संजय उवाच मारिषाधिरथेः श्रुत्वा वाचो युद्धाभिनन्दिनः। शल्योऽब्रवीत् पुनः कर्णं निदर्शनमिदं वचः॥
Sanjaya said Hearing the words of the great car-warrior Karna who took delight in battle Shalya again said to hiin, citing an example.
जातोऽहं यज्वनां वंशे संग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनाम्। राज्ञां मूर्धाभिषिक्तानां स्वयं धर्मपरायणः॥
I am born in a family the members of which performed sacrifices, never fled away from the field of battle and who were kings whose heads were sprinkled with the water of coronation. I am also devoted to virtue.
यथैव मत्तो मद्येन त्वं तथा लक्ष्यसे वृष। तथाऽद्य त्वां प्रमाद्यन्तं चिकित्सेयं सुहत्तया॥
O Vrisha, you appear like an intoxicated man. For all that, out of friendship I will try to cure you of your mistakes.
इमां काकोपमा कर्ण प्रोच्यमानां निबोध मे। श्रुत्वा यथेष्टं कुर्यास्त्वं निहीन कुलपांसन॥
Hear, O Karna, this allegory of a crow that I will relate. Hearing this, you may do whatever you like, O you shorn of intelligence and the wretch of your family.
नाहमात्मनि कंचिद् वै किल्बिषं कर्ण संस्मरे। येन मां त्वं महाबाहो हन्तुमिच्छस्यनागसम्॥
O Karna, I do not remember a single sin in me for which you desire to kill me innocent as I am.
अवश्यं तु मया वाच्यं बुद्ध्यता त्वद्धिताहितम्। विशेषतो रथस्थेन राज्ञश्चैव हितैषिणा॥
I must tell you what is good for you and what is bad. I know both and besides I am the driver of your car and wish good to the king Duryodhana.
समं च विषमं चैव रथिनश्च बलाबलम्। श्रमः खेदश्च सततं हयानां रथिना सह॥ आयुधस्य परिज्ञानं रुतं च मृगपक्षिणाम्। भारश्चाप्यतिभारश्च शल्यानां च प्रतिक्रिया॥ अस्त्रयोगश्च युद्धं च निमित्तानि तथैव च। सर्वमेतन्मया ज्ञेयं रथस्यास्य कुटुम्बिना॥ अतस्त्वां कथये कर्ण निदर्शनमिदं पुनः।
(I know) what land is even and what is uneven-the strength and weakness of the carwarrior (of my chariot) the fatigue and perspiration of the horses along with the car-warrior; (I have) a knowledge of weapons, of the cries of birds and animals, of what would be heavy for the horses and what would be exceedingly heavy for them, of the taking out of the arrows, of the wounds, of the weapons counteracting each other of the diverse modes of fighting and of all kinds of omens and indications. I know all this who am so familiar with this car. I therefore describe to you this incident once more.
वैश्यः किल समुद्रान्ते प्रभूतधनधान्यवान्॥ यज्वा दानपति: क्षान्तः स्फकर्मस्थोऽभवच्छुचिः। बहुपुत्रः प्रियापत्यः सर्वभूतानुकम्पकः॥ राज्ञो धर्मप्रधानस्य राष्ट्रे वसति निर्भयः।
There lived on the other side of the sea a Vaishya who rolled in wealth and corn. He performed yajnas, made liberal gifts, was quiet, observant of the duties of his own order and pure in habits and mind.
पुत्राणां तस्य बालानां कुमाराणां यशस्विनाम्॥ काको बहूनामभवदुच्छिष्टकृतभोजनः।
He had a number of sons of whom he was fond and kind to all creatures. He lived without any fear in the kingdom of a pious king.
तस्मै सदा प्रयच्छन्ति वैश्यपुत्राः कुमारकाः॥ मांसौदन दधि क्षीरं पायसं मधुसर्पिषी।
There was a crow who lived upon the leavings of the well-behaved children of the Vaishya. His children always gave the crow meat, curds, mild, pudding, honey and butter.
स चोच्छिष्टभूतः काको वैश्यपुत्रैः कुमारकैः॥ सदृशान् पक्षिणादृप्तः श्रेयसञ्चाधिचिक्षिपे।
Thus fed with the leavings of the food by those sons of the Vaishya the crow became arrogant and began to think light of all birds who were equal to him or even superior.
अथ हंसाः समुद्रान्ते कदाचिदतिपातिनः॥ गरुडस्य गतौ तुल्याश्चक्राङ्गा हृष्टचेतसः।
It so happened that once on a time several cheerful swans, quick-coursing, capable of going every where at will, equal to Garuda in fight and speed, came to that side of the ocean.
कुमारकास्तदा हंसान् दृष्ट्वा काकमथाब्रुवन॥ भवानेव विशिष्टो हि पतत्रिभ्यो विहङ्गम्।
Seeing those swans the Vaishya boys said to the crow-"O ranger of the sky, you are superior to all winged creatures."
प्रतार्यमाणस्तैः सर्वैरल्पबुद्धिभिरण्डजः॥ तद्वचः सत्यमित्येव मौाद् दर्पाच मन्यते।
Thus imposed upon by the little-witted children, the bird, out of folly and arrogance, took their words as true.
तान् सोऽभिपत्य जिज्ञासुः क एषां श्रेष्ठभागिति॥ उच्छिष्टदर्पितः काको बहूनां दूरपातिनाम्। तेषां यं प्रवरं मेने हंसानां दूरपातिनाम्॥ तमाह्वयत दुर्बुद्धिः पताव इति पक्षिणम्।
Proud of the leavings on which he fed the crow, approaching the swans who were capable of traversing a great distance, desired to enquire who amongst them was the leader. That foolish crow challenged him whom he considered as the leader amongst those swans capable of going to a great distance, saying-“Let us compete in fight."
तच्छुत्वा प्राहसन् हंसा ये तत्रासन् समागताः॥ भाषतो बहु काकस्य बलिनः पततां वराः। इदमूचुः स्म चक्राङ्गा वचः काकं विहङ्गमाः॥
Hearing the words of the arrogant crow, the swans, that had come there, the foremost of birds gifted with great strength, began to laugh. The swans, who were capable of coursing everywhere at will then, addressed the crow saying.
हंसा ऊचुः वयं हंसाश्चरामेमां पृथिवीं मानसौकसः। पक्षिणां च वयं नित्यं दूरपातेन पूजिताः॥
The Swans said "We are swans and live in the Manasa lake. We range over the whole earth and amongst the winged creatures we are always spoken high for the length of the distances we traverse.
कथं हंस नु बलिनं चक्राङ्गं दूरपातिनम्। काको भूत्वा निपतने समाह्वयसि दुर्मते॥ कथं त्वं पतिता काक साहस्माभिब्रवीहि तत्।
A crow as you are, how do you, O fool, challenge a mighty swan coursing every where at will and traversing over a great distance. Tell us, Ocrow, how you will fly with us."
अथ हंसवचो मूढः कुत्सयित्वा पुनः पुनः। प्रजगादोत्तरं काकः कत्थनो जातिलाघवात्॥
Finding fault repeatedly with the words of the swans, the vain crow, on account of the foolishness of its species, at last gave this answer.
काक उवाच शतमेकं च पातानां पतिताऽस्मि न संशयः। शतयोजनमेकैकं विचित्रं विविधं तथा॥
The crow said Forsooth shall I fly displaying a hundred and one different kinds of motion. I shall show them traversing every hundred yojanas with each separate and beautiful motion.
उड्डीनमवडीनं च प्रडीनं डीनमेव च। निडीनमथ संडीनं तिर्यगडीनगतानि च॥ विडीनं परिडीनं च पराडीनं सुडीनकम्। अभिडीनं महाडीनं निर्डीनमतिडीनकम्॥ अवडीनं प्रडीनं च सडीनं डीनडीनकम्। संडीनोड्डीनडीनं च पुनर्जीनविडीनकम्॥ सम्पातं समुदीषं च ततोऽन्यद् व्यतिरिक्तकम्। गतागतप्रतिगतं बह्वीश्च निकुलीनकाः॥
Rising up, swooping down, whirling around, going straight, proceeding gently, coursing aslant up and down, going still, wheeling around, going back, sowing high, darting forward, sowing higher up with greater velocity more, moving on gently-and going on in various ways.
कर्तास्मि मिषतां वोऽद्य ततो द्रक्ष्यथ मे बलम्। तेषामन्यतमेनाहं पतिष्यामि विहायसम्॥ प्रादिशध्वं यथान्यायं केन हंसाः पताम्यहम्।
These various motions I shall display before you. You will see my strength. With one of these diverse kinds of motions I shall immediately soar into the sky. Tell me, O swans, by which of these motion shall I course through the sky.
ते वै ध्रुवं विनिश्चित्य पतध्वं न मया सह॥ पातैरेभिः खलु खगाः पतितुं खे निराश्रये।
Settling your course you shall have to fly with me. Adopting all these motions you shall have to course with me through the sky having no support."
एवमुक्ते तु काकेन प्रहस्यैको विहंगमः॥ उवाच काकं राधेय वचनं तन्निबोध मे।
Having been thus addressed by the crow, O son of Radha, one of the swans said to him laughing. Hear from me (what he said).
हंस उवाच शतमेकं च पातानां त्वं काक पतिता ध्रुवम्॥ एकमेव तु यं पातं विदुः सर्वे विहंगमाः तमहं पतिता काक नान्यं जानामि कञ्चन॥ पत त्वमपि ताम्राक्ष येन पातेन मन्यसे।
The Swan said Forsooth O crow, you will course in hundred and different ways. I shall however fly in one kind of motion which all other birds know; for I do not know any other, O crow. As for yourself, O you of red eyes, you may fly in any kind of way you like.
अथ काकाः प्रजहसुर्ये तत्रासन् समागताः॥ कथमेकेन पातेन हसः पातशतं जयेत्। एकेनैव शतस्यैष पातेनाभिभविष्यति॥ हंसस्य पतितं काको बलवानाशुविक्रमः।
Thereupon all the crows that had assembled there laughed saying "How will the swan with one kind of flight beat down a hundred flights? The powerful and the quick-coursing crow will beat down the swan with one flight.
प्रपेततुः स्पर्धया च ततस्तौ हंसवायसौ॥ एकपाती च चक्राङ्गः काकः पातशतेन च। पेतिवानथ चक्राङ्ग पेतिवानथ वायसः॥
Then those two, the swan the crow, rose into the sky challenging each other-the swan coursing in one motion and the crow in a hundred different ways. The swan flew and the crow flew.
विसिस्मापयिषुः पातैराचक्षाणोऽऽत्मनः क्रियाः। अथ काकस्य चित्राणि पतितानि मुहुर्मुहुः॥ दृष्ट्वा प्रमुदिताः काका विनेदुरधिकैः स्वरैः।
Making each other to wonder and speaking highly of their respective feats. Seeing the various kinds of motions at every moment the crows that were there were filled with delight and began to caw loudly.
हंसांश्चावहसन्ति स्म प्रावदन्नप्रियाणि च॥ उत्पत्योत्पत्य च मुहुर्मुहूर्तमिति चेति च। वृक्षाग्रेभ्यः स्थलेभ्यश्च निपतन्त्युत्पतन्ति त॥ कुर्वाणा विविधान् रावानाशंसन्तो जयं तथा।
The swans also laughed aloud making many unpleasant remarks. They began to rise up and alight repeatedly. They came down and rose up from the tops of the trees and the surface of the earth; they began to emit cries bespeaking their respective victories.
हंसस्तु मृदुनैकेन विक्रान्तुमुपचक्रमे॥ प्रत्यहीयत काकाच मुहूर्तमिव मारिष।
With one kind of gentle motion the swan began to roar up. For a moment, O Marisha, the crow seemed to have defeated him.
अवमन्य च हंसांस्तानिदं वचनमब्रुवन्॥ योऽसावुत्पतितो हंसः सोऽसावेवं प्रहीयते।
Thereat disregarding the swans the crows said-"That swan amongst us who has soared high up is evidently defeated."
अथ हंसः स तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रापतत् पश्चिमां दिशम्॥ उपर्युपरि वेगेन सागरं मकरालयम्।
Hearing this the swan with great velocity began to move westwards towards the ocean abounding in Makaras.
ततोभी: प्राविशत् काकं तदा तत्र विचेतसम्॥ द्वीपगुमानपश्यन्तं निपातार्थे श्रमान्वितम्।
Then the crow became afraid who was almost besides himself at not seeing any island or trees whereon to perch when tired.
निपतेयं क्व नु श्रान्त इति तस्मिञ्जलार्णवे॥ अविषह्यः समुद्रो हि बहुसत्त्वगणालयः। महासत्त्वशतोद्भासी नभसोऽपि विशिष्यते॥
(He then thought) “where shall I alight on this vast ocean when tired?” Irrepressible is the deep the abode of numberless creatures. Inhabited by hundreds of monsters it is greater than the sky.
गाम्भीर्याद्धि समुद्रस्य न विशेषं हि सूतज। दिगम्बराम्भसः कर्ण समुद्रस्था विदुर्जनाः॥ विदूरपातात् तोयस्य किं पुनः कर्ण वायसः।
you wretch, none can exceed the ocean in depth. O Karna, the men know that the waters of the ocean are equally boundless like the sky. What is crow to it considering its extent?
अथ हंसोऽप्यतिक्रम्य मुहूर्तमिति चेति च॥ अवेक्षमाणस्तं काकं नाशकद् व्यपसर्पितुम।
Doing a great distance in a moment the swan looked back at the crow and could not leave him behind.
अतिक्रम्य च चक्राङ्गः काकं तं समुदैक्षत॥ यावद् गत्वा पतत्येष काको मामिति चिन्तयन्।
Having beaten down the crow the swan looked at him and waited thinking 'Let the crow come up.'
ततः काको भृषं श्रान्तो हंसमभ्यागमत्तदा॥ तं तथा हीयमानं तु हंसो दृष्ट्वाब्रवीदिदम्। उजिहीर्षुर्निमज्जन्त स्मरन् सत्पुरुषव्रतम्॥
Thereupon greatly exhausted the crow came up to the swan. Thereupon beholding him about to sink and with a view to rescue him the swan, remembering the good offices of the pious, said to him-
हंस उवाच बहूनि पतितानि त्वमाचक्षाणो मुहुर्मुहुः। पातस्य व्याहरंश्चेदं न नो गुह्यं प्रभाषसे॥
The Swan said “While speaking about flight you again and again mentioned about a goodly number of them. You should not mention this your flight which is a mystery to us.
किं नाम पतितं काकः यत्त्व पतसि सामप्रतम्। जलं स्पृशसि पक्षाभ्यां तुण्डेन च पुनः पुनः॥
What is the name of this flight, O crow, which you have followed now? You repeatedly touch the waters with your wings and beak.
प्रबूहि कतमे तत्र पाते वर्तसि वायस। एोहि काक शीघ्रं त्वमेष त्वां प्रतिपालये॥
Which amongst those many kinds of flight, O crow, that you are bow following? Come quickly, Ocrow, I am waiting for you.
शल्य उवाच स पक्षाभ्यां स्पृशन्नार्तस्तुण्डेन च जलं तदा। दृष्टो हंसेन दुष्टात्मन्निदं हंस ततोऽब्रवीत्॥
Shalya said O wicked one, greatly tired and touching the water with his wings and beak and seen by the swan the crow said to him.
अपश्यन्नम्भसः पारं निपतंश्च श्रमान्वितः। पातवेगप्रमथितो हंसं काकोऽब्रवीदिदम्॥
Not beholding the limit of the ocean, fatigued and broken down with the exertion of flight the crow said to the swan.
वयं काकाः कुतो नाम चरामः काकवाशिकाः। हंस प्राणैः प्रपद्ये त्वामुदकान्तं नयस्व माम्॥
“We are crows, we move about here and there crying caw, caw. O swan, I lay my life at your hands and seek refuge with you. Take me to the bank of the ocean.'
स पक्षाभ्यां स्पृशन्नार्तस्तुण्डेन च महार्णवे। काको दृढपरिश्रान्तः सहसा निपपात ह॥
Greatly tired and touching the ocean with his wings and beak the crow all on a sudden fell down.
सागराम्भसि तं दृष्ट्वा पतितं दीनचेतसम्। प्रियमाणमिदं काकं हंसो वाक्यमुवाच ह॥
Beholding him thus fallen into the ocean with a sorry heart the swan addressed the crow
शतमेकं च पातानां पताम्यहमनुस्मर। श्लाघमानस्त्वमात्मानं काक भाषितवानसि॥
“O crow, how did you praise yourself. Remember, you said that you would course through the sky in a hundred different ways.
स त्वमेकशतं पातं पतन्नभ्यधिको मया। कथमेवं परिश्रान्तः पतितोऽसि महार्णवे॥
You, who would fly in a hundred different ways, are superior to me; why are you then tired and fallen on the ocean?"
प्रत्युवाचः ततः काकः सीदमान उदं वचः। उपरिष्टं तदा हंसमभिवीक्ष्य प्रसादयन्॥
Overcome with weakness, the crow, rating his looks up at the swan and trying to please him said.
काक उवाच उच्छिष्टदर्पितो हंस मन्येऽऽत्मानं सुपर्णवत्। अवमन्य बहूंचाहं काकानन्यांश्च पक्षिणः॥
The crow said "Rendered arrogant by feeding upon the leavings of others' food I thought myself as equal to Garuda and did not care for crows and other birds.
प्राणहंस प्रपद्ये त्वां द्वीपान्तं प्रापयस्व माम्। यद्यहं स्वस्तिमान् हंस स्वं देशं प्राप्नुयां प्रभो॥
I now seek refure with you and place my life at your disposal. Oh, take me to the shore of some island.
न कंचिदवमन्येऽहमापदो मां समुद्धर। तमेवं वादिनं दीनं विलपन्तमचेतनम्॥
If I, O swan, O lord, return safely to my country I will never disregard any body; Oh, save me from this calamity."
काक काकेति वाशन्तं निमज्जन्तं महार्णवे। कृपयाऽऽदाय हंसस्तं जलक्किन्नं सुदुर्दसम्॥ पद्धयामुक्षिप्य वेगेन पृष्ठमारोपयच्छनैः। आरोप्य पृष्ठं हंसस्तं काकं तूर्णं विचेतनम्॥
Without a word the swan took him up with his foot and placed him slowly on his back, who said so, was melancholy, weeping, deprived of his sense, was sinking in the ocean, was crying caw! caw, was drenched with water, hedeous to look at and trembling in fear.
आजगाम पुनर्दीपं स्पर्धया पेततुर्यतः। संस्थाप्य तं चापि पुनः समाश्वास्य च खेचरम्॥
Having placed speedily the crow who was besides himself on his back he came to the island from which they had started challenging each other.
गतो यथेप्सितं देश हंसो मन इवाशुगः। एवमुच्छिष्टपुष्टः स काको हंसपराजितः॥
Putting that ranger of the sky down (on the land) and comforting him the swan repaired quickly to his wished-for region with the mind.
बलं वीर्यं महत्कर्ण त्यक्त्वा क्षान्तिमुपागतः। उच्छिष्टभोजन: काको यथा वैश्यकुले पुरा॥
Thus the crow, fed fat with the leavings, was defeated by the swan. Then casting off the pride of strength and prowess the crow, O Karna, led a peaceful and quiet life.
एवं त्वमुच्छिष्टभृतो धार्तराष्ट्र संशयः। सदृशाश्रेयसश्चापि सर्वान् कर्णावमन्यसे॥
As that crow, fed upon the refuses of the food of the Vaishya children, did not care his equals and superiors, so do you, O Karna, fed by Dhritarashtra's sons, with the leavings of their food, disregard your equals and superiors.
द्रोणद्रौणिकृपैर्गुप्तो भीष्मेणान्यैश्च कौरवैः। विराटनगरे पार्थमेकं किं नावधीस्तदा॥
Why did you not kill Partha at Virata's city when you were protected by Drona and his son Kripa, Bhishma and other Kaurava?
यत्र व्यस्ता: समत्सांश्च निर्जिताः स्थ किरीटिना। शृगाला इव सिंहेन क्व ते वीर्तमभूत् तदा॥
What became of your prowess there when defeated by Kiriti you all fled away like a pack of jackals?
भ्रातरं निहतं दृष्ट्वा समरे सव्यसाचिना। पश्यतां कुरुवीराणां प्रथमं त्वं पलायितः॥
Seeing your brother killed by Savya Sachin in the very presence of the Kuru heroes it was you who fled away first.
तथा द्वैतवने कर्ण गन्धर्वेः समभिद्रुतः। कुरून् समयानुत्सृज्य प्रथमं त्वं पलायितः॥
When you were assailed by the Gandharvas in the Dvaita forest it was you who, leaving behind the Kurus, did run away from the forest.
हत्वा जित्वा च गन्धर्वाचित्रसेनमुखान् रणे। कर्ण दुर्योधनं पार्थं सभार्यं सममोक्षयत्॥
Having defeated in battle the Gandharvas led by Chitrasena with a great slaughter it was Arjuna, O Karna, who rescued Duryodhana with his wife.
पुनः प्रभाव पार्थस्य पौराणः केशवस्य च। कथितः कर्ण रामेण सभायां राजसंसदि॥
Rama himself, O Karna, before the assembly of the Kuru heroes spoke of the prowess of Arjuna and Kesava.
सततं च त्वमश्रौषीर्वचनं द्रोणभीष्मयोः। अवध्यौ वदन्तः कृष्णौ संनिधौ च महीक्षिताम्॥
You have always heard Drona and Bhishma speaking before all the kings of the two Krishnas as being unslayable.
कियत् तत् तत् प्रवक्ष्यामि येन येन धनंजयः। त्वत्तोऽतिरिक्तः सर्वेभ्यो भूतेभ्यो ब्राह्मणों यथा॥
I have told you only a bit about this that Dhananjaya is superior to you as a Brahmana is to all creatures.
इदानीमेव द्रष्टासि प्रधाने स्यन्दने स्थितौ। पुत्रं च वसुदेवस्य कुन्तीपुत्रं च पाण्डवम्॥
You will soon see stationed on that best of cars the son of Vasudeva and the son of Kunti and Pandu.
यथाश्रयत चक्राङ्गं वायसो बुद्धिमास्थितः। तथाश्रयस्व वार्ष्णेयं पाण्डवं च धनंजयम्॥
As the crow intelligently sought the protection of the swan so do you seek the shelter of the Vrishni hero (Krishna) and of Pandu's son Dhananjaya.
यदा त्वं युधि विक्रान्तौ वासुदेवधनंजयौ। द्रष्टास्येकरथे कर्ण तदा नैवं वदिष्यसि॥
When you will see in battle the highly powerful Vasudeva and Dhananjaya stationed in the same car, you will not utter such words, OKarna.
यदा शरशतैः पार्थो दर्प तव वधिष्यति। तदा त्वमन्तरं द्रष्टा आत्मनंश्चार्जुनस्य त॥
When Partha with hundreds of shafts break down you pride you will then see the difference between yourself and Dhananjaya.
देवासुरमनुष्येषु प्रख्यातौ यौ नरोत्तमौ। तौ मावमंस्था मौात् त्वं खद्योत इव रोचनौ॥८५
Those two best of men are well-known among the gods, Asuras and men; you are a fire-fly, do not foolishly disregard those two bright luminaries.
सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ यद्वत् तद्वदर्जुनकेशवौ। प्राकाश्वेनाभिविख्यातौ त्वं तु खद्योतवन्नृषु॥
Like the sun and the moon Kesava and Arjuna are famous for their effulgence; you are but a fire-fly among men.
एवं विद्वान् मावमंस्थाः सूतपुत्राच्युतार्जुनौ। नृसिंहो तो महात्मानौ जोषमास्स्व विकत्थने॥
O learned one, O son of a charioteer, do not make light of Arjuna and Achyuta; those two high-souled ones are best of men. Do not make such vaunts. O learned one, O son of a charioteer, do not make light of Arjuna and Achyuta; those two high-souled ones are best of men. Do not make such vaunts.