08.065
Pancharatra and Core: The duet starts between Karna and Arjuna, with initial hesitation displayed by Arjuna. Bhima, in anger, instils rage in Arjuna, resulting in the remaining Kurus fleeing, leaving Karna behind.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तौ शङ्खभेरीनिनदे समृद्धे; समीयतुः श्वेतहयौ नराग्र्यौ। वैकर्तनः सूतपुत्रोऽर्जुनश्च; दुर्मन्त्रिते तव पुत्रस्य राजन् ॥८-६५-१॥
In the midst of the loud sounds of conches and drums, the two great warriors with white horses, Karna and Arjuna, approached, following the ill-advised plan of your son, O king.
यथा गजौ हैमवतौ प्रभिन्नौ; प्रगृह्य दन्ताविव वाशितार्थे। तथा समाजग्मतुरुग्रवेगौ; धनञ्जयश्चाधिरथिश्च वीरौ ॥८-६५-२॥
"Just as two mighty elephants from the Himalayas, with broken tusks, come together fiercely for battle, so did the heroes Dhananjaya (Arjuna) and Adhirathi (Karna) clash with great speed."
बलाहकेनेव यथा बलाहको; यदृच्छया वा गिरिणा गिरिर्यथा। तथा धनुर्ज्यातलनेमिनिस्वनौ; समीयतुस्ताविषुवर्षवर्षिणौ ॥८-६५-३॥
Just as a cloud is by the cloud, or a mountain by the mountain by chance, so did the sounds of the bowstring and the rim come together, like two rain-givers of arrows.
प्रवृद्धशृङ्गद्रुमवीरुदोषधी; प्रवृद्धनानाविधपर्वतौकसौ। यथाचलौ वा गलितौ महाबलौ; तथा महास्त्रैरितरेतरं घ्नतः ॥८-६५-४॥
The mighty trees, creepers, and herbs with their grown horns, and the various kinds of mountain inhabitants, as if immovable or fallen, were striking each other with great weapons.
स संनिपातस्तु तयोर्महानभू; त्सुरेशवैरोचनयोर्यथा पुरा। शरैर्विभुग्नाङ्गनियन्तृवाहनः; सुदुःसहोऽन्यैः पटुशोणितोदकः ॥८-६५-५॥
There was a great clash between the lord of gods and Virochana, reminiscent of ancient times. The scene was filled with arrows, broken limbs, charioteers, and vehicles, creating a situation unbearable for others, with sharp streams of blood flowing.
प्रभूतपद्मोत्पलमत्स्यकच्छपौ; महाह्रदौ पक्षिगणानुनादितौ। सुसंनिकृष्टावनिलोद्धतौ यथा; तथा रथौ तौ ध्वजिनौ समीयतुः ॥८-६५-६॥
The great lakes, abundant with lotuses, water lilies, fish, and turtles, resounded with the calls of flocks of birds. Just as they were very close and agitated by the wind, so too did those two chariots, representing the armies, come together.
उभौ महेन्द्रस्य समानविक्रमा; वुभौ महेन्द्रप्रतिमौ महारथौ। महेन्द्रवज्रप्रतिमैश्च सायकै; र्महेन्द्रवृत्राविव सम्प्रजह्रतुः ॥८-६५-७॥
Both warriors, equal in prowess to Mahendra, resembling Mahendra, as great charioteers, fought with arrows like Mahendra's thunderbolt, akin to the battle between Mahendra and Vritra.
सनागपत्त्यश्वरथे उभे बले; विचित्रवर्णाभरणाम्बरस्रजे। चकम्पतुश्चोन्नमतः स्म विस्मया; द्वियद्गताश्चार्जुनकर्णसंयुगे ॥८-६५-८॥
In the battle between Arjuna and Karna, both armies, equipped with elephants, infantry, horses, and chariots, and adorned with various colors, ornaments, garments, and garlands, trembled and rose in amazement, as if they had ascended to the sky.
भुजाः सवज्राङ्गुलयः समुच्छ्रिताः; ससिंहनादा हृषितैर्दिदृक्षुभिः। यदार्जुनं मत्तमिव द्विपो द्विपं; समभ्ययादाधिरथिर्जिघांसया ॥८-६५-९॥
With arms raised high and fingers like thunderbolts, roaring like lions and filled with excitement, they desired to see. When Arjuna, like an intoxicated elephant, approached, Karna intended to kill.
अभ्यक्रोशन्सोमकास्तत्र पार्थं; त्वरस्व याह्यर्जुन विध्य कर्णम्। छिन्ध्यस्य मूर्धानमलं चिरेण; श्रद्धां च राज्याद्धृतराष्ट्रसूनोः ॥८-६५-१०॥
The Somakas urged Partha, saying, "Hurry, Arjuna, attack Karna and cut off his head without delay; take away the faith and kingdom from Dhritarashtra's son."
तथास्माकं बहवस्तत्र योधाः; कर्णं तदा याहि याहीत्यवोचन्। जह्यर्जुनं कर्ण ततः सचीराः; पुनर्वनं यान्तु चिराय पार्थाः ॥८-६५-११॥
Thus, many of our warriors there said to Karna, 'Go, go then.' Conquer Arjuna, Karna, and then with armor; let the sons of Pritha return to the forest for a long time.
ततः कर्णः प्रथमं तत्र पार्थं; महेषुभिर्दशभिः पर्यविध्यत्। तमर्जुनः प्रत्यविध्यच्छिताग्रैः; कक्षान्तरे दशभिरतीव क्रुद्धः ॥८-६५-१२॥
Then Karna first attacked Partha with ten great arrows. In response, an extremely angry Arjuna retaliated by piercing Karna in the flank with ten sharp arrows.
परस्परं तौ विशिखैः सुतीक्ष्णै; स्ततक्षतुः सूतपुत्रोऽर्जुनश्च। परस्परस्यान्तरेप्सू विमर्दे; सुभीममभ्याययतुः प्रहृष्टौ ॥८-६५-१३॥
Karna and Arjuna, with sharp arrows, pierced each other mutually and joyfully approached the terrible battle.
अमृष्यमाणश्च महाविमर्दे; तत्राक्रुध्यद्भीमसेनो महात्मा। अथाब्रवीत्पाणिना पाणिमाघ्न; न्संदष्टौष्ठो नृत्यति वादयन्निव ॥ कथं नु त्वां सूतपुत्रः किरीटि; न्महेषुभिर्दशभिरविध्यदग्रे ॥८-६५-१४॥
In the intense battle, unable to endure, the great-souled Bhimasena became angry. Then, striking his hand with his own, biting his lip, he seemed to dance as if playing an instrument. He exclaimed, 'How could the son of a charioteer dare to pierce you, O crowned one, with ten mighty arrows right in front?'
यया धृत्या सर्वभूतान्यजैषी; र्ग्रासं ददद्वह्नये खाण्डवे त्वम्। तया धृत्या सूतपुत्रं जहि त्व; महं वैनं गदया पोथयिष्ये ॥८-६५-१५॥
With the same determination by which you conquered all beings and offered food to the fire in Khāṇḍava, use that determination to slay Sūtaputra; I will crush him with my mace.
अथाब्रवीद्वासुदेवोऽपि पार्थं; दृष्ट्वा रथेषून्प्रतिहन्यमानान्। अमीमृदत्सर्वथा तेऽद्य कर्णो; ह्यस्त्रैरस्त्राणि किमिदं किरीटिन् ॥८-६५-१६॥
Then Vasudeva, seeing the chariots being struck repeatedly, said to Arjuna: "Karna will completely crush your weapons with his weapons today. What is this, O crowned one?"
स वीर किं मुह्यसि नावधीयसे; नदन्त्येते कुरवः सम्प्रहृष्टाः। कर्णं पुरस्कृत्य विदुर्हि सर्वे; त्वदस्त्रमस्त्रैर्विनिपात्यमानम् ॥८-६५-१७॥
O hero, why are you bewildered and inattentive? The Kurus are jubilantly roaring, having placed Karna at the forefront, as they all understand that your weapon is being overpowered by theirs.
यया धृत्या निहतं तामसास्त्रं; युगे युगे राक्षसाश्चापि घोराः। दम्भोद्भवाश्चासुराश्चाहवेषु; तया धृत्या त्वं जहि सूतपुत्रम् ॥८-६५-१८॥
With the steadfastness that has destroyed dark weapons and terrible demons born of deceit in every age, you must conquer the son of a charioteer.
अनेन वास्य क्षुरनेमिनाद्य; सञ्छिन्द्धि मूर्धानमरेः प्रसह्य। मया निसृष्टेन सुदर्शनेन; वज्रेण शक्रो नमुचेरिवारेः ॥८-६५-१९॥
With this or his razor-edged discus, forcibly cut off the enemy's head. I have dispatched the Sudarshana discus, like Indra used the thunderbolt against Namuchi's enemy.
किरातरूपी भगवान्यया च; त्वया महत्या परितोषितोऽभूत्। तां त्वं धृतिं वीर पुनर्गृहीत्वा; सहानुबन्धं जहि सूतपुत्रम् ॥८-६५-२०॥
The Lord, appearing as a hunter, was greatly pleased by you. O hero, regain your courage and slay the son of a charioteer, accepting the consequences.
ततो महीं सागरमेखलां त्वं; सपत्तनां ग्रामवतीं समृद्धाम्। प्रयच्छ राज्ञे निहतारिसङ्घां; यशश्च पार्थातुलमाप्नुहि त्वम् ॥८-६५-२१॥
Then, you should offer the earth, encircled by the ocean, with its cities and flourishing villages, to the king who has vanquished his enemies; and you shall gain fame comparable to that of Arjuna.
सञ्चोदितो भीमजनार्दनाभ्यां; स्मृत्वा तदात्मानमवेक्ष्य सत्त्वम्। महात्मनश्चागमने विदित्वा; प्रयोजनं केशवमित्युवाच ॥८-६५-२२॥
Urged by Bhima and Janardana, and reflecting on his own nature and strength, he recognized the purpose of the great soul's arrival and spoke to Keshava.
प्रादुष्करोम्येष महास्त्रमुग्रं; शिवाय लोकस्य वधाय सौतेः। तन्मेऽनुजानातु भवान्सुराश्च; ब्रह्मा भवो ब्रह्मविदश्च सर्वे ॥८-६५-२३॥
I manifest this powerful and fierce weapon for the welfare of the world and to destroy the enemy; may you, along with the gods, Brahma, Shiva, and all the knowers of Brahman, grant me permission for this.
ित्यूचिवान्ब्राह्ममसह्यमस्त्रं; प्रादुश्चक्रे मनसा संविधेयम्। ततो दिशश्च प्रदिशश्च सर्वाः; समावृणोत्सायकैर्भूरितेजाः ॥ ससर्ज बाणान्भरतर्षभोऽपि; शतंशतानेकवदाशुवेगान् ॥८-६५-२४॥
Thus, he declared the unbearable weapon of Brahma, which was manifested by his mind and was controllable. Then, all directions and sub-directions were enveloped with arrows of great splendor. The best of the Bharatas also unleashed hundreds of swift-moving arrows simultaneously.
वैकर्तनेनापि तथाजिमध्ये; सहस्रशो बाणगणा विसृष्टाः। ते घोषिणः पाण्डवमभ्युपेयुः; पर्जन्यमुक्ता इव वारिधाराः ॥८-६५-२५॥
In the midst of the battle, Karna released thousands of arrows, which, with their sound, approached the Pandava like streams of water released from a cloud.
स भीमसेनं च जनार्दनं च; किरीटिनं चाप्यमनुष्यकर्मा। त्रिभिस्त्रिभिर्भीमबलो निहत्य; ननाद घोरं महता स्वरेण ॥८-६५-२६॥
He, having slain Bhimasena, Janardana, and Kiritin, who were performers of superhuman deeds, with three warriors of terrible strength, roared fiercely with a mighty voice.
स कर्णबाणाभिहतः किरीटी; भीमं तथा प्रेक्ष्य जनार्दनं च। अमृष्यमाणः पुनरेव पार्थः; शरान्दशाष्टौ च समुद्बबर्ह ॥८-६५-२७॥
Struck by Karna's arrow, Arjuna, the one with a crown, seeing Bhima and Krishna, intolerant, raised eighteen arrows again.
सुषेणमेकेन शरेण विद्ध्वा; शल्यं चतुर्भिस्त्रिभिरेव कर्णम्। ततः सुमुक्तैर्दशभिर्जघान; सभापतिं काञ्चनवर्मनद्धम् ॥८-६५-२८॥
He pierced Suṣena with one arrow, Śalya with four, and Karna with three, and then struck the assembly leader adorned with golden armor with ten well-released arrows.
स राजपुत्रो विशिरा विबाहु; र्विवाजिसूतो विधनुर्विकेतुः। ततो रथाग्रादपतत्प्रभग्नः; परश्वधैः शाल इवाभिकृत्तः ॥८-६५-२९॥
The prince, who was headless and armless, the charioteer of Rvivāja, without his bow and flag, then fell from the front of the chariot, shattered like a tree cut down by axes.
पुनश्च कर्णं त्रिभिरष्टभिश्च; द्वाभ्यां चतुर्भिर्दशभिश्च विद्ध्वा। चतुःशतान्द्विरदान्सायुधीया; न्हत्वा रथानष्टशतं जघान ॥ सहस्रमश्वांश्च पुनश्च सादी; नष्टौ सहस्राणि च पत्तिवीरान् ॥८-६५-३०॥
Once more, Karna, having pierced with three and eight arrows, with two, four, and ten, killed four hundred armed elephants, slaughtered eight hundred chariots, a thousand horses with riders, and destroyed thousands of infantry heroes.
दृष्ट्वाजिमुख्यावथ युध्यमानौ; दिदृक्षवः शूरवरावरिघ्नौ। कर्णं च पार्थं च नियम्य वाहा; न्खस्था महीस्थाश्च जनावतस्थुः ॥८-६५-३१॥
Upon seeing the chief warriors engaged in battle, eager to witness the best of heroes and destroyers of enemies, Karna and Arjuna, the people, both on chariots and on the ground, stood by, controlling their horses.
ततो धनुर्ज्या सहसातिकृष्टा; सुघोषमाच्छिद्यत पाण्डवस्य। तस्मिन्क्षणे सूतपुत्रस्तु पार्थं; समाचिनोत्क्षुद्रकाणां शतेन ॥८-६५-३२॥
Then, the bowstring of the Pandava was suddenly drawn tight and made a loud sound as it was cut. At that moment, the son of a charioteer surrounded Arjuna with a hundred small warriors.
निर्मुक्तसर्पप्रतिमैश्च तीक्ष्णै; स्तैलप्रधौतैः खगपत्रवाजैः। षष्ट्या नाराचैर्वासुदेवं बिभेद; तदन्तरं सोमकाः प्राद्रवन्त ॥८-६५-३३॥
Sixty sharp iron arrows, resembling freed snakes and washed in oil, fitted with bird feathers, pierced Vasudeva; then the Somakas fled in fear.
ततो धनुर्ज्यामवधम्य शीघ्रं; शरानस्तानाधिरथेर्विधम्य। सुसंरब्धः कर्णशरक्षताङ्गो; रणे पार्थः सोमकान्प्रत्यगृह्णात् ॥ न पक्षिणः सम्पतन्त्यन्तरिक्षे; क्षेपीयसास्त्रेण कृतेऽन्धकारे ॥८-६५-३४॥
Then, Arjuna, with his body wounded by Karna's arrows, quickly stretched his bowstring and scattered the arrows of Adhiratha. Enraged, he received the Somakas in battle. Birds could not fly in the sky as darkness was created by the swift weapon.
शल्यं च पार्थो दशभिः पृषत्कै; र्भृशं तनुत्रे प्रहसन्नविध्यत्। ततः कर्णं द्वादशभिः सुमुक्तै; र्विद्ध्वा पुनः सप्तभिरभ्यविध्यत् ॥८-६५-३५॥
Arjuna, with a smile, struck Shalya hard in the body with ten arrows. Then he struck Karna with twelve well-aimed arrows and again with seven more.
स पार्थबाणासनवेगनुन्नै; र्दृढाहतः पत्रिभिरुग्रवेगैः। विभिन्नगात्रः क्षतजोक्षिताङ्गः; कर्णो बभौ रुद्र इवाततेषुः ॥८-६५-३६॥
Karna, struck by the swift and fierce arrows of Arjuna, stood with his body pierced and limbs covered in blood, resembling Rudra with his bow drawn.
ततस्त्रिभिश्च त्रिदशाधिपोपमं; शरैर्बिभेदाधिरथिर्धनञ्जयम्। शरांस्तु पञ्च ज्वलितानिवोरगान्प्रवीरयामास जिघांसुरच्युते ॥८-६५-३७॥
Then the great charioteer pierced Arjuna with three arrows, who is comparable to the lord of the thirty gods. However, desiring to kill, he sent five blazing arrows like serpents towards Krishna.
ते वर्म भित्त्वा पुरुषोत्तमस्य; सुवर्णचित्रं न्यपतन्सुमुक्ताः। वेगेन गामाविविशुः सुवेगाः; स्नात्वा च कर्णाभिमुखाः प्रतीयुः ॥८-६५-३८॥
They pierced the armor of the supreme person, and the golden decorated ones fell down, well-released. With great speed, they swiftly entered the ground; after bathing, they advanced towards Karna.
तान्पञ्चभल्लैस्त्वरितैः सुमुक्तै; स्त्रिधा त्रिधैकैकमथोच्चकर्त। धनञ्जयस्ते न्यपतन्पृथिव्यां; महाहयस्तक्षकपुत्रपक्षाः ॥८-६५-३९॥
Dhananjaya swiftly cut them off with five well-released arrows, each in threefold manner. They fell to the earth, the great horse and the wings of Takshaka's son.
ततः प्रजज्वाल किरीटमाली; क्रोधेन कक्षं प्रदहन्निवाग्निः। स कर्णमाकर्णविकृष्टसृष्टैः; शरैः शरीरान्तकरैर्ज्वलद्भिः ॥ मर्मस्वविध्यत्स चचाल दुःखा; द्धैर्यात्तु तस्थावतिमात्रधैर्यः ॥८-६५-४०॥
Then the crowned one, blazing with anger as if he were fire burning the space, shot arrows drawn up to the ear, blazing and capable of ending bodies, piercing the vital parts. Despite the pain, he stood firm with immense courage.
ततः शरौघैः प्रदिशो दिशश्च; रविप्रभा कर्णरथश्च राजन्। अदृश्य आसीत्कुपिते धनञ्जये; तुषारनीहारवृतं यथा नभः ॥८-६५-४१॥
Then, O king, the sun-like radiance of Karna's chariot was obscured by the showers of arrows, making it invisible to the angry Dhananjaya, as the sky is covered with mist.
स चक्ररक्षानथ पादरक्षा; न्पुरःसरान्पृष्ठगोपांश्च सर्वान्। दुर्योधनेनानुमतानरिघ्ना; न्समुच्चितान्सुरथान्सारभूतान् ॥८-६५-४२॥
He gathered all the essential warriors, including wheel protectors, foot guards, vanguard, and rear guards, who were approved by Duryodhana as enemy slayers.
द्विसाहस्रान्समरे सव्यसाची; कुरुप्रवीरानृषभः कुरूणाम्। क्षणेन सर्वान्सरथाश्वसूता; न्निनाय राजन्क्षयमेकवीरः ॥८-६५-४३॥
In the battle, Arjuna, the unparalleled warrior among the Kurus, swiftly led two thousand Kuru heroes, along with their chariots, horses, and charioteers, to their demise in an instant, O king.
अथापलायन्त विहाय कर्णं; तवात्मजाः कुरवश्चावशिष्टाः। हतानवाकीर्य शरक्षतांश्च; लालप्यमानांस्तनयान्पितॄंश्च ॥८-६५-४४॥
Then, your sons and the remaining Kurus fled, leaving Karna behind, scattering the slain and the wounded by arrows, while lamenting for their sons and fathers.
स सर्वतः प्रेक्ष्य दिशो विशून्या; भयावदीर्णैः कुरुभिर्विहीनः। न विव्यथे भारत तत्र कर्णः; प्रतीपमेवार्जुनमभ्यधावत् ॥८-६५-४५॥
Karṇa, observing the empty directions and seeing the Kurus stricken with fear and deprived, was not disturbed, O Bharata; he rushed towards Arjuna as if going against the current.
