08.026
Pancharatra and Core: Karna, riding in his tiger-bannered chariot drawn by white horses, spoke highly of himself, while Shalya, his charioteer, did everything possible to demotivate him.
duryodhana uvāca॥
Duryodhana said:
ayaṁ te karṇa sārathyaṁ madrarājaḥ kariṣyati। kṛṣṇādabhyadhiko yantā devendrasyeva mātaliḥ ॥8-26-1॥
The king of Madra will serve as Karna's charioteer. He is considered superior to Krishna as a charioteer, just as Mātali is to Indra.
yathā harihayairyuktaṃ saṅgṛhṇāti sa mātaliḥ। śalyastava tathādyāyaṃ saṃyantā rathavājinām ॥8-26-2॥
Just as Mātali, the charioteer of Indra, skillfully controls the divine horses, today Śalya will be your charioteer, guiding your chariot with expertise.
yodhe tvayi rathasthe ca madraraje ca sarathau। rathasrestho dhruvam sankhye partho nabhibhavisyati ॥8-26-3॥
With you as the warrior on the chariot, and with the king of Madra as the charioteer, Arjuna will certainly not be defeated in the battle.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tato duryodhano bhūyo madrarājaṃ tarasvinam। uvāca rājansaṅgrāme saṃyacchantaṃ hayottamān ॥8-26-4॥
Then Duryodhana once more addressed the mighty king of Madra, who was restraining the finest horses in the battle, O king.
tvayābhigupto rādheyo vijeṣyati dhanañjayam। ityukto rathamāsthāya tatheti prāha bhārata ॥8-26-5॥
Radheya, protected by you, will defeat Dhananjaya. Upon being told this, he ascended the chariot and affirmed, "So be it, O Bharata."
śalye'bhyupagate karṇaḥ sārathiṃ sumano'bravīt। svaṃ sūta syandanaṃ mahyaṃ kalpayetyasakṛttvaran ॥8-26-6॥
As Shalya approached, Karna, with a cheerful disposition, repeatedly urged his charioteer, saying, "O charioteer, prepare my chariot for me."
tato jaitraṃ rathavaraṃ gandharvanagaropamam। vidhivatkalpitaṃ bhartre jayet yuktvā nyavedayat ॥8-26-7॥
Then he presented the best chariot, which was like the city of Gandharvas and properly arranged, to the lord, saying 'Victory'.
taṃ rathaṃ rathināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ karṇo'bhyarcya yathāvidhi। sampāditaṃ brahmavidā pūrvameva purodhasā ॥8-26-8॥
Karna, the best among charioteers, after duly worshipping, had his chariot prepared by the priest who was a knower of Brahman, even before.
kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṃ yatnādupasthāya ca bhāskaram। samīpasthaṃ madrarājaṃ samāropayadagrataḥ ॥8-26-9॥
After making a circumambulation with effort and approaching the sun, he placed the nearby king of Madra in front.
tataḥ karṇasya durdharṣaṃ syandanapravaraṃ mahat। āruroha mahātejāḥ śalyaḥ siṃha ivācalam ॥8-26-10॥
Then the mighty Shalya, like a lion mounting a mountain, ascended Karna's invincible and excellent chariot.
tataḥ śalyāsthitaṃ rājankarṇaḥ svarathamuttamam। adhyatiṣṭhadyathāmbhodaṃ vidyutvantaṃ divākaraḥ ॥8-26-11॥
Then, O King, Karna, with Śalya as his charioteer, ascended his magnificent chariot, resembling the sun ascending a cloud adorned with lightning.
tāvekarathamārūḍhāvādityāgnisamatviṣau। vyabhrājetāṃ yathā meghaṃ sūryāgnī sahitau divi ॥8-26-12॥
They both mounted the same chariot, shining with the brilliance of the sun and fire, appearing like the sun and fire together in the sky.
saṁstūyamānau tau vīrau tadāstāṁ dyutimattarau। ṛtviksadasyairindrāgnī hūyamānāvivādhvare ॥8-26-13॥
The two heroes, being praised, shone brightly like Indra and Agni being invoked in a sacrifice by the priests and members.
sa śalyasaṅgṛhītāśve rathe karṇaḥ sthito'bhavat। dhanurvisphārayaṅghoraṃ pariveṣīva bhāskaraḥ ॥8-26-14॥
Karna stood on the chariot driven by Shalya, stretching his formidable bow, appearing as if surrounded by the sun.
āsthitaḥ sa rathaśreṣṭhaṃ karṇaḥ śaragabhastimān। prababhau puruṣavyāghro mandarastha ivāṃśumān ॥8-26-15॥
Karna, standing on the finest chariot, appeared radiant with his arrows like the sun on Mount Mandara, truly a tiger among men.
taṁ rathasthaṁ mahāvīraṁ yāntaṁ cāmitatejasam। duryodhanaḥ sma rādheyamidaṁ vacanamabravīt ॥8-26-16॥
Duryodhana addressed Karna, the great hero standing on the chariot, as he was proceeding with unmatched brilliance, and spoke these words.
akṛtaṃ droṇabhīṣmābhyāṃ duṣkaraṃ karma saṃyuge। kuruṣvādhirathe vīra miṣatāṃ sarvadhanvinām ॥8-26-17॥
O great charioteer hero, perform the difficult task in battle that Droṇa and Bhīṣma could not accomplish, while all the archers are watching.
manogataṃ mama hyāsīdbhīṣmadroṇau mahārathau। arjunaṃ bhīmasenaṃ ca nihantārāviti dhruvam ॥8-26-18॥
In my mind, I was certain that Bhishma and Drona, the great warriors, would definitely kill Arjuna and Bhimasena.
tābhyāṃ yadakṛtaṃ vīra vīrakarma mahāmṛdhe। tatkarma kuru rādheya vajrapāṇirivāparaḥ ॥8-26-19॥
O son of Radha, perform the heroic deed in the great battle that those two did not accomplish, like another Vajrapani.
gṛhāṇa dharmarājaṃ vā jahi vā tvaṃ dhanañjayam। bhīmasenaṃ ca rādheya mādrīputrau yamāvapi ॥8-26-20॥
You may accept Dharmaraja or defeat Dhananjaya, Bhimasena, Radheya, and the sons of Madri, who are also considered as Yama's sons.
jayaśca te'stu bhadraṃ ca prayāhi puruṣarṣabha। pāṇḍuputrasya sainyāni kuru sarvāṇi bhasmasāt ॥8-26-21॥
"May victory and good fortune be yours. Proceed, O best of men, and turn all the armies of the son of Pandu to ashes."
tatastūryasahasrāṇi bherīṇāmayutāni ca। vādyamānānyarocanta meghaśabdā yathā divi ॥8-26-22॥
Then thousands of musical instruments and tens of thousands of drums were played, resounding like the rumbling of clouds in the sky.
pratigṛhya tu tadvākyaṃ rathastho rathasattamaḥ। abhyabhāṣata rādheyaḥ śalyaṃ yuddhaviśāradam ॥8-26-23॥
Upon accepting those words, Radheya, the finest charioteer, spoke to Shalya, who was skilled in battle.
codayāśvānmahābāho yāvaddhanmi dhanañjayam। bhīmasenaṃ yamau cobhau rājānaṃ ca yudhiṣṭhiram ॥8-26-24॥
"Drive the horses forward, mighty-armed one, until I have slain Dhananjaya, Bhimasena, the twins, and King Yudhishthira."
adya paśyatu me śalya bāhuvīryaṃ dhanañjayaḥ। asyataḥ kaṅkapatrāṇāṃ sahasrāṇi śatāni ca ॥8-26-25॥
Today, let Dhananjaya witness my prowess in archery, Shalya, as I shoot thousands upon thousands of arrows.
adya kṣepsyāmyahaṃ śalya śarānparamatejanān। pāṇḍavānāṃ vināśāya duryodhanajayāya ca ॥8-26-26॥
"Today, I will launch the most formidable arrows and darts to annihilate the Pandavas and secure victory for Duryodhana."
śalya uvāca॥
Śalya said:
sūtaputra kathaṁ nu tvaṁ pāṇḍavānavamanyase। sarvāstrajñānmaheṣvāsānsarvāneva mahārathān ॥8-26-27॥
"Son of a charioteer, how can you indeed disrespect the Pandavas, who are all knowledgeable in weapons, great archers, and indeed great warriors?"
anivartino mahābhāgān ajeyān satyavikramān। api sañjanayeyur ye bhayaṃ sākṣāc chatakratoḥ ॥8-26-28॥
The non-retreating, greatly fortunate, unconquerable, and truly valiant warriors could even instill fear directly in Indra himself.
yadā śroṣyasi nirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitamivāśaneḥ। rādheya gāṇḍivasyājau tadā naivaṃ vadiṣyasi ॥8-26-29॥
When you hear the thunderous roar of the Gandiva bow in battle, O son of Radha, you will not speak in this manner.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
anādṛtya tu tadvākyaṃ madrarājena bhāṣitam। drakṣyasyadyetyavocadvai śalyaṃ karṇo nareśvara ॥8-26-30॥
Karna, ignoring the words spoken by the king of Madra, confidently told Shalya, "You will witness it today, O king."
dṛṣṭvā karṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ yuyutsuṃ samavasthitam। cukruśuḥ kuravaḥ sarve hṛṣṭarūpāḥ parantapa ॥8-26-31॥
Upon seeing Karna, the great archer, ready and eager to fight, all the Kauravas, filled with joy, shouted, O chastiser of the foes.
tato dundubhighoṣeṇa bherīṇāṃ ninadena ca। bāṇaśabdaiśca vividhairgarjitaiśca tarasvinām ॥ niryayustāvakā yuddhe mṛtyuṃ kṛtvā nivartanam ॥8-26-32॥
Then, with the resounding of drums and trumpets, and the various roars and sounds of arrows from the mighty, your men marched to the battlefield, resolved to face death as their return.
prayāte tu tataḥ karṇe yodheṣu muditeṣu ca। cacāla pṛthivī rājanrarāsa ca suvisvaram ॥8-26-33॥
As Karna departed, the warriors rejoiced, and the earth trembled and resounded loudly, O king.
niścaranto vyadṛśyanta sūryātsapta mahāgrahāḥ। ulkāpātaśca sañjajñe diśāṃ dāhastathaiva ca ॥ tathāśanyaśca sampeturvavurvātāśca dāruṇāḥ ॥8-26-34॥
Seven great planets were seen moving from the sun. A meteor fell, causing burning in all directions. Thunderbolts struck, and fierce winds blew.
mṛgapakṣigaṇāścaiva bahuśaḥ pṛtanāṃ tava। apasavyaṃ tadā cakruḥvedayanto mahadbhayam ॥8-26-35॥
The groups of animals and birds repeatedly circled your army in an anticlockwise direction, signaling a great fear.
prasthitasya ca karṇasya nipetusturagā bhuvi। asthivarṣaṃ ca patitamantarikṣādbhayānakam ॥8-26-36॥
As Karna set out, his horses collapsed on the ground, and a terrifying rain of bones fell from the sky.
jajvaluścaiva śastrāṇi dhvajāścaiva cakampire। aśrūṇi ca vyamuñcanta vāhanāni viśāṃ pate ॥8-26-37॥
The weapons blazed, and the flags trembled. Even the vehicles seemed to shed tears, O lord of the people.
ete cānye ca bahava utpātāstatra māriṣa। samutpeturvināśāya kauravāṇāṃ sudāruṇāḥ ॥8-26-38॥
These and many other terrible omens arose there, O lord, foretelling the destruction of the Kauravas.
na ca tān gaṇayām āsuḥ sarve te daivamohitāḥ। prasthitaṃ sūtaputraṃ ca jayet yūcur narā bhuvi ॥ nirjitān pāṇḍavāṃś caiva menire tava kauravāḥ ॥8-26-39॥
The Kauravas, deluded by fate, did not consider the Pāṇḍavas. The people believed that the son of a charioteer, who had set out, would be victorious. Your Kauravas thought the Pāṇḍavas were already defeated.
tato rathasthaḥ paravīrahantā; bhīṣmadroṇāvāttavīryau nirīkṣya। samajvaladbhārata pāvakābho; vaikartano'sau rathakuñjaro vṛṣaḥ ॥8-26-40॥
Then, standing on the chariot, the mighty Karna, the slayer of enemy heroes, upon seeing the valorous Bhishma and Drona, blazed like fire, O descendant of Bharata, like a great bull among chariot-warriors.
sa śalyam ābhāṣya jagāda vākyaṁ; pārthasya karmāpratimaṁ ca dṛṣṭvā। mānena darpeṇa ca dahyamānaḥ; krodhena dīpyanniva niḥśvasitvā ॥8-26-41॥
He addressed Śalya and spoke, observing Arjuna's unparalleled deed, burning with pride and arrogance, and blazing with anger, as if sighing.
nāhaṁ mahendrādapi vajrapāṇeḥ; kruddhādbibhemyāttadhanū rathasthaḥ। dṛṣṭvā tu bhīṣmapramukhāñśayānā; nna tveva māṁ sthiratā sañjahāti ॥8-26-42॥
I do not fear even the mighty Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, when he is angry and standing on his chariot with his bow drawn. However, seeing Bhishma and others lying down, my steadiness does not leave me.
mahendraviṣṇupratimāvaninditau; rathāśvanāgapravarapramāthinau। avadhyakalpau nihatāu yadā parai; stato mamādyāpi raṇe'sti sādhvasam ॥8-26-43॥
The unblemished warriors, resembling Indra and Vishnu, who were excellent destroyers of chariots, horses, and elephants, and seemed invincible, were killed by others; hence, even today, my fear persists in battle.
samīkṣya saṅkhye'tibalānnarādhipai; narāśvamātaṅgarathāñśarairhatān. kathaṁ na sarvānahitānraṇe'vadhī; namahāstravidbrāhmaṇapuṅgavo guruḥ ॥8-26-44॥
Upon observing the mighty kings, men, horses, elephants, and chariots slain by arrows in the battle, how did the teacher, the foremost among Brahmins and an expert in great weapons, fail to slay all the enemies in the battle?
sa saṁsmarandroṇahavaṁ mahāhave; bravīmi satyaṁ kuravo nibodhata। na vo madanyaḥ prasahedraṇe'rjunaṁ; kramāgataṁ mṛtyumivograrūpiṇam ॥8-26-45॥
He, recalling the fierce battle with Drona, declares the truth to the Kurus: "Listen, none but I can face Arjuna in battle, like confronting death itself in its most terrifying form."
śikṣā prasādaśca balaṃ dhṛtiśca; droṇe mahāstrāṇi ca saṃnatiśca। sa cedagānmṛtyuvaśaṃ mahātmā; sarvānanyānāturānadya manye ॥8-26-46॥
Education, grace, strength, and steadfastness were in Drona, along with great weapons and humility. If that great soul has succumbed to death, I believe all others are in distress today.
neha dhruvaṁ kiñcidapi pracintyaṁ; vidurloke karmaṇo'nityayogāt। sūryodaye ko hi vimuktasaṁśayo; garvaṁ kurvītādya gurau nipātite ॥8-26-47॥
In this world, nothing is permanent to be considered, as people know due to the impermanent nature of actions. At sunrise, who indeed is free from doubt? One should take pride today when the teacher is defeated.
na nūnam astrāṇi balaṃ parākramaḥ; kriyā sunītaṃ paramāyudhāni vā। alaṃ manuṣyasya sukhāya vartituṃ; tathā hi yuddhe nihataḥ parair guruḥ ॥8-26-48॥
Weapons, strength, valor, or even well-guided actions and supreme weapons are not enough for a man's happiness in life; for indeed, the teacher was slain in battle by others.
hutāśanādityasamāmatejasaṃ; parākrame viṣṇupuraṃdaropamam। naye bṛhaspatyuśanaḥsamaṃ sadā; na cainamastraṃ tadapātsuduḥsaham ॥8-26-49॥
He was as bright as fire and the sun, comparable to Indra in valor, always equal to Bṛhaspati and Uśanas in policy, and no weapon could strike him that was very difficult to bear.
samprakruṣṭe ruditastrīkumāre; parābhūte pauruṣe dhārtarāṣṭre। mayā kṛtyamiti jānāmi śalya; prayāhi tasmāddviṣatāmanīkam ॥8-26-50॥
In the turmoil where women and children are weeping and the manliness of Dhritarashtra's side is defeated, I know my duty, Shalya; therefore, proceed to the enemy's army.
yatra rājā pāṇḍavaḥ satyasandho; vyavasthito bhīmasenārjunau ca। vāsudevaḥ sṛñjayāḥ sātyakiśca; yamau ca kastau viṣaḥenmadanyaḥ ॥8-26-51॥
Where the truthful King Pāṇḍava stands with Bhīmasena, Arjuna, Vāsudeva, the Sṛñjayas, Sātyaki, and the twins, who can withstand them other than me?
tasmātkṣipraṃ madrapate prayāhi; raṇe pāñcālānpāṇḍavānsṛñjayāṃśca। tānvā haniṣyāmi sametya saṅkhye; yāsyāmi vā droṇamukhāya manye ॥8-26-52॥
Therefore, O king of Madra, quickly proceed to the battlefield against the Panchalas, Pandavas, and Srinjayas; I will either defeat them in battle or go to face Drona, I believe.
na tvevāhaṃ na gamiṣyāmi madhyaṃ; teṣāṃ śūrāṇāmiti mā śalya viddhi। mitradroho marṣaṇīyo na me'yaṃ; tyaktvā prāṇānanuyāsyāmi droṇam ॥8-26-53॥
I will not go to the middle of those heroes, Śalya. Know that betrayal of friends is intolerable to me; I will abandon my life and follow Droṇa.
prājñasya mūḍhasya ca jīvitānte; prāṇapramokṣo'ntakavaktragasya। ato vidvannabhiyāsyāmi pārthaṃ; diṣṭaṃ na śakyaṃ vyativartituṃ vai ॥8-26-54॥
At the end of life, both the wise and the foolish face the release of life in the jaws of death. Therefore, O wise one, I shall approach Arjuna, for destiny cannot indeed be altered.
kalyāṇavṛttaḥ satataṃ hi rāja; nvaititravīryasya suto mamāsīt। tasyārthasiddhyarthamahaṃ tyajāmi; priyānbhogāndustyajaṃ jīvitaṃ ca ॥8-26-55॥
"O king, my son was always of good conduct, indeed the son of Vicitravīrya. For his purpose, I am abandoning dear pleasures, which are difficult to abandon, and even life."
vaiyāghracarmāṇamakūjanākṣaṃ; haimatrikośaṃ rajatatriveṇum। rathapravarhaṃ turagapravarhai; ryuktaṃ prādānmahyamidaṃ hi rāmaḥ ॥8-26-56॥
Rama indeed gave me this: a tiger-skin with unblemished eyes, a golden quiver, a silver three-flute, and a chariot with a canopy yoked with excellent horses.
dhanūṃṣi citrāṇi nirīkṣya śalya; dhvajaṃ gadāṃ sāyakāṃścograrūpān। asiṃ ca dīptaṃ paramāyudhaṃ ca; śaṅkhaṃ ca śubhraṃ svanavantamugram ॥8-26-57॥
Having observed the magnificent bows and arrows, the banner, mace, and the terrifying forms of weapons, including the shining sword and supreme weapon, as well as the white, resounding, fierce conch, a sense of awe was instilled.
patākinaṃ vajranipātanisvanaṃ; sitāśvayuktaṃ śubhatūṇaśobhitam। imaṃ samāsthāya rathaṃ ratharṣabhaṃ; raṇe haniṣyāmyahamarjunaṃ balāt ॥8-26-58॥
I will ascend this chariot, adorned with flags and sounding like thunder, drawn by white horses and shining with beautiful quivers, and in the battle, I shall forcefully slay Arjuna.
taṁ cen mṛtyuḥ sarvaharo'bhirakṣate; sadāpramattaḥ samare pāṇḍuputram। taṁ vā haniṣyāmi sametya yuddhe; yāsyāmi vā bhīṣmamukho yamāya ॥8-26-59॥
If Death, the all-consuming force, protects the ever-vigilant son of Pandu in battle, then I shall either slay him in battle or face my own end at the hands of Bhishma.
yamavaruṇakuberavāsavā vā; yadi yugapatsagaṇā mahāhave। jugupiṣava ihaitiya pāṇḍavaṃ; kimu bahunā saha tairjayāmi tam ॥8-26-60॥
Even if Yama, Varuna, Kubera, and Indra come together with their armies to protect the Pandava in the great battle, I will still defeat him along with many others.
iti raṇarabhasasya katthata; stadupaniśamya vacaḥ sa madrarāṭ। avahasadavamanya vīryavā; npṛtiṣiṣidhe ca jagāda cottaram ॥8-26-61॥
Upon hearing the boastful words of the battle-eager warrior, the king of Madra, with a mocking and dismissive attitude, opposed him and responded.
virama virama karṇa katthanā; datirabhaso'syati cāpyayuktavāk. kva ca hi naravaro dhanañjayaḥ; kva punariha tvamupāramābudha ॥8-26-62॥
"Stop, stop, Karna, from boasting; your impetuous nature leads you to speak improper words. Where is the great Dhananjaya, and where are you? Cease, foolish one."
yadusadanamupendrapālitaṁ; tridivamivāmararājarakṣitam। prasabhamih vilokya ko hare; tpuruṣavarāvarajāmṛte'rjunāt ॥8-26-63॥
The abode of the Yadus, guarded by Upendra, is like heaven protected by the king of the gods. Seeing this forcibly here, who would dare to take away anything except Arjuna, the best of men and younger brother?
tribhuvanasṛjamīśvareśvaraṃ; ka iha pumānbhavamāhvayedyudhi। mṛgavadhakalahe ṛte'rjunā; tsurapativīryasamaprabhāvataḥ ॥8-26-64॥
Who in this world would dare to challenge Lord Shiva, the creator of the three worlds and the supreme lord, in battle, except for Arjuna, who is equal in valor and influence to the lord of the gods, especially in the context of the deer-slaying conflict?
asurasuramahoragānnarā; ngaruḍapiśācayakṣarākṣasān। iṣubhirajayadagnigauravā; tsvabhilaṣitaṃ ca havirdadau jayaḥ ॥8-26-65॥
The victory, with great respect, offered the desired oblation to Agni after conquering demons, gods, great serpents, humans, Garuda, goblins, Yakshas, and Rakshasas with arrows.
smarasi nanu yadā parairhṛtaḥ; sa ca dhṛtarāṣṭrasuto vimokṣitaḥ। dinakaraja narottamairyadā; maruṣu bahūnvinihatya tānarīn ॥8-26-66॥
Do you not recall when others took him away, and the son of Dhritarashtra was freed? It was when the son of the sun, with the best warriors, slew many enemies in the deserts.
prathamamapi palāyite tvayi; priyakalahā dhṛtarāṣṭrasūnavaḥ। smarasi nanu yadā pramocitāḥ; khacaragaṇānavajitya pāṇḍavaiḥ ॥8-26-67॥
Do you not remember the time when you first fled, and the quarrelsome sons of Dhritarashtra were released like flocks of birds, having been conquered by the Pandavas?
samuditabalavāhanāḥ punaḥ; puruṣavareṇa jitāḥ stha gograhe। sagurugurusutāḥ sabhīṣmakāḥ; kimu na jitaḥ sa tadā tvayārjunaḥ ॥8-26-68॥
The forces with renewed strength were once again defeated by the best among men in the cow pen. Along with the teacher, the teacher's sons, and Bhīṣmaka, why was he not defeated by you then, Arjuna?
idamaparamupasthitaṃ puna; stava nidhanāya suyuddhamadya vai। yadi na ripubhayātpalāyase; samaragato'dya hato'si sūtaja ॥8-26-69॥
"This is another opportunity that has arrived again for your destruction through a good fight today indeed. If you do not flee from the fear of the enemy, having gone to battle today, you are killed, O son of Suta."
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
iti bahuparuṣaṃ prabhāṣati; pramanasi madrapatau ripustavam। bhṛśamatiruṣitaḥ paraṃ vṛṣaḥ; kurupṛtanāpatirāha madrapam ॥8-26-70॥
Thus, the lord of the Kuru army, exceedingly angry, spoke many harsh words to the king of Madra, praising your enemy.
bhavatu bhavatu kiṁ vikatthase; nanu mama tasya ca yuddhamudyatam। yadi sa jayati māṁ mahāhave; tata idamastu sukatthitaṁ tava ॥8-26-71॥
"Let it be, let it be, why do you boast? Indeed, my battle with him is ready. If he conquers me in the great battle, then let this be your well-boasted."
evam astv iti madreśa uktvā nottaram uktavān। yāhi madreśa cāpy enaṃ karṇaḥ prāha yuyutsayā ॥8-26-72॥
Having agreed, the king of Madra was told by Karna to proceed, as he was eager for battle.
sa rathaḥ prayayau śatrūñśvetāśvaḥ śalyasārathiḥ। nighnannamitrānsamare tamo ghnansavitā yathā ॥8-26-73॥
The chariot, driven by Śalya with white horses, advanced against the enemies, destroying them in battle like the sun dispels darkness.
tataḥ prāyātprītimānvai rathena; vaiyāghreṇa śvetayujātha karṇaḥ। sa cālokya dhvajinīṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ; dhanañjayaṃ tvarayā paryapṛcchat ॥8-26-74॥
Then, Karna, pleased and riding in his tiger-bannered chariot drawn by white horses, saw the Pandava army and quickly asked about Arjuna.
