08.033
Core and Pancharatra: When Karna forces Yudhisthira to retreat in the direct attack, King Yudhisthira orders a counterattack. In the counterattack led by Bhimasena, Kaurava army starts retreating.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
विदार्य कर्णस्तां सेनां धर्मराजमुपाद्रवत्। रथहस्त्यश्वपत्तीनां सहस्रैः परिवारितः ॥८-३३-१॥
Karna, after piercing through that army, attacked Dharmaraja, surrounded by thousands of chariots, elephants, horses, and infantry.
नानायुधसहस्राणि प्रेषितान्यरिभिर्वृषः। छित्त्वा बाणशतैरुग्रैस्तानविध्यदसम्भ्रमः ॥८-३३-२॥
The bull, undisturbed, shot down the thousands of diverse weapons sent by the enemies with hundreds of fierce arrows.
निचकर्त शिरांस्येषां बाहूनूरूंश्च सर्वशः। ते हता वसुधां पेतुर्भग्नाश्चान्ये विदुद्रुवुः ॥८-३३-३॥
He completely severed their heads, arms, and thighs. Those who were killed fell to the earth, while others, shattered, ran away.
द्रविडान्ध्रनिषादास्तु पुनः सात्यकिचोदिताः। अभ्यर्दयञ्जिघांसन्तः पत्तयः कर्णमाहवे ॥८-३३-४॥
The Dravidas, Andhras, and Nishadas, once again urged by Satyaki, launched an attack on Karna's infantry in the battle, with the intent to kill.
ते विबाहुशिरस्त्राणाः प्रहताः कर्णसायकैः। पेतुः पृथिव्यां युगपच्छिन्नं शालवनं यथा ॥८-३३-५॥
They fell to the ground together, their arms and helmets shattered by Karna's arrows, resembling a forest of sala trees felled at once.
एवं योधशतान्याजौ सहस्राण्ययुतानि च। हतानीयुर्महीं देहैर्यशसापूरयन्दिशः ॥८-३३-६॥
In this way, countless warriors were slain in the battle, their bodies covering the earth and their glory spreading in all directions.
अथ वैकर्तनं कर्णं रणे क्रुद्धमिवान्तकम्। रुरुधुः पाण्डुपाञ्चाला व्याधिं मन्त्रौषधैरिव ॥८-३३-७॥
Then the Pandavas and Panchalas restrained Karna, the son of Vikartana, in battle as if he were an angry destroyer, like restraining a disease with mantras and herbs.
स तान्प्रमृद्याभ्यपतत्पुनरेव युधिष्ठिरम्। मन्त्रौषधिक्रियातीतो व्याधिरत्युल्बणो यथा ॥८-३३-८॥
He crushed them and attacked Yudhishthira again, like a very severe disease that is beyond the cure of mantras and medicines.
स राजगृद्धिभी रुद्धः पाण्डुपाञ्चालकेकयैः। नाशकत्तानतिक्रान्तुं मृत्युर्ब्रह्मविदो यथा ॥८-३३-९॥
He was restrained by the Pandavas, Panchalas, and Kekayas, who were greedy for the kingdom, and he could not surpass them, just as death cannot surpass one who knows Brahman.
ततो युधिष्ठिरः कर्णमदूरस्थं निवारितम्। अब्रवीत्परवीरघ्नः क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः ॥८-३३-१०॥
Then Yudhishthira, his eyes red with anger, addressed Karna, who was standing close by and had been restrained, as the slayer of enemy warriors.
कर्ण कर्ण वृथादृष्टे सूतपुत्र वचः शृणु। सदा स्पर्धसि सङ्ग्रामे फल्गुनेन यशस्विना ॥ तथास्मान्बाधसे नित्यं धार्तराष्ट्रमते स्थितः ॥८-३३-११॥
"Karna, Karna, listen to the words of the son of a charioteer, who is seen in vain. You always compete in battle with the glorious Arjuna. Thus, you constantly trouble us, being aligned with the counsel of Dhritarashtra's son."
यद्बलं यच्च ते वीर्यं प्रद्वेषो यश्च पाण्डुषु। तत्सर्वं दर्शयस्वाद्य पौरुषं महदास्थितः ॥ युद्धश्रद्धां स तेऽद्याहं विनेष्यामि महाहवे ॥८-३३-१२॥
Show all your strength, valor, and enmity towards the Pandavas today, as you stand in your great manliness. Today, I will dispel your faith in battle in this great war.
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज कर्णं पाण्डुसुतस्तदा। सुवर्णपुङ्खैर्दशभिर्विव्याधायस्मयैः शितैः ॥८-३३-१३॥
After speaking thus, O great king, the son of Pandu then proudly pierced Karna with ten sharp arrows adorned with golden shafts.
तं सूतपुत्रो नवभिः प्रत्यविध्यदरिंदमः। वत्सदन्तैर्महेष्वासः प्रहसन्निव भारत ॥८-३३-१४॥
The son of a charioteer, a great archer, smilingly pierced the enemy with nine arrows having calf-teeth, O descendant of Bharata.
ततः क्षुराभ्यां पाञ्चाल्यौ चक्ररक्षौ महात्मनः। जघान समरे शूरः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥८-३३-१५॥
Then, the hero, with two razors, killed the two sons of Draupadi, who were the protectors of the wheel, in the battle with arrows having bent joints.
तावुभौ धर्मराजस्य प्रवीरौ परिपार्श्वतः। रथाभ्याशे चकाशेते चन्द्रस्येव पुनर्वसू ॥८-३३-१६॥
Those two heroes of Dharmaraja stand shining beside the chariot, like the Punarvasu stars near the moon.
युधिष्ठिरः पुनः कर्णमविध्यत्त्रिंशता शरैः। सुषेणं सत्यसेनं च त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरताडयत् ॥८-३३-१७॥
Yudhishthira once more shot thirty arrows at Karna. He also hit Sushena and Satyasena with three arrows each.
शल्यं नवत्या विव्याध त्रिसप्तत्या च सूतजम्। तांश्चास्य गोप्तॄन्विव्याध त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरजिह्मगैः ॥८-३३-१८॥
Shalya struck with ninety arrows, and the son of the charioteer with seventy-three. He also struck his protectors with three straight-moving arrows each.
ततः प्रहस्याधिरथिर्विधुन्वानः स कार्मुकम्। भित्त्वा भल्लेन राजानं विद्ध्वा षष्ट्यानदन्मुदा ॥८-३३-१९॥
Then, with a smile, the great charioteer wielded his bow, pierced the king with an arrow, and joyfully roared after striking him sixty times.
ततः प्रवीराः पाण्डूनामभ्यधावन्युधिष्ठिरम्। सूतपुत्रात्परीप्सन्तः कर्णमभ्यर्दयञ्शरैः ॥८-३३-२०॥
Then the valiant warriors of the Pandavas charged towards Yudhishthira to shield him from the son of a charioteer, fiercely attacking Karna with arrows.
सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च युयुत्सुः पाण्ड्य एव च। धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः ॥८-३३-२१॥
Satyaki, Chekitana, Yuyutsu, Pandya, Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, the sons of Draupadi, and the Prabhadrakas were all present.
यमौ च भीमसेनश्च शिशुपालस्य चात्मजः। कारूषा मत्स्यशेषाश्च केकयाः काशिकोसलाः ॥ एते च त्वरिता वीरा वसुषेणमवारयन् ॥८-३३-२२॥
Yama and his brother, Bhimasena, along with the son of Shishupala, the Karushas, Matsyas, Kekayas, Kashis, and Kosalas, swiftly moved to stop Vasushena.
जनमेजयश्च पाञ्चाल्यः कर्णं विव्याध सायकैः। वराहकर्णैर्नाराचैर्नालीकैर्निशितैः शरैः ॥ वत्सदन्तैर्विपाठैश्च क्षुरप्रैश्चटकामुखैः ॥८-३३-२३॥
Janamejaya and Pāñcālya attacked Karna with a variety of arrows, including those with boar ears, iron tips, reeds, sharp points, calf teeth, splits, razor heads, and bird faces.
नानाप्रहरणैश्चोग्रै रथहस्त्यश्वसादिनः। सर्वतोऽभ्याद्रवन्कर्णं परिवार्य जिघांसया ॥८-३३-२४॥
With various fierce weapons and mounted on chariots, elephants, and horses, they surrounded Karna from all sides with the intent to kill.
स पाण्डवानां प्रवरैः सर्वतः समभिद्रुतः। उदैरयद्ब्राह्ममस्त्रं शरैः सम्पूरयन्दिशः ॥८-३३-२५॥
He was attacked from all sides by the foremost warriors of the Pandavas and in response, he released the Brahma weapon, filling all directions with arrows.
ततः शरमहाज्वालो वीर्योष्मा कर्णपावकः। निर्दहन्पाण्डववनं चारु पर्यचरद्रणे ॥८-३३-२६॥
Then, the arrow with a great flame, fueled by Karna's strength, burned through the Pandava forces, moving beautifully across the battlefield.
स संवार्य महास्त्राणि महेष्वासो महात्मनाम्। प्रहस्य पुरुषेन्द्रस्य शरैश्चिच्छेद कार्मुकम् ॥८-३३-२७॥
The great archer, with a smile, countered the mighty weapons of the noble ones and skillfully cut the bow of the lord of men with his arrows.
ततः सन्धाय नवतिं निमेषान्नतपर्वणाम्। बिभेद कवचं राज्ञो रणे कर्णः शितैः शरैः ॥८-३३-२८॥
Then Karna, after taking careful aim for ninety moments, pierced the king's armor in battle with his sharp arrows.
तद्वर्म हेमविकृतं रराज निपतत्तदा। सविद्युदभ्रं सवितुः शिष्टं वातहतं यथा ॥८-३३-२९॥
The golden armor shone brightly as it fell, resembling a cloud with lightning, left by the sun and struck by the wind.
तदङ्गं पुरुषेन्द्रस्य भ्रष्टवर्म व्यरोचत। रत्नैरलङ्कृतं दिव्यैर्व्यभ्रं निशि यथा नभः ॥८-३३-३०॥
The body of the lord of men, with its fallen armor, shone brightly, adorned with divine jewels, resembling the clear night sky.
स विवर्मा शरैः पार्थो रुधिरेण समुक्षितः। क्रुद्धः सर्वायसीं शक्तिं चिक्षेपाधिरथिं प्रति ॥८-३३-३१॥
Arjuna, stripped of his armor and smeared with blood from the arrows, in his anger, hurled an iron spear at the charioteer.
तां ज्वलन्तीमिवाकाशे शरैश्चिच्छेद सप्तभिः। सा छिन्ना भूमिमपतन्महेष्वासस्य सायकैः ॥८-३३-३२॥
He struck her, who appeared like a burning figure in the sky, with seven arrows. She, being severed, fell to the ground by the arrows of the great archer.
ततो बाह्वोर्ललाटे च हृदि चैव युधिष्ठिरः। चतुर्भिस्तोमरैः कर्णं ताडयित्वा मुदानदत् ॥८-३३-३३॥
Yudhishthira then joyfully roared after striking Karna on his arms, forehead, and heart with four spears.
उद्भिन्नरुधिरः कर्णः क्रुद्धः सर्प इव श्वसन्। ध्वजं चिच्छेद भल्लेन त्रिभिर्विव्याध पाण्डवम् ॥ इषुधी चास्य चिच्छेद रथं च तिलशोऽच्छिनत् ॥८-३३-३४॥
Karna, covered in blood and filled with rage, breathed like a serpent. He severed the flag with an arrow and struck the Pandava with three arrows. He also cut his quiver and shattered his chariot into pieces.
एवं पार्थो व्यपायात्स निहतप्रार्ष्टिसारथिः। अशक्नुवन्प्रमुखतः स्थातुं कर्णस्य दुर्मनाः ॥८-३३-३५॥
Thus, Arjuna, distressed and unable to stand against Karna, retreated as his charioteer was slain.
तमभिद्रुत्य राधेयः स्कन्धं संस्पृश्य पाणिना। अब्रवीत्प्रहसन्राजन्कुत्सयन्निव पाण्डवम् ॥८-३३-३६॥
Radheya approached him, touched his shoulder with his hand, and with a smile, said mockingly, "O king, Pāṇḍava."
कथं नाम कुले जातः क्षत्रधर्मे व्यवस्थितः। प्रजह्यात्समरे शत्रून्प्राणान्रक्षन्महाहवे ॥८-३३-३७॥
How could someone born in a noble family, adhering to the warrior's duty, abandon their enemies in battle while protecting their own life in the great war?
न भवान्क्षत्रधर्मेषु कुशलोऽसीति मे मतिः। ब्राह्मे बले भवान्युक्तः स्वाध्याये यज्ञकर्मणि ॥८-३३-३८॥
My opinion is that you are not skilled in the duties of a warrior. You are more suited to the Brahmanical path, engaged in self-study and sacrificial duties.
मा स्म युध्यस्व कौन्तेय मा च वीरान्समासदः। मा चैनानप्रियं ब्रूहि मा च व्रज महारणम् ॥८-३३-३९॥
"Do not fight, O son of Kunti, nor approach the heroes. Do not speak harshly to them, and do not enter the great battle."
एवमुक्त्वा ततः पार्थं विसृज्य च महाबलः। न्यहनत्पाण्डवीं सेनां वज्रहस्त इवासुरीम् ॥ ततः प्रायाद्द्रुतं राजन्व्रीडन्निव जनेश्वरः ॥८-३३-४०॥
After addressing Arjuna, the mighty warrior released his attack, devastating the Pandava army as if wielding a thunderbolt against demons. Then, feeling a sense of shame, the lord of men swiftly departed, O king.
अथ प्रयान्तं राजानमन्वयुस्ते तदाच्युतम्। चेदिपाण्डवपाञ्चालाः सात्यकिश्च महारथः ॥ द्रौपदेयास्तथा शूरा माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ ॥८-३३-४१॥
Then, as King Acyuta was departing, he was followed by the Cedis, Pandavas, Panchalas, and the great warrior Satyaki. Along with them were the heroic sons of Draupadi and the sons of Madri, the Pandavas.
ततो युधिष्ठिरानीकं दृष्ट्वा कर्णः पराङ्मुखम्। कुरुभिः सहितो वीरैः पृष्ठगैः पृष्ठमन्वयात् ॥८-३३-४२॥
Then Karna, upon seeing Yudhishthira's army, turned away. Accompanied by the Kauravas and heroes, he followed them from behind.
शङ्खभेरीनिनादैश्च कार्मुकाणां च निस्वनैः। बभूव धार्तराष्ट्राणां सिंहनादरवस्तदा ॥८-३३-४३॥
Then, the sons of Dhritarashtra raised a tumultuous sound, like the roaring of lions, with the blaring of conches, the beating of drums, and the twanging of bows.
युधिष्ठिरस्तु कौरव्य रथमारुह्य सत्वरः। श्रुतकीर्तेर्महाराज दृष्टवान्कर्णविक्रमम् ॥८-३३-४४॥
Yudhishthira, the descendant of Kuru, swiftly mounted his chariot and witnessed the might of Karna, O great king.
काल्यमानं बलं दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। तान्योधानब्रवीत्क्रुद्धो हतैनं वै सहस्रशः ॥८-३३-४५॥
Upon witnessing the torment of their strength, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, in anger, commanded the warriors to kill him by the thousands.
ततो राज्ञाभ्यनुज्ञाताः पाण्डवानां महारथाः। भीमसेनमुखाः सर्वे पुत्रांस्ते प्रत्युपाद्रवन् ॥८-३३-४६॥
Then, with the king's permission, all the great warriors of the Pandavas, led by Bhimasena, launched an attack on the sons.
अभवत्तुमुलः शब्दो योधानां तत्र भारत। हस्त्यश्वरथपत्तीनां शस्त्राणां च ततस्ततः ॥८-३३-४७॥
O Bhārata, there arose a great tumultuous noise from all sides, as the warriors, along with elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers, clashed with their weapons.
उत्तिष्ठत प्रहरत प्रैताभिपततेति च। इति ब्रुवाणा अन्योन्यं जघ्नुर्योधा रणाजिरे ॥८-३३-४८॥
The warriors, urging each other with cries of 'Arise, strike, go forth, attack,' fought fiercely and killed each other on the battlefield.
अभ्रच्छायेव तत्रासीच्छरवृष्टिभिरम्बरे। समावृत्तैर्नरवरैर्निघ्नद्भिरितरेतरम् ॥८-३३-४९॥
There, it appeared as if the sky was filled with a shadow of clouds, with showers of arrows, surrounded by the best of warriors striking each other.
विपताकाध्वजच्छत्रा व्यश्वसूतायुधा रणे। व्यङ्गाङ्गावयवाः पेतुः क्षितौ क्षीणा हतेश्वराः ॥८-३३-५०॥
In the battle, the warriors, stripped of their banners, flags, and umbrellas, without horses, charioteers, and weapons, with mutilated limbs and parts, fell on the ground, diminished and slain.
प्रवराणीव शैलानां शिखराणि द्विपोत्तमाः। सारोहा निहताः पेतुर्वज्रभिन्ना इवाद्रयः ॥८-३३-५१॥
The finest elephants, along with their riders, were struck down and fell like mountain peaks shattered by a thunderbolt.
छिन्नभिन्नविपर्यस्तैर्वर्मालङ्कारविग्रहैः। सारोहास्तुरगाः पेतुर्हतवीराः सहस्रशः ॥८-३३-५२॥
The battlefield was strewn with armors, ornaments, and bodies that were cut, broken, and disordered. Horses with their riders fell, and heroes were slain by the thousands.
विप्रविद्धायुधाङ्गाश्च द्विरदाश्वरथैर्हताः। प्रतिवीरैश्च संमर्दे पत्तिसङ्घाः सहस्रशः ॥८-३३-५३॥
In the battle, the opposing heroes killed thousands of infantry groups, along with scattered weapons, limbs, elephants, horses, and chariots.
विशालायतताम्राक्षैः पद्मेन्दुसदृशाननैः। शिरोभिर्युद्धशौण्डानां सर्वतः संस्तृता मही ॥८-३३-५४॥
The earth was entirely covered with the heads of warriors, whose eyes were wide and coppery, and whose faces resembled lotuses and the moon.
तथा तु वितते व्योम्नि निस्वनं शुश्रुवुर्जनाः। विमानैरप्सरःसङ्घैर्गीतवादित्रनिस्वनैः ॥८-३३-५५॥
Thus, the people heard the sound in the vast sky, created by aircraft and groups of apsaras with songs and musical instruments.
हतान्कृत्तानभिमुखान्वीरान्वीरैः सहस्रशः। आरोप्यारोप्य गच्छन्ति विमानेष्वप्सरोगणाः ॥८-३३-५६॥
The celestial nymphs, in thousands, ascend the aerial cars with the slain and mutilated heroes who are facing their enemies, and depart.
तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं प्रत्यक्षं स्वर्गलिप्सया। प्रहृष्टमनसः शूराः क्षिप्रं जग्मुः परस्परम् ॥८-३३-५७॥
Upon witnessing the great wonder directly, driven by their desire for heaven, the delighted heroes quickly approached one another.
रथिनो रथिभिः सार्धं चित्रं युयुधुराहवे। पत्तयः पत्तिभिर्नागा नागैः सह हयैर्हयाः ॥८-३३-५८॥
The charioteers, along with other charioteers, fought marvelously in the battle; similarly, foot soldiers with foot soldiers, elephants with elephants, and horses with horses.
एवं प्रवृत्ते सङ्ग्रामे गजवाजिजनक्षये। सैन्ये च रजसा व्याप्ते स्वे स्वाञ्जघ्नुः परे परान् ॥८-३३-५९॥
In the ongoing battle, as elephants, horses, and men were being destroyed and the army was enveloped in dust, they mistakenly killed their own kinsmen and others their enemies.
कचाकचि बभौ युद्धं दन्तादन्ति नखानखि। मुष्टियुद्धं नियुद्धं च देहपाप्मविनाशनम् ॥८-३३-६०॥
The battle was intense, shining with tooth-to-tooth and nail-to-nail combat. It included fist-fighting and wrestling, leading to the destruction of the body's sins.
तथा वर्तति सङ्ग्रामे गजवाजिजनक्षये। नराश्वगजदेहेभ्यः प्रसृता लोहितापगा ॥ नराश्वगजदेहान्सा व्युवाह पतितान्बहून् ॥८-३३-६१॥
In the battle, there was a great slaughter of elephants, horses, and men. A river of blood flowed from their bodies, carrying away many of the fallen.
नराश्वगजसम्बाधे नराश्वगजसादिनाम्। लोहितोदा महाघोरा नदी लोहितकर्दमा ॥ नराश्वगजदेहान्सा वहन्ती भीरुभीषणी ॥८-३३-६२॥
In the midst of a throng of men, horses, and elephants, with riders atop them, flows a river with red waters and a terrifying appearance, carrying along the red mud and bodies of men, horses, and elephants, striking fear into the hearts of the timid.
तस्याः परमपारं च व्रजन्ति विजयैषिणः। गाधेन च प्लवन्तश्च निमज्ज्योन्मज्ज्य चापरे ॥८-३३-६३॥
Those who seek victory reach her ultimate shore, navigating with depth, floating, immersing, and emerging, while others follow.
ते तु लोहितदिग्धाङ्गा रक्तवर्मायुधाम्बराः। सस्नुस्तस्यां पपुश्चासृङ्मम्लुश्च भरतर्षभ ॥८-३३-६४॥
But they, with their limbs smeared in red and clothed in blood-red armor and weapons, bathed in that river, drank the blood, and became weary, O best of the Bharatas.
रथानश्वान्नरान्नागानायुधाभरणानि च। वसनान्यथ वर्माणि हन्यमानान्हतानपि ॥ भूमिं खं द्यां दिशश्चैव प्रायः पश्याम लोहितम् ॥८-३३-६५॥
We see almost everything around us—chariots, horses, men, elephants, weapons, ornaments, garments, and armors—being struck down and killed. The earth, sky, heaven, and all directions appear red.
लोहितस्य तु गन्धेन स्पर्शेन च रसेन च। रूपेण चातिरिक्तेन शब्देन च विसर्पता ॥ विषादः सुमहानासीत्प्रायः सैन्यस्य भारत ॥८-३३-६६॥
O Bharata, there was a great sorrow spreading through the army, caused by the overwhelming presence of the red, perceived through smell, touch, taste, form, and sound.
तत्तु विप्रहतं सैन्यं भीमसेनमुखैस्तव। भूयः समाद्रवन्वीराः सात्यकिप्रमुखा रथाः ॥८-३३-६७॥
Your army, though smashed by Bhimasena and his group, was once again charged by the heroes led by Satyaki's chariots.
तेषामापततां वेगमविषह्य महात्मनाम्। पुत्राणां ते महत्सैन्यमासीद्राजन्पराङ्मुखम् ॥८-३३-६८॥
The great souls attacked with such irresistible force that the sons' mighty army was turned away, O king.
तत्प्रकीर्णरथाश्वेभं नरवाजिसमाकुलम्। विध्वस्तचर्मकवचं प्रविद्धायुधकार्मुकम् ॥८-३३-६९॥
The battlefield was a chaotic scene, filled with scattered chariots, horses, elephants, and men, with armor and shields destroyed, and weapons and bows discarded.
व्यद्रवत्तावकं सैन्यं लोड्यमानं समन्ततः। सिंहार्दितं महारण्ये यथा गजकुलं तथा ॥८-३३-७०॥
Your army fled in all directions, shaken and terrified, just like a herd of elephants would scatter when attacked by a lion in a vast forest.
