08.028
Pancharatra and Core: Shaly narrates a story comparing Karna to a Crow, that eats leftovers and then reminds him of all the previous occasions where he fled the battlefield instead of fighting Arjuna.
Sanjaya said:
Śalya, after hearing the words of Adhiratha's son who delights in battle, addressed Karna once more, providing an example.
"Just as you are intoxicated with wine, I am not, or perhaps so. Therefore, I treat you, who are negligent, with friendship."
"Karna, listen to this speech that is like a crow's. After hearing it, you may do as you please, O you who are a disgrace to your family."
I do not recall any wrongdoing within myself, O Karna, for which you, O mighty-armed warrior, desire to slay me, who is without guilt.
"Certainly, I must speak, let it be known to you if it is beneficial, especially by the charioteer and indeed the well-wisher of the king."
The charioteer, along with the horses, constantly faces both even and uneven terrains, strength and weakness, as well as fatigue and exhaustion.
The recognition of weapons, the sounds of animals and birds, the weight and excessive weight, and the reaction of arrows are described.
The use of weapons, war, and omens are all things I must understand as a member of this chariot's family. Therefore, Karna, I will tell you this example once more.
The merchant, indeed, who lived by the ocean, was wealthy and abundant in grains. He was a sacrificer, a generous lord, forgiving, dutiful, and became pure.
In the kingdom of the king, who is chief in righteousness, there dwells a fearless person with many sons and dear children, compassionate to all beings.
The crow became one who eats the leftovers of many sons, children, princes, and illustrious ones.
The sons of merchants, who are young boys, always offer him meat and rice, curd, milk, sweet rice pudding, honey, and ghee.
The crow, who was eating leftovers with the merchant's sons, became proud and began to disrespect both similar birds and those superior to him.
Then the swans, at one time flying towards the ocean's edge, matched Garuda in speed, their bodies circular and their minds joyful.
The boys, after observing the swans, remarked to the crow, "You are truly exceptional among the birds, O bird."
The bird, deceived by those of little intelligence, believes their words to be true due to his own foolishness and pride.
Approaching them with curiosity, he wondered, 'Who among these has the best share?' The crow, proud of the leftovers, was among the many birds that could fly far.
The evil-minded one called the bird, whom he considered the best among the swans that fly far, saying, "Let us fall."
Upon hearing that, the swans gathered there laughed. The Chakranga birds, known for their strength among the birds, spoke extensively about the crow and addressed these words to it.
We, the swans, roam this earth as dwellers of the Manasa lake. Among all birds, we are always revered for our long flights.
"How can you, having become a crow, challenge the mighty swan with a body like a thunderbolt, capable of flying far, in a contest of falling, O wicked-minded one? How do you, crow, claim that falling is with us?"
Then the foolish crow, repeatedly insulting the swan's words, boastfully replied due to his frivolous nature.
I have fallen a hundred times without a doubt, each fall spanning a hundred yojanas, each unique and diverse in its nature.
The movements include flying up, descending, advancing, bending, sinking, and spreading obliquely, surpassing all directions.
The state is described as being afflicted, surrounded, and subjugated, yet well-off; it is very afflicted, greatly afflicted, deeply afflicted, and completely surrounded.
The many hidden ones have come and gone, and returned. Today, I am the doer for those who see, and then you will witness my strength.
Upon hearing this from the crow, one of the birds, a swan, smiled and said to the crow, 'Listen to my words.'
O crow, you are known to have a hundred falls, but all the birds recognize only one.
I know no one else but that fallen crow. You too, red-eyed one, fall by whom or as you think fit.
Then the crows gathered there laughed, wondering how the swan could achieve a hundred flights with just one.
A single crow, swift and strong, will overcome a hundred by a fall. The swan, once fallen, is vulnerable to the crow's might.
Then, in a competitive spirit, the swan and the crow took flight. The crow, with its one-footed and circular body, attempted to match the swan but ended up falling a hundred times.
Chakranga and the crow, both having fallen, intended to astonish others with their falls, declaring their own actions.
Then, upon seeing the fallen pictures of the crow and others, the delighted crows cried out with those sounds.
The swans carried away and spoke unpleasant things; they rose repeatedly and said, 'for a moment, thus and thus.'
From the tops of trees and the ground, they rise and fall, making various sounds, wishing for victory at that time.
The swan, however, gently began to move forward but was momentarily obstructed by the crow, dear one.
Disregarding this, the swans said: "The swan who has flown away is indeed lost."
Then the swan, upon hearing that, swiftly flew towards the west, over the ocean, which is the abode of Varuna.
Then fear gripped the crow, who was unconscious and unable to see the island trees, as it fell exhausted. It thought, "Where indeed can I fall, being so tired, in this vast ocean?"
The ocean is an unconquerable abode of numerous beings and, with its brilliance of countless great elements, it surpasses even the sky.
Indeed, from the depth, there is no distinction in the ocean, O lowest of the family. O Karna, those who dwell in the vast waters are invincible. What then of the crow, O Karna, from a great distance of water?
Then the swan, after surpassing for a moment, observed the crow and was unable to escape. Chakranga, having surpassed, looked at the crow.
The swan, observing him sinking, spoke these words with the intention to uplift him, recalling the vow of noble individuals.
You repeatedly speak of many falls, yet if you utter this, you do not reveal our secret.
"O crow, what is this fall that you are experiencing now? You keep touching the water repeatedly with your wings and beak."
The crow, exhausted and distressed, touched the water in the ocean with its wings and beak, and suddenly fell down.
The swan spoke:
O crow, the hundred and one types of falls you mentioned earlier were diverse, but now they are false.
The crow spoke:
Proud of leftovers, I see myself like Garuda, looking down on many crows and other birds. With my life, O swan, I surrender to you; please take me to the island's end.
If I, the swan, safely return to my homeland once more, I will not disrespect anyone. Please lift me from my troubles.
Seeing him in such a state, miserable and lamenting, unconscious and crying 'crow, crow', while sinking into the vast ocean.
The swan, seeing the crow in a pitiable, water-soaked condition, gently lifted it with its feet and placed it on its back, trembling.
The swan, having mounted the back of the unconscious crow, returned to the island from where they had flown in rivalry.
After establishing and comforting the bird, the swan swiftly went to its desired destination, like the mind.
"Just as a crow feeds on leftovers in a merchant's family, so you are fed by the sons of Dhritarashtra, without a doubt. You consider all similar and better than Karna."
Despite being protected by Drona, Drauni, Kripa, Bhishma, and other Kauravas, why did you fail to kill Partha in the city of Virata at that time?
In the place where everyone was scattered and defeated by the king, just as jackals are by a lion, where was your courage at that time?
Upon witnessing your brother's death and defeat at the hands of Arjuna, you were the first to retreat before the Kuru heroes.
In the forest of Dvaitavana, Karna was attacked by the Gandharvas, and you were the first to flee, leaving all the Kurus behind.
After defeating and killing the Gandharvas led by Citraratha in battle, Arjuna freed Karna and Duryodhana along with his wife.
Once more, the ancient influence of Arjuna and Krishna was recounted by Karna and Rama in the royal court assembly.
He constantly heard Drona and Bhishma declaring that Krishna was invincible in the presence of the kings.
I will speak there of how much Dhananjaya is different from all beings, just as a Brahmin is from you.
"Now you will see the son of Vasudeva and the Pandava, Dhananjaya, standing in the chariot in the midst of the battle."
Among gods, demons, and humans, those who are renowned as the best among men are well-known by their brilliance, but you are like a firefly among men.
Thus, O wise one, do not underestimate the son of a charioteer, Acyuta and Arjuna. They are like lions among men and horses. You should remain silent, O boastful one.
