great efforts.
karṇo hyeko mahābāhurasmatpriyahite rataḥ। bhavāṁśca puruṣavyāghra sarvalokamaharathaḥ ॥ tasmiñjayāśā vipulā mama madrajanādhipa ॥8-23-11॥
Karna, the mighty-armed, is indeed engaged in tasks that are dear and beneficial to us. You, O tiger among men, are the great chariot-warrior of all worlds. My hope of victory in him is immense, O ruler of the Madras.
pārthasya samare kṛṣṇo yathābhīśuvaragrahaḥ। tena yukto raṇe pārtho rakṣyamāṇaśca pārthiva ॥ yāni karmāṇi kurute pratyakṣāṇi tathaiva te ॥8-23-12॥
In the battle, Krishna, the best of archers, united with Partha, who is protected and is the prince. Whatever actions are performed, they are indeed visible.
pūrvaṃ na samare hyevamavadhīdarjuno ripūn। ahanyahani madreśa drāvayandṛśyate yudhi ॥8-23-13॥
Arjuna, who had not previously killed enemies in battle in this manner, is now seen driving them away day by day, O king of Madra.
bhāgo'vaśiṣṭaḥ karṇasya tava caiva mahādyute। taṃ bhāgaṃ saha karṇena yugapannāśayāhave ॥8-23-14॥
O great radiant one, destroy the remaining part of Karna and yours simultaneously with Karna in battle.
sūryāruṇau yathā dṛṣṭvā tamo naśyati māriṣa। tathā naśyantu kaunteyāḥ sapāñcālāḥ sasṛñjayāḥ ॥8-23-15॥
Just as darkness disappears with the arrival of the sun and dawn, O honorable one, may the sons of Kunti, along with the Panchalas and Srinjayas, also meet their end.
rathānāṃ pravaraḥ karṇo yantr̥̄ṇāṃ pravaro bhavān। saṃnipātaḥ samo loke bhavatornāsti kaścana ॥8-23-16॥
Karna is the foremost among charioteers, and you are the foremost among drivers. There is no assembly in the world that equals you both.
yathā sarvāsva-vasthāsu vārṣṇeyaḥ pāti pāṇḍavam। tathā bhavān paritrātu karṇaṃ vaikartanaṃ raṇe ॥8-23-17॥
In every situation, just as Krishna, the descendant of Vrishni, protects Arjuna, the Pandava, so should you protect Karna, the son of Vikartana, in the battle.
tvayā sārathinā hyeṣa apradhṛṣyo bhaviṣyati। devatānāmapi raṇe saśakrāṇāṃ mahīpate ॥ kiṃ punaḥ pāṇḍaveyānāṃ mātiśaṅkīrvaco mama ॥8-23-18॥
With you as his charioteer, he will indeed become invincible, even in battle against the gods with Indra, O king. So, what need is there to doubt my words regarding the Pandavas?
duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā śalyaḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ। triśikhāṃ bhrukuṭīṃ kṛtvā dhunvanhastau punaḥ punaḥ ॥8-23-19॥
Upon hearing Duryodhana's words, Shalya, filled with rage, furrowed his brows into a three-peaked frown and repeatedly shook his hands.
krodharakte mahānetre parivartya mahābhujaḥ। kulaiśvaryaśrutibalairdṛptaḥ śalyo'bravīdidam ॥8-23-20॥
Śalya, with his eyes reddened by anger and turning his mighty arms, spoke with pride derived from his family, wealth, learning, and strength.
avamanyase māṃ gāndhāre dhruvaṃ māṃ pariśaṅkase। yanmāṃ bravīṣi visrabdhaṃ sārathyaṃ kriyatāmiti ॥8-23-21॥
You disrespect me, O Gandhari, and certainly you suspect me. You confidently say to me, 'Let the charioteering be done.'
asmattobhyadhikaṃ karṇaṃ manyamānaḥ praśaṃsasi। na cāhaṃ yudhi rādheyaṃ gaṇaye tulyamātmanā ॥8-23-22॥
You think Karna is superior to us and praise him, but I do not consider Radheya to be my equal in battle.
ādiśyatām abhyadhiko mamāṁśaḥ pṛthivīpate। tam ahaṁ samare hatvā gamiṣyāmi yathāgatam ॥8-23-23॥
"Let it be commanded that my portion is superior, O lord of the earth. After defeating him in battle, I shall return as I came."
atha vāpyeka evāhaṃ yotsyāmi kurunandana। paśya vīryaṃ mamādya tvaṃ saṅgrāme dahato ripūn ॥8-23-24॥
"Then, O descendant of Kuru, even if I have to fight alone, you shall witness today my prowess as I burn the enemies in battle."
na cābhikāmānkauravya vidhāya hṛdaye pumān। asmadvidhaḥ pravarteta mā mā tvamatiśaṅkithāḥ ॥8-23-25॥
O descendant of Kuru, a man like us should not act with desires placed in the heart. Do not doubt excessively, you.
yudhi cāpyavamāno me na kartavyaḥ kathañcana। paśya hīmaū mama bhujau vajrasaṃhananopamau ॥8-23-26॥
In battle, I should never be insulted in any way. Behold my two arms, which are as strong as a thunderbolt.
dhanuḥ paśya ca me citraṃ śarāṃścāśīviṣopamān। rathaṃ paśya ca me kḷptaṃ sadaśvairvātavegitaiḥ ॥ gadāṃ ca paśya gāndhāre hemapaṭṭavibhūṣitām ॥8-23-27॥
Behold my magnificent bow and arrows that resemble serpents. Observe my chariot, equipped with excellent horses that move as swiftly as the wind. Also, take a look at the mace from Gandhara, beautifully adorned with gold bands.
dārayeyaṃ mahīṃ kruddho vikireyaṃ ca parvatān। śoṣayeyaṃ samudrāṃśca tejasā svena pārthiva ॥8-23-28॥
"O king, in my anger, I could split the earth, scatter the mountains, and dry up the oceans with my own energy."
tan māṃ evaṃvidhaṃ jānan samarthaṃ arinigrahe। kasmād yunakṣi sārathye nyūnasya adhirather nṛpa ॥8-23-29॥
O king, knowing me to be capable of subduing enemies, why do you engage me in the role of a charioteer to someone inferior to a great charioteer?
na nāma dhuri rājendra prayoktuṃ tvamihārhasi। na hi pāpīyasaḥ śreyānbhūtvā preṣyatvamutsahe ॥8-23-30॥
O King, you should not engage in this burden here. Indeed, I cannot become better by serving the sinful.
yo hy abhyupagataṃ prītyā garīyāṃsaṃ vaśe sthitam। vaśe pāpīyaso dhatte tat pāpam adharottaram ॥8-23-31॥
He who approaches a superior with affection and keeps him under control bears the increasing sin of the inferior.
brāhmaṇā brahmaṇā sṛṣṭā mukhātkṣatramathorasaḥ। ūrubhyāmasṛjadvaiśyāñśūdrānpadabhyāmiti śrutiḥ॥
According to the scripture, Brahmins were created by Brahma from his mouth, Kshatriyas from his chest, Vaishyas from his thighs, and Shudras from his feet.
athānyonyasya saṁyogāccāturvarṇyasya bhārata। goptāraḥ saṅgrahītāro dātāraḥ kṣatriyāḥ smṛtāḥ ॥8-23-33॥
O Bharata, it is said that from the union of the four classes, the Kshatriyas are recognized as the protectors, collectors, and givers.
yājanādhyāpanairviprā viśuddhaiśca pratigrahaiḥ। lokasyānugrahārthāya sthāpitā brahmaṇā bhuvi ॥8-23-34॥
Brāhmaṇas, through their pure sacrifices, teaching, and acceptance of gifts, are placed on earth by Brahmā to bless the world.
kṛṣiśca pāśupālyaṃ ca viśāṃ dānaṃ ca sarvaśaḥ। brahmakṣatraviśāṃ śūdrā vihitāḥ paricārakāḥ ॥8-23-35॥
Agriculture, animal husbandry, and charity are duties assigned to the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas in all respects, while the Shudras are designated as servants.
brahmakṣatrasya vihitāḥ sūtā vai paricārakāḥ। na viṭśūdrasya tatraiva śṛṇu vākyaṃ mamānagha ॥8-23-36॥
Charioteers and attendants are designated for the Brahmins and Kshatriyas, not for the Vaishyas and Shudras. Listen to my words there, O sinless one.
so'haṁ mūrdhāvasiktaḥ sanrājarṣikulasambhavaḥ। mahārathaḥ samākhyātaḥ sevyaḥ stavyasca bandinām ॥8-23-37॥
I am the one anointed on the head, born into the family of royal sages, renowned as a great chariot-warrior, and worthy of service and praise by bards.
so'hametādṛśo bhūtvā nehārikulamardana। sūtaputrasya saṅgrāme sārathyaṃ kartumutsahe ॥8-23-38॥
Having become such a formidable warrior, I am eager to take on the role of charioteer in the battle against the charioteer's son.
avamānamahaṃ prāpya na yotsyāmi kathaṃcana। āpṛcchya tvādya gāndhāre gamiṣyāmi yathāgatam ॥8-23-39॥
Having been dishonored, I will not fight at all. Today, after taking leave of you, I shall return to Gandhara the way I came.
evamuktvā naravyāghraḥ śalyaḥ samitiśobhanaḥ। utthāya prayayau tūrṇaṃ rājamadhyādamarṣitaḥ ॥8-23-40॥
After speaking in this manner, the illustrious Shalya, like a tiger among men, rose and quickly left the assembly of kings, filled with anger.
praṇayādbahumānācca taṃ nigṛhya sutastava। abravīnmadhuraṃ vākyaṃ sāma sarvārthasādhakam ॥8-23-41॥
Out of affection and respect, your son restrained him and spoke sweet and conciliatory words that fulfilled all purposes.
yathā śalya tvamāthedamevametadasaṃśayam। abhiprāyastu me kaścittaṃ nibodha janeśvara ॥8-23-42॥
Śalya, as you have stated, this is indeed true without any doubt. However, please understand my specific intention, O lord of the people.
na karṇo'bhyadhikastvattaḥ śaṅke naiva kathañcana। na hi madreśvaro rājā kuryādyad anṛtaṃ bhavet ॥8-23-43॥
I have no doubt that Karna is not superior to you in any way. Indeed, the king of Madra would not commit any falsehood.
ṛtameva hi pūrvāste vahanti puruṣottamāḥ। tasmādārtāyaniḥ prokto bhavāniti matirmama ॥8-23-44॥
The ancient sages, considered the best among men, indeed uphold the truth. Therefore, you are referred to as Ārtāyani; this is my belief.
śalyabhūtaśca śatrūṇāṃ yasmāttvaṃ bhuvi mānada। tasmācchalye'ti te nāma kathyate pṛthivīpate ॥8-23-45॥
Because you have become a thorn to your enemies on earth, O giver of honor, you are therefore called 'Śalya', O lord of the earth.
yadeva vyāhṛtaṃ pūrvaṃ bhavatā bhūridakṣiṇa। tadeva kuru dharmajña madarthaṃ yadyaducyase ॥8-23-46॥
"O knower of dharma, please do exactly what you have promised before, for my sake, whatever you are known for."
na ca tvatto hi rādheyo na cāhamapi vīryavān। vṛṇīmastvāṃ hayāgryāṇāṃ yantāramiti saṃyuge ॥8-23-47॥
Radheya and I, despite being powerful, do not choose you as the charioteer of the finest horses in the battle.
yathā hy abhyadhikaṃ karṇaṃ guṇais tāta dhanañjayāt। vāsudevād api tvāṃ ca loko' yam iti manyate ॥8-23-48॥
The world believes that just as Karna is superior to Dhananjaya in qualities, you are also superior to Vasudeva.
karṇo hy abhyadhikaḥ pārthād astrair eva nararṣabha। bhavān apy adhikaḥ kṛṣṇād aśvayāne bale tathā ॥8-23-49॥
"Karna is indeed superior to Arjuna in terms of weaponry, O best of men. Similarly, you are superior to Krishna in terms of chariot skills and strength."
yathāśvahṛdayaṃ veda vāsudevo mahāmanāḥ। dviguṇaṃ tvaṃ tathā vettha madrarāja na saṃśayaḥ ॥8-23-50॥
Vasudeva, with his great mind, understands the heart of a horse, and you, O King of Madra, understand it twice as well, without any doubt.
śalya uvāca॥
Śalya spoke:
yanmā bravīṣi gāndhāre madhye sainyasya kaurava। viśiṣṭaṃ devakīputrātprītimān asmyahaṃ tvayi ॥8-23-51॥
O Kaurava, I am affectionate towards you for what you have said to me in the midst of the army in Gandhara, distinguishing yourself from Devaki's son.
eṣa sārathyamātiṣṭhe rādheyasya yaśasvinaḥ। yudhyataḥ pāṇḍavāgryeṇa yathā tvaṃ vīra manyase ॥8-23-52॥
"You, O hero, undertake the charioteering of the glorious Radheya, who is fighting with the foremost of the Pandavas, as you deem fit."
samayaśca hi me vīra kaścidvaikartanaṃ prati। utsṛjeyaṃ yathāśraddhamahaṃ vāco'sya saṃnidhau ॥8-23-53॥
Indeed, my hero, there is a moment when I would speak words of faith towards Karna in his presence.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tatheti rājanputraste saha karṇena bhārata। abravīn madrarājasya sutaṃ bharatasattama ॥8-23-54॥
Thus, O King, your son, accompanied by Karna, addressed the son of the King of Madra, O esteemed Bharata.
