08.050
Pancharatra and Core: After reconciling, obtaining blessings from Yudhishthira, Arjuna and Krishna move towards the battlefield, greeted by auspicious omens.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
iti sma kṛṣṇavacanātpratyuccārya yudhiṣṭhiram। babhūva vimanāḥ pārthaḥ kiñcitkṛtveva pātakam ॥8-50-1॥
Upon hearing Krishna's words, Arjuna addressed Yudhishthira and became disheartened, feeling as though he had committed a sin.
tato'bravīd vāsudevaḥ prahasann iva pāṇḍavam। kathaṃ nāma bhaved etad yadi tvaṃ pārtha dharmajam ॥ asinā tīkṣṇadhāreṇa hanyā dharme vyavasthitam ॥8-50-2॥
Then Vasudeva, with a smile, said to Pandava: "How could it be, O son of Pritha, that you, born of Dharma, would kill someone who is situated in righteousness with a sharp-edged sword?"
tvamityuktvaiva rajanamevaṁ kaśmalamāviśaḥ। hatvā tu nṛpatiṁ pārtha akariṣyaḥ kimuttaram ॥ evaṁ sudurvido dharmo mandaprajñairviśeṣataḥ ॥8-50-3॥
After addressing the king in this manner, you fall into confusion. O son of Pritha, after killing the king, what answer will you provide? Indeed, duty is extremely hard to comprehend, particularly for those who are not sharp-witted.
sa bhavāndharmabhīrutvāddhruvamaiṣyanmahattamaḥ। narakaṃ ghorarūpaṃ ca bhrāturjyeṣṭhasya vai vadhāt ॥8-50-4॥
You, being afraid of unrighteousness, will certainly go to the greatest and most terrible form of hell because of the killing of your eldest brother.
sa tvaṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ rājānaṃ dharmasaṃhitam। prasādaya kuruśreṣṭhametadatra mataṃ mama ॥8-50-5॥
"O best of the Kurus, please appease the king, the best among the upholders of dharma, who is bound by dharma. This is my opinion here."
prasādya bhaktyā rājānaṃ prītaṃ caiva yudhiṣṭhiram। prayāmas tvaritā yoddhuṃ sūtaputrarathaṃ prati ॥8-50-6॥
Having pleased the king with devotion, and with Yudhishthira's approval, we hastily move towards Karna's chariot to engage in battle.
hatvā sudurjayaṃ karṇaṃ tvamadya niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ। vipulāṃ prītimādhatsva dharmaputrasya mānada ॥8-50-7॥
"Today, having slain the formidable Karṇa with your sharp arrows, bring great joy to Yudhishthira, O honor-giver."
etadatra mahābāho prāptakālaṃ mataṃ mama। evaṃ kṛte kṛtaṃ caiva tava kāryaṃ bhaviṣyati ॥8-50-8॥
"O mighty-armed one, this is my opinion at the right time. If you act accordingly, your task will surely be accomplished."
tato'rjuno mahārāja lajjayā vai samanvitaḥ। dharmarājasya caraṇau prapede śirasānagha ॥8-50-9॥
Then Arjuna, filled with shame, approached Dharmaraja's feet with his head bowed, O sinless king.
uvāca bharataśreṣṭha prasīdeti punaḥ punaḥ। kṣamasva rājanyatproktaṃ dharmakāmena bhīruṇā ॥8-50-10॥
He repeatedly said, "O best of the Bharatas, please be gracious." He asked for forgiveness from the king for the words spoken by the timid one, who was motivated by a desire for righteousness.
pādayoḥ patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। dhanañjayamamitraghnaṃ rudantaṃ bharatarṣabha ॥8-50-11॥
Upon seeing Yudhishthira, the righteous king, fallen at the feet, Arjuna, the mighty warrior and protector of the Bharatas, began to weep.
utthāpya bhrātaraṃ rājā dharmarājo dhanañjayam। samāśliṣya ca sasnehaṃ praruroda mahīpatiḥ ॥8-50-12॥
King Dharmaraja, after lifting his brother Dhananjaya, embraced him with affection and wept.
ruditvā tu ciraṃ kālaṃ bhrātarau sumahādyutī। kṛtaśaucau naravyāghrau prītimantau babhūvatuḥ ॥8-50-13॥
After crying for a long time, the two illustrious brothers, having cleansed themselves, became affectionate and were like tigers among men.
tata āśliṣya sa premṇā mūrdhni cāghrāya pāṇḍavam। prītyā paramayā yuktaḥ prasmayaṃścābravījjayam ॥8-50-14॥
Then, with great affection, he embraced Pāṇḍava, kissed his head, and with a smile, said 'Victory'.
karṇena me mahābāho sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ। kavacaṃ ca dhvajaścaiva dhanuḥ śaktirhayā gadā ॥ śaraiḥ kṛttā maheṣvāsa yatamānasya saṃyuge ॥8-50-15॥
O mighty-armed one, while the entire army was watching, Karna cut my armor, flag, bow, spear, horses, and mace with arrows in the battle, O great archer, as I was striving.
so'haṁ jñātvā raṇe tasya karma dṛṣṭvā ca phalguna। vyavasīdāmi duḥkhena na ca me jīvitaṁ priyam ॥8-50-16॥
Having witnessed Arjuna's actions in the battle, I am filled with sorrow and despair, and life no longer holds any value for me.
tam adya yadi vai vīra na haniṣyasi sūtajam। prāṇān eva parityakṣye jīvitārtho hi ko mama ॥8-50-17॥
"Today, if you do not kill the son of a charioteer, O hero, I will abandon my life, for what is the purpose of my life indeed?"
evamuktaḥ pratyuvāca vijayo bharatarṣabha। satyena te śape rājanprasādena tavaiva ca ॥ bhīmena ca naraśreṣṭha yamābhyāṃ ca mahīpate ॥8-50-18॥
Upon being addressed thus, Vijaya responded, "O esteemed descendant of Bharata, I pledge to you truthfully, by your favor, and by Bhima, the foremost of men, as well as by the two Yamas, O sovereign of the land."
yathādya samare karṇaṃ haniṣyāmi hato'tha vā। mahītale patiṣyāmi satyenāyudhamālabhe ॥8-50-19॥
"Today, I vow to either slay Karṇa in battle or fall on the ground if I am slain. By truth, I take up my weapon."
evam ābhāṣya rājānam abravīn mādhavaṃ vacaḥ। adya karṇaṃ raṇe kṛṣṇa sūdayiṣye na saṃśayaḥ॥ tad anudhyāhi bhadraṃ te vadhaṃ tasya durātmanaḥ॥ 8-50-20॥
Having spoken thus to the king, he addressed Mādhava: "Today, O Kṛṣṇa, I will surely kill Karṇa in battle, without a doubt." Reflect on this, as it is beneficial for you, the destruction of that wicked soul.
evamukto'bravīt pārthaṃ keśavo rājasattama। śakto'smi bharataśreṣṭha yatnaṃ kartuṃ yathābalam ॥8-50-21॥
Having been addressed in this way, Krishna said to Arjuna, "O best of kings, I am indeed capable, O best of the Bharatas, of making an effort to the best of my ability."
evaṃ cāpi hi me kāmo nityameva mahāratha। kathaṃ bhavānraṇe karṇaṃ nihanyāditi me matiḥ ॥8-50-22॥
Thus, my constant desire, O great chariot-warrior, is to know how you could slay Karna in battle; this is my belief.
bhūyaścovāca matimānmādhavo dharmanandanam। yudhiṣṭhiremaṃ bībhatsuṃ tvaṃ sāntvayitumarhasi ॥ anujñātuṃ ca karṇasya vadhāyādya durātmanaḥ ॥8-50-23॥
Once more, the wise Madhava addressed Dharmanandana, urging him to console Bibhatsu and to give permission for the slaying of the wicked Karna today.
śrutvā hyayamahaṃ caiva tvāṃ karṇaśarapīḍitam। pravṛttiṃ jñātumāyātāviha pāṇḍavanandana ॥8-50-24॥
"Having heard of your affliction by Karna's arrow, I have come here to know the news, O beloved son of Pandava."
diṣṭyāsi rājannirujo diṣṭyā na grahaṇaṃ gataḥ। parisāntvaya bībhatsuṃ jayamāśādhi cānagha ॥8-50-25॥
"By good fortune, O king, you are healthy and have not been captured. Console Arjuna and secure victory, O sinless one."
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said:
ehyehi pārtha bībhatsō māṁ pariṣvaja pāṇḍava। vaktavyamuktō'smyahitaṁ tvayā kṣāntaṁ ca tanmayā ॥8-50-26॥
"Come, come, O son of Pritha, fearless one, embrace me, O Pandava. I have been told unpleasant things by you, and I have forgiven them."
ahaṁ tvām anujānāmi jahi karṇaṁ dhanañjaya। manyuṁ ca mā kṛthāḥ pārtha yan mayokto'si dāruṇam ॥8-50-27॥
I allow you, Arjuna, to slay Karṇa. Do not harbor anger, dear Partha, for my words have been severe.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tato dhanañjayo rājañśirasā praṇatastadā। pādau jagrāha pāṇibhyāṃ bhrāturjyeṣṭhasya māriṣa ॥8-50-28॥
Then Dhananjaya (Arjuna), with respect and humility, bowed down and touched the feet of his elder brother, showing reverence and honor.
samutthāpya tato rājā pariṣvajya ca pīḍitam। mūrdhnyupāghrāya caivainamidaṃ punaruvāca ha ॥8-50-29॥
The king, after lifting and embracing the afflicted one, smelled his head and spoke to him again.
dhanañjaya mahābāho mānito'smi dṛḍhaṃ tvayā। māhātmyaṃ vijayaṃ caiva bhūyaḥ prāpnuhi śāśvatam ॥8-50-30॥
O Dhananjaya, mighty-armed Arjuna, I am deeply honored by your firm support. May you attain eternal greatness and victory once more.
arjuna uvāca॥
Arjuna said:
adya taṁ pāpakarmāṇaṁ sānubandhaṁ raṇe śaraiḥ। nayāmyantaṁ samāsādya rādheyaṁ balagarvitam ॥8-50-31॥
Today, I will confront Radheya, who is proud of his strength, and bring an end to him and his followers in battle with my arrows.
yena tvaṁ pīḍito bāṇairdṛḍhamāyamya kārmukam। tasyādya karmaṇaḥ karṇaḥ phalaṁ prāpsyati dāruṇam ॥8-50-32॥
The one who afflicted you with arrows by firmly drawing the bow, today Karṇa will face the terrible consequences of his actions.
adya tvāmaham eṣyāmi karṇaṃ hatvā mahīpate। sabhājayitum ākrandād iti satyaṃ bravīmi te ॥8-50-33॥
"Today, O king, I promise you that I will return after killing Karṇa, and we shall celebrate the victory."
nāhatvā vinivarte'haṃ karṇamadya raṇājirāt। iti satyena te pādau spṛśāmi jagatīpate ॥8-50-34॥
I swear by truth, O lord of the world, that I shall not return from the battlefield today without killing Karṇa. Thus, I touch your feet.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
prasādya dharmarājānaṃ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā। pārthaḥ provāca govindaṃ sūtaputravadho dyataḥ ॥8-50-35॥
Arjuna, having pleased Dharmaraja and filled with inner joy, spoke to Govinda, ready to kill Karna.
kalpyatāṃ ca ratho bhūyo yujyantāṃ ca hayottamāḥ। āyudhāni ca sarvāṇi sajjyantāṃ vai mahārathe ॥8-50-36॥
"Let the chariot be prepared again, and let the best horses be yoked. Indeed, let all the weapons be made ready for the great chariot."
upāvṛttāśca turagāḥ śikṣitāścāśvasādinaḥ। rathopakaraṇaiḥ sarvairupāyāntu tvarānvitāḥ ॥8-50-37॥
The horses that have turned back and the trained horse riders should come quickly with all the chariot equipment.
evamukte mahārāja phalgunena mahātmanā। uvāca dārukaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ kuru sarvaṃ yathābravīt ॥ arjuno bharataśreṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvadhanuṣmatām ॥8-50-38॥
Upon hearing the words of the great soul Phalguna, O great king, Krishna instructed Daruka to act according to the instructions given by Arjuna, the foremost of the Bharatas and the finest among all archers.
ājñaptastvatha kṛṣṇena dāruko rājasattama। yojayāmāsa sa rathaṃ vaiyāghraṃ śatrutāpanam ॥8-50-39॥
Then, as ordered by Krishna, Daruka, the charioteer, prepared the formidable chariot that was like a tiger and a tormentor of enemies.
yuktaṁ tu rathamāsthāya dārukeṇa mahātmanā। āpṛcchya dharmarājānaṁ brāhmaṇānsvasti vācya ca ॥ samaṅgalasvastyayanamāruroha rathottamam ॥8-50-40॥
Having been equipped, the great soul mounted the chariot driven by Dāruka. After taking leave of Dharmaraja and the Brahmanas, and saying farewell, he ascended the best chariot with auspicious blessings.
tasya rājā mahāprājño dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। āśiṣo'yuṅkta paramā yuktāḥ karṇavadhaṃ prati ॥8-50-41॥
King Yudhishthira, the wise Dharmaraja, bestowed his supreme blessings appropriately towards the event of Karna's death.
taṃ prayāntaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhūtāni bhārata। nihataṃ menire karṇaṃ pāṇḍavena mahātmanā ॥8-50-42॥
As the great archer departed, the beings, O Bharata, believed that Karna had been slain by the noble Pandava.
babhūvurvimalāḥ sarvā diśo rājansamantataḥ। cāṣāśca śatapatrāśca krauñcāścaiva janeśvara ॥ pradakṣiṇamakurvanta tadā vai pāṇḍunandanam ॥8-50-43॥
O king, all directions became pure everywhere. Sparrows, lotuses, and cranes, O lord of people, indeed performed circumambulation then to the son of Pandu.
bahavaḥ pakṣiṇo rājanpuṃnāmānaḥ śubhāḥ śivāḥ। tvarayanto'rjunaṃ yuddhe hṛṣṭarūpā vavāśire ॥8-50-44॥
Many auspicious and benevolent birds, O king, with joyful forms, urged Arjuna in the battle and cried out.
kaṅkā gṛdhrā vaḍāścaiva vāyasāśca viśāṃ pate। agratastasya gacchanti bhakṣyahetorbhayānakāḥ ॥8-50-45॥
"O lord of men, herons, vultures, bats, and crows go ahead of him, fearsome in their quest for food."
nimittāni ca dhanyāni pārthasya praśaśaṁsire। vināśamarisainyānāṁ karṇasya ca vadhaṁ tathā ॥8-50-46॥
Auspicious omens praised Arjuna, foretelling the destruction of enemy armies and the fall of Karna.
prayātasyātha pārthasya mahān svedo vyajāyata। cintā ca vipulā jajñe kathaṁ nv etad bhaviṣyati ॥8-50-47॥
As Partha departed, he began to sweat profusely and was filled with great worry, pondering, 'How will this turn out?'
tato gāṇḍīvadhanvānamabravīnmadhusūdanaḥ। dṛṣṭvā pārthaṃ tadāyastaṃ cintāparigataṃ tadā ॥8-50-48॥
Then Madhusudana, seeing Partha distressed and overcome with anxiety, spoke to the wielder of the Gandiva bow.
gāṇḍīvadhanvansaṅgrāme ye tvayā dhanuṣā jitāḥ। na teṣāṃ mānuṣo jetā tvadanya iha vidyate ॥8-50-49॥
O wielder of the Gandiva bow, in battle, there is no human conqueror here other than you who has defeated them with the bow.
dṛṣṭā hi bahavaḥ śūrāḥ śakratulyaparākramāḥ। tvāṃ prāpya samare vīraṃ ye gatāḥ paramāṃ gatim ॥8-50-50॥
Many heroes, equal in valor to Indra, have been seen. Having encountered you in battle, they have reached the supreme state.
ko hi droṇaṁ ca bhīṣmaṁ ca bhagadattaṁ ca māriṣa। vindānuvindāvāvantyau kāmbojaṁ ca sudakṣiṇam ॥8-50-51॥
Who indeed can stand against Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Bhagadatta, O great one, Vindānuvinda, the Avanti brothers, Kāmboja, and Sudakshina?
śrutāyuṣaṃ mahāvīryamacyutāyuṣameva ca। pratyudgamya bhavetkṣemī yo na syāttvamiva kṣamī ॥8-50-52॥
Having heard of long life, great heroism, and imperishable life, one who approaches may become safe, but not like you, who is forgiving.
tava hyastrāṇi divyāni lāghavaṃ balameva ca। vedhaḥ pātaśca lakṣaśca yogaścaiva tavārjuna ॥ asaṃmohaśca yuddheṣu vijñānasya ca saṃnatiḥ ॥8-50-53॥
Indeed, Arjuna, your divine weapons, swiftness, strength, penetration, aim, and skill are unmatched. You possess clarity in battles, profound knowledge, and humility.
bhavāndevāsurānsarvānhanyātsahacarācarān। pṛthivyāṃ hi raṇe pārtha na yoddhā tvatsamaḥ pumān ॥8-50-54॥
You have the power to defeat all gods and demons, along with every being on earth, both moving and stationary. Truly, O Arjuna, no warrior matches your prowess in battle.
dhanurgr̥hā hi ye kecitkṣatriyā yuddhadurmadāḥ। ā devāttvatsamaṃ teṣāṃ na paśyāmi śr̥ṇomi vā ॥8-50-55॥
I do not see or hear of any archers or warriors, arrogant in battle, who are equal to you, even among the gods.
brahmaṇā ca prajāḥ sṛṣṭā gāṇḍīvaṃ ca mahādbhutam। yena tvaṃ yudhyase pārtha tasmānnāsti tvayā samaḥ ॥8-50-56॥
Brahma created all creatures and the magnificent Gandiva bow with which you fight, O Arjuna; therefore, no one is your equal.
avaśyaṃ tu mayā vācyaṃ yatpathyam tava pāṇḍava। māvamaṃsthā mahābāho karṇamāhavaśobhinam ॥8-50-57॥
"Certainly, I must speak what is beneficial to you, O son of Pandu. Do not underestimate Karna, O mighty-armed one, who shines in battle."
karṇo hi balavāndhṛṣṭaḥ kṛtāstraśca mahārathaḥ। kṛtī ca citrayodhī ca deśe kāle ca kovidaḥ ॥8-50-58॥
Karna is indeed strong and bold, skilled in weaponry, a great charioteer, accomplished and versatile in battle, and wise in understanding the right place and time.
tejasā vahnisaḍṛśo vāyuvegasamo jave। antakapratimaḥ krodhe siṃhasaṃhanano balī ॥8-50-59॥
He is as brilliant as fire, as swift as the wind, as fierce as Yama in anger, and as strong and well-built as a lion.
ayoratnirmahābāhurvyūḍhoraskaḥ sudurjayaḥ। atimānī ca śūraśca pravīraḥ priyadarśanaḥ ॥8-50-60॥
He is like iron, with mighty arms and a broad chest, difficult to defeat, very proud and heroic, very brave, and pleasing to look at.
sarvair yodhaguṇair yukto mitrāṇām abhayaṅkaraḥ। satataṃ pāṇḍavadveṣī dhārtarāṣṭrahite rataḥ ॥8-50-61॥
He was endowed with all the qualities of a warrior, instilling fearlessness in his friends, perpetually hostile towards the Pandavas, and dedicated to the welfare of the Dhartarashtras.
sarvairavadhyo rādheyo devairapi savāsavaiḥ। ṛte tvāmiti me buddhistvamadya jahi sūtajam ॥8-50-62॥
Radheya is considered invincible by everyone, including the gods with Vasava, except by you. Therefore, my belief is that you should kill the son of Suta today.
devairapi hi saṃyattairbibhradbhirmāṃsaśoṇitam। aśakyaḥ samare jetuṃ sarvairapi yuyutsubhiḥ ॥8-50-63॥
Even the gods, well-prepared and bearing flesh and blood, find it impossible to conquer in battle against all those who wish to fight.
durātmānaṃ pāpamatim nṛśaṃsaṃ; duṣṭaprajñaṃ pāṇḍaveyeṣu nityam। hīnasvārthaṃ pāṇḍaveyairvirodhe; hatvā karṇaṃ dhiṣṭhitārtho bhavādya ॥8-50-64॥
Today, having killed Karna, the wicked and evil-minded one who was always cruel and malicious among the Pandavas, selfishly opposing them, is established in purpose from you.
vīraṃ manyata ātmānaṃ yena pāpaḥ suyodhanaḥ। tamadya mūlaṃ pāpānāṃ jaya sautiṃ dhanañjaya ॥8-50-65॥
Suyodhana, the wicked, considers himself a hero today, thinking that he will conquer the root of all sins, Sauti, O Dhananjaya.
