Critical Edition
संजय उवाच स कर्णं कर्णिना कर्णे पुनर्विव्याध फाल्गुनिः शरैः पञ्चाशता चैनमविध्यत्कोपयन्भृशम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Once more did the son of Arjuna pierced Karna on his car, with barbed arrows and then for angering the latter, again pierced him with fifty shafts more.
प्रतिविव्याध राधेयस्तावद्भिरथ तं पुनः स तैराचितसर्वाङ्गो बह्वशोभत भारत
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Radha's son pierced him in return with as many arrows. Covered all over with arrows, O Bharata, he then looked exceedingly beautiful.
कर्णं चाप्यकरोत्क्रुद्धो रुधिरोत्पीडवाहिनम् कर्णोऽपि विबभौ शूरः शरैश्चित्रोऽसृगाप्लुतः
M. N. Dutt: Excited with wrath, Abhimanyu also caused Karna to be covered over with streams of blood; the heroic Karna also appeared beautiful being mangled with shaft-wounds and bathed in blood.
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.3 After 3, S ins.: *317 संध्यानुगतपर्यन्तः शरदीव दिवाकरः
तावुभौ शरचित्राङ्गौ रुधिरेण समुक्षितौ बभूवतुर्महात्मानौ पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ
M. N. Dutt: Then both those high-souled warriors, mangled with arrow-wounds and steeped in blood, appeared like two Kinshukas covered with blossom,
अथ कर्णस्य सचिवान्षट्शूरांश्चित्रयोधिनः साश्वसूतध्वजरथान्सौभद्रो निजघान ह
M. N. Dutt: Then Subhadra's son slew six of Karna's ministers all versed in various modes of warfare, together with their horses, charioteer, car and standards.
अथेतरान्महेष्वासान्दशभिर्दशभिः शरैः प्रत्यविध्यदसंभ्रान्तस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
M. N. Dutt: Then Abhimanyu fearlessly pierced the rest of the mighty car-warriors in return, with ten shafts each; that feat of his seemed exceedingly wonderful.
मागधस्य पुनः पुत्रं हत्वा षड्भिरजिह्मगैः साश्वं ससूतं तरुणमश्वकेतुमपातयत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter having slain the son of the ruler of the Magadhas with six swift-coursing arrows, Abhimanyu felled the youthful Ashvaketu together with his horses and charioteer.
मार्तिकावतकं भोजं ततः कुञ्जरकेतनम् क्षुरप्रेण समुन्मथ्य ननाद विसृजञ्शरान्
M. N. Dutt: Next slaying with a sharp, horse-shoeheaded arrow, the Bhoja prince of Martikavata having the device of an elephant on his banner, the son of Arjuna sent up a tremendous war-cry and began to scatter his arrows on all sides.
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.8 After 8ab, M3-5 ins.: *318 मगधाधिपतेश्चापि जयत्सेनस्य वै शिरः
तस्य दौःशासनिर्विद्ध्वा चतुर्भिश्चतुरो हयान् सूतमेकेन विव्याध दशभिश्चार्जुनात्मजम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the son of Drona pierced his four horses with four arrows and charioteer with one shaft and then he pierced Arjuna's son with ten arrows.
ततो दौःशासनिं कार्ष्णिर्विद्ध्वा सप्तभिराशुगैः संरम्भाद्रक्तनयनो वाक्यमुच्चैरथाब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter Krishna's nephew having pierced Dushasana's son with ten swiftcoursing arrows, spoke these words at the top of his voice, with eyes red in rage.
पिता तवाहवं त्यक्त्वा गतः कापुरुषो यथा दिष्ट्या त्वमपि जानीषे योद्धुं न त्वद्य मोक्ष्यसे
M. N. Dutt: "Your father has fled from the battle like a veritable coward. It is fortunate that you know how to fight. But today you shall not escape me alive."
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं कर्मारपरिमार्जितम् नाराचं विससर्जास्मै तं द्रौणिस्त्रिभिराच्छिनत्
M. N. Dutt: Having spoken only these words, he hurled at him a Naracha burnished by the forger himself.
तस्यार्जुनिर्ध्वजं छित्त्वा शल्यं त्रिभिरताडयत् तं शल्यो नवभिर्बाणैर्गार्ध्रपत्रैरताडयत्
M. N. Dutt: Then leaving alone the son of Drona, Arjuna's son struck Shalya with three arrows. Him Shalya pierced in return with nine shafts furnished with vulterine feathers, on the breast, like one not at all afraid. That feat appeared to be highly wonderful.
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.13 Ś K2 (marg.).5 B Dc1 Dn2 D1.2.5.7.8 ins. after 13: Dn1 D3.6 after 13ab: *319 हृद्यसंभ्रान्तवद्राजंस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
तस्यार्जुनिर्ध्वजं छित्त्वा उभौ च पार्ष्णिसारथी तं विव्याधायसैः षड्भिः सोऽपक्रामद्रथान्तरम्
M. N. Dutt: The son of Arjuna then cutting off his bow and slaying his two flank-supporters, pierced him with six iron-made shafts; and then Shalya ascended another chariot.
शत्रुंजयं चन्द्रकेतुं मेघवेगं सुवर्चसम् सूर्यभासं च पञ्चैतान्हत्वा विव्याध सौबलम्
M. N. Dutt: Then having slain Satrunjaya, Chandraketu, Meghavega, Suvarchasam and Suryabhasa, he pierced the son of Subala. Subala then piercing him with three arrows, thus addressed Duryodhana-
तं सौबलस्त्रिभिर्विद्ध्वा दुर्योधनमथाब्रवीत् सर्व एनं प्रमथ्नीमः पुरैकैकं हिनस्ति नः
AI Translation: Then Sūbala's son pierced him with three arrows and said to Duryódhana: "Let us all attack him together. He is killing us one by one."
अथाब्रवीत्तदा द्रोणं कर्णो वैकर्तनो वृषा पुरा सर्वान्प्रमथ्नाति ब्रूह्यस्य वधमाशु नः
AI Translation: Then the bull Karna, the son of the sun, said to Drona: "Before he destroys all of us, quickly tell us his death."
ततो द्रोणो महेष्वासः सर्वांस्तान्प्रत्यभाषत अस्ति वोऽस्यान्तरं कश्चित्कुमारस्य प्रपश्यति
AI Translation: Then Drona, the great archer, spoke to all of them: "Does any of you see any weakness in this boy?"
अन्वस्य पितरं ह्यद्य चरतः सर्वतोदिशम् शीघ्रतां नरसिंहस्य पाण्डवेयस्य पश्यत
AI Translation: Today, following his father, he is moving in all directions. Behold the speed of the son of Pandu, the Lion among Men.
धनुर्मण्डलमेवास्य रथमार्गेषु दृश्यते संदधानस्य विशिखाञ्शीघ्रं चैव विमुञ्चतः
M. N. Dutt: Behold the lightness of hands of this son of Arjuna, this foremost of all men! In the course of his car-motion, only his bow drawn to a complete circle can be seen and not his arrows, so swiftly does he let them off!
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.20 After 20ab, M3-5 ins.: *320 तमो घ्नतः सुदीप्तस्य सवितुर्मण्डलं यथा After 20, Ś2 K (except K5) ins.: *321 विकर्षतो धनुः श्रेष्ठं नान्तरं दृश्यते हि वै
आरुजन्निव मे प्राणान्मोहयन्नपि सायकैः प्रहर्षयति मा भूयः सौभद्रः परवीरहा
M. N. Dutt: Indeed this slayer of hostile heroes, this son of Subhadra is affording me great delight, though with his shafts he is afflicting my vital limbs and confounding my senses. This son of Subhadra careering through the field of battle, delights me greatly.
अति मा नन्दयत्येष सौभद्रो विचरन्रणे अन्तरं यस्य संरब्धा न पश्यन्ति महारथाः
AI Translation: This Subhadra's son delights me greatly as he roams about in battle, for the great warriors are not able to see his vulnerable point when they are angry.
अस्यतो लघुहस्तस्य दिशः सर्वा महेषुभिः न विशेषं प्रपश्यामि रणे गाण्डीवधन्वनः
M. N. Dutt: In as much as many mighty car-warriors inflamed with rage cannot detect any the slightest weakness in him. I do not find any very great difference between the wielder of the Gandiva bow and this one of great lightness of hands, filling the points of the compass with his mighty shafts.
अथ कर्णः पुनर्द्रोणमाहार्जुनिशरार्दितः स्थातव्यमिति तिष्ठामि पीड्यमानोऽभिमन्युना
M. N. Dutt: Then once more Karna, afflicted with the arrows of Arjuna's son said to Drona "Afflicted sore by Abhimanyu, I am staying here, only because as a warrior, I should stay here.
तेजस्विनः कुमारस्य शराः परमदारुणाः क्षिण्वन्ति हृदयं मेऽद्य घोराः पावकतेजसः
M. N. Dutt: The fierce and exceedingly dreadful darts, corroding like fire, of this very furious prince, are this day sucking my heart's strength in battle.” Then softly and with a smile the preceptor replied to Karna saying-
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.25 After 25, D7.8 ins.: *322 ह्रीमत्त्वात्क्षितिपालानां पश्यतामद्य च द्विज न मेऽङ्ग हीयते किंचिन्न वै वागेति मां तथा कुमारवरवीरस्य संतप्तपरमेषुभिः बाणैरच्छिन्ननिर्मुक्तैः शल्यैरन्तर्गतं मम विचिन्वद्भिरिवासून्मे शरीरं न विभाव्यते कः किं किं स धनुर्वेदो येनैकेन वयं जिताः
तमाचार्योऽब्रवीत्कर्णं शनकैः प्रहसन्निव अभेद्यमस्य कवचं युवा चाशुपराक्रमः
AI Translation: The teacher said to Karna, smiling a little: "His armor is impenetrable, and he is young and very valorous."
उपदिष्टा मया अस्य पितुः कवचधारणा तामेष निखिलां वेत्ति ध्रुवं परपुरंजयः
AI Translation: I have taught him the wearing of his father's armor. He certainly knows it all, the conqueror of the enemy's cities.
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.27 After 27, D7.8 ins.: *323 ज्यालक्षणं मया चेह नोपदिष्टं तु फल्गुने
शक्यं त्वस्य धनुश्छेत्तुं ज्यां च बाणैः समाहितैः अभीशवो हयाश्चैव तथोभौ पार्ष्णिसारथी
AI Translation: But his bow and his arrows can be cut by arrows well-aimed. His horses and charioteer and his two wheels can be cut.
एतत्कुरु महेष्वास राधेय यदि शक्यते अथैनं विमुखीकृत्य पश्चात्प्रहरणं कुरु
AI Translation: O great archer, do this, O Radha's son, if it is possible. Then, having turned him away, strike him from behind.
सधनुष्को न शक्योऽयमपि जेतुं सुरासुरैः विरथं विधनुष्कं च कुरुष्वैनं यदीच्छसि
AI Translation: Even the gods and demons cannot defeat him when he is armed with a bow. Make him bowless and chariotless if you wish.
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.30 After 30, D7.8 ins.: *324 विलक्षकरणं वा(? ना)दं विमुञ्चन्नग्रतो नृप संधानकृतलक्षस्य किंचिद्व्याक्षिप्तचेतसः On the other hand, T G2-5 ins. after 30: *325 पुरः स्थितेन केनापि दुःशक्यो जेतुमार्जुनिः
तदाचार्यवचः श्रुत्वा कर्णो वैकर्तनस्त्वरन् अस्यतो लघुहस्तस्य पृषत्कैर्धनुराच्छिनत्
AI Translation: Hearing the words of the teacher, Karna, the son of the sun, quickly cut off his bow with arrows, while he was drawing it with his nimble hand.
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.31 After 31ab, D7.8 ins.: *326 दृष्ट्वा सौभद्रमस्यन्तमुच्चैः शब्दमकुर्वत नष्टलक्षः कुमारोऽयं हन्यतां हन्यतामिति तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य अभिमन्योर्महात्मनः
अश्वानस्यावधीद्भोजो गौतमः पार्ष्णिसारथी शेषास्तु छिन्नधन्वानं शरवर्षैरवाकिरन्
AI Translation: Bhoja, the son of Gautama, killed his horses, and Parshni, his charioteer. The others, with their bows broken, covered him with showers of arrows.
त्वरमाणास्त्वराकाले विरथं षण्महारथाः शरवर्षैरकरुणा बालमेकमवाकिरन्
M. N. Dutt: The rest covered him with arrowy showers, when he was deprived of the use of his bow. Then these six mighty car-warriors with great activity, when activity was so necessary, ruthlessly covered that young careless hero who was fighting with them single-handedly, with showers of arrows.
स छिन्नधन्वा विरथः स्वधर्ममनुपालयन् खड्गचर्मधरः श्रीमानुत्पपात विहायसम्
M. N. Dutt: Then that handsome hero whose car had been rendered useless and whose bow had been cut-off, grasping his sword and buckler and remembering his duty, jumped up into the sky.
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.34 After 34, D7.8 ins.: *327 मण्डलानि सुशिक्षाभिर्गतप्रत्यागतानि च
मार्गैः स कैशिकाद्यैश्च लाघवेन बलेन च आर्जुनिर्व्यचरद्व्योम्नि भृशं वै पक्षिराडिव
M. N. Dutt: Exhibiting great prowess and great lightness, Arjuna's son roved in the air like the king of the birds, in various motions, known as Kaushika and others.
मय्येव निपतत्येष सासिरित्यूर्ध्वदृष्टयः विव्यधुस्तं महेष्वासाः समरे छिद्रदर्शिनः
M. N. Dutt: “With the sword in his hand he may fall upon me,'-thinking thus those mighty bowmen with their eyes up-turned and very watchful for finding Abhimanyu's weakness, began to pierce him.
तस्य द्रोणोऽच्छिनन्मुष्टौ खड्गं मणिमयत्सरुम् राधेयो निशितैर्बाणैर्व्यधमच्चर्म चोत्तमम्
AI Translation: Drona cut off his sword, which had a hilt of jewels, from his hand, and Karna pierced his excellent shield with sharp arrows.
Supplementary Passages:
7.47.37 After 37ab, N ins.: *328 क्षुरप्रेण महातेजास्त्वरमाणः सपत्नजित्
व्यसिचर्मेषुपूर्णाङ्गः सोऽन्तरिक्षात्पुनः क्षितिम् आस्थितश्चक्रमुद्यम्य द्रोणं क्रुद्धोऽभ्यधावत
M. N. Dutt: Then Radha's son also cut-off his excellent buckler with many sharp arrows. Then deprived of his sword and his shield he came down from the sky upon the ground, with all his limbs intact. Then raising a car-wheel, he furiously rushed against Drona.
स चक्ररेणूज्ज्वलशोभिताङ्गो; बभावतीवोन्नतचक्रपाणिः रणेऽभिमन्युः क्षणदासुभद्रः; स वासुभद्रानुकृतिं प्रकुर्वन्
M. N. Dutt: His person shining with the dust from the car-wheel and himself wielding the car-wheel in his upraised arm, Abhimanyu appeared highly beautiful and for a while imitating the son of Vasudeva, he became terrible fierce in that battle.
स्रुतरुधिरकृतैकरागवक्त्रो; भ्रुकुटिपुटाकुटिलोऽतिसिंहनादः प्रभुरमितबलो रणेऽभिमन्यु;र्नृपवरमध्यगतो भृशं व्यराजत्
M. N. Dutt: With his robes dyed with the blood flowing in profusion (from his wounds), with his brows formidable in consequence of the wrinkles thereon, himself sending up loud war-cries, that highly powerful Abhimanyu appeared superbly beautiful staying in the midst of those foremost of kings.