युधिष्ठिर उवाच स्वागतं देवकीमातः स्वागतं ते धनंजय। प्रियं मे दर्शनं गाढं युवयोरच्युतार्जुनौ॥
Yudhishthira said Welcome to you, Devaki's son and Dhananjaya, highly agreeable to me is the pleasure of you too, O Arjuna, O Achyuta.
अक्षताभ्यामरिष्टाभ्यां हतः कर्णो महारथः। आशीविषसमं युद्धे सर्वशास्त्रविशारदम्॥
Thought yourselves are not wounded by your enemies, you two, who are his enemies, have killed the mighty Karna.
अग्रगं धार्तराष्ट्राणां सर्वेषां शर्म वर्म च। रक्षितं वृषसेन सुषेणेन च धन्विना॥
Who was like a deadly serpent in battle, an adept in all weapons, the leader of all the sons of Dhritarashtra, may the very warder of their armour and coats of mail;
अनुज्ञातं महावीर्यं रामेणास्त्रे सुदुर्जयम्। अग्र्यं सर्वस्य लोकस्य रथिनं लोकविश्रुतम्॥
Who was protected by the great archers Vrishasena and Sushena; highly energetic, powerful and taught by Rama (himself) the use of arms;
त्रातारं धार्तराष्ट्राणां गन्तारं वाहिनीमुखे। हन्तारं परसैन्यानाममित्रगणमर्दनम्॥
Who was the head of all the world and most celebrated car-warrior, who was the saviour of Dhritarashtra's sons and who led the van of the army;
दुर्योधनसहिते युक्तमस्मदुःखाय चोद्यतम्। अप्रधृष्यं महायुद्धे देवैरपि सवासवैः॥
Who was the destroyer of others' armies and the oppressor of the enemies and was bent upon doing Duryodhana a good turn and afflicting us;
अनलानिलयोस्तुल्यं तेजसा न बलेन च। पातालमिव गम्भीरं सुहृदां नन्दिवर्धनम्॥
Who was irrepressible even unto the gods headed by Vasava in a great battle and was like unto fire and wind in energy and strength;
अन्तकं मम मित्राणां हत्वा कर्णं महामृधे। दिष्ट्या युवामनुप्राप्तौ जित्वासुरमिवामरौ॥
Who was unfathomable like the nether region and an increaser of the joy of friends, he was like Death incarnate to his enemies. By good luck, having slain that Karna in the great battle you come here like the immortals after vanquishing the demons.
घोरं युद्धमदीनेन मया हृद्याच्युतार्जुनौ। कृतं तेनान्तकेनेव प्रजाः सर्वा जिघांसता॥
O Achyuta, O Arjuna, a great encounter took place today between myself setting forth my best energies and that hero who appeared like Death incarnate bent upon destroying all creatures.
तेन केतुश्च मे छिन्नो हतौ च पार्णिसारथी। हतावाहस्तुश्चास्मि युयुधानस्य पश्यतः॥ धृष्टद्युम्नस्य यमयोर्वीरस्य च शिखण्डिनः। पश्यतां द्रौपदेयानां पञ्चालानां च सर्वशः॥
By him my standard was cut down, my two Parshni drivers were killed and I was made horseless and carless in the very presence of Yuyudhana, Dhristadyumna, the twins, the heroic Shikhandin the son of Drupada and all the Panchalas.
एताञ्जित्वा महावीर्यः कर्णः शत्रुगणान् बहून्। जितवान् मां महाबाहो यतमानो महारणे॥
O you of mighty arms, having vanquished them all and many others of his enemies the highly powerful Karna, defeated me in that great battle although I tried my very best to withstand him.
अभिसृत्य च मां युद्धे परुषाण्युक्तवान् बहु। तत्र तत्र युधां श्रेष्ठ परिभूय न संशयः॥
Forsooth pursuing me on all the sides and defeating all my allies in that battle that foremost of warriors addressed to me many harsh words.
भीमसेनप्रभावात्तु यजीवामि धनंजय। बहुनात्र किमक्तेन नाहं तत् सोढुमुत्सहे॥
It is through Bhima's power that I do still survive, O Dhananjaya; what more need I say? The humiliation is indeed too much for me.
त्रयोदशाहं वर्षाणि यस्माद् भीतो धनंजय। न स्म निद्रा लभे रात्रौ न चाहनि सुखं क्वचित्।। १५
O Dhananjaya, through fear of him, I have not slept in the night nor have I enjoyed comfort in the day for these thirteen years.
तस्य द्वेषेण संयुक्तः परिदह्ये धनंजय। आत्मनो मरणे यातो वाध्रीणस इव द्विपः॥ तस्यायमगमत् कालश्चिन्तयानस्य मे चिरम्। कथं कर्णो मया शक्तो युद्धे क्षपयितुं भवेत्॥
O Dhananjaya, I am burning with hatred against him. Conscious of my days being numbered I avoided Karna, like the bird Vaddrinasa. I approached him as if bent on my own destruction. Awake or asleep I spent my days only in thinking how I would accomplish Karna's death.
जाग्रत्स्वपुंश्च कौन्तेय कर्णमेव सदा ह्यहम्। पश्यामि तत्र तत्रैव कर्णभूतमिदं जगत्॥
Even while awake, O Arjuna, I see his illusion (of Karna) and it seems as if the whole universe is filled with Karna.
यत्र यत्र हि गच्छामि कर्णाद् भीतो धनंजय। तत्र तत्र हि पश्यामि कर्णमेवाग्रतः स्थितम्॥
Wherever I go, O Dhananjaya, in fear of Karna, everywhere I see his image before me.
सोऽहं तेनैव वीरेण समरेष्वपलायिना। सहयः सरथः पार्थ जित्वा जीवन् विसर्जितः॥
O Partha, with my horses and cars I was vanquished by Karna, who never retreats from the battle-field. He simply let me go with my life.
को न मे जीवितेनार्थो राज्येनार्थो भवेत् पुनः। ममैवं विक्षतस्याद्य कर्णेनाहवशोभिना॥
Of what use is life and kingdom to me, since Karna, the beauty of the battle-field, has defied and ridiculed me.
न प्राप्तपूर्वं यद् भीष्मात् कृपद्रोणाच संयुगे। तत् प्राप्तमद्य मे युद्धे सूतपुत्रान्महारथात्॥
I had never undergone such humiliation in battle even from Bhishma, Kripa, or Drona, as I have today at the hands of the son of Suta the mighty charioteer.
स त्वां पृच्छामि कौन्तेय यथाद्य कुशलं तथा। तन्ममाचक्ष्व कात्स्नर्येन यथा कर्णो हतस्त्वया॥
Therefore it is that I ask you today, O son of Kunti, about your welfare. Relate to me in detail how you slew Karna today.
शक्रतुल्यबलो युद्धे यमतुल्य: पराक्रमे। रामतुल्यस्तथास्त्रेण स कथं वै निषूदितः॥
He was in battle like Sakra himself and in prowess like Yama and like Rama in arins. How has he been killed then?
महारथः समाख्यातः सर्वयुद्धविशारदः। धनुर्धराणां प्रवरः सर्वेषामेकपूरुषः॥
He was a mighty charioteer and wellknown for being an adept in all the forms of warfare, he was the foremost of archers and the leader of all.
पूजितो धृतराष्ट्रेण सपुत्रेण महाबलः। त्वदर्थमेव राधेयः स कथं निहतस्त्वया॥
O prince, he was respected by Dhritarashtra himself as well as by his sons for you alone. How has then of Radha been killed by today?
धार्तराष्ट्रो हि योधेषु सर्वेष्वेव सदार्जुन। तव मृत्युं रणे कर्णं मन्यते पुरुषर्षभ॥
O Arjuna, O foremost of men, in all the battles Karna was regarded by Dhritarashtra's sons as your death.
स त्वया पुरुषव्याघ्र कथं युद्धे निषूदितः। तन्ममाचक्ष्व कौन्तेय यथा कर्णो हतस्त्वया॥
How have you then, O most powerful of men, killed him in battle? Describe to me, O son of Kunti, how Karna has been slain by you.
युध्यमानस्य च शिरः पश्यतां सुहृदा हृतम्। त्वया पुरुषशार्दूल सिंहेनेव यथा रुरोः॥
How did you cut-off his head, O most mighty one, as a tiger pieces off the head of a Ruru deer, while he was fighting, even in presence of all his allies?
यः पर्युपासीत् प्रदिशो दिशश्च त्वां सूतपुत्रः समरे परीप्सन्। दित्सुः कर्णः समरे हस्तिषगवं स हीदानी कङ्कपत्रैः सुतीक्ष्णैः॥ त्वया रणे निहतः सूतपुत्रः कचिच्छेते भूमितले दुरात्मा। प्रियुश्च मे परमो वै कृतोऽयं त्वया रणे सूतपुत्रं निहत्य॥
Does the wicked Karna lic today on the naked earth killed with your keen Kankafeathered arrows-Karna, the son of Suta, who used to search all the quarters for you and who had promised to give a car with six elephantine bulls to him who would point you out? Indeed by killing him in battle you have performed a work highly congenial to me.
यः सर्वतः पर्यपतत्त्वदर्थे सदार्चितो गर्वितः सूतपुत्रः। स शूरमानी समरे समेत्य कचित्त्वया निहतः संयुगेऽसौ॥
How did you encounter and kill in battle that well-honored hero, that proud and haughty son of Suta who used to search you everywhere in the battle-field.
रौक्मं वरं हस्तिगजाश्वयुक्तं रथं प्रदित्सुर्यः परेभ्यस्त्वदर्थे। सदा रणे स्पर्धते यः स पापः कचित्त्वया निहतस्तात युद्धे॥
Have you, O brother, really slain in battle the vicious scoundrel who was ever ready to challenge you and to give away to others a superb golden chariot along with bulls, steeds and elephants provided they could give him some clue to you?
योऽसौ सदा शूरमदेन मत्तो विकत्थते संसदि कौरवाणाम्। प्रियोऽत्यर्थं तस्य सुयोधनस्य कञ्चित् सपापो निहतस्त्वसाध॥
Have you, indeed, slain that favourite of Suyodhana who, being elated with the pride of chivalry, ever used to indulge in selfglorification amidst the assembly of the Kurus?
स्त्वप्रेषितैर्लोहिताङ्गैर्रिहहै। शेते स पापः सुविभिन्नगात्रः कच्चिद् भग्नौ धार्तराष्ट्रस्य बाहू॥
Does the scoundrel lie low on the battlefield today being mangled all over the body with long-ranging blood-besmeared shafts hurled by you from your bow. Could you break in twin the arms of Dhritarashtra's sons?
योऽसौ सदा श्लाघते राजमध्ये दुर्योधनं हर्षयन् दर्पपूर्णः। अहं हन्ता फाल्गुनस्येति मोहात् कचिद्वचस्तस्य न वै तथा तत्॥
Could you baffle the foolish braggings he used to make amidst the assembly of kings simply to soothe Duryodhana, saying, I will kill Phalguna?
नाहं पादौ धाविष्ये कदाचित् यावत् स्थितः पार्थ इत्यल्पबुद्धेः। व्रतं तस्यैत त् सर्वदा शक्रसूनो कच्चिन त्वया निहतः सोऽद्य कर्णः॥
Have you, O son of Indra, slain in today's battle the dull-headed Karna, the son Suta, who had taken an oath not to wash his feet till Partha breathed?
योऽसौ कृष्णामब्रवीद् दुष्टबुद्धिः कर्णः सभायां कुरुवीरमध्ये। किं पाण्डवांस्त्वं न जहासि कृष्णे सुदुर्बलान् पतितान् हीनसत्त्वान्॥ योऽसौ कर्णः प्रत्यजानात्त्वदर्थे नाहं हत्वा सह कृष्णेन पार्थम्। इहोपयातेति स पापबुद्धिः कचिच्छेते शरसम्भिन्नगात्रः॥
That designing Karna who amidst the assembly of the Kuru chiefs had said to Krishna 'why don't you, O Krishna, desert the powerless, imbecile and degraded Pandavas'-that Karna who had vowed solemnly that he would not return from the field till he slew (both) Krishna and Partha-tell me does that vicious Karna lie today on the field with mangled limbs?
कचित् संग्रामो विदतौ वै तवायं समागमे सृञ्जयकौरवाणाम्। यत्रावस्थामीदृशी प्रापितोऽहं कञ्चित् त्वया सोऽद्य हतो दुरात्मा॥
You do full well remember how hotly the battle raged when the Srinjayas and the Kaurava's faced each other-the encounter in which I was brought to such a sad plight. Did you come face to face with Karna and shoot him down?
र्गाण्डीवमुक्तैर्विशिखैलद्धिः। सकुण्डलं भानुमदुत्तमाङ्गं कायात् प्रकृत्तं युधि सव्यसाचिन्॥
Have you today, O Savyasachin, severed that ear-ring bedecked splendid head of Karna off from his body with your fiery shafts discharged from the Gandiva.
यत्तन्मया बाणसमर्पितेन ध्यातोऽसि कर्णस्य वधाय वीर। तन्मे त्वया कचिदमोघमद्य ध्यानं कृतं कर्णनिपातनेन॥
O valiant one, afflicted with Karna's shafts today how I thought of you (that you would slay him)! Have you put that thought of mine to action by slaying Karna?
नः पुरा नुदीक्षते कर्णसमाश्रयेण। कचित् त्वया सोऽद्य समाश्रयोऽस्य भग्नः पराक्रम्य सुयोधनस्य॥
Being under the aegis of Karna the proud Suyodhana cared us not a jot. Have you by your might removed that aegis?
यो षण्ढतिलानवोचत् सभामध्ये कौरवाणां समक्षम्। स दुर्मतिः कचिदुपेत्य संख्ये त्वया हतः सूतपुत्रो ह्यमर्षी॥
Did you encounter him in the field and settle with that wretched wight, the son of Suta, who had even before the assembly of the Kauravas likened us to sesame seeds devoid of Kernel;
यः सूतपुत्रः प्रहसन् दुरात्मा पुराब्रवीनिर्जिता सौबलेन। मपीह कचित् स हतस्त्वयाद्य॥
That unrighteous son of Suta who had, grinning all the while, ordered Dusvashanta to drag out Jagyasena's daughter won by Subala's son (as a stake) at dice;
यः शस्त्रभृच्छ्रेष्ठतमः पृथिव्यां पितामहं व्याक्षिपदल्पचेताः। संख्यायमानोऽर्धरथः स कचित् त्वया हतोऽद्याधिरथिर्महात्मन्॥
That dull-headed Karna who had upbraided the foremost warrior in the course of the tale of Rathas and Atirathas?
अमर्षजं निकृतिमसीरणेरितं हृदिस्थितं ज्वलनमिमं सदा मम। हतोमया सोऽद्य समेत्य कर्ण इति ब्रुवन् प्रशमयसेऽद्य फाल्गुन॥
O Phalguna, that you have met with and slain that Karna in battle and thereby quench the flame of vindictiveness blazing within my heart being fanned by the wind of mortification. Assure me,
ब्रवीहि मे दुर्लभमेतदद्य कथं त्वया निहतः सूतपुत्रः। अनुध्याये त्वां सततं प्रवीर वृत्रे हतेऽसौ भगवानिवेन्द्रः॥
Tell me, therefore, how you slew the son of Suta. O hero, I have so long been expecting you even as the divine Vishnu had awaited the arrival of Indra to bring him the news of Vritra's death.