08.029
Pancharatra-Ext: Karna remembers Parashurama's curse and also a curse by a Brahmin given to him for lying, and wrorries about the same.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
मद्राधिपस्याधिरथिस्तदैवं; वचो निशम्याप्रियमप्रतीतः। उवाच शल्यं विदितं ममैत; द्यथाविधावर्जुनवासुदेवौ ॥८-२९-१॥
The charioteer of the king of Madra, upon hearing these unpleasant words, was displeased and said to Shalya, "I am aware of this, as Arjuna and Vasudeva are acting accordingly."
शौरे रथं वाहयतोऽर्जुनस्य; बलं महास्त्राणि च पाण्डवस्य। अहं विजानामि यथावदद्य; परोक्षभूतं तव तत्तु शल्य ॥८-२९-२॥
O Shura, as you drive Arjuna's chariot, I recognize today the strength and great weapons of the Pandava. However, Shalya, I am aware of your hidden intentions.
तौ चाप्रधृष्यौ शस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठौ; व्यपेतभीर्योधयिष्यामि कृष्णौ। सन्तापयत्यभ्यधिकं तु रामा; च्छापोऽद्य मां ब्राह्मणसत्तमाच्च ॥८-२९-३॥
Those two, who are invincible and the best among weapon-bearers, I will fight the fearless Krishnas. However, Rama torments me excessively; today, the curse from the best of Brahmins afflicts me.
अवात्सं वै ब्राह्मणच्छद्मनाहं; रामे पुरा दिव्यमस्त्रं चिकीर्षुः। तत्रापि मे देवराजेन विघ्नो; हितार्थिना फल्गुनस्यैव शल्य ॥८-२९-४॥
I indeed stayed in the guise of a Brahmin; in the past, I desired to create a divine weapon for Rama. There too, an obstacle was placed by the king of gods, for the benefit of Arjuna alone, like a thorn.
कृतोऽवभेदेन ममोरुमेत्य; प्रविश्य कीटस्य तनुं विरूपाम्। गुरोर्भयाच्चापि न चेलिवानहं; तच्चावबुद्धो ददृशे स विप्रः ॥८-२९-५॥
By distinction, having reached my thigh, I entered the ugly body of the insect. Out of fear of the teacher, I did not move, and the sage understood and saw that.
पृष्टश्चाहं तमवोचं महर्षिं; सूतोऽहमस्मीति स मां शशाप। सूतोपधावाप्तमिदं त्वयास्त्रं; न कर्मकाले प्रतिभास्यति त्वाम् ॥८-२९-६॥
I asked the great sage and said, "I am a charioteer." He then cursed me, saying, "Charioteer, the weapon you have obtained will not serve you when you need it in battle."
अन्यत्र यस्मात्तव मृत्युकाला; दब्राह्मणे ब्रह्म न हि ध्रुवं स्यात्। तदद्य पर्याप्तमतीव शस्त्र; मस्मिन्सङ्ग्रामे तुमुले तात भीमे ॥८-२९-७॥
Elsewhere, because your time of death is not certain in the Brahman, Brahman. Therefore, today, dear Bhima, in this fierce battle, the weapon is extremely sufficient.
अपां पतिर्वेगवानप्रमेयो; निमज्जयिष्यन्निवहान्प्रजानाम्। महानगं यः कुरुते समुद्रं; वेलैव तं वारयत्यप्रमेयम् ॥८-२९-८॥
The swift and immeasurable lord of waters, as if about to submerge the beings of the people, makes the ocean a great serpent; yet, the shore indeed restrains him, the immeasurable.
प्रमुञ्चन्तं बाणसङ्घानमोघा; न्मर्मच्छिदो वीरहणः सपत्रान्। कुन्तीपुत्रं प्रतियोत्स्यामि युद्धे; ज्याकर्षिणामुत्तममद्य लोके ॥८-२९-९॥
"Today, I will engage in battle with the son of Kunti, releasing groups of unfailing arrows that pierce vital parts, as the best of bowmen in the world, a destroyer of heroes with feathered arrows."
एवं बलेनातिबलं महास्त्रं; समुद्रकल्पं सुदुरापमुग्रम्। शरौघिणं पार्थिवान्मज्जयन्तं; वेलेव पार्थमिषुभिः संसहिष्ये ॥८-२९-१०॥
Thus, with immense strength and a formidable weapon akin to the ocean, fierce and hard to overcome, I will withstand Arjuna with a multitude of arrows, submerging the kings like the shore withstands the ocean.
अद्याहवे यस्य न तुल्यमन्यं; मन्ये मनुष्यं धनुराददानम्। सुरासुरान्वै युधि यो जयेत; तेनाद्य मे पश्य युद्धं सुघोरम् ॥८-२९-११॥
Today, I believe there is no one equal to the man holding the bow in battle. Behold my very fierce battle today, by him who conquers gods and demons in battle.
अतिमानी पाण्डवो युद्धकामो; अमानुषैरेष्यति मे महास्त्रैः। तस्यास्त्रमस्त्रैरभिहत्य सङ्ख्ये; शरोत्तमैः पातयिष्यामि पार्थम् ॥८-२९-१२॥
The arrogant Pāṇḍava, eager for battle, will approach with supernatural weapons. In the battle, having countered his weapon with my own, I shall bring down Pārtha with my finest arrows.
दिवाकरेणापि समं तपन्तं; समाप्तरश्मिं यशसा ज्वलन्तम्। तमोनुदं मेघ इवातिमात्रो; धनञ्जयं छादयिष्यामि बाणैः ॥८-२९-१३॥
I will cover Arjuna with my arrows like a massive cloud that blocks out the sun, shining with extinguished rays and blazing with fame, dispersing darkness.
वैश्वानरं धूमशिखं ज्वलन्तं; तेजस्विनं लोकमिमं दहन्तम्। मेघो भूत्वा शरवर्षैर्यथाग्निं; तथा पार्थं शमयिष्यामि युद्धे ॥८-२९-१४॥
I will become like a cloud with showers of arrows to extinguish the brilliant fire that is burning this world, and in the same way, I will extinguish Arjuna in battle.
प्रमाथिनं बलवन्तं प्रहारिणं; प्रभञ्जनं मातरिश्वानमुग्रम्। युद्धे सहिष्ये हिमवानिवाचलो; धनञ्जयं क्रुद्धममृष्यमाणम् ॥८-२९-१५॥
I will face the fierce and powerful tormentor, the wind-god, in battle like the steadfast Himalaya; Arjuna, though angry and unforgiving.
विशारदं रथमार्गेष्वसक्तं; धुर्यं नित्यं समरेषु प्रवीरम्। लोके वरं सर्वधनुर्धराणां; धनञ्जयं संयुगे संसहिष्ये ॥८-२९-१६॥
I will endure in battle with Dhananjaya, who is skilled in chariot paths, unattached, a leader always heroic in battles, and the best of all archers in the world.
अद्याहवे यस्य न तुल्यमन्यं; मध्येमनुष्यं धनुराददानम्। सर्वामिमां यः पृथिवीं सहेत; तथा विद्वान्योत्स्यमानोऽस्मि तेन ॥८-२९-१७॥
Today, in this battle, there is no one among men holding a bow who is equal to him. He is the one who can bear the entire earth, and thus, I am fighting with him.
यः सर्वभूतानि सदेवकानि; प्रस्थेऽजयत्खाण्डवे सव्यसाची। को जीवितं रक्षमाणो हि तेन; युयुत्सते मामृते मानुषोऽन्यः ॥८-२९-१८॥
Arjuna, who conquered all beings including the gods in the Khandava forest, is the one who protects life. Who else but me would dare to fight against him?
अहं तस्य पौरुषं पाण्डवस्य; ब्रूयां हृष्टः समितौ क्षत्रियाणाम्। किं त्वं मूर्खः प्रभषन्मूढचेता; मामवोचः पौरुषमर्जुनस्य ॥८-२९-१९॥
I would gladly speak of the valor of the Pandava in the assembly of the Kshatriyas. But why, you foolish and confused-minded person, did you speak to me of Arjuna's valor?
अप्रियो यः परुषो निष्ठुरो हि; क्षुद्रः क्षेप्ता क्षमिणश्चाक्षमावान्। हन्यामहं तादृशानां शतानि; क्षमामि त्वां क्षमया कालयोगात् ॥८-२९-२०॥
The one who is unpleasant, harsh, and cruel, who is mean and abusive, and impatient with the forgiving, I would kill hundreds of such people. However, I forgive you with patience because of the influence of time.
अवोचस्त्वं पाण्डवार्थेऽप्रियाणि; प्रधर्षयन्मां मूढवत्पापकर्मन्। मय्यार्जवे जिह्मगतिर्हतस्त्वं; मित्रद्रोही सप्तपदं हि मित्रम् ॥८-२९-२१॥
You spoke unpleasant words for the sake of the Pandavas, insulting me like a fool and an evil-doer. In my straightforwardness, you, who follow a crooked path, are defeated; a betrayer of friends, indeed a friend for only seven steps.
कालस्त्वयं मृत्युमयोऽतिदारुणो; दुर्योधनो युद्धमुपागमद्यत्। तस्यार्थसिद्धिमभिकाङ्क्षमाण; स्तमभ्येष्ये यत्र नैकान्त्यमस्ति ॥८-२९-२२॥
This time is filled with death and is very cruel; Duryodhana has approached the battle. Desiring success in his purpose, I will approach him where there is no certainty.
मित्रं मिदेर्नन्दतेः प्रीयतेर्वा; सन्त्रायतेर्मानद मोदतेर्वा। ब्रवीति तच्चामुत विप्रपूर्वा; त्तच्चापि सर्वं मम दुर्योधनेऽस्ति ॥८-२९-२३॥
The friend who brings joy, delight, or affection; who offers protection, honor, or enjoyment, speaks of that which is preceded by wisdom. All of this is found in my Duryodhana.
शत्रुः शदेः शासतेः शायतेर्वा; शृणातेर्वा श्वयतेर्वापि सर्गे। उपसर्गाद्बहुधा सूदतेश्च; प्रायेण सर्वं त्वयि तच्च मह्यम् ॥८-२९-२४॥
The enemy, whether of the word, the ruler, the one who lies down, hears, or swells, is also in creation. From the prefix, in many ways, it presses, and generally, everything is in you and that is to me.
दुर्योधनार्थं तव चाप्रियार्थं; यशोर्थमात्मार्थमपीश्वरार्थम्। तस्मादहं पाण्डववासुदेवौ; योत्स्ये यत्नात्कर्म तत्पश्य मेऽद्य ॥८-२९-२५॥
Therefore, for the sake of Duryodhana, and for your unpleasant purpose, for fame, for self, and also for the Lord, I will fight with effort against Pandava and Vasudeva; witness my action today.
अस्त्राणि पश्याद्य ममोत्तमानि; ब्राह्माणि दिव्यान्यथ मानुषाणि। आसादयिष्याम्यहमुग्रवीर्यं; द्विपोत्तमं मत्तमिवाभिमत्तः ॥८-२९-२६॥
"Behold today my excellent weapons; both divine and human. I shall acquire them with great strength, like an intoxicated mad elephant."
अस्त्रं ब्राह्मं मनसा तद्ध्यजय्यं; क्षेप्स्ये पार्थायाप्रतिमं जयाय। तेनापि मे नैव मुच्येत युद्धे; न चेत्पतेद्विषमे मेऽद्य चक्रम् ॥८-२९-२७॥
I will use the invincible Brahma weapon, controlled by my mind, to ensure Arjuna's unmatched victory. However, even with that, I will not be free in battle unless my discus falls into a challenging situation today.
वैवस्वताद्दण्डहस्ताद्वरुणाद्वापि पाशिनः। सगदाद्वा धनपतेः सवज्राद्वापि वासवात् ॥८-२९-२८॥
Whether it be from Vaivasvata, the one wielding a staff, Varuṇa, the noose-holder, the one with a mace, the lord of wealth, the one with a thunderbolt, or Vāsava, all are powerful entities.
नान्यस्मादपि कस्माच्चिद्बिभिमो ह्याततायिनः। इति शल्य विजानीहि यथा नाहं बिभेम्यभीः ॥८-२९-२९॥
O Shalya, understand that we do not fear any aggressor. Know that I am fearless.
तस्माद्भयं न मे पार्थान्नापि चैव जनार्दनात्। अद्य युद्धं हि ताभ्यां मे सम्पराये भविष्यति ॥८-२९-३०॥
Therefore, I have no fear from Arjuna or Krishna. Today, a battle with them will indeed take place in the conflict.
श्वभ्रे ते पततां चक्रमिति मे ब्राह्मणोऽवदत्। युध्यमानस्य सङ्ग्रामे प्राप्तस्यैकायने भयम् ॥८-२९-३१॥
The Brahmin said to me, "In the abyss, your wheel is falling." In the battle, there is fear for the one fighting who has attained the solitary path.
तस्माद्बिभेमि बलवद्ब्राह्मणव्याहृतादहम्। एते हि सोमराजान ईश्वराः सुखदुःखयोः ॥८-२९-३२॥
Therefore, I am greatly afraid of the Brahmin's words. These Soma kings are truly the masters of both joy and sorrow.
होमधेन्वा वत्समस्य प्रमत्त इषुणाहनम्। चरन्तमजने शल्य ब्राह्मणात्तपसो निधेः ॥८-२९-३३॥
The careless calf was killed by Śalya with an arrow while it was wandering in the wilderness, and this act was related to the Brahmin, who was a treasure of penance.
ईषादन्तान्सप्तशतान्दासीदासशतानि च। ददतो द्विजमुख्याय प्रसादं न चकार मे ॥८-२९-३४॥
He gave seven hundred elephants and hundreds of female and male servants to the chief of the twice-born, but did not grant my favor.
कृष्णानां श्वेतवत्सानां सहस्राणि चतुर्दश। आहरन्न लभे तस्मात्प्रसादं द्विजसत्तमात् ॥८-२९-३५॥
Fourteen thousand white calves belonging to the Krishnas were brought, and from that, grace was obtained from the best of the twice-born.
ऋद्धं गेहं सर्वकामैर्यच्च मे वसु किञ्चन। तत्सर्वमस्मै सत्कृत्य प्रयच्छामि न चेच्छति ॥८-२९-३६॥
I offer all my prosperous house and whatever wealth I have, along with all desires, to him respectfully, if he does not desire it.
ततोऽब्रवीन्मां याचन्तमपराद्धं प्रयत्नतः। व्याहृतं यन्मया सूत तत्तथा न तदन्यथा ॥८-२९-३७॥
Then he earnestly addressed me, who was pleading for forgiveness, "O Sūta, what I have declared is indeed true and not otherwise."
अनृतोक्तं प्रजा हन्यात्ततः पापमवाप्नुयात्। तस्माद्धर्माभिरक्षार्थं नानृतं वक्तुमुत्सहे ॥८-२९-३८॥
A false statement can harm the people and lead to sin. Therefore, to protect righteousness, I am unable to speak untruths.
मा त्वं ब्रह्मगतिं हिंस्याः प्रायश्चित्तं कृतं त्वया। मद्वाक्यं नानृतं लोके कश्चित्कुर्यात्समाप्नुहि ॥८-२९-३९॥
"Do not obstruct the path to Brahman; you have performed the atonement. My words are true in this world; let no one doubt them. Achieve your goal."
इत्येतत्ते मया प्रोक्तं क्षिप्तेनापि सुहृत्तया। जानामि त्वाधिक्षिपन्तं जोषमास्स्वोत्तरं शृणु ॥८-२९-४०॥
"Thus, I have spoken this to you hurriedly and with friendship. I know you are criticizing, so be silent and listen to the reply."
