08.056
Pancharatra and Core: Praise for Karna's valour and description of how Pandava army was shattered by him single-handedly.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra said:
ततो भग्नेषु सैन्येषु भीमसेनेन संयुगे। दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्किं नु सौबलो वापि सञ्जय ॥८-५६-१॥
Then, as the armies were shattered by Bhimasena in battle, Duryodhana asked, "What happened to Saubala or Sanjaya?"
कर्णो वा जयतां श्रेष्ठो योधा वा मामका युधि। कृपो वा कृतवर्मा च द्रौणिर्दुःशासनोऽपि वा ॥८-५६-२॥
Karna, the best among the victorious warriors, or my warriors in battle, whether it be Kripa, Kritavarma, Drona's son, or even Duhshasana.
अत्यद्भुतमिदं मन्ये पाण्डवेयस्य विक्रमम्। यथाप्रतिज्ञं योधानां राधेयः कृतवानपि ॥८-५६-३॥
I find the valor of the son of Pandu to be truly remarkable. Radheya has fulfilled his promise to the warriors.
कुरूणामपि सर्वेषां कर्णः शत्रुनिषूदनः। शर्म वर्म प्रतिष्ठा च जीविताशा च सञ्जय ॥८-५६-४॥
Karna, the destroyer of enemies, was the joy, armor, prestige, and hope of life for all the Kurus, including Sanjaya.
तत्प्रभग्नं बलं दृष्ट्वा कौन्तेयेनामितौजसा। राधेयानामधिरथः कर्णः किमकरोद्युधि ॥८-५६-५॥
Upon witnessing the formidable force shattered by the mighty son of Kunti, what action did Karna, the charioteer of the Radheya lineage, take on the battlefield?
पुत्रा वा मम दुर्धर्षा राजानो वा महारथाः। एतन्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व कुशलो ह्यसि सञ्जय ॥८-५६-६॥
"O Sanjaya, tell me about my sons or the invincible kings or the great charioteers, as you are indeed skilled in this matter."
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
अपराह्णे महाराज सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। जघान सोमकान्सर्वान्भीमसेनस्य पश्यतः ॥
In the afternoon, O great king, the valiant son of a charioteer killed all the Somakas while Bhīmasena was watching.
द्राव्यमाणं बलं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनेन धीमता। यन्तारमब्रवीत्कर्णः पाञ्चालानेव मा वह ॥८-५६-८॥
Karna, observing the army being driven by the wise Bhimasena, instructed his charioteer not to carry only the Panchalas.
मद्रराजस्ततः शल्यः श्वेतानश्वान्महाजवान्। प्राहिणोच्चेदिपाञ्चालान्करूषांश्च महाबलः ॥८-५६-९॥
Then King Śalya of Madra sent forth his swift white horses along with the mighty warriors of Edi, Pāñcālas, and Karuṣas.
प्रविश्य च स तां सेनां शल्यः परबलार्दनः। न्ययच्छत्तुरगान्हृष्टो यत्र यत्रैच्छदग्रणीः ॥८-५६-१०॥
Shalya, the destroyer of enemy forces, entered the army and joyfully restrained the horses wherever the leader wished.
तं रथं मेघसङ्काशं वैयाघ्रपरिवारणम्। संदृश्य पाण्डुपाञ्चालास्त्रस्ता आसन्विशां पते ॥८-५६-११॥
Upon seeing that chariot, which was as formidable as a cloud and adorned with tiger symbols, the Pandavas and Panchalas were struck with fear, O lord of the people.
ततो रथस्य निनदः प्रादुरासीन्महारणे। पर्जन्यसमनिर्घोषः पर्वतस्येव दीर्यतः ॥८-५६-१२॥
Then the sound of the chariot arose in the great battle, resembling the roar of a cloud, as if the mountain itself were splitting apart.
ततः शरशतैस्तीक्ष्णैः कर्णोऽप्याकर्णनिःसृतैः। जघान पाण्डवबलं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥८-५६-१३॥
Then Karna, using his sharp arrows drawn to the ear, attacked the Pandava army in hundreds and thousands.
तं तथा समरे कर्म कुर्वाणमतिमानुषम्। परिवव्रुर्महेष्वासाः पाण्डवानां महारथाः ॥८-५६-१४॥
The great archers and warriors of the Pandavas surrounded him, who was performing superhuman feats in the battle.
तं शिखण्डी च भीमश्च धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च द्रौपदेयाः ससात्यकाः ॥ परिवव्रुर्जिघांसन्तो राधेयं शरवृष्टिभिः ॥८-५६-१५॥
Shikhandi, Bhima, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, Nakula, Sahadeva, the sons of Draupadi, and Satyaki surrounded Karna, intending to kill him with a barrage of arrows.
सात्यकिस्तु ततः कर्णं विंशत्या निशितैः शरैः। अताडयद्रणे शूरो जत्रुदेशे नरोत्तमः ॥८-५६-१६॥
Satyaki, the best among men, heroically struck Karna in the collarbone region with twenty sharp arrows during the battle.
शिखण्डी पञ्चविंशत्या धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पञ्चभिः। द्रौपदेयाश्चतुःषष्ट्या सहदेवश्च सप्तभिः ॥ नकुलश्च शतेनाजौ कर्णं विव्याध सायकैः ॥८-५६-१७॥
Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, the sons of Draupadi, Sahadeva, and Nakula attacked Karna in battle with their respective forces, using arrows to pierce him.
भीमसेनस्तु राधेयं नवत्या नतपर्वणाम्। विव्याध समरे क्रुद्धो जत्रुदेशे महाबलः ॥८-५६-१८॥
Bhimasena, in his anger, pierced Radheya in the collar region with ninety arrows in the battle. The mighty warrior was furious.
ततः प्रहस्याधिरथिर्विक्षिपन्धनुरुत्तमम्। मुमोच निशितान्बाणान्पीडयन्सुमहाबलः ॥ तान्प्रत्यविध्यद्राधेयः पञ्चभिः पञ्चभिः शरैः ॥८-५६-१९॥
Then, with a smile, Adhirathi skillfully wielded his excellent bow and unleashed a volley of sharp arrows, demonstrating his immense strength. Radheya, however, skillfully countered each of those arrows with five of his own.
सात्यकेस्तु धनुश्छित्त्वा ध्वजं च पुरुषर्षभः। अथैनं नवभिर्बाणैराजघान स्तनान्तरे ॥८-५६-२०॥
The bull among men, after cutting down Satyaki's bow and flag, struck him in the chest with nine arrows.
भीमसेनस्तु तं क्रुद्धो विव्याध त्रिंशता शरैः। सारथिं च त्रिभिर्बाणैराजघान परन्तपः ॥८-५६-२१॥
Bhimasena, in his anger, shot thirty arrows at him and struck the charioteer with three arrows, demonstrating his prowess as a subduer of foes.
विरथान्द्रौपदेयांश्च चकार पुरुषर्षभः। अक्ष्णोर्निमेषमात्रेण तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥८-५६-२२॥
The best among men, in an astonishing feat, rendered the sons of Draupadi without their chariots in the blink of an eye.
विमुखीकृत्य तान्सर्वाञ्शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। पाञ्चालानहनच्छूरश्चेदीनां च महारथान् ॥८-५६-२३॥
The hero, having turned all of them away with his curved arrows, struck down the Pāñcālas and the great chariot-warriors of the Cedis.
ते वध्यमानाः समरे चेदिमत्स्या विशां पते। कर्णमेकमभिद्रुत्य शरसङ्घैः समार्दयन् ॥ ताञ्जघान शितैर्बाणैः सूतपुत्रो महारथः ॥८-५६-२४॥
The Chedis and Matsyas, being attacked in battle, O lord of men, focused their assault on Karna alone with volleys of arrows, harassing him. However, Karna, the great warrior and son of a charioteer, retaliated and killed them with his sharp arrows.
एतदत्यद्भुतं कर्णे दृष्टवानस्मि भारत। यदेकः समरे शूरान्सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान् ॥८-५६-२५॥
I have witnessed this astonishing event, O Bhārata, where a single, glorious son of a charioteer stood valiantly among the heroes in battle.
यतमानान्परं शक्त्यायोधयत्तांश्च धन्विनः। पाण्डवेयान्महाराज शरैर्वारितवान्रणे ॥८-५६-२६॥
The archers, with all their might, engaged in battle and held back the Pandavas with their arrows, O great king.
तत्र भारत कर्णस्य लाघवेन महात्मनः। तुतुषुर्देवताः सर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः ॥८-५६-२७॥
There, O Bhārata, the swiftness of the great soul Karṇa pleased all the gods, the perfected ones, and the great sages.
अपूजयन्महेष्वासा धार्तराष्ट्रा नरोत्तमम्। कर्णं रथवरश्रेष्ठं श्रेष्ठं सर्वधनुष्मताम् ॥८-५६-२८॥
The sons of Dhritarashtra, who were great archers, honored Karna, the supreme among men and the foremost of all chariot warriors.
ततः कर्णो महाराज ददाह रिपुवाहिनीम्। कक्षमिद्धो यथा वह्निर्निदाघे ज्वलितो महान् ॥८-५६-२९॥
Then, O great king, Karṇa burned the enemy army like a great fire blazing in the forest during summer.
ते वध्यमानाः कर्णेन पाण्डवेयास्ततस्ततः। प्राद्रवन्त रणे भीताः कर्णं दृष्ट्वा महाबलम् ॥८-५६-३०॥
The sons of Pandu, being slain by the mighty Karna, fled here and there in fear upon seeing him in the battle.
तत्राक्रन्दो महानासीत्पाञ्चालानां महारणे। वध्यतां सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैः कर्णचापवरच्युतैः ॥८-५६-३१॥
In the great battle, the Pāñcālas cried out loudly as they were being slain by the sharp arrows shot from Karna's mighty bow.
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ता पाण्डवानां महाचमूः। कर्णमेकं रणे योधं मेनिरे तत्र शात्रवाः ॥८-५६-३२॥
The sound terrified the great army of the Pandavas, and the enemies there regarded Karna as the sole warrior in the battle.
तत्राद्भुतं परं चक्रे राधेयः शत्रुकर्शनः। यदेकं पाण्डवाः सर्वे न शेकुरभिवीक्षितुम् ॥८-५६-३३॥
There, Radheya, the son of Radha, performed a supreme and wonderful feat that none of the Pandavas were able to witness.
यथौघः पर्वतश्रेष्ठमासाद्याभिप्रदीर्यते। तथा तत्पाण्डवं सैन्यं कर्णमासाद्य दीर्यते ॥८-५६-३४॥
Just as a flood is shattered upon reaching the best of mountains, so too is the Pandava army shattered upon reaching Karna.
कर्णोऽपि समरे राजन्विधूमोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन्। दहंस्तस्थौ महाबाहुः पाण्डवानां महाचमूम् ॥८-५६-३५॥
Karna, with his mighty arms, stood in battle like a smokeless blazing fire, consuming the great army of the Pandavas, O king.
शिरांसि च महाराज कर्णांश्चञ्चलकुण्डलान्। बाहूंश्च वीरो वीराणां चिच्छेद लघु चेषुभिः ॥८-५६-३६॥
O great king, the hero swiftly severed the heads, ears adorned with moving earrings, and arms of the warriors using arrows.
हस्तिदन्तान्त्सरून्खड्गान्ध्वजाञ्शक्तीर्हयान्गजान्। रथांश्च विविधान्राजन्पताका व्यजनानि च ॥८-५६-३७॥
O king, there were elephant tusks, chariots, swords, flags, spears, horses, elephants, and various banners and fans.
अक्षेषायुगयोक्त्राणि चक्राणि विविधानि च। चिच्छेद शतधा कर्णो योधव्रतमनुष्ठितः ॥८-५६-३८॥
Karṇa, committed to his warrior's duty, skillfully dismantled the chariots by cutting their axles, yokes, harnesses, and wheels into numerous pieces.
तत्र भारत कर्णेन निहतैर्गजवाजिभिः। अगम्यरूपा पृथिवी मांसशोणितकर्दमा ॥८-५६-३९॥
In that place, O Bhārata, the ground was rendered impassable by Karṇa, as it was covered with the bodies of slain elephants and horses, and was soaked with flesh and blood.
विषमं च समं चैव हतैरश्वपदातिभिः। रथैश्च कुञ्जरैश्चैव न प्राज्ञायत किञ्चन ॥८-५६-४०॥
The battlefield was so covered with the slain horses, foot soldiers, chariots, and elephants that nothing could be distinguished between the uneven and even ground.
नापि स्वे न परे योधाः प्राज्ञायन्त परस्परम्। घोरे शरान्धकारे तु कर्णास्त्रे च विजृम्भिते ॥८-५६-४१॥
In the terrifying darkness created by the arrows, neither their own warriors nor those of the enemy could recognize each other, but this changed when Karna's weapon was unleashed.
राधेयचापनिर्मुक्तैः शरैः काञ्चनभूषितैः। सञ्छादिता महाराज यतमाना महारथाः ॥८-५६-४२॥
O great king, the great charioteers, in their efforts, were enveloped by the golden-adorned arrows released from the bow of Karna, the son of Radha.
ते पाण्डवेयाः समरे कर्णेन स्म पुनः पुनः। अभज्यन्त महाराज यतमाना महारथाः ॥८-५६-४३॥
The sons of Pandu were repeatedly broken in battle by Karna, despite their efforts, O great king, these mighty warriors could not withstand him.
मृगसङ्घान्यथा क्रुद्धः सिंहो द्रावयते वने। कर्णस्तु समरे योधांस्तत्र तत्र महायशाः ॥ कालयामास तत्सैन्यं यथा पशुगणान्वृकः ॥८-५६-४४॥
"Just as an angry lion chases away herds of deer in the forest, the greatly renowned Karna destroyed the army here and there in battle, like a wolf does to herds of animals."
दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवीं सेनां धार्तराष्ट्राः पराङ्मुखीम्। अभिजग्मुर्महेष्वासा रुवन्तो भैरवान्रवान् ॥८-५६-४५॥
Upon seeing the Pandava army, the sons of Dhritarashtra, who were great archers, turned away and approached while shouting terrifying sounds.
दुर्योधनो हि राजेन्द्र मुदा परमया युतः। वादयामास संहृष्टो नानावाद्यानि सर्वशः ॥८-५६-४६॥
Duryodhana, filled with immense joy, cheerfully ordered the playing of various musical instruments everywhere, O king.
पाञ्चालापि महेष्वासा भग्ना भग्ना नरोत्तमाः। न्यवर्तन्त यथा शूरा मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम् ॥८-५६-४७॥
The Panchalas, who were also great archers and the best of men, retreated like heroes, having accepted death as a form of retreat.
तान्निवृत्तान्रणे शूरान्राधेयः शत्रुतापनः। अनेकशो महाराज बभञ्ज पुरुषर्षभः ॥८-५६-४८॥
Radheya, known as Karna, repeatedly defeated the retreating heroes in battle, O great king, demonstrating his prowess as a formidable warrior.
तत्र भारत कर्णेन पाञ्चाला विंशती रथाः। निहताः सादयः क्रोधाच्चेदयश्च परःशताः ॥८-५६-४९॥
In that place, O Bhārata, Karṇa killed twenty chariots of the Pāñcālas. In his wrath, he also destroyed hundreds more.
कृत्वा शून्यान्रथोपस्थान्वाजिपृष्ठांश्च भारत। निर्मनुष्यान्गजस्कन्धान्पादातांश्चैव विद्रुतान् ॥८-५६-५०॥
O Bharata, the chariots, horsebacks, elephant backs, and foot soldiers were made empty and scattered.
आदित्य इव मध्याह्ने दुर्निरीक्ष्यः परन्तपः। कालान्तकवपुः क्रूरः सूतपुत्रश्चचार ह ॥८-५६-५१॥
The son of a charioteer, who was like the sun at noon and difficult to look at, moved with a cruel form resembling the end of time, scorching his foes.
एवमेतान्महाराज नरवाजिरथद्विपान्। हत्वा तस्थौ महेष्वासः कर्णोऽरिगणसूदनः ॥८-५६-५२॥
Thus, O great king, Karṇa, the great archer, stood as the destroyer of the host of enemies, having slain these men, horses, chariots, and elephants.
यथा भूतगणान्हत्वा कालस्तिष्ठेन्महाबलः। तथा स सोमकान्हत्वा तस्थावेको महारथः ॥८-५६-५३॥
Just as the mighty time stands after annihilating all beings, so did he stand alone, the great chariot-warrior, after slaying the Somakas.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम पाञ्चालानां पराक्रमम्। वध्यमानापि कर्णेन नाजहू रणमूर्धनि ॥८-५६-५४॥
There, we witnessed the extraordinary bravery of the Pāñcālas. Despite being struck down by Karṇa, they did not abandon the battlefield.
राजा दुःशासनश्चैव कृपः शारद्वतस्तथा। अश्वत्थामा कृतवर्मा शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः ॥ न्यहनन्पाण्डवीं सेनां शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥८-५६-५५॥
The king Duḥśāsana, along with Kṛpa, Śāradvata, Aśvatthāmā, Kṛtavarmā, and Śakuni, the son of Subala, attacked the Pāṇḍava army in hundreds and thousands.
कर्णपुत्रौ च राजेन्द्र भ्रातरौ सत्यविक्रमौ। अनाशयेतां बलिनः पाञ्चालान्वै ततस्ततः ॥ तत्र युद्धं तदा ह्यासीत्क्रूरं विशसनं महत् ॥८-५६-५६॥
The sons of Karna, O king, known for their true valor, destroyed the mighty Panchalas in various places. At that time, there was a fierce and great slaughter indeed.
तथैव पाण्डवाः शूरा धृष्टद्युम्नशिखण्डिनौ। द्रौपदेयाश्च सङ्क्रुद्धा अभ्यघ्नंस्तावकं बलम् ॥८-५६-५७॥
In the same way, the valiant Pandavas, along with Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi, and the sons of Draupadi, fiercely attacked your forces.
एवमेष क्षयो वृत्तः पाण्डवानां ततस्ततः। तावकानामपि रणे भीमं प्राप्य महाबलम् ॥८-५६-५८॥
Thus, the destruction of the Pandavas occurred gradually. Similarly, your forces also faced destruction in battle upon encountering the mighty Bhima.
