कर्ण उवाच असंशयं सौहृदान्मे प्रणयाच्चात्थ केशव। सख्येन चैव वार्ष्णेय श्रेयस्कामतयैव च।॥
Karna said Undoubtedly, 0 Keshava, you have spoken those words out of good will, love and friendship, O best of the Vrishni race as also from the desire of my benefit.
सर्वं चैवाभिजानामि पाण्डोः पुत्रोऽस्मि धर्मतः। निग्रहाद् धर्मशास्त्राणां यथा त्वं कृष्ण मन्यसे॥
I too know all this, namely that morally speaking I am the son of Pandu owing to the rulings laid down in the holy books, as you say and think, O Krishna.
कन्या गर्भ समाधत्त भास्करान्यां जनार्दन। आदित्यवचनाच्चैव जातं मां सा व्यसर्जयत्॥
Before her wedding (with Pandu) did she (Kunti) bear me in her womb owing to her intercourse with the sun and at his command again she abandoned me as soon as I was born.
सोऽस्मि कृष्ण तथा जातः पाण्डोः पुत्रोऽस्मि धर्मतः। कुन्त्या त्वहमपाकीर्णो यथा न कुशलं तथा॥
O Krishna, in this way was I born and I am therefore morally the son of Pandu. I was however left destitute by Kunti who thought not of my welfare,
सूतो हि मामधिरथो दृष्ट्वैवाभ्यानयद् गृहान्। राधायाश्चैव मां प्रादात् सौहार्दान्मधुसूदन॥
As soon as Adhiratha saw me who was just born, he took me to his house and out of affection for me presented me to Radha, O slayer of Madhu.
मत्स्नेहाच्चैव राधायां सद्यः क्षीरमवातरत्। सा मे मूत्रं पुरीषं च प्रतिजग्राह माधव॥
Out of affection for me, Radha too got milk in her bosom and she held my urine and excrete, O Madhava.
तस्याः पिण्डव्यपनयं कुर्यादस्मद्विधः कथम्। धर्मविद् धर्मशास्त्राणां श्रवणे सततं रतः॥
How can one, like myself ever engaged in hearing the injunctions of the holy books and conversant with virtue, neglect her Pinda (offerings for the soul of the departed).
तथा मामभिजानाति सूतश्चाधिरथः सुतम्। पितरं चाभिजानामि तमहं सौहृदात् सदा॥
Therefore does Adhiratha the Suta look upon me as his son and I too, out of love, ever consider him to be my father.
स हि मे जातकर्मादि कारयामास माधव। शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना पुत्रप्रीत्या जनार्दन॥
He had the necessary ceremonies, during childhood, enjoined by the holy books, performed, O Madhava, in a suitable manner cut of paternal love, O Janardana.
नाम वै वसुषेणेति कारयामास वै द्विजैः। भार्याश्चोढा मम प्राप्ते यौवने तत्परिचहात्॥
He had me named as Vasudeva by the twice born; on attaining my youth too did I marry wives according to his choice.
तासु पुत्राश्च पौत्राश्च मम जाता जनार्दन। तासु मे हृदयं कृष्णं संजातं कामबन्धनम्॥
On them have been begotten sons and grandsons by me, O Janardana, and on them has the affection of my heårt been fastened, O Krishna.
न पृथिव्या सकलया न सुवर्णस्य राशिभिः। हर्षाद् भयाद् वा गोविन्द मिथ्या कर्तुं तदुत्सहे॥
Not for the sake of this entire earth nor for heaps of gold, nor for pleasure, nor owing to fear can I venture to break off those ties.
धृतराष्ट्रकुले कृष्ण दुर्योधनसमाश्रयात्। मया त्रयोदश समा भुक्तं राज्यमकण्टकम्॥
In the family of Dhritarashtra, O Krishna, owing to my being under the protection of Duryodhana, has sovereignty been enjoyed by me for thirteen years without any thorn.
इष्टं च बहुभिर्यज्ञैः सह सूतैर्मयाऽसकृत्। आवाहाच विवाहाच सह सूतैर्मया कृताः॥
Many sacrifices have been performed by me in company with Suta's and all my connections and marriage, have been formed with the Suta's.
मां च कृष्ण समासाद्य कृतः शस्त्रसमुद्यमः। दुर्योधनेन वार्ष्णेय विग्रहश्चापि पाण्डवैः॥
Getting me on his side too, O Krishna, has the preparation of the weapons been made by Duryodhana and ( you scion of the Vrishni race, also of the war with the Pandavas.
तस्माद् रणे द्वैरथे मां प्रत्युद्यातारमच्युत। वृतवान् परमं कृष्णं प्रतीपं सव्यसाचिनः॥
Therefore have I, O Achyuta, in a single fight between two car warriors in the ensuing battle, been selected as the best opened and match of Savyasachi.
वधाद् बन्धाद् भयाद् वापि लोभाद् वापि जनार्दन। अनृतं नोत्सहे कर्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रस्य धीमतः॥
From a fear of being slain, from a fear of being captured or from covetousness even, O Janardana, I do not dare behave treacherously to the intelligent son of Dhritarashtra.
यदि ह्यद्य न गच्छेयं द्वैरथं सव्यसाचिना। अकीर्तिः स्याद्धृषीकेश मम पार्थस्य चोभयोः॥
If I do not fight with Savyasachi now in a single fight, then will infamy be mine, O Hrishikesha, and of the son of Pritha, in fact of both.
असंशयं हितार्थाय ब्रूयास्त्वं मधुसूदन। सर्वं च पाण्डवाः कुर्युस्त्वद्वशित्वान्न संशयः॥
Doubtless, O you slayer of Madhu, you are speaking for my own good and the Pandavas too will obey all your instructions, there is no doubt about it.
मन्त्रस्य नियमं कुर्यास्त्वमत्र मधुसूदन। एतदत्र हितं मन्ये सर्वं यादवनन्दन॥
But you should not give out this conversation between ourselves, 0 slayer of Madhu, for I think that this alone leads to good in this instance, O delighted of all Yadavas.
यदि जानाति मां राजा धर्मात्मा संयतेन्द्रियः। कुन्त्याः प्रथम पुत्रं न स राज्यं ग्रहीष्यति॥
If that king, virtuous-souled and controller of his senses as he is knows me to be the eldest son of Kunti, then he will not accept the kingdom.
प्राप्य चापि महद् राज्यं तदहं मधुसूदन। स्फीतं दुर्योधनायैव सम्प्रदद्यामरिंदम॥
And even if I get this large and prosperous kingdom, I shall offer it to Duryodhana alone, Oslayer of Madhu, O chastiser of foes.
स एव राजा धर्मात्मा शाश्वतोऽस्तु युधिष्ठिरः। नेता यस्य हृषीकेशो योद्धा यस्य धनंजयः॥
May the virtuous-souled king Yudhishthira, whose guide is Hrishikesha and who has Dhananjaya for his warrior, live for ever.
पृथिवी तस्य राष्ट्रं च यस्य भीमो महारथः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च द्रौपदेयाश्च माधवः॥
Let the earth and kingdom be his who has on his side the great car-warrior Bhima, and Nakula and Sahadeva, and the five sons of Draupadi, O Madhava,
धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पाञ्चाल्यः सात्यकिश्च महारथः। उत्तमौजा युधामन्युः सत्यधर्मा च सौमकिः॥
And Dhrishtadyumna, and the princes of Panchala and the great car-warriors Satyaki, Uttamanjus, Yudhamanyu and the virtuous prince of Somakas,
चैद्यश्च चेकितानश्च शिखण्डी चापराजितः। इन्द्रगोपकवर्णाश्च केकया भ्रातरस्तथा।
And the princes of the Chedis and Chekitana and Shikandi who has never sustained a defeat and the princes of Kaikeya, brothers to one another, of the colour of Indragopa insects;
इन्द्रायुधसवर्णश्च कुन्तिभोजो महामनाः॥ मातुलो भीमसेनस्य श्येनजिच्च महारथः। शङ्खः पुत्रो विराटस्य निधिस्त्वं च जनार्दन॥
And the great minded Kuntibhoja, the maternal uncle of Bhimasena, possessed of horses of the colors of the rainbow and the great car-warrior Shayenajit, Shankha the king of Virata and yourself like an ocean of resources, O Janardana.
महानयं कृष्णं कृतः क्षत्रस्य समुदानयः। राज्यं प्राप्तमिदं दीप्तं प्रथितं सर्वराजसु॥
O Krishna, this assembly of Kshatriyas is great indeed; this blazing kingdom known among all kings is already won (by Yudhishthira).
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य वार्ष्णेय शस्त्रयज्ञो भविष्यति। अस्य यज्ञस्य वेत्ता त्वं भविष्यसि जनार्दन॥
O you scion of the Vrishni race, there will be a sacrificial ceremony of weapons performed by the son of Dhritarashtra and in that sacrifice (the supervisor of the ceremonies) will be yourself, O Janardana.
आध्वर्यवं च ते कृष्ण क्रतावस्मिन् भविष्यति। होता चैवात्र वीभत्सुः संनद्धः स कपिध्वजः॥
o Krishna, when the sacrifice is performed, you will also be the Adhvaryu; and in this Vibhatsu, that hero who has the figure of a monkey on his banner, clad in a coat of mail will be the Hotri (the guide in giving offerings).
गाण्डीवं स्रुक् तथा चाज्यं वीर्यं पुंसां भविष्यति। ऐन्द्रं पाशुपतं ब्राझं स्थूणाकर्णं च माधव। मन्त्रास्तत्र भविष्यन्ति प्रयुक्ताः सव्यसाचिना॥
The Gandiva bow will be the sacrificial ladle and the might of men will constitute the clarified butter to be poured as libation on the fire. The weapons Aindra, Pashupata, Brahma, and Sthunakarna, O Madhava, used by Savyasachi will be the incantations (Mantras) in the sacrifice.
अनुयातश्च पितरमधिको वा पराक्रमे। गीतं स्तोत्रं स सौभद्रः सम्यक् तत्र भविष्यति॥
Equal to his father or even superior to him in prowess the son of Subhadra will be the Vedic hymn recited there.
उद्गाताऽत्र पुनर्भीमः प्रस्तोता सुमहाबलः। विनदन् स नरव्याघ्रो नागानीकान्तकृद् रणे॥
The repeater (Udgatri) of those incantations again will be Bhima, who will also be the Prastori (the prepare), that foremost of men, that destroyer of the elephants in the army, making loud roars in battle.
स चैव तत्र धर्मात्मा शश्वद् राजा युधिष्ठिरः। जपैोमैश्च संयुक्तो ब्रह्मत्वं कारयिष्यति॥
And the virtuous-souled king Yudhishthira, engaged in making Japa and Homa, will perform the office of a Brahmana in the sacrificial rite.
शङ्खशब्दा: समुरजा भेर्यश्च मधुसूदन। उत्कृष्टसिंहनादश्च सुब्रह्मण्यो भविष्यति॥
The sounds of conch shells, of labors and drums and the roars of lions will announce the hour of dinner in that sacrifice.
नकुलः सहदेवश्च माद्रीपुत्रो यशस्विनौ। शामित्रं तौ महावी? सम्यक् तत्र भविष्यतः॥
Nakula and Sahadeva, the two sons of Madri endued with fame-these two heroes of great strength will be duly the sacrifices of animals in that sacrifice.
कल्माषदण्डा गोविन्दं विमलारथपङ्क्तयः। यूपा: समुपकल्पन्तामस्मिन् यज्ञे जनार्दन॥
Furnished with flag staffs of various colors, spotless rows of carriage, O Govinda, will be the Yupas (staff for fastening sacrificial animals) in this sacrifice, at the end of the principal ceremony, O Janardana.
कर्णिनालीकनाराचा वत्सदन्तोपबृंहणाः। तोमराः सोमकलशाः पवित्राणि धनूंषि च॥
Karnir (arrows with barbs) Nalikas (a rude sorts of muskets) Narachas (daggers fastened to sticks) and arrows like the spoons and vessels for the Soma juice; while bows will be substitutes for Pavitrus ((Kusha leaves for springing clarified butter).
असयोऽत्र कपालानि पुरोडाशाः शिरसि च। हविस्तु रुधिरं कृष्ण तस्मिन् यज्ञे भविष्यति॥
The swords will be substitutes for the Kapalas and the heads of soldiers killed in the field will be those for Purodashas; the bloods of warrior will be the clarified butter, O Krishna in that sacrificial ceremony.
इध्माः परिधयश्चैव शक्तयो विमला गदाः। सदस्या द्रोणशिष्याच कृपस्य च शरद्वतः॥
The lances will be the substitutes for Paridhas (vessels for depositing the offerings) and the maces will be those for Shakti's (the wood work for protecting the offerings), the part of assisting priests will be performed by the disciples of Drona and Kripa and Sharadvata.
इषवोऽत्र परिस्तोमा मुक्ता गाण्डीवधन्वना। महारथप्रयुक्ताश्च द्रोणद्रौणिप्रचोदिताः॥
The arrows, let loose by the wielder of the Gandiva bow and shot also by car-warriors urged by Drona and his son will act for ladles in their sacrifice.
प्रतिप्रास्थानिकं कर्म सात्यकिस्तु करिष्यति। दीक्षितो धार्तराष्ट्रोऽत्र पली चास्य महाचमूः॥
Satyaki will do the duties of the chief assistant to the head priest; the son of Dhritarashtra will be the performer and his large army will take the place of his wife.
घटोत्कचोऽत्र शामित्रं करिष्यति महाबलः। अतिरात्रे महाबाहो वितते यक्षकर्मणि॥
Ghatotkacha, of great strength, will be the slayer of the sacrificial animals at the commencement of this sacrificial rite at an advanced hour of the night, O you of long arms.
दक्षिणा त्वस्य यज्ञस्य धृष्टद्युम्नः प्रतापवान्। वैतानिके कर्ममुखे जातो यः कृष्ण पावकात्॥
The Dakshina ((final gifts to the priest) of that sacrifice will be Dhrishtadyumna of great energy, for O Krishna, he was born out of fire in a sacrifice having for its mouth the rites celebrated with Mantras.
यदब्रुवमहं कृष्ण कटुकानि स्म पाण्डवान्। प्रियार्थं धार्तराष्ट्रस्य तेन तप्ये ह्यकर्मणा॥
What harsh words, I said to the sons of Pandu, O Krishna, were for the gratification of the son of Dhritarashtra and I am now struck with remorse for that misdeed.
यदा द्रक्ष्यसि मां कृष्ण निहतं सव्यसाचिना। पुनश्चितिस्तदा चास्य यज्ञस्याथ भविष्यति॥
When you will see me, O Krishna, slain by Savyasachi, then will the Punaschiti (the second part of the ceremonies) commence, O Janardana.
दुःशासनस्य रुधिरं यदा पास्यति पाण्डवः। आन नर्दतः सम्यक् तदा सूयं भविष्यति॥
When the sons of Pandu will drink the blood of Dushashana repeatedly making loud roars, then will the drinking of the Soma juice of the sacrifice have been finished.
यदा द्रोणं च भीष्मं च पाञ्चाल्यौ पातयिष्यतः। तदा यज्ञावसानं तद् भविष्यति जनार्दन॥
When Drona and Bhishma will be overthrown by the two princes of Panchala, then will the ceremonies connected with the sacrifice of the son of Dhritarashtra be brought to an end, O Janardana.
दुर्योधनं यदा हन्ता भीमसेनो महाबलः। तदा समाप्स्यते यज्ञो धार्तराष्ट्रस्य माधव॥
When Bhimasena of great strength will be the slayer of Duryodhana then will the ceremonies be finished.
नुषाश्च प्रस्नुषाश्चैव धृतराष्ट्रस्य सङ्गत्ताः। हतेश्वरा नष्टपुत्रा हतनाथाश्च केशव॥
When the daughter-in-law and the grand daughter-in-law (wives of grandsons) of Dhritarashtra will assemble together being deprived of their protectors, their sons and their husbands, O Keshava,
रुदत्यः सह गान्धार्या श्वगृध्रकुरराकुले। स यज्ञेऽस्मिन्नवभृथो भविष्यति जनार्दन।॥
Weeping loudly with Gandhari in the field of battle frequented by dogs and vultures and other carnivorous animals then will the final bath in connection with the sacrifice have taken place, OJanardana.
विद्यावृद्धा वयोवृद्धाः क्षत्रियाः क्षत्रियर्षभ। वृथा मृत्युं न कुर्वीरंस्त्वत्कृते मधुसूदन॥
Do not let those best of the Kshatriyas, who are old in learning and old in age meet with an useless death on account of your doings, O slayer of Madhu.
शस्त्रेण निधनं गच्छेत् समृद्धं क्षत्रमण्डलम्। कुरुक्षेत्रे पुण्यतमे त्रैलोक्यस्यापि केशव॥
The entire race of Kshatriyas will meet with death by weapons in Kurukshetra, the holiest spot in all the these worlds, O Keshava.
तदत्र पुम्डरीकाक्ष विधत्स्व यदभीप्सितम्। यथा कार्येन वार्ष्णेय क्षत्रं स्वर्गमवाप्नुयात्॥
O you of lotus-eyes, manage things in such a way in this case that we may gain our endthat united together the Kshatriyas go to heaven, O you of the Vrishni race.
यावत् स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च जनार्दन। तावत् कीर्तिभवः शब्दः शाश्वतोऽयं भविष्यति॥
So long as mountains and lakes will exist, O Janardana, so long will the fame of this event last-that is for ever.
ब्राह्मणाः कथयिष्यन्ति महाभारतमाहवम्। समागमेषु वार्ष्णेय क्षत्रियाणां यशोधनम्॥
The Brahmanas will tell the world of the great battle of Mahabharata. The wealth of Kshatriyas, O you of the Vrishni race, is what they win in the field of battle.
समुपानय कौन्तेयं युद्धायं मम केशव। मन्त्रसंवरणं कुर्वन् नित्यमेव परंतप॥
Bring here the son of Kunti for me to fight, O Keshava, for ever keeping this conversation secret, О chastiser of foes.