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Pancharatra and Core: Desirous of witnessing the unparalleled duel between the two lion-hearted warriors, all the gods, demons, and celestial musicians gathered. Desiring battle, the banner of Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow, approached Karna's banner with a roar and spoke: Today, O Madhusudana, you will console Abhimanyu's mother, and your paternal aunt Kunti.
Sanjaya said:
Upon witnessing the death of Vṛṣasena, Vṛṣa, overwhelmed with grief and anger, suddenly burst into tears from his eyes.
Radiant Karna, with eyes red from anger, rode his chariot towards the enemies to challenge Dhananjaya for battle.
The two chariots, resembling the sun and armored like tigers, appeared together, resembling two suns that had arrived.
The white horses, representing the sons of Aditi, stood as destroyers of enemies, shining gloriously like the great souls, the moon and the sun, in the sky.
Upon witnessing the event, all beings, O gentle one, were amazed as they saw the two, like Indra and Virocana, in their conquest of the three worlds.
The two chariots, accompanied by the sounds of bowstrings, arrows, and conch roars, advanced towards the kings upon seeing them.
Upon seeing the two flags entangled, there was astonishment in Karna's elephant division and Arjuna's monkey.
Upon seeing those two chariots engaged, O Bharata, the kings roared like lions and offered abundant praises.
Upon hearing about the duel between them, the warriors gathered there exhibited great strength and agility all around.
The Kurus arrived there, accompanied by musical instruments, and then, delighting Karna, they blew the conches loudly.
In the same way, all the Pandavas, celebrating Arjuna, filled all directions with the sound of trumpets and conches.
The battlefield was filled with whistling, shouting, and loud cries, creating an uproar everywhere. The sounds of the warriors' arms were prominent during the encounter between Karna and Arjuna.
Seeing those two great warriors, the best among charioteers, standing on their chariot and armed with mighty bows, arrows, spears, and maces, they were like tigers among men.
The two warriors, armored and with swords drawn, rode on white horses, adorned with conches and equipped with excellent quivers, both appearing handsome.
Their bodies were smeared with red sandalwood, and they stood equal like mighty bulls. They were as notorious as venomous snakes and comparable to Yama, the god of death, and the end of time.
They were present like the angry Indra and Vritra, brilliant like the Sun and Moon, and cruel like great planets at the end of an age.
Karna and Dhananjaya, born of gods and equal to them, stood like divine beings in form, assembled as tigers among men.
Both warriors, bearing excellent weapons and fatigued by battle, caused the sky to resound with the sound of their arms.
Both were renowned for their deeds, valor, and strength, and were equally matched in the battle between Shambara and the king of the gods.
He was as mighty as Kārtavīrya in battle, as comparable to Dasharatha; as valorous as Vishnu, and as formidable as Shiva in combat.
Both of them, O king, were the best charioteers with white horses, and their charioteers were indeed mighty.
Upon seeing those two resplendent great charioteers, O great king, the groups of Siddhas and Caranas were filled with astonishment.
Then, O best of the Bharatas, the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with their forces, quickly surrounded the noble Karna, who was ready and adorned for battle.
Similarly, the Pandavas, filled with joy and led by Dhrishtadyumna, surrounded the great warrior Arjuna, who was unmatched in battle.
In the battle, O lord of men, Karṇa was the champion on your side, while Arjuna was the champion for the Pandavas.
The members were present there and became spectators. Among those disputing, victory and defeat were inevitable.
The outcome of the gambling between us and the Pandavas depends on victory or defeat, as we stand on the battlefield.
The two warriors, O great king, stood firm in the battlefield, both skilled in the art of war, equally enraged and eager to defeat each other.
Both of them desired to conquer on all sides like Indra and Vritra. They appeared in terrifying forms, resembling two planets enveloped in great smoke.
Then, O best of the Bharatas, in the sky, arguments with gestures arose, and mutual differences among beings were evident between Karna and Arjuna. The directions were divided, and all the worlds, O gentle one, were affected.
In the meeting between Karna and Arjuna, the gods, demons, celestial musicians, goblins, serpents, and ogres took sides.
The sky, with its stars, was agitated from the ear, O lord of the people. The vast earth is the mother of Partha, O son of Bharata.
O best of men, rivers, oceans, mountains, trees, and herbs all gathered around the crowned one.
O Arjuna, demons, fiends, and spirits emerged from the ear, transforming into celestial beings and birds.
All the gems and treasures, all the Vedas along with the fifth Veda, the narratives, along with the Upavedas, Upanishads, secrets, and compendiums.
Vasuki, Citrasena, Takshaka, Upatakshaka, Parvata, and all the descendants of Kadru with their lineage, who were venomous and very angry, became serpents from Arjuna.
The serpents, descendants of Airāvata, Saurabha, and Vaiśālī, originated from Arjuna, while the smaller serpents came from Karṇa.
O king, all creatures, whether they are animals of desire, wild beasts, auspicious beings, or bird-like creatures, have sought refuge in Partha's victory.
The Vasus, Maruts, Sādhyas, Rudras, Viśvedevas, and Aśvins, along with Agni, Indra, Soma, Pavana, and the ten directions, came to Dhanañjaya. The Ādityas appeared from the ears.
The gods, along with their ancestors and followers, emerged from Arjuna. Yama, Vaiśravaṇa, and Varuṇa were among those from whom Arjuna descended.
The divine, Brahmins, kings, and sages gathered from the Pandavas. Led by Tumburu, the Gandharvas and Arjuna were present, O king.
The descendants of Praveya, together with the sons of Muni, and groups of Gandharvas and Apsaras, were accompanied by deer, wild animals, elephants, chariots, and foot soldiers.
The wise ones, driven by the clouds and wind, gathered eagerly to witness the meeting of Karna and Arjuna.
The gods, demons, celestial musicians, serpents, nature spirits, birds, great sages, knowers of the Vedas, and ancestors who partake in offerings are all mentioned here.
O great king, austerity, knowledge, and medicinal herbs of various forms and shining sky stood roaring in the sky.
Brahma, along with the Brahmarshis and Prajapatis, accompanied by Bhava (Shiva), approached that divine vehicle to the place.
Upon seeing the lord of creatures, the gods approached the self-born one. "Let there be equality, O god, and victory for these two man-lions."
Upon hearing this, Indra bowed to the grandsire and pleaded that the destruction of Karna and Arjuna should not lead to the ruin of the entire world.
O self-born one, declare that statement, let there be equality in victory for both. So be it, salutations to you, please be gracious, O Lord, for my sake.
Brahma and Shiva then spoke to the lord of the thirty gods, saying, "Victory is assured for the great soul."
The wise and strong hero, accomplished in weaponry and asceticism, fully embodies the radiant science of archery.
If the greatness is transgressed as ordained by the cycle, it would certainly lead to the absence of the worlds.
There is no stability anywhere for the two angry Krishnas. Indeed, both are creators of both the real and the unreal, and are considered the best among men.
Nara and Narayana, these two ancient sages, are the best among sages, who are uncontrolled yet controllers, fearless and indeed scorchers of foes.
Karna, the best among men, should reach the highest realms. The valiant son of Vikartana, known for his bravery, should indeed triumph over the Krishnas.
One may achieve the companionship of the Vasus or the Maruts. With Drona and Bhishma, one may be honored in the heavenly realm.
Thus addressed by the two supreme deities, Indra, the thousand-eyed, spoke, addressing all beings under the command of Brahma and Shiva.
"You have heard what was spoken by the divine ones for the welfare of the world. Stand by it with resolved minds, not otherwise."
Upon hearing Indra's words, all the beings, dear one, were amazed and, O king, they worshipped that.
The wise released fragrant and variously shaped showers of flowers from the sky, while playing divine instruments.
Desirous to witness the unparalleled duel between the two lion-hearted warriors, all the gods, demons, and celestial musicians gathered. The chariots, drawn by white horses and adorned with banners, resounded magnificently.
The gathered heroes of the world blew their conches individually. Vasudeva and Arjuna, the valiant ones, along with Karna and Shalya, O Bharata.
The battle, which was terrifying to the timid, took place then, resembling the rivalry in prowess between Indra and Shambara.
The two flags, adorned with garlands, stood shining on the chariot. In the battle, the distinct forms approached each other with anger.
Karna's bow, resembling a serpent and having the essence of jewels, was firm and shone like the bow of Indra, with the girth of an elephant.
The best of monkeys, with its mouth wide open and terrifying, was frightening indeed with its fangs, and was as difficult to look at as the sun.
Desiring battle, the banner of Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow, approached Karna's banner with a roar and spoke.
The monkey, having risen with great speed, struck in the enclosure with its nails and teeth, just like Garuda would strike a serpent.
Adorned with tinkling ornaments and resembling the noose of time, the serpent enclosure, in great anger, rushed towards the great monkey.
In the excellent battle between both sides, in the duel and the gambling that was brought forth, flags were raised, and the horses neighed in the battle.
The lotus-eyed one shot an arrow with his eyes, and the other also gazed back at him in the same manner.
In that place, Vasudeva defeated Shalya using arrows from his eyes, while the son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, overcame Karna merely by his gaze.
Then the son of a charioteer, with a smile, addressed Śalya and said: "If Arjuna were to kill me in battle today, what would you say, my friend? Tell me truthfully."
Śalya said:
If Karna were to slay you today in battle, O Shvetavahana, then I would slay both Madhava and Pandava while riding on the same chariot.
Sanjaya said:
Arjuna replied to Govinda in agreement. Smiling, Krishna addressed Partha with these supreme words.
Even if the sun falls from the sky, the earth breaks into pieces, and fire turns cold, Karna will not be able to kill you, Dhananjaya.
If somehow there is worldly distress, I would slay Karna and Shalya with my own arms in battle.
Upon hearing Krishna's words, Arjuna, who bears the banner of Hanuman, smiled and replied to Krishna, the one who performs deeds without effort, saying, "Even my warriors, Karna and Shalya, are not enough, O Janardana."
Karna, adorned with banners and flags, accompanied by Shalya, chariots, and horses, equipped with an umbrella and armor, and armed with spears, arrows, and bows.
Today, you will witness Karna being cut into many pieces by arrows in battle. Today, he will be with his chariot, horses, weapons, armor, and spear. My enmity does not cease because he once laughed at Draupadi.
Today, Govinda, you will witness the ear being torn by me, akin to a tree blossomed by a maddened elephant.
Today, O Madhusudana, you will hear those sweet words. Today, you will console Abhimanyu's mother, Kunti, and your paternal aunt, being free of debt and joyful, O Janardana.
Today, Mādhava, you will console the tearful Kṛṣṇā with words that are like nectar, and also address Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira.
