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.
Sanjaya said:
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."
When Draupadi was brought into the assembly in a single garment and insulted, neither you, Suyodhana, Duhshasana, Shakuni, nor Saubala, saw righteousness there, Karna.
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?
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?
Greedy for the kingdom, you once again challenge the Pandava, relying on the Gandhara king. Where was your sense of dharma then?
Upon hearing these words from Vasudeva, intense anger filled the Pandava as he remembered Dhananjaya.
Due to his anger, O great king, flames of energy emerged from all the streams, creating a scene that seemed almost miraculous.
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.
Then Arjuna, the son of Kunti, released another powerful weapon of Agni, aiming it at Karna, and it blazed with great intensity.
Then Karna, using Varuna, extinguished the fire. With the help of clouds, he made all the directions dark and gloomy.
The mighty son of Pandu, unshaken, used the Vayavya weapon to disperse the clouds as Radheya looked on.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Karna's body, pierced by arrows and soaked in blood, glows as if it were the sun radiating its own light.
Karna, like the sun, was defeated and set by the powerful Arjuna after scorching the enemy's army with his blazing arrows.
Just as the sun sets, taking its light with it, so too did the arrow take Karna's life away.
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.
The enemy's arrow swiftly and effortlessly severed Karna's elevated head from above amidst the armies.
Sanjaya said:
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.
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.
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.
