संजय उवाच वर्तमाने महाराज संग्रामे लोमहर्षणे। व्याकुलेषु च सर्वेषु पीड्यमानेषु सर्वशः॥
Sanjaya said When that hair-stirring battle continued to be fought and when all the warriors were filled with anxiety and were greatly afflicted.
राधेयो भीममानछेद् युद्धाय भरतर्षभ यथा नागो वने मार्ग मत्तो मत्तमभिद्रवन्॥
O foremost of the Bharatas, Radha's son advanced against Bhima for battle, like one infuriate elephant rushing against a compeer in the same state.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच यौ तौ कर्णश्च भीमश्च सम्प्रयुद्धौ महाबलौ। अर्जुनस्य रथोपान्ते कीदृशः सोऽभवद् रणः॥
Dhritarashtra said How raged the battle, near Arjuna's chariot between those two mighty car-warriors, Bhima and Karna, both possessed of great strength?
पूर्व हि निर्जितः कर्णो भीमसेनेन संयुगे। कथं भूयः स राधेयो भीममागान्महारथः॥
Once before, Karna was vanquished by Bhima in battle, how could he then again assail Bhimasena?
भीमो वा सूततनयं प्रत्युद्यातः कथं रणे। महारथं समाख्यातं पृथिव्यां प्रवरं रथम्॥
How could Bhima proceed against Suta's son, that mighty car-warriors regarded as the foremost of all warriors on earth.
भीष्मद्रोणवतिक्रम्य धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। नान्यतो भयमादत्त विना कर्णान्महारथात्॥
Having worsted Bhisma and Drona, the very virtuous king Yudhishthira entertained not so much apprehension from any body else as he did from Karna.
भयाद्यस्य महाबाहोर्न शेते बहुलाः समाः। चिन्तयन् नित्यशो वीर्य राधेयस्य महात्मनः। तं कथं सूतपुत्रं तु भीमोऽयोधयताहवे॥
Thinking of the mighty car-warrior Karna, he passes many sleepless nights from fear. How then could Bhima proceed against that son of Suta?
ब्रह्मण्यं वीर्यसम्पन्नं समरेष्वनिवर्तिनम्। कथं कर्ण युधां श्रेष्ठं योधयामास पाण्डवः॥
O Sanjaya, how could indeed Bhima fight with Karna, that best of all warriors, that hero devoted to the Brahmana, endued with prowess and never flying away from fight.
यौ तौ समीयतुर्वीरौ वैकर्तनवृकोदरौ। कथं तावत्र युध्येतां महाबलपराक्रमौ॥
How did those two mighty car-warriors Karna and Vrikodara fight with each other, in that combat that raged in the neighborhood of Partha's chariot?
भ्रातृत्वं दर्शितं पूर्व घृणी चापि स सूतजः। कथं भीमेन युयुधे कुन्त्या वाक्यमनुस्मरन्॥
Knowing his brotherhood towards the Pandavas and possessing a compassionate temperament and remembering the words of Kunti, how could the son of Şuta fight with Bhimasena?
भीमो वा सूतपुत्रेण स्मरन् वैरं पुरा कृतम्। अयुध्यत कथं शूरः कर्णेन सह संयुगे।॥
How did Bhima, that hero, fight with Suta's Karna, keeping alive the memory of the wrongs inflicted on him by the latter in days gone by?
आशास्ते च सदा सूत पुत्रो दुर्योधनो मम। कर्णो जेष्यति संग्रामे समस्तान् पाण्डवानिति॥
O Suta, my son Duryodhana fondly cherishes the hope that Karna will obtain victory in battle over the united Pandavas.
जयाशा यत्र पुत्रस्य मम मन्दस्य संयुगे। स कथं भीमकर्माणं भीमसेनमयोधयत्॥
How did that one, on whom my wicked son's hope of victory rested, fight with Bhimasena of fierce deeds.
यं समासाद्य पुत्रैर्मे कृतं वैरं महारथैः। तं सूततनयं तात कथं भीमो ह्ययोधयत्॥
How did Bhima also fight with that son of Suta, O sire, relying on whom my sons provoked hostilities with many mighty carwarriors?
अनेकान् विप्रकारांश्च सूतपुत्रसमुद्भवान्। स्मरमाणः कथं भीमो युयुधे सूतसूनुना॥
How did Bhima fight with that son of a charioteer, remembering the numerous wrongs inflicted on them to have their cause in him?
योऽजयत् पृथिवीं सर्वा रथेनैकेन वीर्यवान्। तं सूततनयं युद्धे कथं भीमो ह्ययोधयत्॥
How did Bhima fight with that highly puissant son of Suta, who on a single car had vanquished the three worlds?
यो जात: कुण्डलाभ्यां च कवचेन सहैव च। तं सूतपुत्रं समरे भीमः कथमयोधयत्॥
How did Bhima then fight with that son of Suta who was born with a pair of (natural) earrings and covered in a coat of mail.
यथा तयोर्युद्धमभूद् यश्चासीद् विजयी तयोः। तन्ममाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन कुशलो ह्यसि संजय॥
As you are conversant with these topies, O Sanjaya, tell me truly in detail how the battle between these two heroes, was fought and who obtained victory.
संजय उवाच भीमसेनस्तु राधेयमुत्सृज्य रथिनां वरम्। इयेष गन्तुं यत्रास्तां वीरौ कृष्णधनंजयौ॥
Sanjaya said Abandoning then that foremost of carwarriors namely, the son of Radha, Bhimasena strove to reach the spot where the heroic Krishna and Dhananjaya were.
तं प्रयान्तमभिद्रुत्य राधेयः कङ्कपत्रिभिः। अभ्यवर्षन्महाराज मेघो वृष्ट्येव पर्वतम्॥
Then as he was proceeding, the son of Radha assailing him began to shower shafts furnished with wings of Kanka-feather on him, like clouds showering rain on the mountain.
फुल्लता पङ्कजेनेव वक्त्रेण विहसन् बली। आजुहाव रणे यान्तं भीममाधिरथिस्तदा॥
Then the valorous son of Adhiratha, with his beautiful face like a blooming lotus lighted up with a smile, challenged Bhimasena as he
कर्ण उवाच भीमाहितैस्तव रणे स्वप्नेऽपि न विभावितम्। तद् दर्शयसि कस्मान्मे पृष्ठं पार्थदिदृक्षया॥
Karna said "O Bhima! your foes never thought of your fighting even in their dreams. Why do you show me your back from a desire for seeing Arjuna.
कुन्त्याः पुत्रस्य सदृशं नेदं पाण्डवनन्दन। तेन मामभितः स्थित्वा शरवर्षैरवाकिर॥
O delighter of the Panchalas! this conduct is not worthy of the son of Kunti. Confronting me do you cover me with a shower of arrows."
भीमसेनस्तदाबानं कर्णान्नामर्षयद् युधि। अर्धमण्डलमावृत्य सूतपुत्रमयोधयत्॥
Sanjaya said Bhimasena then did not put up with that challenge of Karna tamely. But wheeling his car in a semicircle, be began to fight with the son of Suta.
अवक्रगामिभिर्बाणैरभ्यवर्षन्महायशाः। दंशितं द्वैरथे यत्तं सर्वशस्त्रविशारदम्॥
In that combat when that one conversant with all weapons and clad in mail viz., Karna was proceeding against him, the illustrious Bhima pierced him with straight-flying arrows.
विधित्सुः कलहस्यान्तं जिघांसुः कर्णमक्षिणोत्। हत्वा तस्यानुगांस्तं च हन्तुकामो महाबलः॥
Desirous of reaching the end of all those hostilities, he began to rob Karna's strength, out of a desire for slaying him. Having slain many other Kauravas the mighty Bhima.
तस्मै व्यसृजदुग्राणि विविधानि परंतपः। अमर्षात् पाण्डवः क्रुद्धः शरवर्षाणि मारिष।॥
That vindictive son of Pandu, excited with wrath, that slayer of foes, O sire, began to discharge at Karna many showers of fearful arrows.
तस्य तानीषुवर्षाणि मत्तद्विरदगामिनः। सूतपुत्रोऽस्रमायाभिरग्रसत् परमास्त्रवित्॥
Then the highly puissant son of Suta, by means of the illusion of his weapon devoured up all those showers of arrows poured by that one of the gait of an infuriate elephant.
स यथावन्महाबाहुर्विद्यया वै सुपूजितः। आचार्यवन्महेष्वासः कर्णः पर्यचरद् बली॥
O mighty monarch, duly favoured by knowledge, then that fierce bowman Karna began to career on the field of battle like a teacher of the military science.
युध्यमानं तु संरम्भाद् भीमसेनं हसन्निवा अभ्यपद्यत कौन्तेयं कर्णो राजन् वृकोदरम्॥
The wrathful son of Radha then seemed to insult with his smiles, Bhimasena who was fighting in great anger.
तन्नामृष्यत कौन्तेयः कर्णस्य स्मितमाहवे। युध्यमानेषु वीरेषु पश्यत्सु च समन्ततः॥
But the son of Kunti did not brook that derisive smile of Radha's, son in the midst of many other brave warriors, who were looking ai that fight between them.
तं भीमसेनः सम्प्राप्तं वत्सदन्तैः स्तनान्तरे। विव्याध बलवान् क्रुद्धस्तोत्रैरिव महाद्विपम्॥
Excited to the highest pitch of rage, the mighty Bhimasena, with several Vatsadantas, pierced Karna on the centre of his chest, like a guide goring a mighty elephant with the hook.
पुनश्च सूतपुत्रं तु स्वर्णपुजैः शिलाशितैः। सुमुक्तेश्चित्रवर्माणं निर्बिभेद त्रिसप्तभिः॥
Once more with twenty one whetted shafts furnished with wings and duly discharged, Bhimasena pierced Suta's son of variegated armour.
कर्णो जाम्बूनदैर्जालैः संछन्नान् वातरंहसः। हयान् विव्याध भीमस्य पञ्चभिः पञ्चभिः शरैः॥
Then the heroic Karna pierced each of the steeds of Bhima with five shafts, steeds that were decked with golden caparisons and endued with the fleetness of the wind.
ततो बाणमयं जालं भीमसेनस्थं प्रति। कर्णेन विहितं राजन् निमेषार्धाददृश्यत॥
O king, thereafter, a net-work-of arrows was woven, within the twinkling of an eye, around the car of Bhima by the mighty Karna.
सरथः सध्वजस्तत्र ससूतः पाण्डवस्तदा। प्राच्छाद्यत महाराज कर्णचापच्युतैः शरैः॥
O mighty monarch, the son of Pandu with his car, standard and charioteer, was covered all over with the arrows shot from Karna's bow.
तस्य कर्णश्चतुःषष्ट्या व्यधमत् कवचं दृढम्। क्रुद्धश्चाप्यहनत् पार्थ नाराचैर्मर्मभेदिभिः॥
Then with sixty-four arrows, Karna shattered the tough armour of Bhima to pieces; and waxing wroth he wounded Pritha's son with Narachas capable of penetrating through the very vitals.
ततोऽचिन्त्य महाबाहुः कर्णकार्मुकनिःसृतान्। समाश्लिष्यदसम्भ्रान्तः सूतपुत्रं वृकोदरः॥
Then the mighty-armed Vrikodara unmindful of all those shafts shot from Karna's bow, began to strike dauntlessly the son of Suta.
स कर्णचापप्रभवानिषूनाशीविषोपमान्। बिभ्रद्र भीमो महाराज न जगाम व्यथां रणे॥
Bhima then with the body struck with the arrows discharged from Karna's bow, that resembled snakes of virulent poison did indeed feel no pain, O mighty monarch.
ततो द्वात्रिंशता भल्लैर्निशितैस्तिग्मतेजनैः। विव्याध समरे कर्ण भीमसेनः प्रतापवान्॥
Then the highly puissant Bhimasena pierced Karna in that battle, with thirty-two Vallas of great sharpness and energy.
अयत्नेनैव तं कर्णः शरैर्भृशमवाकिरत्। भीमसेनं महाबाहुं सैन्धवस्य वधैषिणम्॥
Then Karna, indifferently covered Bhima of mighty arms and desirous of the slaughter of the Sindhu king, with a tremendous shower of arrows.
मृदुपूव तु राधेयो भीममाजावयोधयत्। क्रोधपूर्व तथा भीमः पूर्व वैरमनुस्मरन्॥
In that battle the son of Radha fought mildly with Bhima, but Bhima fought with the former wrathfully remembering all their former hostilities.
तं भीमसेनो नामृष्यदवमानममर्षणः। स तस्मै व्यसृजत् तूर्ण शरवर्षममित्रहा॥
Bhima excited with wrath, did not bear that insult; and that slayer of foes quickly sped a shower of shafts at Karna.
ते शरा: प्रेषितास्तेन भीमसेनेन संयुगे। निपेतुः सर्वतो वीरे कूजन्त इव पक्षिणः॥
Those shafts then discharged by Bhimasena in that battle, fell upon the heroic Karna like so many humming birds.
हेमपुङ्खा प्रसन्नाग्रा भीमसेनधनुश्च्युताः। प्राच्छादयंस्ते राधेयं शलभा इव पावकम्॥
Furnished with golden wings, keen points and discharged from the bow of Bhimasena, those arrows covered Radha's son like fights of insects covering a blazing fire.
कर्णस्तु रथिनां श्रेष्ठश्छाद्यमानः समन्ततः। राजन् व्यसृजदुग्राणि शरवर्षाणि भारत॥
Then that foremost of car-warriors viz., Karna covered on all sides with those arrows, Oking, O Bharata, shot numerous fierce arrows at Bhima.
तस्य तानशनिप्रख्यानिषून् समरशोभिनः। चिच्छेद बहुभिर्भल्लैरसम्प्राप्तान् वृकोदरः॥
Vrikodara then cut-off with many shafts all those arrows of Karna that ornaments of battle, arrows that resembled the bolt of heaven, before they could reach him.
पुनश्च शरवर्षेण च्छादयामास भारत। कर्णो वैकर्तनो युद्धे भीमसेनमरिंदमः॥
But once more, O Bharata, that subduer of foes viz., Vikartana's son Karna, covered Bhimasena with a shower of arrows.
तत्र भारत भीमं तु दृष्टवन्तः स्म सायकैः। समाचिततनुं संख्ये श्वाविधं शललैरिव॥
O Bharata, we then beheld Bhimasena thus pierced all over with arrows, resemble a porcupine with its quills erect.
हेमपुङ्खाच्छिलाधौतान् कर्णचापच्युताञ्छरान्। दधार समरे वीरः खरश्मीनिव रश्मिवान्॥
Then that hero Vikodara held all those shafts, furnished with golden wings, whetted on stone and shot from the bow of Karna, like the sun holding his own myriad rays.
रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गो भीमसेनो व्यराजत। समृद्धकुसुमापीडो वसन्तेऽशोकवृक्षवत्॥
His body steeped in blood, Bhima then appeared beautiful like a Asoka tree in the spring covered all over with blossoms.
तत्तु भीमो महाबाहोः कर्णस्य चरितं रणे। नामृष्यत महाबाहुः क्रोधादुद्वत्तलोचनः॥
But the mighty armed Bhima with his eyes roiling in rage, did not for long, bear that conduct of Karna in battle patiently.
स कर्ण पञ्चविंशत्या नाराचानां समार्पयत्। महीधरमिव श्वेतं गूढपादैर्विषोल्बणैः॥
Thereafter he pierced Karna in battle with twenty five Narachas; pierced therewith Karna appeared beautiful like a white mountain with his sides covered over with snakes of virulent poison.
पुनरेव च विव्याध षभिरष्टाभिरेव च। मर्मखमरविक्रान्तः सूतपुत्रं तनुत्यजम्॥
Then once more that one of prowess resembling that of the immortals, pierced that reckless son of a Suta in his vital limbs with two sets of arrows numbering six and eight respectively.
पुनरन्येन बाणेन भीमसेनः प्रतापवान्। चिच्छेद कार्मुकं तूर्णं कर्णस्य ग्रहसन्निव॥
Again the valiant Bhimasena with another arrow smilingly cut-off the bow of Karna with great quickness.
जघान चतुरश्चाश्वान् सूतं च त्वरितः शरैः। नाराचैरर्करश्म्याभैः कर्ण विव्याध चोरसि॥
Quickly did he then slay with his arrows Karna's four steeds and charioteer. He then pierced Karna on the breast with Narachas of the effulgence of solar rays.
ते जग्मुर्धरणीमाशु कर्ण निर्भिद्य पत्रिणः। यथा जलधरं भित्त्वा दिवाकरमरीचयः॥
Those winged shafts piercing Karna through, fell down on the earth like the rays of the sun penetrating through masses of rain clouds.
स वैकव्यं महत् प्राप्य छिन्नधन्वा शराहतः। तथा पुरुषमानी स प्रत्यपायाद् रथान्तरम्॥
Wounded with those arrows and with his bow cut open, Karna was afflicted with great pain; although proud of his manliness, he then proceeded to another part of the field.