धृतराष्ट्र उवाच कर्णदुर्योधनादीनां शकुनेः सौबलस्य च। अपनीतं महत् तात तव चैव विशेषतः॥
Dhritarashtra said O sire, this act of Karna, Duryodhana, Sakuni the son of Subala and especially of yourself, has been very much against the dictates of policy.
यदि जानीथ तां शक्तिमेकघ्नीं सततं रणे। अनिवार्यामसह्यां च देवैरपि सवासवैः॥
Indeed when you knew that Sakti was capable of slaying only one person and that it was incapable of being borne and repulsed even by the gods with Vasava at their head.
सा किमर्थं तु कर्णेन प्रवृत्ते समरे पुरा। न देवकीसुते मुक्ता फाल्गुने वापि संजय॥
Why then, O Sanjaya, was it not hurled by Karna at the son of Devaki or at Phalguna while he was engaged with these in battle before.
संजय उवाच संग्रामाद् विनिवृत्तानां सर्वेषां नो विशाम्पते। रात्रौ कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ मन्त्रोऽयं समजायत॥ प्रभातमात्रे श्वोभूते केशवाया नाय वा। शक्तिरेषा हि मोक्तव्या कर्ण कर्णेति नित्यशः॥
Sanjaya said Every day returning from the field of battle, O ruler of men, we used to hold consultation in the night and speak unto Karna, O foremost of the Kurus, in the following manner. O Karna, tomorrow this Sakti should be hurled at either Karna or Arjuna."
ततः प्रभातसमये राजन् कर्णस्य दैवतैः। अन्येषां चैव योधानां सा बुद्धिर्नाश्यते पुनः॥
When however, the day dawned, 0 monarch, as fate would have it, Karna as well as all the other warriors forget all about that resolution.
दैवमेव परं मन्ये यत् कर्णो हस्तसंस्थया। न जघान रणे पार्थं कृष्णं वा देवकीसुतम्॥
Indeed it is destiny that is supreme to all other forces, inasmuch as Karna did not slay cither Partha or Krishna with the dart that he had in his grasp.
तस्य हस्तस्थिता शक्तिः कालरात्रिरिवोद्यता। दैवोपहतबुद्धित्वान्न तां कर्णो विमुक्तवान्॥ कृष्णे वा देवकीपुत्रे मोहितो देवमायया। पार्थे वा शक्रकल्पे वै वधार्थं वासवीं प्रभो॥
Indeed because his intelligence had been confounded by destiny itself that he did not, stupefied by the illusion of the Gods, hur) that death dealing lart given him by Vasava, though he held in his hand, at Krishna the son of Devaki it at Parthas of prowess equal to that of Indra, for their destruction.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच दैवेनोपहता यूयं स्वबुद्ध्या केशवस्य च। गता हि वासवी हत्वा तृणभूतं घटोत्कचम्॥
Dhritarashtra said You are destroyed by Destiny, by your own understanding and by Kesava. The fatal dart of Vasava is lost having brought about the slaughter of Ghatotkacha who was insignificant as a straw.
कर्णश्च मम पुत्राश्च सर्वे चान्ये च पार्थिवाः। तेन वै दुष्प्रणीतेन गता वैवस्वतक्षयम्॥
as Karna and my sons as all the other kings, through his greatly impolitic act, have already gone to the abode of wealth.
भूय एव तु मे शंस यथा युद्धमवर्तत। कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च हैडिम्बे निहते तदा॥
Describe to me how the battle raged between the Kurus and the Pandavas after the fall of Hidimva's son.
थे च तेऽभ्यद्रवन् द्रोणं व्यूढानीकः प्रहारिणः। सुंजयाः सह पञ्चास्तेऽप्यकुर्वन् कथं रणम्॥
How did the Panchalas and the Srinjayas, arranged in order and well-skilled in smiting, fight, having rushed upon Drona in battle.
सौमदत्तेर्वधाद् द्रोणमायान्तं सैन्धवस्य च। अमर्षाजीवितं त्यक्त्वा गाहमानं वरुथिनीम्॥ जृम्भमाणमिव व्याघ्रं व्यात्ताननमिवान्तकम्। कथं प्रत्युद्ययुयॊणमस्यन्तं पाण्डुसृञ्जयाः॥
How indeed did Pandus and Srinjayas resist the striking Drona when he proceeding against them, penetrated into their host inflamed with wrath at the slaughter of Bhurisravas and Jayadratha, regardless of his very life and resembling a yawning tiger on the destroyer himself with mouth agape.
आचार्यं ये च तेऽरक्षन् दुर्योधनपुरोगमाः। द्रौणिकर्णकृपास्तात ते वाकुर्वन् किमाहवे॥
What also did they do in battle, O sire, viz., Drona's son and Karna and Kripa and others headed by Duryodhana that protected the preceptor.
भारद्वाजं जिघांसन्तौ सव्यसाचिवृकोदरौ। समार्च्छन् मामका युद्धे कथं संजय शंस मे॥
Describe to me, O Sanjaya, how my combatants in that battle covered with their arrows Dhananjaya and Vrikodara who were desirous of slaying the son of Bharadvaja.
सिन्धुरावधेनेमे घटोत्कचवधेन ते। अमर्षिताः सुसंक्रुद्धा रणं चक्रुः कथं निशि॥
How indeed did those, worked up with anger at the death of the ruler of the Sindhus and those at the death of Ghatotkacha, each side unable to brook their loss, fight during that night.
संजय उवाच हते घटोत्कचे राजन् कर्णेन निशि राक्षसे। प्रणदत्सु च हृष्टेषु तावकेषु युयुत्सुषु॥
Sanjaya said Upon the destruction, that night, O monarch of the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha by Karna, all your soldiers filled with delight uttered loud shouts.
आपतत्सु च वेगेन वध्यमाने बलेऽपि च। विगाढायां रजन्यां च राजा दैन्यं परं गतः॥
In that dark hour of night they furiously assailed the Pandava troop and began to slaughter them. Seeing all this king Yudhishthira became highly depressed.
अब्रवीच महाबाहुर्भीमसेनमिदं वचः। आवारय महाबाहो धार्तराष्ट्रस्य वाहिनीम्॥
O chastiser of foes, the mighty armed son of Pandu then addressed Bhima and thus spoke: "O you of might arms, check the (rushing) host of Dhritarashtra's son.
हैडिम्बेश्चैव घातेन मोहो मामाविशन्महान्। एवं भीमं समादिश्य स्वरथे समुपाविशत्॥
Owing to the slaughter of Hidimva's son a great stupefaction is overwhelming me." Having commanded Bhima thus he sat down on the terrace of his car.
अश्रुपूर्णमुखो राजा निःश्वसंश्च पुनः पुनः। कश्मलं प्राविशद् घोरं दृष्टवा कर्णस्य विक्रमम्॥
With fearful countenance and repeated sighs the monarch became highly depressed on seeing Karna's prowess.
तं तथा व्यथितं दृष्ट्वा कृष्णो वचनमब्रवीत्। मा व्यथां कुरु कौन्तेय नैतत् त्वय्युपपद्यते॥ वैकुव्यं भरतश्रेष्ठ यथा प्राकृतपूरुषे। उत्तिष्ठ राजन् युद्ध्यस्व वह गुर्वी धुरं विभो॥
Seeing him so afflicted, Krishna said these words, “O son of Kunti. let not such gricf overtake you. This depression is not worthy of yourself, O chief of the Bharatas, as it is of an ordinary person; arise O monarch and fight and bear this heavy burden of grief.
त्वयि वैकुव्यमापन्ने संशयो विजये भवेत्। श्रुत्वा कृष्णस्य वचनं धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः॥
If you are overtaken by depression victory becomes uncertain." Hearing these words of Krishna the very virtuous king Yudhishthira.
विमृज्य नेत्रे पाणिभ्यां कृष्णं वचनमब्रवीत्। विदिता मे महाबाहो धर्माणां परमा गतिः॥
Wiping his eyes with his hands replied unto Krishna saying-O) you of mighty arms, the excellent path of duty is not unknown to you.
ब्रह्महत्या फलं तस्य यैः कृतं नावबुध्यते। श्रस्माकं हि वनस्थानां हैडिम्बेन महात्मना॥
The dreadful consequences of Brahmanicide are his that forgets the services he gets at the hands of others. While we were living in the woods the illustrious son of Hidimba.
बालेनापि सता तेन कृतं साह्यं जनार्दन। असहेतोर्गतं ज्ञात्वा पाण्डवं श्वेतवाहनम्॥
Although then a small boy only, did us many good turns, O Jannarddana. Being informed that Pandu's son Arjuna had gone to acquire weapons.
असौ कृष्ण महेष्वासः काम्यके मामुपस्थितः। उषितश्च सहास्माभिर्यावन्नासीद् धनंजयः॥
O Krishna, this fierce bowman went to see me in the Kamyaka forest. he there lived with us until Dhananjaya came back.
गन्धमादनयात्रायां दुर्गेभ्यश्च स्म तारिताः। पाञ्चाली च परिश्रान्ता पृष्ठेनोढा महात्मना॥
On the occasion of our journey to the Ghandhamadana, we crossed all difficulties with his help. He then carried the fatigued daughter of the Panchalas on his own back.
आरम्भाच्चैव युद्धानां यदेष कृतवान् प्रभो। मदर्थे दुष्करं कर्म कृतं तेन महाहवे॥
O master, the feats he had achieved in battle, fully prove that he was learned in all
मे
modes of warfare. That illustrious warrior did accomplish many difficult tasks for my sake only.
स्वभावाद् या च मे प्रीतिः सहदेवे जनार्दन। सैव मे परमा प्रीती राक्षसेन्द्रे घटोत्कचे॥
O Janardana, the affection that I naturally bear for Sahadeva, even double that affection did I bear to that foremost of the Rakshasas Ghatotkacha.
भक्तश्च महाबाहुः प्रियोऽस्याहं प्रियश्च मे। तेन विन्दामि वार्ष्णेय कश्मलं शोकतापितः॥
That mighty armed one was devoted to me; I love him and he also loved me dearly. For all these reasons, descendant of the Vrishni race, I am depressed being afflicted with grief caused by his slaughter.
पश्य सैन्यानि वार्ष्णेय द्राव्यमाणानि कौरवैः। द्रोणकर्णी तु संयत्तौ पश्य युद्धे महारथौ॥
Behold, O scion of the Vrishni race, my troops routed by the Kouravas! Behold the two mighty car-warriors, Drona and Karna fight, yonder, to the best of their abilities.
निशीथे पाण्डवं सैन्यमेतत् सैन्यप्रमर्दितम्। गजाभ्यामिव मत्ताभ्यां यथा नलवनं महत्॥
Lo! at this dead hour of night, the Pandava army is being crushed like a forest of reeds by two infuriate elephants in rut.
अनादृत्य बलं बाह्वोर्भीमसेनस्य माधव। चित्रास्रतां च पार्थस्य विक्रमन्ति स्म कौरवः॥
Oscion of Madhu's race, the Kouravas are striving hard (for victory) setting at naught the might of Bhima's arm and the vast mastery of weapons of Arjuna.
एष द्रोणश्च कर्णश्च राजा चैव सुयोधनः। निहत्य राक्षसं युद्धे हृष्टाः नर्दन्ति संयुगे॥
Yonder joyfully roars Drona and Karna and king Suyodhana himself having slain the Rakshasa in battle.
कथं वास्मासु जीवत्सु त्वयि चैव जनार्दन। हैडिम्बिः प्राप्तवान् मृत्युं सूतपुत्रेण सङ्गतः॥
How is it, O Janardana, that Hidimva's son met with death in his encounter with Suta's son, although you and ourselves are still alive?
कदर्थीकृत्य नः सर्वान् पश्यतः सव्यसाचिनः। निहतो राक्षस: कृष्ण भैमसेनिर्महाबलः॥
Putting ourselves to shame and under the very eyes of Savyasachin, O Krishna, Karna has slain the puissant son of Bhimasena.
यदाभिमन्युनिहतो धार्तराष्टैर्दुरात्मभिः। नासीत् तत्र रणे कृष्ण सव्यसाची महारथः॥
O Krishna, when Abhimanyu was slain by the sinful Dhartarashtras the mighty carwarrior Savyasachin was not at hand.
निरुद्धाश्च वयं सर्वे सैन्धवेन दुरात्मना। निमित्तमभवद् द्रोणः सपुत्रस्तत्र कर्मणि॥
We also were held in check by the highsouled ruler of the Sindhus ; in the perpetration of that deed, Drona and Drona's son became instrumental.
उपदिष्टो वधोपायः कर्णस्य गुरुणा स्वयम्। व्यायच्छतश्च खड्ड्रेन द्विधा खङ्गं चकार ह॥
Karna was informed of the means of Abhimanyu's death by the preceptor himself. While Abhimanyu was fighting with his sword, it was Drona who cut-off that sword in twain.
व्यसने वर्तमानस्य कृतवर्मा नृशंसवत्। अश्वाञ्जधान सहसा तथोभौ पाणिसारथी॥
Like one heartless, Kritavarman slew the four steeds and the two drivers of Abhimanyu when the latter was involved in a great predicament.
तथेतरे महेष्वासः सौभद्रं युध्यपातयन्। अल्पे च कारणे कृष्ण हतो गाण्डीवधन्वना॥ सैन्धवो यादवश्रेष्ठ तच नातिप्रियं मम। यदि शत्रुवधो न्याय्यो भवेत् कर्तुं हि पाण्डवैः॥
Then other bowmen slaughtered and felled the son of Subhadra. For trifling offense only, O Krishna, the ruler of the Sindhus was slain by the wielder of the Gandiva bow. O foremost of Yadus, this act did not afforded me much delight. If at all it is just for the Pandavas to slaughter their foes.
कर्णद्रोणौ रणे पूर्वं हन्तव्याविति मे मतिः। एतौ हि मूलं दुःखानामस्माकं पुरुषर्षभ॥
Then, I think, Drona and Karna should have been slain ere now. O foremost of men, they are the cause of all our miseries.
एतौ रणे समासाद्य समाश्वस्तः सुयोधनः। यत्र वध्यो भवेद् द्रोणः सूतपुत्रश्च सानुगः॥
Getting these two for his supporter in battle, Suyodhana has become confident of his success. Indeed it was Drona or the son of Suta, with his followers who deserved to be slain.
तत्रावधीन्महाबाहुः सैन्धवं दूरवासिनम्। अवश्यं तु मया कार्य: सूतपुत्रस्य निग्रहः॥
The mighty armed Dhananjaya slew the king of the Sindhus, who indeed, was the remote cause of the slaughter of Abhimanyu. It is surely my imperative duty to crush the son of Suta.
ततो यास्याम्यहं वीर स्वयं कर्णजिघांसया। भीमसेनो महाबाहुर्दोणानीकेन सङ्गतः॥
Therefore, O hero, I will fight for compassing the death of Suta's son. The mighty-armed Bhima has already engaged himself with the division of Drona."
एवमुक्त्वा ययौ तूर्णं त्वरमाणो युधिष्ठिरः। स विस्फार्य महचापं शङ्ख प्रध्यमाप्य भैरवम्॥
Having thus spoken, king Yudhishthira quickly advanced against Karna stretching his mighty bow and blowing his dreadful conch.
ततो रथसहस्रेण गजानां च शतैसिभिः। वाजिभिः पञ्चसाहौः पञ्चालैः सप्रभद्रकैः॥
Then with one thousand cars, three hundred elephants, five thousand horses and the Panchalas and the Pravadrakas.
वृतः शिखण्डी त्वरितो राजानं पृष्ठतोऽन्वयात्। ततो भेरी: समाजघ्नुः शङ्खान् दध्मुश्च दंशिताः॥
Sikhandin quickly followed the king from behind. Then the drums were beat and conchs blown by the.
पञ्चालाः पाण्डवाश्चैव युधिष्ठिरपुरोगमाः। ततोऽब्रवीन्महाबाहुर्वासुदेवो धनंजयम्॥
Panchalas and Pandavas who proceeding in Yudhishthira's van. Thereupon were the mighty armed Vasudeva addressing Dhananjaya said
एष प्रयाति त्वरितः क्रोधाविष्टो युधिष्ठिरः। जिघांसुः सूतपुत्रस्य तस्योपेक्षा न युज्यते॥
Lo! under the influence of anger does king Yudhishthira advance to battle, impelled by a desire for slaughtering Suta's son. It is not proper that you should thoroughly rely on him in this encounter.
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशः शीघ्रमश्वानचोदयत्। दूरं प्रयान्तं राजानमन्वगच्छजनार्दनः॥
Having thus spoken, Hrishikesha urged the steeds to the best of their speed and he then followed behind the king, who had already advanced a long way.
तं दृष्ट्वा सहसा यान्तं सूतपुत्रजिघांसया। शोकोपहतसंकल्पं दह्यमानमिवाग्निना॥
At that moment, behoiding the very virtuous king Yudhishthira proceed with impetuosity for bringing about the slaughter of Suta's son, Vyasa approached him and said these words to him who was then burning with the fire of grief and whose reason was clouded by it.
व्यास उवाच अभिगम्याब्रवीद् व्यासो धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्। कर्णमासाद्य संग्रामे दिष्ट्या जीवति फाल्गुनः॥ सव्यसाचिवधाकांक्षी शक्तिं रक्षितवान् हि सः।
Vyasa said. Indeed, O king, it fortunate that Phalguna still lives, although he had several times encountered Karna in battle. It was for compassing the slaughter to Savyasachin, that Karna preserved his Sakti.
न चागाद् द्वैरथं जिष्णुर्दिष्ट्या तेन महारणे॥ सृजेता स्पर्धिनावेतौ दिव्यान्यस्राणि सर्वशः।
O foremost of the Bharatas, it is indeed fortunate that till now Jishnu never engaged in any duel with Karna. In that case, each of them, challenging the other, would have discharged their celestial weapons on all sides.
वध्यमानेषु चास्रेषु पीडितः सूतनन्दनः॥ वासवीं समरे शक्तिं ध्रुवं मुञ्चेद् युधिष्ठिर।
Then the weapons of Suta's son would have been destroyed by those of Arjuna. Then sorely distressed the former surely would have discharged the Sakti given him by Vasava at the latter, O Yudhishthira.
ततो भवेत् ते व्यसनं घोरं भरतसत्तम॥ दिष्ट्या रक्षो हतं युद्धे सूतपुत्रेण मानद।
In that case, O foremost of the Bharata, a dreadful catastrophe would have overtaken you. O bestower of honor, it is indeed fortunate that the Rakshasas has been slain (with that Sakti) in battle.
वासवीं कारणं कृत्वा कालेनोपहतो ह्यसौ॥ तवैव कारणाद् रक्षो निहतं तात संयुगे।
Death himself has slain the Rakshasa and the fatal Sakti of Vasava was only the instrument. O sire, it is for your good that he has been slain in battle.
मा क्रुधो भरतश्रेष्ठ मा च शोके मनः कृथाः॥ प्राणिनामिह सर्वेषामेषा निष्ठा युधिष्ठिर।
Do not give way to wrath, ( foremost of the Bharatas and set not your heart on sorrow. O Yudhishthira, this is the finale of all animate beings in this world.
भ्रातृभिः सहितः सर्वैः पार्थिवैश्च महात्मभिः॥ कौरवान् समरे राजन् प्रतियुध्यस्व भारत।
United with your brother and the other high souled rulers of earth do you, O descendant of the Bharatas, give battle to the Kouravas.
पञ्चमे दिवसे तात पृथिवी ते भविष्यति॥ नित्यं च पुरुषव्याघ्र धर्ममेवानुचिन्तय।
On the fifty day, the carth will fall under your sway. O foremost of men, meditate on virtue.
आनृशंस्यं तपो दानं क्षमां सत्यं च पाण्डव।॥ सेवेथाः परमप्रीतो यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः। इत्युक्त्वा पाण्डवं व्यासस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत॥
With a delightful heart do you ever practise harmlessness, ascetic austerities, charity, forbearance and truth, O son of Pandu. Victory cver follows in the wake of righteousness." Having thus spoken to Pandu's son, Vyasa disappcared then and there, forbearance and truth, O son of Pandu. Victory cver follows in the wake of righteousness." Having thus spoken to Pandu's son, Vyasa disappcared then and there,