संजय उवाच उदीर्यमाणं तद् दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवानां महद् बलम्। अविषह्यं च मन्वानः कर्णं दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्॥
Sanjaya said Duryodhana, on beholding the vast army of the Pandavas-inflated with wrath and thinking it to be irresistible thus spoke to Karna.
अयं स कालः सम्प्राप्तो मित्राणां मित्रवत्सल। त्रायस्व समरे कर्ण सर्वान् योधान् महारथान्॥
The time is now, O you that are devoted to your friends (to seek your assistance). O Karna, save in battle all my soldiers and car warriors.
पञ्चालैर्मत्स्यकैकेयैः पाण्डवैश्च महारथैः। वृतान् समन्तात् संक्रुद्धैनिः श्वसद्भिरिवोरगैः॥
Who are not completely hemmed in by the wrathful Panchalas and the Keykeas and the Matsyas and by the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas who are all listening like (angry) snakes.
एते नदन्ति संहृष्टाः पाण्डवा जितकाशिनः। शक्रोपमाश्च बहवः पञ्चालानां स्थव्रजाः॥
These Pandavas, filled with ecstasy and desirous of victory and these numerous carwarriors of the Panchalas equal to Shakra in prowess, are (all) roaring.
कर्ण उवाच परित्रातुमिह प्राप्तो यदि पार्थं पुरंदरः। तमप्याशु पराजित्य ततो हन्तास्मि पाण्डवम्॥
Karna said Even if Purandara himself comes here in person in order to deliver the son of Pritha, I will soon vanquish him and then slay the son of Pandu (i.e. Arjuna).
सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि समाश्वसिहि भारत। हन्तास्मि पाडुतनयान् पञ्चालांश्च समागतान्॥
I swear this truly. Reassure your-self O Bharata. I will destroy the sons of Pandu together with all the assembled Panchalas.
जयं ते प्रतिदास्यामि वासवस्येव पावकिः। प्रियं तव मया कार्यमिति जीवामि पार्थिव॥
I will secure to you victory as the son of Pavaka (i.e., Kartikeya) did to Vasava himself. In this battle which is now going on, I will do good offices to you.
सर्वेषामेव पार्थानां फाल्गुनो बलवत्तरः। तस्यामोघां विमोक्ष्यामि शक्तिं शक्रविनिर्मिताम्॥
Among all the sons of Pritha. Phalguna is the most powerful. I will hurl at him the unfailing dart made by Shakra.
तस्मिन् हते महेष्वासे भ्रातरस्तस्य मानद। तव वश्या भविष्यन्ति वनं यास्यन्ति वा पुनः॥
When the mighty-bowman will be slain, his brothers, O bestower of honours, will either come under your away or depart to the forest again.
मयि जीवति कौरव्य विषादं मा कृथाः क्वचित्। अहं जेष्यामि समरे सहितान् सर्वपाण्डवान्॥
O lord of the Kauravas, since I am alive you need not give way to sorrow. I will, in battle, destroy all the Pandavas joined together.
पञ्चालान् केकयांश्चैव वृष्णींश्चापि समागतान्। बाणौधैः शकलीकृत्य तव दास्यामि मेदिनीम्॥
The Panchalas, the Keykayas and the assembled Vrishnis. (And) cutting (them) off into pieces with arrows I will give the earth to you.
संजय उवाच एवं ब्रुवाणं कण तु कृपः शारद्वतोऽब्रवीत्। स्मयन्निव महाबाहुः सूतपुत्रमिदं वचः॥
Sanjaya said When Karna was saying all this the mightyarmed Kripa, the son of Saradvata smilingly said these words to the charioteer's son.
शोभनं शोभनं कर्ण सनाथः कुरुपुङ्गवः। त्वया नाथेन राधेय वचसा यदि सिध्यति॥
"Very well very well, O Karna. If words alone were to lead to success, then 0 son of Radha, with yourself as his supporter, this most exalted of the Kuru could be considered as sufficiently backed.
बहुशः कत्थसे कर्ण कौरवस्य समीपतः। न तु ते विक्रमः कश्चिद् दृश्यते फलमेव वा॥
Frequently in the presence of the Kaurava (king) you boast (of your prowess). But neither your prowess nor the result of it has ever been witnessed.
समागमः पाण्डुसुतैदृष्टस्ते बहुशो युधि। सर्वत्र निर्जितश्चासि पाण्डवैः सूतनन्दन॥
You have been, on several occasions, seen to engage in battle with the sons of Pandu. But, charioteer's son, you have, on all those occasions, been defeated by the Pandavas.
ह्रियमाणे तदा कर्ण गन्धर्वैधृतराष्टजे। तदायुध्यन्त सैन्यानि त्वमेकोऽग्रेऽपलायिथाः॥
On the son of Dhritarashtra being taken prisoner by the Gandharvas, you yourself were the first to take to your heels although all the troops were fighting (to rescue the Kuru king).
विराटनगरे चापि समेताः सर्वकौरवाः। पार्थेन निर्जिता युद्धे त्वं च कर्ण सहानुजः॥
Again, in the city of Virata, all the assembled Kauravas as well as you, O Karna, together with your younger brother were (all) defeated by Part. a in battle.
एकस्याप्यसमर्थस्त्वं फाल्गुनस्य रणाजिरे। कथमुत्सहसे जेतुं सकृष्णान् सर्वपाण्डवान्॥
You are, in battle, incapable of fighting with Phalguna alone. How can you, (therefore) hope to conquer all the Pandavas together with Krishna?
अब्रुवन् कर्ण युध्यस्व कत्थसे बहु सूतज। अनुक्त्वा विक्रमेद् यस्तु तद् वै सत्पुरुषव्रतम्॥
O Karna, O charioteer's son, you boast too much (of your prowess). Be engaged in fight. It is the duty of good (i.e. really brave) men to display their prowess without uttering (a single boastful word).
गर्जित्वा सूतपुत्र त्वं शारदाभ्रमिवाफलम्। निष्फलो दृश्यसे कर्ण तब राजा न बुध्यते॥
By roaring like the rainless autumnal clouds, O charioteer's son, O Karna, you show that you have no worth. But the king does not understand this.
तावद् गर्जस्व राधेय यावत् पार्थं न पश्यसि। आरात् पार्थं हि ते दृष्ट्वा दुर्लभं गर्जितं पुनः॥
Continue, O son Radha, to roar so long as you do not behold Partha; (for) you will cease roaring when you will see Partha near.
त्वमनासाद्य तान् बाणान् फाल्गुनस्य विगर्जसि। पार्थसायकविद्धस्य दुर्लभं गर्जितं तव॥
Continue to roar so long as you are out of the reach of Phalguna's arrows: (for) you will cease roaring when you will see Partha near.
बाहुभिः क्षत्रियाः शूरा वाग्भिः शूरा द्विजातयः। धनुषा फाल्गुनः शूरः कर्णः शूरो मनोरथैः॥
It is by means of (the prowess of) their arms that the Kshyatras are heroes. The twice-born ones display their heroism by words. It is by means of this bow that Phalguna is a hero. But Karna is a hero by the wishes (he cherishes in his heart).
तोषितो येन रुद्रोऽपि क: पार्थं प्रतिघातयेत्। एवं संरुषिस्तेन तदा शारद्वतेन ह॥
Who can resist Partha that has gratified even Rudra himself?” Thus reviled by the son of Saradvat.
कर्णः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः कृपं वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्। शूरा गर्जन्ति सततं प्रावृषीव बलाहकाः॥
Karna, the foremost of smiters, spoke these words to Kripa. Heroes always roar like clouds during the rainy season.
फलं चाशु प्रयच्छन्ति बोजमुप्तमृताविव। दोषमत्र न पश्यामि शूराणां रर्णमूर्धनि॥
And they yield an early harvest like sceds sown into the soil (at the proper time). I do not find any fault with the warriors on the field of battle.
तत्तद् विकस्थमानानां भारं चोद्वहतां मृधे। यं भारं पुरुषो वोढं मनसा हि व्यवस्यति॥
Boasting in several ways of themselves who bear a (great) burden in war. That person, who resolves in his mind to bear a burden.
दैवमस्य ध्रुवं तत्र साहाय्यायोपद्यते। व्यवसायद्वितीयोऽहं मनसा भारमुद्वहन्॥
Is surely helped by fate in carrying out his purposes, If resolving in my mind to bear a (great) burden.
हत्वा पाण्डुसुतानाजौ सकृष्णान् सहसात्वतान्। गर्जामि यद्यहं विप्र तव किं तत्र नश्यति॥
That is (if wishing in my mind) to slay in battle the son of Pandu together with Krishna and Sattvata, I roar thus, what harm is there in it to you, O Brahmana?
वृथा शूरा न गर्जन्ति शारदा अव तोयदाः। सामर्थ्यमात्मनो ज्ञात्वा ततो गर्जन्ति पण्डिताः॥
Heroes do not roar in vain like the autumnal clouds. The wise, conscious of their ownstrength, indulge in roars.
सोऽहमद्य रणे यत्तौ सहितौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ। उत्सहे मनसा जेतुं ततो गर्जामि गौतम॥
I am, too, resolved in my mind to conquer in battle today the Pandavas and Krishna joined together, by exerting my best. O son of Goutama, it is on this account, that I indulge in roars.
पश्य त्वं गर्जितस्यास्य फलं ते विप्र सानुगान्। हत्वा पाण्डुसुतानाजी सहकृष्णान् ससात्वतान्॥ दुर्योधनाय दास्यामि पृथिवीं हतकण्टकाम्।
O Brahmana, witness the result of these roars of mine. Having slain in battle the sons of Pandu together with Krishna. Sattvata and (all their) followers I will deliver the (entire) earth with its thorns weeded out, to Duryodhana.
मनोरथप्रलापा मे न ग्राह्यास्तव सूतज॥ सदा क्षिपसि वै कृष्णौ धर्मराजं च पाण्डवम्।
Kripa said Your intentions being like the ravings (of a mad man) cannot be acceptable to me, inasmuch as you always tale to me, inasmuch as you always speak depreciatingly of Krishna, Arjuna and Dharmaraj, the son of Pandu.
ध्रुवस्तत्र जयः कर्ण यत्र युद्धविशारदौ॥ देवगन्धर्वयक्षाणां मनुष्योरगरक्षसाम्। दंशितानामपि रणे अजेयौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ॥ ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यवाग दान्तो गुरुदैवतपूजकः। नित्यं धर्मरतश्चैव कृतास्रश्च विशेषतः॥ धृतिमांश्च कृतज्ञश्च धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः।
O Karna, victory on the part of that person is certain who has on his side Krishna and the Pandava (Arjuna) both skilled in warfare and incapable of being vanquished in battle by the celestials, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the mortals the Uragas and the birds (even if all these fight) with their on). Yudhishthira the son of Dharma is devoted to the Brahmanas, (always) speaks truth, is selfrestrained, worships the Pitris and the celestials, is devoted to truth and righteousness, well skilled in weapons, is possessed of intelligence and is grateful.
भ्रातरश्चास्य बलिन: सर्वानेषु कृतश्रमाः॥ गुरुवृत्तिरताः प्राज्ञा धर्मनित्या यशस्विनः।
His brother (also) are powerful, well-skilled in all the weapons, devoted to the ministrations of their elders, wise, renowned and (they) always practice righteousness.
सम्बन्धिनश्चेन्द्रवीर्याः स्वनुरक्ताः प्रहारिणः॥ धृष्टद्युम्न: शिखण्डी च दौर्मुखिर्जनमेजयः।
His relations and kinsmen too are powerful as Indra himself, are devotedly attached (to him) and (efficient) smiters. Dhristadyumna, Sikhandi and Janamejaya, the son of Durmuksha. armoirs are
चन्द्रसेनो रुद्रसेनः कीर्तिधर्मा ध्रुवो धरः॥ वसुचन्द्रो दामचन्द्रः सिंहचन्द्रः सुतेजनः।
And Chandrasena, Bhadrasena, Kirtivarma, Dhruva, Dhara, Vasuchandra, Damachandra, Singha-Chandra, sutejana.
दुपदस्य तथा पुत्रा दुपदश्च महासवित्॥ येषामर्थाय संयत्तो मत्स्यराजः सहानुजः।
And the sons of Drupada and Drupada himself skilled in great weapons and the king of Matsya together with his younger brothers are exerting their utmost on their behalf.
शतानीकः सूर्यदत्तः श्रुतानीकः श्रुतध्वजः॥ बलानीको जयानीको जयाश्वो रथवाहनः। चन्द्रोदयः समरथो विराटभ्रातरः शुभाः॥
And Gajaneeka, Srutaneeka, Veerabhadra, Sudrasana, Srutadhvaja, Valaneeka, Jayaneeka, Jarapreya and Vijaya, Labdhalaksha, Jayasva, Rathavahana, Chandradaya, Kamaratha, the auspicious brothers of Virata,
यमौ च द्रौपदेयाश्च राक्षसश्च घटोत्कचः। येषामर्थाय युध्यन्ते न तेषां विद्यते क्षयः॥
And the twins, the (five) sons of Draupadi and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha are fighting for their sake. They (therefore) cannot meet with destruction.
एते चान्ये च बहवो गुणाः पाण्डुसुतस्य वै। कामं खलु जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम्॥ सयक्षराक्षसगणं सभूतभुजगद्विपम्। निःशेषमस्रवीर्येण कुर्वाते भीमफाल्गुनौ॥
These and innumerable numbers of other kinsmen and relations) are on the side of the son of Pandu. Indeed, Bhima and Phalguna, by ineans of the prowess of their weapons, can easily destroy the whole universe together with all the celestials, the Asuras, the human beings and the Rakshasas, (other) created beings, the serpents and the elephants.
युधिष्ठिरश्च पृथिवीं निर्दहेद् घोरचक्षुषा। अप्रमेयबलः शौरिर्येषामर्थे च दंशितः॥ कथं तान् संयुगे कर्ण जेतुमुत्र हसे परान्। महानपनयस्त्वेष नित्यं हि तव सूतज!॥ यस्त्वमुत्सहसे योद्धं समरे शौरिणा सह।
Yudhishthira, also by means of his angry looks, can consume the (whole). O Karna, how can you hope to vanquish these enemies in battle, for whose sake Souri of unrivaled prowess has armed himself? It is indeed a great impudence on your part, OCharioteer's son, as you always dare confronting Souri in battle.
संजय उवाच राधेयः प्रहसन् भरतर्षभ॥ एवमुक्तस्तु अब्रवीच तदा कर्णो गुरुं शारद्वतं कृपम्।
Sanjaya said Thus spoken to (by Kripa), Karna the son of Radha then replied smilingly to the preceptor Kripa, the son of Saradvat.
सत्यमुक्तं त्वया ब्रह्मन् पाण्डवान् प्रति यद् वचः॥४९ एते चान्ये च बहवो गुणाः पाण्डुसुतेषु वै।
“O Brahmana, the words that you have (just) spoken about the Pandavas are true. Indeed the sons of Pandu are gifted with these and many other noble qualities.
अजय्याश्च रणे पार्था देवैरपि सवासवैः॥ सदैत्ययक्षगनधर्वैः पिशाचोरगराक्षसैः।
The sons of Pritha are unconquerable in battle by the celestials together with Vasava (at their head), by the Yakshas, the Daityas and the Gandharvas (all) united together and by the Pishachas, the Urages and the Rakshasas.
तथापि पार्थाजेष्यामि शत्तया वासवदत्तया॥ मम ह्यमोघा दत्तेयं शक्तिः शक्रेण वै द्विज।
Still I will vanquish the Parthas by means of the dart granted to me by Vasava. This unfailing dart was given to me, O twice-born one, by Shakra.
एतया निहनिष्यामि सव्यसाचिनमाहवे॥ हते तु पाण्डवे कृष्णो भ्रातरश्चास्य सोदराः।
By means of this dart I will slay Savyasachi in battle. When this son of Pandu will be slain, Krishna, as will as his uterine brothers (i.e., Yudhishthira and Bhima).
अनर्जुना न शक्ष्यन्ति महीं भोक्तुं कथञ्चन॥ तेषु नष्टेषु सर्वेषु पृथिवीयं ससागरा।
Will not able to enjoy the earth without Arjuna. At the destruction of all these, this, earth together with her seas.
अयत्नात् कौरवेन्द्रस्य वश स्थास्यति गौतम॥ सुनीतैरिह सर्वार्थाः सिध्यन्ते नात्र संशयः।
Will come under the sway of the lord the Kurus without any trouble (on his part), O son of Goutama. There is no doubt that in this world, a sound policy leads to success in everything.
एतमर्थमहं ज्ञात्वा ततो गर्जामि गौतम॥ त्वं तु विप्रश्च वृद्धश्च अशक्तश्चापि संयुगे।
Well aware of this (to be certain) I give forth (these) roar. O Goutama, you are much advanced in years, a Brahmana and unskillful in battle.
कृतस्नेहश्च पार्थेषु मोहान्मामवमन्यसे॥ यद्यैवं वक्ष्यसे भूयो ममाप्रियमिह द्विजा
It is on account of your affection towards the sons of Pritha that you insult me (thus). If, O twice-born one, you speak such disagreeable words to me, as these again.
ततस्ते खड्गमुद्यम्य जिह्वां छेत्स्यामि दुर्मते॥ यचापि पाण्डवान् विप्र स्तोतुमिच्छसि संयुगे।
Then taking up my scimitar I will cut-off your tongue, O wretch. O Brahmana, you are desirous of praising the Pandavas, in battle.
भीषयन् सर्वसैन्यानि कौरवेयाणि दुर्मते॥ अत्रापि शृणु मे वाक्यं रथावदब्रुवतो द्विजा
In order to strike terror into the hearts of) all the troops and the Kauravas, O evil-minded one, O son of Goutama, hear what I say on this point.
दुर्योधनश्च द्रोणच शकुनिर्दुमुखो जयः॥ दुःशासनो वृषसेनो मद्रराजस्त्वमेव च।
Where Duryodhana, Drona, Shakuni, Durmukha, Jaya, Dusasana, Vrishasena, the king Madra and yourself.
सोमदत्तश्च भूरिश्च तथा द्रौणिर्विविंशतिः॥ : तिष्ठेयुर्दशिता यत्र सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः।
And Somadatta, Bhuri, the son of Drona and Vivingsati-all well-skilled in warfare, remain (prepared for battle) with their armours on.
जयेदेतान् नरः को नु शक्रतुल्यबलोऽप्यरिः॥ शूराश्च हि कृतास्त्राश्च बलिनः स्वर्गलिप्सवः।
Can any foe, be he as powerful as Shakra himself, vanquish all these (heroes) in battle? All these warriors that are heroes, efficient in weapons, endued with strength, desirous of attaining the hcaven.
धर्मज्ञा युद्धकुशला हन्युर्युद्धे सुरानपि॥ एते स्थास्यन्ति संग्रामे पाण्डवानां वधार्थिनः।
Conversant with religion and well skilled in battle, would slay the very gods in battle. These will remain on the field of battle for the purpose of destroying the Pandavas.
जयमाकाङ्क्षमाणा हि कौरवेयस्य दंशिताः॥ दैवायत्तमहं मन्ये जयं सुबलिनामपि।
With their armours on, for the Kaurava king, solicitous of victory I deem victory even with regard to those endued with great prowess to be dependent on fate.
यत्र भीष्मो महाबाहुः शेते शरशताचितः॥ विकर्णश्चित्रसेनश्च बाह्रीकोऽथ जयद्रथः।
Since the mighty-armed Bhisma lies (on the field) struck by a hundred arrows, (and since) Vikarna, Chitrasena, Valhika, Jayadratha.
भूरिश्रवा जयश्चैव जलसंधः सुदक्षिणः॥ शलश्च रथिनां श्रेष्ठो भगदत्तश्च वीर्यवान्।
And Bhurisrava, Jaya, Jalasandha, Sudakshina, Sala, the foremost of car-warriors, the puissant Bhagadatta.
एते चान्ये च राजानो देवैरपि सुदुर्जयाः॥ निहताः समरे शूराः पाण्डवैर्बलवत्तराः।
These and numerous other heroes difficult of be being vanquished by the very gods and more powerful than the Pandavas themselveslie slain in battle.
किमन्यद् दैवसंयोगान्मन्यसे पुरुषाधम॥ यांश्च तान् स्तौषि सततं दुर्योधनरिपून् द्विजा
To what do you, that are the basest of men, attribute all this except the hand of fate? O twice-born one, as to the enemies, Duryodhana whom you always extol.
तेषामपि हताः शूराः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥ क्षीयन्ते सर्वसैन्यानि कुरूणां पाण्डवैः सह।
Hundreds and thousands of warriors on their side also have been destroyed. The troops of both the Kurus and the Pandavas are diminishing.
प्रभावं नात्र पश्यामि पाण्डवानां कथंचन॥ यस्तान् बलवतो नित्यं मन्यसे त्वं द्विजाधम
I do not see in it any prowess on the part of the Pandavas. Those whom you, you that are the basest of men, always deem powerful.
यतिष्येऽहं यथाशक्ति योद्धं तैः सह संयुगे। दुर्योधनहितार्थाय 'जयो दैवे प्रतिष्ठितः'॥
I will confront in battle putting forth my utmost prowess for the welfare of Duryodhana. As regards success, it is dependent on fate.