Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच दत्तेऽवकाशे पुरुषैर्विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनैः विवेश रङ्गं विस्तीर्णं कर्णः परपुरंजयः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : When the spectators, with eyes expended with wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities; Karna, he entered the spacious arena.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.1 After vaiśaṃ., S ins.: *1419 एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु तस्मिञ्जनसमागमे
सहजं कवचं बिभ्रत्कुण्डलोद्द्योतिताननः सधनुर्बद्धनिस्त्रिंशः पादचारीव पर्वतः
M. N. Dutt: He was armed in his natural coat of armour, his face was brightened with his earrings, his bow was in his hand and his sword in his lions, he entered like a walking cliff.
कन्यागर्भः पृथुयशाः पृथायाः पृथुलोचनः तीक्ष्णांशोर्भास्करस्यांशः कर्णोऽरिगणसूदनः
M. N. Dutt: The illustrious destroyer of enemies, the large eyed Karna was born of Pritha (Kunti) in her maidenhood. He was a portion of the hot beamed sun.
सिंहर्षभगजेन्द्राणां तुल्यवीर्यपराक्रमः दीप्तिकान्तिद्युतिगुणैः सूर्येन्दुज्वलनोपमः
M. N. Dutt: His power and energy were like those of lions, the bulls or the best of elephants. He was like the sun in splendour, moon in loveliness and fire in effulgence.
प्रांशुः कनकतालाभः सिंहसंहननो युवा असंख्येयगुणः श्रीमान्भास्करस्यात्मसंभवः
M. N. Dutt: Being born of the sun, he was tall like a golden palm; he was a youth who could slay lions. He was handsome and possessed countless accomplishments.
स निरीक्ष्य महाबाहुः सर्वतो रङ्गमण्डलम् प्रणामं द्रोणकृपयोर्नात्यादृतमिवाकरोत्
M. N. Dutt: The mighty armed (hero) looked all around the arena and bowed rather with indifference to Drona and Kripa.
स सामाजजनः सर्वो निश्चलः स्थिरलोचनः कोऽयमित्यागतक्षोभः कौतूहलपरोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: The entire assembly of people remain emotionless and stared in steadfast gaze. They were filled with great curiously and asked one another, "Who is he?"
सोऽब्रवीन्मेघधीरेण स्वरेण वदतां वरः भ्राता भ्रातरमज्ञातं सावित्रः पाकशासनिम्
M. N. Dutt: That foremost of eloquent men, the son of the sun, (Karna) in a voice deep as the roars of clouds, addressed his unknown brother thus-
पार्थ यत्ते कृतं कर्म विशेषवदहं ततः करिष्ये पश्यतां नॄणां मात्मना विस्मयं गमः
M. N. Dutt: "O Partha, I shall perform feats before this assembly excelling all that you have done. Behold them and will be amazed."
असमाप्ते ततस्तस्य वचने वदतां वर यन्त्रोत्क्षिप्त इव क्षिप्रमुत्तस्थौ सर्वतो जनः
M. N. Dutt: O best of all eloquent men, when he had hardly finished his words, the spectators stood up all at once as if uplifted by some instrument.
प्रीतिश्च पुरुषव्याघ्र दुर्योधनमथास्पृशत् ह्रीश्च क्रोधश्च बीभत्सुं क्षणेनान्वविशच्च ह
M. N. Dutt: O best of men, Duryodhana was delighted, while Bibhatsa (Arjuna) was filled with abashment and anger.
ततो द्रोणाभ्यनुज्ञातः कर्णः प्रियरणः सदा यत्कृतं तत्र पार्थेन तच्चकार महाबलः
M. N. Dutt: The greatly powerful Karna, ever fond of battle, displayed with the permission of Drona all that Partha had displayed before.
अथ दुर्योधनस्तत्र भ्रातृभिः सह भारत कर्णं परिष्वज्य मुदा ततो वचनमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, Duryodhana with his brothers thereupon embraced Karna with delight and spoke to him thus-
स्वागतं ते महाबाहो दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोऽसि मानद अहं च कुरुराज्यं च यथेष्टमुपभुज्यताम्
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said : "O mighty armed hero welcome to you! man deserving of politeness, I have got you by good fortune. Command me and the Kuru kingdom at your pleasure.
कर्ण उवाच कृतं सर्वेण मेऽन्येन सखित्वं च त्वया वृणे द्वन्द्वयुद्धं च पार्थेन कर्तुमिच्छामि भारत
M. N. Dutt: Karna said: When you have said this, I consider it as already accomplished. I only desire your friendship. O lord, I long for a single combat with Arjuna.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.15 After 15, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S (except G4.6) ins.: *1420 एवमुक्तस्तु कर्णेन राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा कर्णं दीर्घाञ्चितभुजं परिष्वज्येदमब्रवीत्
दुर्योधन उवाच भुङ्क्ष्व भोगान्मया सार्धं बन्धूनां प्रियकृद्भव दुर्हृदां कुरु सर्वेषां मूर्ध्नि पादमरिंदम
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said : Enjoy with me the good things of life. Be the benefactor of your friends. O oppressor of enemies, place your feet on the heads of all foes.
वैशंपायन उवाच ततः क्षिप्तमिवात्मानं मत्वा पार्थोऽभ्यभाषत कर्णं भ्रातृसमूहस्य मध्येऽचलमिव स्थितम्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Thereupon Partha considered himself disgraced and spoke to Karna who stood amidst the (Kuru) brothers like a hill.
अनाहूतोपसृप्तानामनाहूतोपजल्पिनाम् ये लोकास्तान्हतः कर्ण मया त्वं प्रतिपत्स्यसे
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said : O Karna, the path which the unwelcome intruder and the uninvited talker comes to shall be yours.
कर्ण उवाच रङ्गोऽयं सर्वसामान्यः किमत्र तव फल्गुन वीर्यश्रेष्ठाश्च राजन्या बलं धर्मोऽनुवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: Karna said: This arena is meant for all; it is not for you alone. O Falguni, they are kings who are superior in power; Kshatriya Dharma depends on prowess alone.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.19 After 19, K0.3.4 ins.: *1421 वाग्वीर्या ब्राह्मणाः प्रोक्ता वैश्याश्च धनवीर्यतः कर्मवीर्याः स्मृताः शूद्रा ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना
किं क्षेपैर्दुर्बलाश्वासैः शरैः कथय भारत गुरोः समक्षं यावत्ते हराम्यद्य शिरः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: o descendant of Bharata, what need is their of altercation which is the habit of the weak! Speak in arrows, until I cut off your head today in the presence of the preceptor.
वैशंपायन उवाच ततो द्रोणाभ्यनुज्ञातः पार्थः परपुरंजयः भ्रातृभिस्त्वरयाश्लिष्टो रणायोपजगाम तम्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : The subduer of hostile cities, Partha, was embraced by his brothers and with the permission of Drona he advanced for the combat.
ततो दुर्योधनेनापि सभ्रात्रा समरोद्यतः परिष्वक्तः स्थितः कर्णः प्रगृह्य सशरं धनुः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, Karna was embraced by Duryodhana with his brothers. Taking up his bow and arrows he stood ready for fight.
ततः सविद्युत्स्तनितैः सेन्द्रायुधपुरोजवैः आवृतं गगनं मेघैर्बलाकापङ्क्तिहासिभिः
M. N. Dutt: The sky was covered in clouds emitting flashes of lightning and the coloured bow of Indra appeared shedding its effulgent rays. The clouds seemed to be laughing on account of the presence of white cranes that were then flying.
ततः स्नेहाद्धरिहयं दृष्ट्वा रङ्गावलोकिनम् भास्करोऽप्यनयन्नाशं समीपोपगतान्घनान्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing that Indra was thus showing his affection (towards Arjuna), the sun dispersed the clouds over his son.
मेघच्छायोपगूढस्तु ततोऽदृश्यत पाण्डवः सूर्यातपपरिक्षिप्तः कर्णोऽपि समदृश्यत
M. N. Dutt: Falguni (Arjuna) was invisible under cover of the clouds, but Karna was visible on account of the clouds being dispersed from him by the sun.
धार्तराष्ट्रा यतः कर्णस्तस्मिन्देशे व्यवस्थिताः भारद्वाजः कृपो भीष्मो यतः पार्थस्ततोऽभवन्
M. N. Dutt: The sons of Dhritarashtra stood by Karna and the son of Bharadvaja, (Drona) Kripa and Bhishma stood by Partha.
द्विधा रङ्गः समभवत्स्त्रीणां द्वैधमजायत कुन्तिभोजसुता मोहं विज्ञातार्था जगाम ह
M. N. Dutt: The assembly was also divided into two parties, so were the ladies also. And on learning the affair the daughter of Bhoja, Kunti fainted away.
तां तथा मोहसंपन्नां विदुरः सर्वधर्मवित् कुन्तीमाश्वासयामास प्रोक्ष्याद्भिश्चन्दनोक्षितैः
M. N. Dutt: The learned in all the precepts of virtue, Vidura, revived the insensible Kunti by sprinkling over (her face) water mixed with sandal-paste.
ततः प्रत्यागतप्राणा तावुभावपि दंशितौ पुत्रौ दृष्ट्वा सुसंतप्ता नान्वपद्यत किंचन
M. N. Dutt: O being revived she was seized with fear on seeing her two sons clad in armour, but she could do nothing.
तावुद्यतमहाचापौ कृपः शारद्वतोऽब्रवीत् द्वन्द्वयुद्धसमाचारे कुशलः सर्वधर्मवित्
M. N. Dutt: When the two (heroes) were ready with their great bows raised up, the son of Sharadvana, Kripa, well versed in all the precepts of virtue and expert in the rules of duels, said-
अयं पृथायास्तनयः कनीयान्पाण्डुनन्दनः कौरवो भवता सार्धं द्वन्द्वयुद्धं करिष्यति
AI Translation: This is the youngest son of Pritha, the son of Pandu, who will fight a duel with you, O son of Kuru.
त्वमप्येवं महाबाहो मातरं पितरं कुलम् कथयस्व नरेन्द्राणां येषां त्वं कुलवर्धनः ततो विदित्वा पार्थस्त्वां प्रतियोत्स्यति वा न वा
AI Translation: O mighty one, tell about your mother, father, and family, and about the kings for whom you are a source of lineage. Then, having learned about you, Partha will decide whether to fight or not.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.32 After 32, K0.3.4 Ñ B D ins.: *1422 वृथाकुलसमाचारैर्न युध्यन्ते नृपात्मजाः
एवमुक्तस्य कर्णस्य व्रीडावनतमाननम् बभौ वर्षाम्बुभिः क्लिन्नं पद्ममागलितं यथा
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Thus addressed, Karna's face was flushed! with the blushes of shame and it looked like the pale lotus torn and disfigured by the showers of rains.
दुर्योधन उवाच आचार्य त्रिविधा योनी राज्ञां शास्त्रविनिश्चये तत्कुलीनश्च शूरश्च सेनां यश्च प्रकर्षति
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said : O preceptor, it is said in the Shastras that three classes of men cam claim royalty, namely persons of noble birth, heroes and those that lead soldiers.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.34 After 34, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *1423 अद्भ्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मतः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम् तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति
यद्ययं फल्गुनो युद्धे नाराज्ञा योद्धुमिच्छति तस्मादेषोऽङ्गविषये मया राज्येऽभिषिच्यते
M. N. Dutt: But if Falguni is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I install him (Karna) as the king of Anga.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.35 T (T2 om. lines 3-4) G M5 ins. after 35: D2.4 (marg. sec. m.) M3.6-8 (the latter three om. lines 3-4), after vaiśam. (of the foll. st.): *1424 ततो राजानमामन्त्र्य गाङ्गेयं च पितामहम् अभिषेकस्य संभारान्समानीय द्विजातिभिः गोसहस्रायुतं दत्त्वा युक्तानां पुण्यकर्मणाम् अर्होऽयमङ्गराज्यस्य इति वाच्य द्विजातिभिः
वैशंपायन उवाच ततस्तस्मिन्क्षणे कर्णः सलाजकुसुमैर्घटैः काञ्चनैः काञ्चने पीठे मन्त्रविद्भिर्महारथः अभिषिक्तोऽङ्गराज्ये स श्रिया युक्तो महाबलः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : When the cheers cease at that very moment the greatly powerful car-warrior Karna, seated on a golden seat, the (royal) umbrella over his head and yak tails waved by his side, was installed king of Anga by the Brahmanas, learned in the Mantras, in the proper form, with paddy, flowers, Ghata (water pots) and much fold.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.36 After 36, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *1425 समौलिहारकेयूरैः सहस्ताभरणाङ्गदैः राजलिङ्गैस्तथान्यैश्च भूषितो भूषणैः शुभैः
सच्छत्रवालव्यजनो जयशब्दान्तरेण च उवाच कौरवं राजा राजानं तं वृषस्तदा
AI Translation: With umbrellas, chowries, and whisks, and amidst the sound of victory, The king of the Kauravas then spoke to that king, the bull.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.37 After 37ab, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *1426 सभाज्यमानो विप्रैश्च प्रदत्त्वा ह्यमितं वसु
अस्य राज्यप्रदानस्य सदृशं किं ददानि ते प्रब्रूहि राजशार्दूल कर्ता ह्यस्मि तथा नृप अत्यन्तं सख्यमिच्छामीत्याह तं स सुयोधनः
M. N. Dutt: O king, (Karna) said to the Kauravas (Duryodhana), "What shall I give you compared," your gift of a kingdom! O king O best of men, I shall do all you will command." Suyodhana (Duryodhana) replied, “I long for your friendship."
एवमुक्तस्ततः कर्णस्तथेति प्रत्यभाषत हर्षाच्चोभौ समाश्लिष्य परां मुदमवापतुः
M. N. Dutt: Having been thus addressed, Karna replied. “Be it so." They thereupon embraced each other in joy and felt great happiness.
Supplementary Passages:
1.126.39 After 39ab, S ins.: *1427 वैशंपायनः अङ्गराजस्य युक्तांश्च दत्त्वा राजपरिच्छदान्