08.067
Pancharatra and Core: Krishna dismantles the garb of dharma that Karna tries to wear, citing earlier events. Arjuna kills Karna with the Anjalika weapon. Shalya departs taking the empty chariot of Karna.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
अथाब्रवीद्वासुदेवो रथस्थो; राधेय दिष्ट्या स्मरसीह धर्मम्। प्रायेण नीचा व्यसनेषु मग्ना; निन्दन्ति दैवं कुकृतं न तत्तत् ॥८-६७-१॥
Then Vasudeva, standing on the chariot, said: "O son of Radha, it is fortunate that you remember your duty here. Generally, those who are lowly and immersed in difficulties tend to blame fate for their misdeeds, rather than acknowledging their own actions."
यद्द्रौपदीमेकवस्त्रां सभाया; मानाय्य त्वं चैव सुयोधनश्च। दुःशासनः शकुनिः सौबलश्च; न ते कर्ण प्रत्यभात्तत्र धर्मः ॥८-६७-२॥
When Draupadi was brought into the assembly in a single garment and insulted, neither you, Suyodhana, Duhshasana, Shakuni, nor Saubala, saw righteousness there, Karna.
यदा सभायां कौन्तेयमनक्षज्ञं युधिष्ठिरम्। अक्षज्ञः शकुनिर्जेता तदा धर्मः क्व ते गतः ॥८-६७-३॥
When in the assembly, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, who was unskilled in dice, was defeated by Shakuni, who was skilled in dice, then where did your dharma go?
यदा रजस्वलां कृष्णां दुःशासनवशे स्थिताम्। सभायां प्राहसः कर्ण क्व ते धर्मस्तदा गतः ॥८-६७-४॥
When Draupadī was humiliated in the assembly hall, being under the control of Duḥśāsana during her menstruation, Karṇa, you laughed. Where was your sense of righteousness at that time?
राज्यलुब्धः पुनः कर्ण समाह्वयसि पाण्डवम्। गान्धारराजमाश्रित्य क्व ते धर्मस्तदा गतः ॥८-६७-५॥
Greedy for the kingdom, you once again challenge the Pandava, relying on the Gandhara king. Where was your sense of dharma then?
एवमुक्ते तु राधेये वासुदेवेन पाण्डवम्। मन्युरभ्याविशत्तीव्रः स्मृत्वा तत्तद्धनञ्जयम् ॥८-६७-६॥
Upon hearing these words from Vasudeva, intense anger filled the Pandava as he remembered Dhananjaya.
तस्य क्रोधेन सर्वेभ्यः स्रोतोभ्यस्तेजसोऽर्चिषः। प्रादुरासन्महाराज तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥८-६७-७॥
Due to his anger, O great king, flames of energy emerged from all the streams, creating a scene that seemed almost miraculous.
तं समीक्ष्य ततः कर्णो ब्रह्मास्त्रेण धनञ्जयम्। अभ्यवर्षत्पुनर्यत्नमकरोद्रथसर्जने ॥ तदस्त्रमस्त्रेणावार्य प्रजहारास्य पाण्डवः ॥८-६७-८॥
Upon seeing him, Karṇa attacked Dhananjaya with the Brahmastra. He then tried again to prepare his chariot. However, the Pandava countered the weapon and disarmed him.
ततोऽन्यदस्त्रं कौन्तेयो दयितं जातवेदसः। मुमोच कर्णमुद्दिश्य तत्प्रजज्वाल वै भृशम् ॥८-६७-९॥
Then Arjuna, the son of Kunti, released another powerful weapon of Agni, aiming it at Karna, and it blazed with great intensity.
वारुणेन ततः कर्णः शमयामास पावकम्। जीमूतैश्च दिशः सर्वाश्चक्रे तिमिरदुर्दिनाः ॥८-६७-१०॥
Then Karna, using Varuna, extinguished the fire. With the help of clouds, he made all the directions dark and gloomy.
पाण्डवेयस्त्वसम्भ्रान्तो वायव्यास्त्रेण वीर्यवान्। अपोवाह तदाभ्राणि राधेयस्य प्रपश्यतः ॥८-६७-११॥
The mighty son of Pandu, unshaken, used the Vayavya weapon to disperse the clouds as Radheya looked on.
तं हस्तिकक्ष्याप्रवरं च बाणैः; सुवर्णमुक्तामणिवज्रमृष्टम्। कालप्रयत्नोत्तमशिल्पियत्नैः; कृतं सुरूपं वितमस्कमुच्चैः ॥८-६७-१२॥
The magnificent elephant enclosure, richly adorned with gold, pearls, gems, and diamonds, was crafted with the utmost skill and effort over time, standing beautifully with high banners and equipped with arrows.
ऊर्जस्करं तव सैन्यस्य नित्य; ममित्रवित्रासनमीड्यरूपम्। विख्यातमादित्यसमस्य लोके; त्विषा समं पावकभानुचन्द्रैः ॥८-६७-१३॥
Your army is always energizing, frightening to foes, and praiseworthy in form. It is famous and equal to the sun in the world, with brilliance comparable to fire, the sun, and the moon.
ततः क्षुरेणाधिरथेः किरीटी; सुवर्णपुङ्खेन शितेन यत्तः। श्रिया ज्वलन्तं ध्वजमुन्ममाथ; महारथस्याधिरथेर्महात्मा ॥८-६७-१४॥
Then, the crowned hero skillfully cut off the shining flag of the great chariot-warrior Adhiratha with a sharp, gold-feathered arrow, displaying great splendor.
यशश्च धर्मश्च जयश्च मारिष; प्रियाणि सर्वाणि च तेन केतुना। तदा कुरूणां हृदयानि चापत; न्बभूव हाहेति च निस्वनो महान् ॥८-६७-१५॥
O great one, fame, righteousness, and victory, along with all beloved things, were signified by that banner. At that time, the hearts of the Kurus trembled, and there was a great sound of lamentation.
अथ त्वरन्कर्णवधाय पाण्डवो; महेन्द्रवज्रानलदण्डसंनिभम्। आदत्त पार्थोऽञ्जलिकं निषङ्गा; त्सहस्ररश्मेरिव रश्मिमुत्तमम् ॥८-६७-१६॥
Then, in his haste to kill Karna, the Pandava Arjuna took the Anjalika weapon from his quiver. It resembled the staff of Indra's thunderbolt and fire, like the most excellent ray of the thousand-rayed sun.
मर्मच्छिदं शोणितमांसदिग्धं; वैश्वानरार्कप्रतिमं महार्हम्। नराश्वनागासुहरं त्र्यरत्निं; षड्वाजमञ्जोगतिमुग्रवेगम् ॥८-६७-१७॥
The chariot, piercing the vital parts and smeared with blood and flesh, is like the fire and the sun, and is very valuable. It is a destroyer of men, horses, and elephants, equipped with three jewels, drawn by six horses, moving straight with fierce speed.
सहस्रनेत्राशनितुल्यतेजसं; समानक्रव्यादमिवातिदुःसहम्। पिनाकनारायणचक्रसंनिभं; भयङ्करं प्राणभृतां विनाशनम् ॥८-६७-१८॥
It is as radiant as a thousand eyes and like a thunderbolt; akin to a flesh-eater, it is extremely unbearable. It resembles the Pinaka bow and Narayana's discus, and is terrifying, bringing destruction to living beings.
युक्त्वा महास्त्रेण परेण मन्त्रवि; द्विकृष्य गाण्डीवमुवाच सस्वनम्। अयं महास्त्रोऽप्रतिमो धृतः शरः; शरीरभिच्चासुहरश्च दुर्हृदः ॥८-६७-१९॥
Having equipped himself with the supreme weapon and uttered the incantation, he drew back the Gandiva bow and declared aloud: "This unmatched great weapon, the arrow I hold, will pierce bodies and take the lives of enemies."
तपोऽस्ति तप्तं गुरवश्च तोषिता; मया यदिष्टं सुहृदां तथा श्रुतम्। अनेन सत्येन निहन्त्वयं शरः; सुदंशितः कर्णमरिं ममाजितः ॥८-६७-२०॥
I have performed austerities, and my teachers are pleased; what I desired has been heard by my friends. By this truth, may this well-sharpened arrow pierce Karna, my unconquered enemy.
इत्यूचिवांस्तं स मुमोच बाणं; धनञ्जयः कर्णवधाय घोरम्। कृत्यामथर्वाङ्गिरसीमिवोग्रां; दीप्तामसह्यां युधि मृत्युनापि ॥८-६७-२१॥
Having spoken thus, Arjuna released a terrible arrow aimed at killing Karna, akin to a fierce and blazing mystical weapon of Atharva and Angiras, which was unbearable even in battle by death.
ब्रुवन्किरीटी तमतिप्रहृष्टो; अयं शरो मे विजयावहोऽस्तु। जिघांसुरर्केन्दुसमप्रभावः; कर्णं समाप्तिं नयतां यमाय ॥८-६७-२२॥
The crowned Arjuna, filled with great delight, declared: "Let this arrow of mine bring victory." With the intent to kill and possessing the brilliance of the sun and moon, he aimed to send Karna to his demise, to the abode of Yama.
तेनेषुवर्येण किरीटमाली; प्रहृष्टरूपो विजयावहेन। जिघांसुरर्केन्दुसमप्रभेण; चक्रे विषक्तं रिपुमाततायी ॥८-६७-२३॥
With the excellent arrow, the crowned warrior, joyful and victorious, sought to destroy the enemy with a radiance akin to the sun and moon, binding the aggressor.
तदुद्यतादित्यसमानवर्चसं; शरन्नभोमध्यगभास्करोपमम्। वराङ्गमुर्व्यामपतच्चमूपते; र्दिवाकरोऽस्तादिव रक्तमण्डलः ॥८-६७-२४॥
The splendid form, akin to the rising sun, descended upon the battlefield like the sun setting with a red hue, marking the end of the day.
तदस्य देही सततं सुखोदितं; स्वरूपमत्यर्थमुदारकर्मणः। परेण कृच्छ्रेण शरीरमत्यज; द्गृहं महर्द्धीव ससङ्गमीश्वरः ॥८-६७-२५॥
The embodied soul, who was always content and noble in his actions, reluctantly left his body, akin to a prosperous lord leaving his cherished home.
शरैर्विभुग्नं व्यसु तद्विवर्मणः; पपात कर्णस्य शरीरमुच्छ्रितम्। स्रवद्व्रणं गैरिकतोयविस्रवं; गिरेर्यथा वज्रहतं शिरस्तथा ॥८-६७-२६॥
Karna's body, shattered by arrows and devoid of life and armor, fell to the ground. It was elevated, with wounds oozing a stream of red ochre-like water, resembling a mountain's peak struck by a thunderbolt.
देहात्तु कर्णस्य निपातितस्य; तेजो दीप्तं खं विगाह्याचिरेण। तदद्भुतं सर्वमनुष्ययोधाः; पश्यन्ति राजन्निहते स्म कर्णे ॥८-६७-२७॥
When Karna was slain, a brilliant radiance emerged from his body and ascended to the sky. All the warriors and men witnessed this wondrous event, O king.
तं सोमकाः प्रेक्ष्य हतं शयानं; प्रीता नादं सह सैन्यैरकुर्वन्। तूर्याणि चाजघ्नुरतीव हृष्टा; वासांसि चैवादुधुवुर्भुजांश्च ॥ बलान्विताश्चाप्यपरे ह्यनृत्य; न्नन्योन्यमाश्लिष्य नदन्त ऊचुः ॥८-६७-२८॥
The Somakas, upon seeing him slain and lying down, were pleased and made a sound with their armies. They joyfully struck musical instruments, shook their garments and arms. Others, full of strength, danced, embraced each other, shouted, and spoke.
दृष्ट्वा तु कर्णं भुवि निष्टनन्तं; हतं रथात्सायकेनावभिन्नम्। महानिलेनाग्निमिवापविद्धं; यज्ञावसाने शयने निशान्ते ॥८-६७-२९॥
Upon seeing Karna groaning on the ground, slain and pierced by arrows from his chariot, like a fire scattered by a great wind at the end of a sacrifice, lying on his bed at the end of the night.
शरैराचितसर्वाङ्गः शोणितौघपरिप्लुतः। विभाति देहः कर्णस्य स्वरश्मिभिरिवांशुमान् ॥८-६७-३०॥
Karna's body, pierced by arrows and soaked in blood, glows as if it were the sun radiating its own light.
प्रताप्य सेनामामित्रीं दीप्तैः शरगभस्तिभिः। बलिनार्जुनकालेन नीतोऽस्तं कर्णभास्करः ॥८-६७-३१॥
Karna, like the sun, was defeated and set by the powerful Arjuna after scorching the enemy's army with his blazing arrows.
अस्तं गच्छन्यथादित्यः प्रभामादाय गच्छति। एवं जीवितमादाय कर्णस्येषुर्जगाम ह ॥८-६७-३२॥
Just as the sun sets, taking its light with it, so too did the arrow take Karna's life away.
अपराह्णे पराह्णस्य सूतपुत्रस्य मारिष। छिन्नमञ्जलिकेनाजौ सोत्सेधमपतच्छिरः ॥८-६७-३३॥
In the afternoon of the previous day, dear one, the head of the charioteer's son fell forcefully in the battle, struck by the severed hand.
उपर्युपरि सैन्यानां तस्य शत्रोस्तदञ्जसा। शिरः कर्णस्य सोत्सेधमिषुः सोऽपाहरद्द्रुतम् ॥८-६७-३४॥
The enemy's arrow swiftly and effortlessly severed Karna's elevated head from above amidst the armies.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
कर्णं तु शूरं पतितं पृथिव्यां; शराचितं शोणितदिग्धगात्रम्। दृष्ट्वा शयानं भुवि मद्रराज; श्छिन्नध्वजेनापययौ रथेन ॥८-६७-३५॥
Seeing Karna, the heroic warrior, fallen on the battlefield, his body covered with arrows and smeared with blood, the king of Madra, with his banner broken, departed from the battlefield in his chariot.
कर्णे हते कुरवः प्राद्रवन्त; भयार्दिता गाढविद्धाश्च सङ्ख्ये। अवेक्षमाणा मुहुरर्जुनस्य; ध्वजं महान्तं वपुषा ज्वलन्तम् ॥८-६७-३६॥
Upon the fall of Karna, the Kauravas, stricken with fear and grievously wounded, fled the battlefield, their eyes repeatedly drawn to Arjuna's magnificent and blazing banner.
सहस्रनेत्रप्रतिमानकर्मणः; सहस्रपत्रप्रतिमाननं शुभम्। सहस्ररश्मिर्दिनसङ्क्षये यथा; तथापतत्तस्य शिरो वसुन्धराम् ॥८-६७-३७॥
The one with deeds like those of a thousand eyes and a face like a thousand petals, auspicious and radiant like the sun at the end of the day, his head fell to the earth.
