संजय उवाच ततः कर्णो रणे दृष्ट्वा पार्षतं परवीरहा। आजधानोरसि शरैर्दशभिर्मर्मभेदिभिः॥
Sanjaya said Then that slayer of foes viz., Karna beholding Prisata's son in battle, pierced the him on the breast with ten arrows capable of penetrating to the vitals.
प्रतिविव्याध तं तूर्णं धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि मारिष। दशभिः सायकैर्हष्टस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्॥
In return Dhristadyumna quickly pierced, in that battle, Karna, with five arrows and challenged him saying 'stay, stay.'
तावन्योन्यं शरैः संख्ये संछाद्य सुमहारथैः। पुनः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैर्विव्यधाते परस्परम्॥
In that dreadful battle, they both covering each other with their arrowy showers, pierced each other with shafts shot from fully-stretched bows.
ततः पाञ्चालमुख्यस्य धृष्टद्युम्नस्य संयुगे। सारथिं चतुरश्वाश्वान् कर्णो विव्याध सायकैः॥
Thereafter Karna dispatched the four steeds and charioteer of Dhristadyumna that foremost of the Panchalas, to the dreary abode of Death.
कार्मुकप्रवरं चापि प्रचिच्छेद शितैः शरैः। सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत् ॥
He cut-off with sharp arrows the latter's excellent bow and then with a bhalla felled his charioteer from the niche on the car.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः। गृहीत्वा परिघं घोरं कर्णस्याश्वानपीपिषत्॥
The puissant Dhristadyumna deprived of the use of his car and having his charioteer and his horses slain, quickly jumped down on the ground armed with a terrible mace.
विद्धश्च बहुभिस्तेन शरैराशीविषोपमैः। ततो युधिष्ठिरानीकं पद्भ्यामेवान्वपद्यत॥
Then through inangled with arrows of depressed knots shot by Karna, he still approached the former's chariot and slew the steeds thereof with the strokes of his mace.
आरुरोह रथं चापि सहदेवस्य मारिष। प्रयातुकामः कर्णाय वारितो धर्मनूनुना॥
Then quickly wheeling back, that slayer of hostile heroes viz., Prisata's son, that foremost of all car-warriors, ascended the chariot of Dhananjaya.
कर्णस्तु सुमहातेजाः सिंहनादविमिश्रितम्। धनुःशब्दं महचके दध्मौ तारेण चाम्बुजम्॥ दृष्टवा विनिर्जितं युद्धे पार्षतं ते महारथाः। अमर्षवशमापन्नाः पञ्चालाः सहसोमकाः॥
Then though desirous of encountering Karna once more, he was prevented from doing so by the son of Dharma. Then the highly puissant Karna created a loud din by means of his bow, which became mingled with his warcries. He then blew his conch furiously. Beholding Prisata's son vanquished in battle, those mighty car-warriors.
सूतपुत्रवधार्थाय शस्त्राण्यादाय सर्वशः। प्रययुः कर्णमुद्दिश्य मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम्॥
The Panchalas and the Somakas influenced by wrath, grasped their weapons with a view to compass the death of Suta's son.
कर्णस्यापि रथे वाहानन्यान् सूतोऽभ्ययोजयत्। शङ्खवर्णान् महावेगान् सैन्धवान् साधुवाहिनः॥
They then rushed against Karna, making death their final goal. Meanwhile Karna's
लब्धलक्ष्यस्तु राधेयः पञ्चालानां महारथान्। अभ्यपीडयदायस्तः शरैर्मेघ इवाचलम्॥
Steeds that were of the hue of conch shells, endued with great fleetness, of the Sindhu breed and well-broken. Then the son of Radha getting the mighty warriors of the Panchalas within his range.
सा पीड्यमाना कर्णेन पञ्चालानां महाचमूः। सम्प्राद्रवत् सुसंत्रस्ता सिंहेनेवार्दिता मृगी॥
Began to afflict them with his arrowy showers, like masses of clouds afflicting the mountain breast with torrents of rain. Afflicted sore by Karna, the division of the Panchalas.
पतितास्तुगेभ्यश्च गजेभ्यश्च महीतले। रथेभ्यश्च नरास्तूर्णमदृश्यन्त ततस्ततः॥ धावमानस्य योधस्य क्षुरप्रैः स महामृधे। बाहू चिच्छेद वै कर्णः शिरश्चैव संकुण्डलम्॥ ऊरू चिच्छेद चान्यस्य गजस्थस्य विशाम्पते।
Panic-struck,. began to break and fly away like a herd of deer attacked by a lion. O ruler of earth, then warriors were seen to fall down on the ground from their steeds or elephants or chariots, on all sides. In that fierce battle Karna cut-off with razor-headed arrows the arms and heads decked with ear-ring of warriors that were flying away. O ruler of men, he cut-off the thighs of other warriors riding on elephants.
वाजिपृष्ठगतस्यापि भूमिष्ठस्य च मारिष॥ नाज्ञासिषुर्धावमाना बहवश्च महारथाः।
Or on the backs of steeds or of those standing on the ground. O sire, many mighty car-warriors in the confusion of their flight perceived no.
संछिन्नान्यात्मगात्राणि वाहनानि च संयुगे॥ ते वध्यमानाः समरे पञ्चालाः सृञ्जयैः सह।
Their own limbs cut-off or the injuries of their animals. The Panchalas and the Srinjayas then slaughtered with dreadful arrows.
तृणप्रस्पन्दनाचापि सूतपुत्रं स्म मेनिरे॥ अपि स्वं समरे योधं धावमानं विचेतसम्। कर्णमेवाभ्यमन्यन्त ततो भीता द्रवन्ति ते॥ तान्यनीकानि भग्नानि द्रवमाणानि भारत।
Took even the motion of a straw for Karna. Greatly confounded; the combatants mistook their flying friends for Karna and then fled from them in great fright. Then, O Bharata, as those broken and routed divisions were flying away.
अभ्यद्रवद् द्रुतं कर्णः पृष्ठतो विकिरञ्छरान्॥ अवेक्षमाणास्त्वन्योन्यं सुसम्मूढा विचेतसः।
Karna pursued them from behind shooting his arrows in all directions. Those warriors as they were madly flying, were carnaged by thousands, in that battle.
नाशक्नुवन्नवस्थातुं काल्यमाना महात्मना॥ कर्णेनाभ्याहता राजन् पञ्चालाः परमेषुभिः।
Afflicted by that illustrious warrior Karna, they could not then stay on the field. O king, the Panchalas then mangled with excellent shafts by Karna.
द्रोणेन च दिशः सर्वा वीक्षमाणाः प्रदुद्रवुः॥ ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा स्वसैन्यं प्रेक्ष्य विद्रुतम्।
As also by Drona, looked vacantly at the different quarters and then fled away. Thereupon king Yudhishthira, beholding his own army routed.
अपयाने मनः कृत्वा फाल्गुनं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ पश्य कर्णं महेष्वासं धनुष्पाणिमवस्थितम्।
And considering a retreat to be addressed Arjuna thus;-'Behold the mighty car-warriors Karna standard yonder armed with his bow.
निशीथे दारुणे काले तपन्तमिव भास्करम्॥ कर्णसायकनुन्नानां क्रोशतामेष निःस्वनः। अनिशं श्रूयते पार्थ त्वद्वन्धूनामनाथवत्॥ यथा विसृजतश्चास्य संदधानस्य चाशुगान्। पश्यामि नान्तरं पार्थ क्षपयिष्यति नो ध्रुवम्॥ यदत्रानन्तरं कार्य प्राप्तकालं च पश्यसि। कर्णस्य वधसंयुक्तं तत् कुरुष्व धनंजय॥ एवमुक्तो महाराज पार्थः कृष्णमथाब्रवीत्। भीतः कुन्तीसुतो राजा राधेयस्याद्य विक्रमात्॥ एवंगते प्राप्तकालं कर्णानीके पुनः पुनः।
Like a burning sun shining even during the hideous hour of night. The yells of your own partisans helplessly mangled by the shafts of Karna are being incessantly heard. Karna does shoot his arrows so skillfully that no interval can be noticed between his fixing the arrow on the string and letting it off. He will surely fighting thus, extirpate all our friends. Do that now, O Dhananjaya, for compassing the slaughter of Karna, which according to your judgment should be done and for which the hour may have come." Being thus spoken to, Arjuna addressing Krishna said
भवान् व्यवस्यतु क्षिप्रं द्रवते हि वरूथिनी॥ द्रोणसायकनुन्नानां भग्नानां मधुसूदन।
“The royal son Dharma has been frightened today at the prowess of Karna. As Karna's division is repeatedly worsting that of our own, do your quickly make some arrangement that will cope with the present dangerous situation. Behold, yonder are our troops flying away. O slayer of Madhu, broken and mangled with the shafts of Drona.
कर्णेन त्रास्यमानानामवस्थानं न विद्यते॥ पश्यामि च तथा कर्णे विचरन्तमभीतवत्।
And frightened by Karna, they have no stay or support. I see that Karna is careering dauntlessly on the field.
द्रवमाणान् रथोदारान् किरन्तं निशितैः शरैः॥ नैनं शक्ष्यामि संसोढुं चरन्तं रणमूर्धनि।
Crushing numerous illustrious car-warriors and covering them with his sharp shafts I cannot brook the sight of him careering in thick of the fight.
प्रत्यक्षं वृष्णिशार्दूलं पाढम्पर्शमिवोरगः॥ स भवांस्तत्र यात्वाशु यत्र कर्णो महारथः। अहमेनं हनिष्यामि मां वैष मधुसूदन॥
Under my very nose, foremost of the Vrishnis, even as a snake cannot bear the tread of human feet. So, do you take me there where the mighty Karna is fighting. Oslayer of Madhu, either I will slay him or he shall slay me.
वासुदेव उवाच पश्यामि कर्णं कौन्तेय देवराजमिवाहवे। विचरन्तं नरव्याघ्रमतिमानुषविक्रमम्॥
Vasudeva said I see, O son of Kunti, that foremost of men, of super-human prowess, viz.., Karna, careering at the head of battle like the king of the celestials himself.
नैतस्यान्योऽस्ति संग्रामे प्रत्युद्याता धनंजय। ऋते त्वां पुरुषव्याघ्र राक्षसाद् वा घटोत्कचात्॥
O Dhananjaya, there is none, save yourself and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha who can encounter him in battle, O foremost of men.
न तु तावदहं मन्ये प्राप्तकालं तवानघ। समागमं महाबाहो सूतपुत्रेण संयुगे॥
O sinless one, I do not think that the hour has come when, O mighty armed one, you should meet the son of Suta in battle.
दीप्यमाना महोल्केव तिष्ठत्यस्य हि वासवी। त्वदर्थं हि महाबाहो सूतपुत्रेण संयुगे॥
The resplendent Sakti, resembling a mighty meteor, obtained by him from Vasava is still in his possession, o mighty armed one, kept carefully to be used against yourself by this son Suta.
रक्ष्यते शक्तिरेषा हि रौद्रं रूपं बिभर्ति च। घटोत्कचस्तु राधेयं प्रत्युद्यातु महाबलः॥
He preserves that Sakti; and therefore he has now assumed a terrible aspect. Ghatotkacha, is ever attached to your interests and is anxious for your welfare.
स हि भीमेन बलिना जातः सुरपराक्रमः। तस्मिन्नस्राणि दिव्यानि राक्षसान्यासुराणि च॥ सततं चानुरक्तो वो हितैषी च घटोत्कचः। विजेष्यति रणे कर्णमिति मे नात्र संशयः॥
Therefore let the mighty Ghatotkacha charge the son of Radha. That one of prowess resembling that of an immortal, was begotten by Bhima and he is conversant with numerous celestial, Asuri and Rakshasa-weapons. I am sure, he will conquer Karna in battle.
एवमुक्तो महाबाहुः पार्थः पुष्करलोचनः। आजुहावाथ तद् रक्षस्तचासीत् प्रादुरग्रतः॥
Sanjaya said Thus spoken to the mighty-armed Partha possessed of eyes resembling lotus petals, summoned the Rakshasa. Thereupon the Rakshasa appeared before him.
कवची सशरः खड्गी सधन्वा च विशाम्पते। अभिवाद्य ततः कृष्णं पाण्डवं च धनंजयम्।
Cased in armour and armed with bows arrows and a sword, O ruler of men. Then doing obeisance to Krishna and Pandu's son Dhananjaya.
अब्रवीच तदा कृष्णमयमस्यनुशाधि माम्॥ ततस्तं मेघसंकाशं दीप्तास्यं दीप्तकुण्डलम्। अभ्यभाषत हैडिम्बि दाशार्हः प्रहसन्निव॥
He proudly said-"Here am I order me.” Thereupon the descendant of the Dasarha race Krishna, addressing Hidimva's son of the complexion of clouds, of effulgent countenance and fiery eyes smilingly said these words.
श्रीवासुदेव उवाच घटोत्कच विजानीहि यत् त्वां वक्ष्यामि पुत्रक। प्राप्तो विक्रमकालोऽयं तव नान्यस्य कस्यचित्॥
Vasudeva said Take my blessings, O Ghatotkacha, hear attentively what I now say to you. The hour for the display of your prowess and of no one else has now arrived.
स भवान् मज्जमानानां बन्धूनां त्वं प्लवो भव। विविधानि तवास्राणि सन्ति माया च राक्षसी॥
Do you become the raft in this battle to the sinking Pandavas. You possess weapons of various kinds and the potent Rakshasi illusion.
पश्य कर्णेन हैडिम्बे पाण्डवानामनीकिनी। काल्यमाना यथा गावः पालेन रणमूर्धनि॥
Behold, O son of Hidimba, the hosts of the Pandavas afflicted by Karna in battle like a herd of kine belaboured by the keeper.
एष कर्णो महेष्वासो मतिमान् दृढविक्रमः। पाण्डवानामनीकेषु निहन्ति क्षत्रियर्षभान्॥
Yonder does the mighty bowman Karna of great intelligence and resolute prowess, burn the foremost of the Kshatriyas of the Pandava host.
किरन्तः शरवर्षाणि महान्ति दृढधन्विनः। न शक्रुवन्त्यवस्थातुं पीड्यमानाः शरार्चिषा॥
Scorched with his fiery arrows the Pandava warrior cannot stand before that resolute bowman who is shooting numerous arrows.
निशीथे सूतपुत्रेण शरवर्षेण पीडिताः। एते द्रवन्ति पञ्चालाः सिंहेनेवार्दिता मृगाः॥
Afflicted at the dead of night with showers of arrows shot by the son of Suta, yonder are the Panchalas flying away like a flock of deer attacked by the lion.
एतस्यैवं प्रवृद्धस्य सूतपुत्रस्य संयुगे। निषेद्धा विद्यते नान्यस्त्वामृते भीमविक्रम॥
Save yourself, O you of dreadful prowess, no one else is none who can confront Suta's son in battle thus engaged.
स त्वं कुरु महाबाहो कर्म युक्तमिहात्मनः। मातुलानां पितॄणां च तेजसोऽस्रबलस्य च॥
Therefore, O mighty-armed one, do you now perform what will be worthy of yourself, your maternal uncles, your sires and the measure of your energy and might.
एतदर्थं हि हैडिम्बे पुत्रानिच्छन्ति मानवाः। कथं नस्तारयेद् दुःखात् स त्वं तारय बान्धवान्॥
It is for saving them from difficulties, that men desire to have sons; O son of Hidimba, do you therefore, rescue your fathers and friends.
इच्छन्ति पितरः पुत्रान् स्वार्थ हेतोर्घटोत्कच। इहलोकात् परे लोके तारयिष्यन्ति ये हिताः॥
O Ghatotkacha, fathers desire to have sons, for furthering their own interests. And goc sons save their fathers here and hereafter.
तव ह्यत्र बलं भीमं मायाश्च तव दुस्तराः। संग्रामे युध्यमानस्य सततं भीमनन्दन॥
You are generous and your strength in battle is indeed terrible and matchless. While engaged in battle, there is none else equal to you.
पाण्डवानां प्रभग्नानां कर्णेन निशि सायकैः। मजतां धार्तराष्ट्रेषु भव पारं परंतप॥
O afflicter of your foes, do you become the raft for the Pandavas when they are being routed in this hour of night by the shafts of Karna and when they are sinking in the ocean identified with the Dhartarashtra troops.
रात्रौ हि राक्षसा भूयो भवन्त्यमितविक्रमाः। बलवन्तः सुदुर्धर्षाः शूरा विक्रान्तचारिणः॥
Moreover, at night the Rakshasas become possessed of immeasurable prowess; the Rakshasas are by nature powerful, indomitable, heroic and energetic in battle.
जहि कर्णं महेष्वासं निशीथे मायया रणे। पार्था द्रोणं वधिष्यन्ति धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमाः॥
With the help of your illusions do you kill the fierce bowman Karna in this nocturnal fight. The of Pritha headed by Dhristadyumna will slay Drona in battle.
संजय उवाच केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा बीभत्सुरपि राक्षसम्। अभ्यभाषत कौरव्य घटोत्कचमरिंदमम्॥
Sanjaya said Hearing the words of Kesava, Vibhatsu also addressing that Rakshasa, that slayer of foes viz., Ghatotkacha said, O foremost of the Kurus, these words.
घटोत्कच भवांश्चैव दीर्घबाहुश्च सात्यकिः। मतो मे सर्वसैन्येषु भीमसेनश्च पाण्डवः॥
0 Ghatotkacha, yourself, the long-armed Satyaki and the Pandava Bhimasena, these, according to my opinion, are the foremost among all our troops.
तद्भवान् यातु कर्णेन द्वैरथं युध्यतां निशि। सात्यकिः पृष्ठगोपस्ते भविष्यति महारथः॥
In this nocturnal fight do you therefore sons warrior Satyaki will become your protect or from behind.
जहि कर्णं रणे शूरं सात्वतेन सहायवान्। यथेन्द्रस्तारकं पूर्वं स्कन्देन सह जनिवान्॥
Supported by the Satvata hero, do you slay the heroic Karna in battle, even as Indra supported by Skanda slew Taraka in days gone by.”
घटोत्कच उवाच अलमेवास्मि कर्णाय द्रोणायालं च भारत। अन्येषां क्षत्रियाणां च कृतास्राणां महात्मनाम्॥
Ghatotkacha said I am capable of encountering Karna and Drona, O Bharata and I am a match for all the other high-souled Kshatriyas accomplished in the use of weapons.
अद्य दास्यामि संग्रामं सूतपुत्राय तं निशि। यं जनाः सम्प्रवक्ष्यन्ति यावद् भूमिर्धरिष्यति॥
This night, I shall fight such a fierce battle with the son of Suta, of which men will talk as long as the earth will exit.
न चात्र शूरान् मोक्ष्यामि न भीतान्न कृताञ्जलीन्। सर्वानेव वधिष्यामि राक्षस धर्ममास्थितः॥
Following the Rakshasa mode, I shall not spare this time any body, either the brave or the coward or those that will with folded palms, solicit mercy. I shall slay all folded palms, solicit mercy. I shall slay all.
संजय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहु डिम्बिर्वरवीरहा। अभ्ययात् तुमुले कर्णं तव सैनयं विभीषयन्॥
Sanjaya said Having thus spoken, that slayer of hostile heroes namely the mighty-armed son of Hidimba, dashed against Karna, in that fierce fight, frightening your troops.
तमापतन्तं संक्रुद्धं दीप्तास्यं दीप्तमूर्धजम्। प्रहसन् पुरुषव्याघ्रः प्रतिजग्राह सूतजः॥
Then that foremost of men that son of Suta smilingly received Ghatotkacha of blazing countenance and burning locks, as the latter was furiously falling upon him.
तयोः समभवद् युद्धं कर्णराक्षसयोर्मधे। गर्जतो राजशार्दूल शक्रप्रहादयोरिव॥
Then the battle between those two roaring heroes, viz., Karna and that Rakshasa, commenced resembling O foremost of kings that between Shakra and Pralhada in days gone by.