08.034
Core and Pancharatra: Karna encounters Bhima, who is destroying the Kaurava army. Shalya takes unconscious Karna away, hit by Bhima.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तानभिद्रवतो दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवांस्तावकं बलम्। क्रोशतस्तव पुत्रस्य न स्म राजन्न्यवर्तत ॥८-३४-१॥
Seeing the Pāṇḍavas charging, your army did not stop shouting, O king, indeed your son did not halt.
ततः पक्षात्प्रपक्षाच्च प्रपक्षैश्चापि दक्षिणात्। उदस्तशस्त्राः कुरवो भीममभ्यद्रवन्रणे ॥८-३४-२॥
Then, the Kauravas, with their weapons raised, attacked Bhima from all sides, including the front, flanks, and south, during the battle.
कर्णोऽपि दृष्ट्वा द्रवतो धार्तराष्ट्रान्पराङ्मुखान्। हंसवर्णान्हयाग्र्यांस्तान्प्रैषीद्यत्र वृकोदरम् ॥८-३४-३॥
Karna, upon seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra fleeing and turning away, dispatched the white-colored excellent horses to where Bhima was.
ते प्रेषिता महाराज शल्येनाहवशोभिना। भीमसेनरथं प्राप्य समसज्जन्त वाजिनः ॥८-३४-४॥
The horses, dispatched by the great king Śalya, who shone in battle, were yoked to Bhīmasena's chariot after reaching it.
दृष्ट्वा कर्णं समायान्तं भीमः क्रोधसमन्वितः। मतिं दध्रे विनाशाय कर्णस्य भरतर्षभ ॥८-३४-५॥
Upon seeing Karṇa coming near, Bhīma, in his wrath, resolved to destroy Karṇa, O best of the Bharatas.
सोऽब्रवीत्सात्यकिं वीरं धृष्टद्युम्नं च पार्षतम्। एनं रक्षत राजानं धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥ संशयान्महतो मुक्तं कथञ्चित्प्रेक्षतो मम ॥८-३४-६॥
He instructed the brave Satyaki and Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the son of Pṛṣata, to protect the righteous King Yudhiṣṭhira, who had narrowly escaped great danger under his watchful eyes.
अग्रतो मे कृतो राजा छिन्नसर्वपरिच्छदः। दुर्योधनस्य प्रीत्यर्थं राधेयेन दुरात्मना ॥८-३४-७॥
In front of me, the king, with all his retinue severed, was made so by the evil-minded Radheya to please Duryodhana.
अन्तमद्य करिष्यामि तस्य दुःखस्य पार्षत। हन्ता वास्मि रणे कर्णं स वा मां निहनिष्यति ॥ सङ्ग्रामेण सुघोरेण सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि वः ॥८-३४-८॥
Today, O son of Prishata, I will put an end to his sorrow. Either I will kill Karna in battle, or he will kill me. This is the truth I declare to you in this dreadful war.
राजानमद्य भवतां न्यासभूतं ददामि वै। अस्य संरक्षणे सर्वे यतध्वं विगतज्वराः ॥८-३४-९॥
"Today, I entrust the king to your care. All of you should strive to protect him without any worry."
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुः प्रायादाधिरथिं प्रति। सिंहनादेन महता सर्वाः संनादयन्दिशः ॥८-३४-१०॥
Having spoken thus, the mighty-armed one departed towards Adhiratha, making all directions resound with a great lion's roar.
दृष्ट्वा त्वरितमायान्तं भीमं युद्धाभिनन्दिनम्। सूतपुत्रमथोवाच मद्राणामीश्वरो विभुः ॥८-३४-११॥
Upon seeing Bhima, who was eager for battle and approaching swiftly, the powerful ruler of the Madras spoke to the charioteer's son.
पश्य कर्ण महाबाहुं क्रुद्धं पाण्डवनन्दनम्। दीर्घकालार्जितं क्रोधं मोक्तुकामं त्वयि ध्रुवम् ॥८-३४-१२॥
Behold Karna, the mighty-armed and angry one, the joy of the Pandavas, who has long harbored anger and now seeks to release it upon you with certainty.
ईदृशं नास्य रूपं मे दृष्टपूर्वं कदाचन। अभिमन्यौ हते कर्ण राक्षसे वा घटोत्कचे ॥८-३४-१३॥
I have never seen such a form before, whether it is Abhimanyu, Karna, the demon, or Ghatotkacha who is slain.
त्रैलोक्यस्य समस्तस्य शक्तः क्रुद्धो निवारणे। बिभर्ति यादृशं रूपं कालाग्निसदृशं शुभम् ॥८-३४-१४॥
When angered, he who is capable of restraining the entire three worlds assumes a form that resembles the auspicious fire of destruction.
इति ब्रुवति राधेयं मद्राणामीश्वरे नृप। अभ्यवर्तत वै कर्णं क्रोधदीप्तो वृकोदरः ॥८-३४-१५॥
As the lord of the Madras was speaking to Radheya, O king, Vrikodara, burning with rage, approached Karna.
तथागतं तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य भीमं युद्धाभिनन्दिनम्। अब्रवीद्वचनं शल्यं राधेयः प्रहसन्निव ॥८-३४-१६॥
Upon seeing Bhima, who was rejoicing in the battle, Radheya, with a smile, addressed Shalya.
यदुक्तं वचनं मेऽद्य त्वया मद्रजनेश्वर। भीमसेनं प्रति विभो तत्सत्यं नात्र संशयः ॥८-३४-१७॥
The statement you made today, O king of Madra, to Bhimasena, O lord, is true; there is no doubt about it.
एष शूरश्च वीरश्च क्रोधनश्च वृकोदरः। निरपेक्षः शरीरे च प्राणतश्च बलाधिकः ॥८-३४-१८॥
This is Vrikodara, who is brave, heroic, and prone to anger. He is indifferent to both his body and life, and is superior in strength.
अज्ञातवासं वसता विराटनगरे तदा। द्रौपद्याः प्रियकामेन केवलं बाहुसंश्रयात् ॥ गूढभावं समाश्रित्य कीचकः सगणो हतः ॥८-३४-१९॥
During their incognito stay in the city of Virata, Kichaka, along with his followers, was killed by the Pandavas, who acted to please Draupadi, relying solely on their physical strength and hidden strategies.
सोऽद्य सङ्ग्रामशिरसि संनद्धः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः। किङ्करोद्यतदण्डेन मृत्युनापि व्रजेद्रणम् ॥८-३४-२०॥
Today, he stands at the forefront of the battle, armed and intoxicated with anger, ready to face even death itself as if it were a mere servant with a raised stick.
चिरकालाभिलषितो ममायं तु मनोरथः। अर्जुनं समरे हन्यां मां वा हन्याद्धनञ्जयः ॥ स मे कदाचिदद्यैव भवेद्भीमसमागमात् ॥८-३४-२१॥
For a long time, I have desired this wish: to either kill Arjuna in battle or be killed by Dhanañjaya. Perhaps today, this will come true by meeting Bhima.
निहते भीमसेने तु यदि वा विरथीकृते। अभियास्यति मां पार्थस्तन्मे साधु भविष्यति ॥ अत्र यन्मन्यसे प्राप्तं तच्छीघ्रं सम्प्रधारय ॥८-३४-२२॥
If Bhimasena is killed or rendered chariotless, Arjuna will come towards me; that will be favorable for me. Here, quickly consider what you deem appropriate.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं राधेयस्य महात्मनः। उवाच वचनं शल्यः सूतपुत्रं तथागतम् ॥८-३४-२३॥
Upon hearing the words of the noble Radheya, Shalya addressed the son of a charioteer who had arrived in such a manner.
अभियासि महाबाहो भीमसेनं महाबलम्। निरस्य भीमसेनं तु ततः प्राप्स्यसि फल्गुनम् ॥८-३४-२४॥
You, O mighty-armed one, approach Bhimasena, who possesses great strength. Once you have defeated Bhimasena, you will then achieve Arjuna.
यस्ते कामोऽभिलषितश्चिरात्प्रभृति हृद्गतः। स वै सम्पत्स्यते कर्ण सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥८-३४-२५॥
O Karna, the desire that has been in your heart for a long time will indeed come true. I assure you of this truth.
एवमुक्ते ततः कर्णः शल्यं पुनरभाषत। हन्ताहमर्जुनं सङ्ख्ये मां वा हन्ता धनञ्जयः ॥ युद्धे मनः समाधाय याहि याहीत्यचोदयत् ॥८-३४-२६॥
Upon hearing this, Karṇa spoke again to Śalya, expressing his determination: "I will either kill Arjuna in battle, or Dhanañjaya will kill me." With his mind resolved for the battle, he urged, "Go, go."
ततः प्रायाद्रथेनाशु शल्यस्तत्र विशां पते। यत्र भीमो महेष्वासो व्यद्रावयत वाहिनीम् ॥८-३४-२७॥
Then Śalya quickly rode his chariot to the place where Bhīma, the great archer, was causing havoc among the troops, O lord of men.
ततस्तूर्यनिनादश्च भेरीणां च महास्वनः। उदतिष्ठत राजेन्द्र कर्णभीमसमागमे ॥८-३४-२८॥
Then, O King, the sound of trumpets and the loud noise of drums arose as Karna and Bhima encountered each other.
भीमसेनोऽथ सङ्क्रुद्धस्तव सैन्यं दुरासदम्। नाराचैर्विमलैस्तीक्ष्णैर्दिशः प्राद्रावयद्बली ॥८-३४-२९॥
Then Bhimasena, in his anger, made your formidable army flee in all directions with his sharp and shining arrows, displaying his might.
स संनिपातस्तुमुलो भीमरूपो विशां पते। आसीद्रौद्रो महाराज कर्णपाण्डवयोर्मृधे ॥ ततो मुहूर्ताद्राजेन्द्र पाण्डवः कर्णमाद्रवत् ॥८-३४-३०॥
The fierce and tumultuous clash between Karna and Pandava was terrifying, O great king. Then, after a moment, Pandava charged at Karna.
तमापतन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य कर्णो वैकर्तनो वृषः। आजघानोरसि क्रुद्धो नाराचेन स्तनान्तरे ॥ पुनश्चैनममेयात्मा शरवर्षैरवाकिरत् ॥८-३४-३१॥
Seeing the approaching enemy, Karṇa, the mighty son of Vikartana, struck him angrily on the chest with an iron arrow between the breasts. Then, with an immeasurable spirit, he showered him with arrows again.
स विद्धः सूतपुत्रेण छादयामास पत्रिभिः। विव्याध निशितैः कर्ण नवभिर्नतपर्वभिः ॥८-३४-३२॥
He, having been pierced by the son of a charioteer, covered Karṇa with arrows and pierced him with nine sharp, bent-jointed arrows.
तस्य कर्णो धनुर्मध्ये द्विधा चिच्छेद पत्रिणा। अथ तं छिन्नधन्वानमभ्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे ॥ नाराचेन सुतीक्ष्णेन सर्वावरणभेदिना ॥८-३४-३३॥
His ear was severed in the middle of the bow by an arrow. Then, with a very sharp arrow that could pierce any armor, he struck him in the chest.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय सूतपुत्रं वृकोदरः। राजन्मर्मसु मर्मज्ञो विद्ध्वा सुनिशितैः शरैः ॥ ननाद बलवन्नादं कम्पयन्निव रोदसी ॥८-३४-३४॥
Vrikodara, the son of a charioteer, took another bow and pierced the vital parts with sharp arrows. O king, he roared with a mighty sound, as if shaking the heavens.
तं कर्णः पञ्चविंशत्या नाराचानां समार्दयत्। मदोत्कटं वने दृप्तमुल्काभिरिव कुञ्जरम् ॥८-३४-३५॥
Karna attacked him with twenty-five arrows, resembling an arrogant elephant in the forest, maddened and struck by blazing torches.
ततः सायकभिन्नाङ्गः पाण्डवः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः। संरम्भामर्षताम्राक्षः सूतपुत्रवधेच्छया ॥८-३४-३६॥
Then, the Pāṇḍava, his body pierced by arrows, was overcome with rage. His eyes turned red with anger and indignation, and he desired to kill the son of a charioteer.
स कार्मुके महावेगं भारसाधनमुत्तमम्। गिरीणामपि भेत्तारं सायकं समयोजयत् ॥८-३४-३७॥
He fitted the excellent arrow into the bow, which was capable of bearing great weight and speed, and could even pierce through mountains.
विकृष्य बलवच्चापमा कर्णादतिमारुतिः। तं मुमोच महेष्वासः क्रुद्धः कर्णजिघांसया ॥८-३४-३८॥
The great archer, filled with anger and intent on killing Karna, drew his bow with great force from his ear and released it like a mighty wind.
स विसृष्टो बलवता बाणो वज्राशनिस्वनः। अदारयद्रणे कर्णं वज्रवेग इवाचलम् ॥८-३४-३९॥
The arrow, released by the mighty warrior, sounded like a thunderbolt and struck Karṇa in the battle with the force of a thunderbolt, as if piercing a mountain.
स भीमसेनाभिहतो सूतपुत्रः कुरूद्वह। निषसाद रथोपस्थे विसञ्ज्ञः पृतनापतिः ॥८-३४-४०॥
The son of a charioteer, struck by Bhimasena, fell unconscious on the chariot seat, O descendant of Kuru, as the commander of the army.
ततो मद्राधिपो दृष्ट्वा विसञ्ज्ञं सूतनन्दनम्। अपोवाह रथेनाजौ कर्णमाहवशोभिनम् ॥८-३४-४१॥
Then the king of Madra, upon seeing the unconscious son of the charioteer, took Karna, who was resplendent in battle, away by chariot from the battlefield.
ततः पराजिते कर्णे धार्तराष्ट्रीं महाचमूम्। व्यद्रावयद्भीमसेनो यथेन्द्रो दानवीं चमूम् ॥८-३४-४२॥
After Karna was defeated, Bhimasena scattered the great Kaurava army, just as Indra once scattered the army of demons.
