12.004
Pancharatra-Ext: Karna helps Duryodhana to win the maiden of Rājapura, in the territory of Kaliṅga, daughter of King Citrāṅgada, by defeating several kings.
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said:
कर्णस्तु समवाप्यैतदस्त्रं भार्गवनन्दनात्। दुर्योधनेन सहितो मुमुदे भरतर्षभ ॥१२-४-१॥
But Karṇa, having fully acquired this weapon from the son of Bhṛgu, rejoiced together with Duryodhana, O best of the Bharatas.
ततः कदाचिद्राजानः समाजग्मुः स्वयंवरे। कलिङ्गविषये राजन्राज्ञश्चित्राङ्गदस्य च ॥१२-४-२॥
Then, O king, at some time, the kings assembled at the svayaṃvara in the territory of Kaliṅga, for King Citrāṅgada.
श्रीमद्राजपुरं नाम नगरं तत्र भारत। राजानः शतशस्तत्र कन्यार्थं समुपागमन् ॥१२-४-३॥
O Bhārata, in the city called the glorious Rājapura, hundreds of kings assembled there seeking the maiden.
श्रुत्वा दुर्योधनस्तत्र समेतान्सर्वपार्थिवान्। रथेन काञ्चनाङ्गेन कर्णेन सहितो ययौ ॥१२-४-४॥
When Duryodhana heard this, he saw all the assembled kings there; then, accompanied by Karṇa, he went in a chariot with golden ornaments.
ततः स्वयंवरे तस्मिन्सम्प्रवृत्ते महोत्सवे। समापेतुर्नृपतयः कन्यार्थे नृपसत्तम ॥१२-४-५॥
O best of kings, then, when that great festival of the svayaṃvara commenced, the kings assembled there for the maiden.
शिशुपालो जरासन्धो भीष्मको वक्र एव च। कपोतरोमा नीलश्च रुक्मी च दृढविक्रमः ॥१२-४-६॥
Śiśupāla, Jarāsandha, Bhīṣmaka, Vakra, Kapotaromā, Nīla, Rukmī, and the steadfastly valiant were present.
सृगालश्च महाराज स्त्रीराज्याधिपतिश्च यः। अशोकः शतधन्वा च भोजो वीरश्च नामतः ॥१२-४-७॥
The jackal, the great king, the lord of the women's kingdom, and those named Aśoka, Śatadhanvā, Bhoja, and the hero.
एते चान्ये च बहवो दक्षिणां दिशमाश्रिताः। म्लेच्छाचार्याश्च राजानः प्राच्योदीच्याश्च भारत ॥१२-४-८॥
O Bhārata, many others, including foreign teachers and kings from the east and north, have also taken refuge in the southern direction.
काञ्चनाङ्गदिनः सर्वे बद्धजाम्बूनदस्रजः। सर्वे भास्वरदेहाश्च व्याघ्रा इव मदोत्कटाः ॥१२-४-९॥
All wore golden armlets and garlands of Jambūnada gold; their bodies shone, and they were all as fiercely proud as tigers.
ततः समुपविष्टेषु तेषु राजसु भारत। विवेश रङ्गं सा कन्या धात्रीवर्षधरान्विता ॥१२-४-१०॥
O Bhārata, when those kings were seated, that maiden, accompanied by her nurse and the cloud-bearer, entered the arena.
ततः संश्राव्यमाणेषु राज्ञां नामसु भारत। अत्यक्रामद्धार्तराष्ट्रं सा कन्या वरवर्णिनी ॥१२-४-११॥
Then, O Bhārata, as the names of the kings were being announced, that maiden of excellent complexion crossed over Dhritarashtra's son.
दुर्योधनस्तु कौरव्यो नामर्षयत लङ्घनम्। प्रत्यषेधच्च तां कन्यामसत्कृत्य नराधिपान् ॥१२-४-१२॥
But Duryodhana, the Kaurava prince, could not tolerate the transgression and, having disrespected that maiden, restrained the kings.
स वीर्यमदमत्तत्वाद्भीष्मद्रोणावुपाश्रितः। रथमारोप्य तां कन्यामाजुहाव नराधिपान् ॥१२-४-१३॥
Because of his intoxication with strength and pride, having taken refuge with Bhishma and Drona, he mounted the chariot and invited the kings along with the maiden.
तमन्वयाद्रथी खड्गी भद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्रवान्। कर्णः शस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठः पृष्ठतः पुरुषर्षभ ॥१२-४-१४॥
Karna, the best among weapon-bearers and a bull among men, wearing a ring made from an auspicious monitor lizard, followed him as his charioteer and sword-bearer from behind.
ततो विमर्दः सुमहान्राज्ञामासीद्युधिष्ठिर। संनह्यतां तनुत्राणि रथान्योजयतामपि ॥१२-४-१५॥
Then, O Yudhiṣṭhira, a great conflict arose among the kings. Let the body-armors be donned and the chariots yoked as well.
तेऽभ्यधावन्त सङ्क्रुद्धाः कर्णदुर्योधनावुभौ। शरवर्षाणि मुञ्चन्तो मेघाः पर्वतयोरिव ॥१२-४-१६॥
Both Karna and Duryodhana, enraged, rushed forward, releasing showers of arrows like clouds pouring on two mountains.
कर्णस्तेषामापततामेकैकेन क्षुरेण ह। धनूंषि सशरावापान्यपातयत भूतले ॥१२-४-१७॥
Karna, with a razor-headed arrow, indeed caused the bows with quivers and arrows of each of those rushing towards him to fall on the ground.
ततो विधनुषः कांश्चित्कांश्चिदुद्यतकार्मुकान्। कांश्चिदुद्वहतो बाणान्रथशक्तिगदास्तथा ॥१२-४-१८॥
Then, there were some without bows, some with raised bows, and some carrying arrows, chariots, spears, and maces as well.
लाघवादाकुलीकृत्य कर्णः प्रहरतां वरः। हतसूतांश्च भूयिष्ठानवजिग्ये नराधिपान् ॥१२-४-१९॥
By his swiftness, Karna, the best among fighters, threw the enemy into confusion, slew the charioteers, and conquered most of the kings.
ते स्वयं त्वरयन्तोऽश्वान्याहि याहीति वादिनः। व्यपेयुस्ते रणं हित्वा राजानो भग्नमानसाः ॥१२-४-२०॥
The kings themselves, urging their horses and shouting 'Drive, go!', left the battlefield and departed, their spirits broken.
दुर्योधनस्तु कर्णेन पाल्यमानोऽभ्ययात्तदा। हृष्टः कन्यामुपादाय नगरं नागसाह्वयम् ॥१२-४-२१॥
But Duryodhana, guarded by Karṇa, joyfully brought the maiden to the city of Nāgasāhvaya (Hastināpura) at that time.
