08.042
Pancharatra and Core: Karna stood alone against the onslaught of the Pandava army, while Ashwatthama attacked Dhṛṣṭadyumna; instructed by Krishna, Arjuna rescued Dhṛṣṭadyumna from Ashwatthama; Karna wanted to take on Arjuna, but Arjuna moves towards the Samsaptakas.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततः पुनः समाजग्मुरभीताः कुरुसृञ्जयाः। युधिष्ठिरमुखाः पार्था वैकर्तनमुखा वयम् ॥८-४२-१॥
Then once more, the fearless Kurus and Srinjayas gathered, led by Yudhishthira and the sons of Pritha, while we were led by Karna.
ततः प्रववृते भीमः सङ्ग्रामो लोमहर्षणः। कर्णस्य पाण्डवानां च यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनः ॥८-४२-२॥
Then the fierce and hair-raising battle began between Karna and the Pandavas, which increased the domain of Yama.
तस्मिन्प्रवृत्ते सङ्ग्रामे तुमुले शोणितोदके। संशप्तकेषु शूरेषु किञ्चिच्छिष्टेषु भारत ॥८-४२-३॥
In that fierce and bloody battle that had commenced, among the warriors who had sworn to fight, a few heroes remained, O Bharata.
धृष्टद्युम्नो महाराज सहितः सर्वराजभिः। कर्णमेवाभिदुद्राव पाण्डवाश्च महारथाः ॥८-४२-४॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, accompanied by all the kings, charged at Karna, while the Pandavas, the great warriors, also joined the attack.
आगच्छमानांस्तान्सङ्ख्ये प्रहृष्टान्विजयैषिणः। दधारैको रणे कर्णो जलौघानिव पर्वतः ॥८-४२-५॥
Karṇa, like a mountain withstanding floods, stood alone against those who came joyfully seeking victory in battle.
तमासाद्य तु ते कर्णं व्यशीर्यन्त महारथाः। यथाचलं समासाद्य जलौघाः सर्वतोदिशम् ॥ तयोरासीन्महाराज सङ्ग्रामो लोमहर्षणः ॥८-४२-६॥
The great charioteers approached Karna and were scattered, like floods of water dispersing in all directions upon hitting a mountain. O great king, a hair-raising battle ensued between them.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु राधेयं शरेण नतपर्वणा। ताडयामास सङ्क्रुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥८-४२-७॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, in anger, struck Karna with a bent-jointed arrow and said, "Stay, stay!"
विजयं तु धनुःश्रेष्ठं विधुन्वानो महारथः। पार्षतस्य धनुश्छित्त्वा शरानाशीविषोपमान् ॥ ताडयामास सङ्क्रुद्धः पार्षतं नवभिः शरैः ॥८-४२-८॥
Vijaya, the great chariot-warrior, wielding the best of bows, cut down the bow of the son of Prishata and, in his rage, struck him with nine arrows that were like venomous snakes.
ते वर्म हेमविकृतं भित्त्वा तस्य महात्मनः। शोणिताक्ता व्यराजन्त शक्रगोपा इवानघ ॥८-४२-९॥
They pierced the golden armor of the great soul and shone with blood, resembling the guards of Indra, O sinless one.
तदपास्य धनुश्छिन्नं धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथः। अन्यद्धनुरुपादाय शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान् ॥ कर्णं विव्याध सप्तत्या शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥८-४२-१०॥
Dhrishtadyumna, the great charioteer, discarded his broken bow, took another one along with serpent-like arrows, and pierced Karna with seventy of them, each having curved joints.
तथैव राजन्कर्णोऽपि पार्षतं शत्रुतापनम्। द्रोणशत्रुं महेष्वासो विव्याध निशितैः शरैः ॥८-४२-११॥
In the same manner, O king, Karna attacked Parshata, the tormentor of enemies and foe of Drona, with his sharp arrows.
तस्य कर्णो महाराज शरं कनकभूषणम्। प्रेषयामास सङ्क्रुद्धो मृत्युदण्डमिवापरम् ॥८-४२-१२॥
Karṇa, in his anger, sent the golden-ornamented arrow as if it were another death sentence, O great king.
तमापतन्तं सहसा घोररूपं विशां पते। चिच्छेद सप्तधा राजञ्शैनेयः कृतहस्तवत् ॥८-४२-१३॥
The son of Śini skillfully cut the approaching terrible figure into seven parts, O king.
दृष्ट्वा विनिहितं बाणं शरैः कर्णो विशां पते। सात्यकिं शरवर्षेण समन्तात्पर्यवारयत् ॥८-४२-१४॥
Upon seeing the arrow positioned, Karna, the lord of the people, enveloped Satyaki with a barrage of arrows from every direction.
विव्याध चैनं समरे नाराचैस्तत्र सप्तभिः। तं प्रत्यविध्यच्छैनेयः शरैर्हेमविभूषितैः ॥८-४२-१५॥
In the battle, he struck him with seven iron arrows, and in return, the son of Śini struck him with arrows decorated with gold.
ततो युद्धमतीवासीच्चक्षुःश्रोत्रभयावहम्। राजन्घोरं च चित्रं च प्रेक्षणीयं समन्ततः ॥८-४२-१६॥
Then, O king, the battle became extremely terrifying to behold and hear, both dreadful and marvelous, and a spectacle in every direction.
सर्वेषां तत्र भूतानां लोमहर्षो व्यजायत। तद्दृष्ट्वा समरे कर्म कर्णशैनेययोर्नृप ॥८-४२-१७॥
All the beings there experienced horripilation. O king, upon seeing the actions of Karna and Shainya in battle.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे द्रौणिरभ्ययात्सुमहाबलम्। पार्षतं शत्रुदमनं शत्रुवीर्यासुनाशनम् ॥८-४२-१८॥
During this time, the mighty son of Drona approached the son of Prishata, who was known for subduing enemies and destroying the life force of enemy heroes.
अभ्यभाषत सङ्क्रुद्धो द्रौणिर्दूरे धनञ्जये। तिष्ठ तिष्ठाद्य ब्रह्मघ्न न मे जीवन्विमोक्ष्यसे ॥८-४२-१९॥
Aśvatthāmā, filled with rage, called out to Arjuna from afar: "Halt, halt, O killer of a Brahmin, today you shall not leave alive from my presence."
इत्युक्त्वा सुभृशं वीरः शीघ्रकृन्निशितैः शरैः। पार्षतं छादयामास घोररूपैः सुतेजनैः ॥ यतमानं परं शक्त्या यतमानो महारथः ॥८-४२-२०॥
Having spoken thus, the valiant hero swiftly covered Pārṣata, the son of Pṛṣata, with sharp, terrible-looking, well-feathered arrows. The great chariot warrior was striving with supreme power.
यथा हि समरे द्रौणिः पार्षतं वीक्ष्य मारिष। तथा द्रौणिं रणे दृष्ट्वा पार्षतः परवीरहा ॥ नातिहृष्टमना भूत्वा मन्यते मृत्युमात्मनः ॥८-४२-२१॥
In the battle, just as Drona's son looked at Parshata, O great one, similarly, seeing Drona's son in the battle, Parshata, the slayer of enemy heroes, not very pleased in mind, contemplates his own death.
द्रौणिस्तु दृष्ट्वा राजेन्द्र धृष्टद्युम्नं रणे स्थितम्। क्रोधेन निःश्वसन्वीरः पार्षतं समुपाद्रवत् ॥ तावन्योन्यं तु दृष्ट्वैव संरम्भं जग्मतुः परम् ॥८-४२-२२॥
Aśvatthāmā, upon seeing Dhṛṣṭadyumna standing in the battlefield, became enraged and attacked him. Both of them, upon seeing each other, were filled with intense excitement.
अथाब्रवीन्महाराज द्रोणपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। धृष्टद्युम्नं समीपस्थं त्वरमाणो विशां पते ॥ पाञ्चालापसदाद्य त्वां प्रेषयिष्यामि मृत्यवे ॥८-४२-२३॥
Then the powerful son of Droṇa, in haste, addressed the nearby Dhṛṣṭadyumna, saying, "O great king, lord of men, I shall send you to your death at the hands of the lowly Pāñcālas."
पापं हि यत्त्वया कर्म घ्नता द्रोणं पुरा कृतम्। अद्य त्वा पत्स्यते तद्वै यथा ह्यकुशलं तथा ॥८-४२-२४॥
The sin you committed by killing Droṇa in the past will catch up with you today, rendering you ineffective.
अरक्ष्यमाणः पार्थेन यदि तिष्ठसि संयुगे। नापक्रमसि वा मूढ सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥८-४२-२५॥
If you, unprotected by Arjuna, stand in battle and do not retreat, O fool, I tell you this truth.
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच धृष्टद्युम्नः प्रतापवान्। प्रतिवाक्यं स एवासिर्मामको दास्यते तव ॥ येनैव ते पितुर्दत्तं यतमानस्य संयुगे ॥८-४२-२६॥
Upon being addressed in this manner, the powerful Dhṛṣṭadyumna replied: "Indeed, my sword will provide you with a response, the same sword given to your father for his efforts in battle."
यदि तावन्मया द्रोणो निहतो ब्राह्मणब्रुवः। त्वामिदानीं कथं युद्धे न हनिष्यामि विक्रमात् ॥८-४२-२७॥
If I could kill Droṇa, who claimed to be a Brahmin, then how can I not defeat you now in battle with my prowess?
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज सेनापतिरमर्षणः। निशितेनाथ बाणेन द्रौणिं विव्याध पार्षतः ॥८-४२-२८॥
After speaking thus, the indignant general, O great king, pierced Ashwatthama, the son of Drona, with a sharp arrow.
ततो द्रोणिः सुसङ्क्रुद्धः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। प्राच्छादयद्दिशो राजन्धृष्टद्युम्नस्य संयुगे ॥८-४२-२९॥
Then, in the battle, Droṇa, filled with intense anger, covered all directions with his arrows, O king, targeting Dhṛṣṭadyumna.
नैवान्तरिक्षं न दिशो नैव योधाः समन्ततः। दृश्यन्ते वै महाराज शरैश्छन्नाः सहस्रशः ॥८-४२-३०॥
O great king, neither the sky nor the directions nor the warriors all around can be seen, as they are covered by thousands of arrows.
तथैव पार्षतो राजन्द्रौणिमाहवशोभिनम्। शरैः सञ्छादयामास सूतपुत्रस्य पश्यतः ॥८-४२-३१॥
In the same manner, the son of Prishata, the king, enveloped Drona's son, who was resplendent in battle, with arrows as Karna looked on.
राधेयोऽपि महाराज पाञ्चालान्सह पाण्डवैः। द्रौपदेयान्युधामन्युं सात्यकिं च महारथम् ॥ एकः स वारयामास प्रेक्षणीयः समन्ततः ॥८-४२-३२॥
Karna, O great king, single-handedly held back the Panchalas along with the Pandavas, the sons of Draupadi, Yudhamanyu, and the great chariot-warrior Satyaki, displaying admirable skill all around.
धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि समरे द्रौणेश्चिच्छेद कार्मुकम्। तदपास्य धनुश्छिन्नमन्यदादत्त कार्मुकम् ॥ वेगवत्समरे घोरं शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान् ॥८-४२-३३॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, in the battle, cut the bow of Droṇa's son. After discarding the broken bow, he took another one and swiftly shot terrible arrows that were like serpents.
स पार्षतस्य राजेन्द्र धनुः शक्तिं गदां ध्वजम्। हयान्सूतं रथं चैव निमेषाद्व्यधमच्छरैः ॥८-४२-३४॥
In a moment, he, O king, scattered with arrows the bow, spear, mace, flag, horses, charioteer, and chariot of the son of Prishata.
स छिन्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः। खड्गमादत्त विपुलं शतचन्द्रं च भानुमत् ॥८-४२-३५॥
He, having his bow broken, chariot destroyed, horses and charioteer slain, took up a large, shining sword adorned with a hundred moon-like spots.
द्रौणिस्तदपि राजेन्द्र भल्लैः क्षिप्रं महारथः। चिच्छेद समरे वीरः क्षिप्रहस्तो दृढायुधः ॥ रथादनवरूढस्य तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥८-४२-३६॥
Even then, O King, Drona's son, the great chariot warrior, quickly and skillfully cut with arrows in battle, appearing as if it was a wonderful feat, without descending from his chariot.
धृष्टद्युम्नं तु विरथं हताश्वं छिन्नकार्मुकम्। शरैश्च बहुधा विद्धमस्त्रैश्च शकलीकृतम् ॥ नातरद्भरतश्रेष्ठ यतमानो महारथः ॥८-४२-३७॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, despite being a great chariot warrior and striving hard, could not cross the battlefield as his chariot was destroyed, his horses were killed, his bow was broken, and he was pierced and shattered by numerous arrows and weapons, O best of the Bharatas.
तस्यान्तमिषुभी राजन्यदा द्रौणिर्न जग्मिवान्। अथ त्यक्त्वा धनुर्वीरः पार्षतं त्वरितोऽन्वगात् ॥८-४२-३८॥
O king, when Aśvatthāmā could not achieve his end with arrows, he, the hero, abandoned his bow and quickly pursued Pārṣata (Sṛñjaya).
आसीदाद्रवतो राजन्वेगस्तस्य महात्मनः। गरुडस्येव पततो जिघृक्षोः पन्नगोत्तमम् ॥८-४२-३९॥
O king, the speed of that great soul, as he ran, was akin to Garuda's flight when he sought to capture the finest serpent.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु माधवोऽर्जुनमब्रवीत्। पश्य पार्थ यथा द्रौणिः पार्षतस्य वधं प्रति ॥ यत्नं करोति विपुलं हन्याच्चैनमसंशयम् ॥८-४२-४०॥
At that moment, Madhava spoke to Arjuna, "Look, O Partha, how Drona's son is making a great effort to kill the son of Prishata, and he will surely succeed."
तं मोचय महाबाहो पार्षतं शत्रुतापनम्। द्रौणेरास्यमनुप्राप्तं मृत्योरास्यगतं यथा ॥८-४२-४१॥
O mighty-armed one, release the son of Prishata, the scorcher of foes, who has fallen into the clutches of Drona's son, as if he has entered the jaws of death.
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज वासुदेवः प्रतापवान्। प्रैषयत्तत्र तुरगान्यत्र द्रौणिर्व्यवस्थितः ॥८-४२-४२॥
After speaking thus, O great king, the mighty Vasudeva sent the horses to the place where Ashwatthama, the son of Drona, was positioned.
ते हयाश्चन्द्रसङ्काशाः केशवेन प्रचोदिताः। पिबन्त इव तद्व्योम जग्मुर्द्रौणिरथं प्रति ॥८-४२-४३॥
The horses, shining like the moon and driven by Keshava, galloped towards Ashwatthama's chariot as if they were drinking up the sky.
दृष्ट्वायान्तौ महावीर्यावुभौ कृष्णधनञ्जयौ। धृष्टद्युम्नवधे राजंश्चक्रे यत्नं महाबलः ॥८-४२-४४॥
Upon seeing the mighty Krishna and Arjuna approaching, the powerful one made efforts to kill Dhrishtadyumna, O king.
विकृष्यमाणं दृष्ट्वैव धृष्टद्युम्नं जनेश्वर। शरांश्चिक्षेप वै पार्थो द्रौणिं प्रति महाबलः ॥८-४२-४५॥
Upon witnessing Dhṛṣṭadyumna being dragged, Arjuna, the mighty one, sent arrows towards Aśvatthāmā, O lord of the people.
ते शरा हेमविकृता गाण्डीवप्रेषिता भृशम्। द्रौणिमासाद्य विविशुर्वल्मीकमिव पन्नगाः ॥८-४२-४६॥
The golden arrows, shot with great force from Gandiva, struck Ashwatthama and penetrated him like snakes entering an anthill.
स विध्वस्तैः शरैर्घोरैर्द्रोणपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। रथमारुरुहे वीरो धनञ्जयशरार्दितः ॥ प्रगृह्य च धनुः श्रेष्ठं पार्थं विव्याध सायकैः ॥८-४२-४७॥
The valiant son of Drona, overwhelmed by Dhananjaya's fierce arrows, climbed onto his chariot. Grasping his finest bow, he shot arrows at Partha.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वीरः सहदेवो जनाधिप। अपोवाह रथेनाजौ पार्षतं शत्रुतापनम् ॥८-४२-४८॥
During this time, the brave Sahadeva, a king, took Pārṣata, the tormentor of enemies, away in his chariot during the battle.
अर्जुनोऽपि महाराज द्रौणिं विव्याध पत्रिभिः। तं द्रोणपुत्रः सङ्क्रुद्धो बाह्वोरुरसि चार्दयत् ॥८-४२-४९॥
Arjuna, O great king, attacked Drona's son with arrows, and in return, the enraged son of Drona struck Arjuna in the arms and chest.
क्रोधितस्तु रणे पार्थो नाराचं कालसंमितम्। द्रोणपुत्राय चिक्षेप कालदण्डमिवापरम् ॥ स ब्राह्मणस्यांसदेशे निपपात महाद्युतिः ॥८-४२-५०॥
In the battle, an angry Arjuna hurled an arrow, as powerful as time itself, at Drona's son. It struck the Brahmin's shoulder with great radiance.
स विह्वलो महाराज शरवेगेन संयुगे। निषसाद रथोपस्थे वैक्लव्यं च परं ययौ ॥८-४२-५१॥
The great king, overwhelmed by the speed of arrows during the battle, sat down on his chariot seat and fell into deep despair.
ततः कर्णो महाराज व्याक्षिपद्विजयं धनुः। अर्जुनं समरे क्रुद्धः प्रेक्षमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ द्वैरथं चापि पार्थेन कामयानो महारणे ॥८-४२-५२॥
Then Karṇa, O great king, stretched his bow named Vijaya, repeatedly looking at Arjuna in anger, desiring a duel with him in the great battle.
तं तु हित्वा हतं वीरं सारथिः शत्रुकर्शनम्। अपोवाह रथेनाजौ त्वरमाणो रणाजिरात् ॥८-४२-५३॥
The charioteer, known for tormenting enemies, quickly left the slain hero and carried him away from the battlefield in his chariot.
अथोत्क्रुष्टं महाराज पाञ्चालैर्जितकाशिभिः। मोक्षितं पार्षतं दृष्ट्वा द्रोणपुत्रं च पीडितम् ॥८-४२-५४॥
Then, O great king, the Panchalas and the victorious Kashi people exclaimed as they saw the son of Prishata released and the son of Drona afflicted.
वादित्राणि च दिव्यानि प्रावाद्यन्त सहस्रशः। सिंहनादश्च सञ्जज्ञे दृष्ट्वा घोरं महाद्भुतम् ॥८-४२-५५॥
Thousands of divine musical instruments were played, and a lion's roar arose upon witnessing the terrible and great wonder.
एवं कृत्वाब्रवीत्पार्थो वासुदेवं धनञ्जयः। याहि संशप्तकान्कृष्ण कार्यमेतत्परं मम ॥८-४२-५६॥
After completing his actions, Arjuna addressed Krishna, urging him to proceed towards the Samsaptakas, emphasizing that this was his utmost duty.
ततः प्रयातो दाशार्हः श्रुत्वा पाण्डवभाषितम्। रथेनातिपताकेन मनोमारुतरंहसा ॥८-४२-५७॥
Then the descendant of the Daśārhas, upon hearing the words of the Pāṇḍavas, departed swiftly in his chariot adorned with a grand flag, moving as fast as the mind and wind.
