12.003
Pancharatra-Ext: Karna, though bitten by a worm, a daemon Gṛtsa by name, endured, suspecting that the teacher might awaken. As Karna cheated on his teacher out of greed for weapons, he was cursed.
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said:
कर्णस्य बाहुवीर्येण प्रश्रयेण दमेन च। तुतोष भृगुशार्दूलो गुरुशुश्रूषया तथा ॥१२-३-१॥
Paraśurāma, the foremost among the Bhṛgus, was pleased with Karṇa due to his physical strength, humility, self-restraint, and also his devoted service to his teacher.
तस्मै स विधिवत्कृत्स्नं ब्रह्मास्त्रं सनिवर्तनम्। प्रोवाचाखिलमव्यग्रं तपस्वी सुतपस्विने ॥१२-३-२॥
He, the ascetic, calmly and thoroughly instructed the excellent ascetic in the complete Brahma-weapon, including its withdrawal, according to the prescribed rules.
विदितास्त्रस्ततः कर्णो रममाणोऽऽश्रमे भृगोः। चकार वै धनुर्वेदे यत्नमद्भुतविक्रमः ॥१२-३-३॥
Then Karṇa, delighting in the hermitage of Bhṛgu, made remarkable efforts in the science of archery, displaying extraordinary prowess.
ततः कदाचिद्रामस्तु चरन्नाश्रममन्तिकात्। कर्णेन सहितो धीमानुपवासेन कर्शितः ॥१२-३-४॥
Then, at some point, Rāma, wise and accompanied by Karṇa, wandered near the hermitage, emaciated from fasting.
सुष्वाप जामदग्न्यो वै विस्रम्भोत्पन्नसौहृदः। कर्णस्योत्सङ्ग आधाय शिरः क्लान्तमना गुरुः ॥१२-३-५॥
Paraśurāma, the son of Jamadagni, whose affection for Karṇa had arisen from trust, slept with a weary mind, resting his head on Karṇa's lap.
अथ कृमिः श्लेष्ममयो मांसशोणितभोजनः। दारुणो दारुणस्पर्शः कर्णस्याभ्याशमागमत् ॥१२-३-६॥
Then, a worm made of phlegm, feeding on flesh and blood, dreadful and with a dreadful touch, came near the ear.
स तस्योरुमथासाद्य बिभेद रुधिराशनः। न चैनमशकत्क्षेप्तुं हन्तुं वापि गुरोर्भयात् ॥१२-३-७॥
He, the blood-eater, broke his thigh after approaching him. But out of fear of the teacher, he was not able to throw or kill him.
संदश्यमानोऽपि तथा कृमिणा तेन भारत। गुरुप्रबोधशङ्की च तमुपैक्षत सूतजः ॥१२-३-८॥
O Bhārata, even though he was being bitten by a worm, the son of the charioteer, suspecting that the teacher might awaken, ignored him.
कर्णस्तु वेदनां धैर्यादसह्यां विनिगृह्य ताम्। अकम्पन्नव्यथंश्चैव धारयामास भार्गवम् ॥१२-३-९॥
Karṇa, however, with courage, suppressed that unbearable pain and, unshaken and undisturbed, endured the presence of the Bhārgava (Paraśurāma).
यदा तु रुधिरेणाङ्गे परिस्पृष्टो भृगूद्वहः। तदाबुध्यत तेजस्वी सन्तप्तश्चेदमब्रवीत् ॥१२-३-१०॥
But when the best of the Bhṛgus was touched by blood on his limb, then the radiant sage, afflicted, became aware and spoke these words.
अहोऽस्म्यशुचितां प्राप्तः किमिदं क्रियते त्वया। कथयस्व भयं त्यक्त्वा याथातथ्यमिदं मम ॥१२-३-११॥
Alas, I have become impure; what is this that you are doing? Tell me the exact truth of this, without fear.
तस्य कर्णस्तदाचष्ट कृमिणा परिभक्षणम्। ददर्श रामस्तं चापि कृमिं सूकरसंनिभम् ॥१२-३-१२॥
At that time, his ear was being eaten by a worm. Rama saw him and also saw the worm that resembled a pig.
अष्टपादं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं सूचीभिरिव संवृतम्। रोमभिः संनिरुद्धाङ्गमलर्कं नाम नामतः ॥१२-३-१३॥
It was an eight-footed creature with sharp fangs, covered as if with needles and hairs, its limbs completely obstructed, called Alarka by name.
स दृष्टमात्रो रामेण कृमिः प्राणानवासृजत्। तस्मिन्नेवासृक्सङ्क्लिन्ने तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥१२-३-१४॥
As soon as Rāma saw it, the worm gave up its life. In that very spot, soaked with blood, it appeared as if something wonderful had happened.
ततोऽन्तरिक्षे ददृशे विश्वरूपः करालवान्। राक्षसो लोहितग्रीवः कृष्णाङ्गो मेघवाहनः ॥१२-३-१५॥
Then, a demon of universal form, with a terrible face, red neck, dark body, and riding a cloud, appeared in the sky.
स रामं प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा बभाषे पूर्णमानसः। स्वस्ति ते भृगुशार्दूल गमिष्यामि यथागतम् ॥१२-३-१६॥
With joined palms and a full heart, he addressed Rāma: "Farewell, O best of Bhṛgus, I will depart the way I came."
मोक्षितो नरकादस्मि भवता मुनिसत्तम। भद्रं च तेऽस्तु नन्दिश्च प्रियं मे भवता कृतम् ॥१२-३-१७॥
O best of sages, I have been liberated from hell by you. May auspiciousness and joy be yours; what you have done is dear to me.
तमुवाच महाबाहुर्जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान्। कस्त्वं कस्माच्च नरकं प्रतिपन्नो ब्रवीहि तत् ॥१२-३-१८॥
The mighty-armed, glorious descendant of Jamadagni said to him: "Who are you, and for what reason have you entered hell? Tell me that."
सोऽब्रवीदहमासं प्राग्गृत्सो नाम महासुरः। पुरा देवयुगे तात भृगोस्तुल्यवया इव ॥१२-३-१९॥
He said, "I was once Gṛtsa by name, a great asura. Long ago, O dear one, in the age of the gods, I was of equal age to Bhṛgu."
सोऽहं भृगोः सुदयितां भार्यामपहरं बलात्। महर्षेरभिशापेन कृमिभूतोऽपतं भुवि ॥१२-३-२०॥
I am he who abducted by force the very beloved wife of Bhṛgu; by the curse of the great sage, I became a worm and fell to the earth.
अब्रवीत्तु स मां क्रोधात्तव पूर्वपितामहः। मूत्रश्लेष्माशनः पाप निरयं प्रतिपत्स्यसे ॥१२-३-२१॥
But your fore-grandfather, enraged, said to me: 'You sinful one, eater of urine and phlegm, you will go to hell.'
शापस्यान्तो भवेद्ब्रह्मन्नित्येवं तमथाब्रुवम्। भविता भार्गवे राम इति मामब्रवीद्भृगुः ॥१२-३-२२॥
O Brahman, the curse will always end thus; then I said to him. Bhṛgu said to me, "Rāma will be born in the Bhārgava lineage."
सोऽहमेतां गतिं प्राप्तो यथा नकुशलं तथा। त्वया साधो समागम्य विमुक्तः पापयोनितः ॥१२-३-२३॥
O holy one, I have attained this state, which is neither good nor auspicious, but having met you, I have been liberated from a sinful birth.
एवमुक्त्वा नमस्कृत्य ययौ रामं महासुरः। रामः कर्णं तु सक्रोधमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१२-३-२४॥
After saying this and bowing, the great asura departed for Rāma. Rāma, however, angrily addressed these words to Karṇa.
अतिदुःखमिदं मूढ न जातु ब्राह्मणः सहेत्। क्षत्रियस्यैव ते धैर्यं कामया सत्यमुच्यताम् ॥१२-३-२५॥
O deluded one, a brāhmaṇa should never endure such excessive suffering. The fortitude you display is that of a kṣatriya; let the truth be spoken as desired.
तमुवाच ततः कर्णः शापभीतः प्रसादयन्। ब्रह्मक्षत्रान्तरे सूतं जातं मां विद्धि भार्गव ॥१२-३-२६॥
Then Karṇa, fearful of the curse and seeking favor, said: "O Bhārgava, know me as one born as a charioteer between Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya."
राधेयः कर्ण इति मां प्रवदन्ति जना भुवि। प्रसादं कुरु मे ब्रह्मन्नस्त्रलुब्धस्य भार्गव ॥१२-३-२७॥
People on earth call me 'Karna, son of Radha.' O Brahmin, O descendant of Bhrigu, please grant me your favor, for I am desirous of weapons.
पिता गुरुर्न संदेहो वेदविद्याप्रदः प्रभुः। अतो भार्गव इत्युक्तं मया गोत्रं तवान्तिके ॥१२-३-२८॥
There is no doubt that the father is the teacher, the giver of Vedic knowledge, and the master; therefore, I have said 'Bhārgava' as your lineage in your presence.
तमुवाच भृगुश्रेष्ठः सरोषः प्रहसन्निव। भूमौ निपतितं दीनं वेपमानं कृताञ्जलिम् ॥१२-३-२९॥
The foremost of the Bhṛgus, appearing angry yet smiling, spoke to him as he lay on the ground, distressed, trembling, and with his palms joined.
यस्मान्मिथ्योपचरितो अस्त्रलोभादिह त्वया। तस्मादेतद्धि ते मूढ ब्रह्मास्त्रं प्रतिभास्यति ॥१२-३-३०॥
Because you have, out of greed for weapons, falsely regarded (this), therefore, O deluded one, this Brahmāstra weapon will now appear to you here.
अन्यत्र वधकालात्ते सदृशेन समेयुषः। अब्राह्मणे न हि ब्रह्म ध्रुवं तिष्ठेत्कदाचन ॥१२-३-३१॥
From the time of execution, your soul, having encountered one similar elsewhere, Brahman certainly never remains in a non-Brahmin.
गच्छेदानीं न ते स्थानमनृतस्येह विद्यते। न त्वया सदृशो युद्धे भविता क्षत्रियो भुवि ॥१२-३-३२॥
Go now; there is no place for falsehood here for you. Nowhere on earth will there be a kṣatriya equal to you in battle.
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण न्यायेनोपजगाम सः। दुर्योधनमुपागम्य कृतास्त्रोऽस्मीति चाब्रवीत् ॥१२-३-३३॥
Thus, when addressed by Rāma, he approached justly. Coming to Duryodhana, he declared, "I am ready with my weapons."
