Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच अत्यद्भुतमहं मन्ये भीमसेनस्य विक्रमम् यत्कर्णं योधयामास समरे लघुविक्रमम्
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said Indeed I consider Bhima's prowess to be very wonderful, inasmuch as he fought with Karna of great agility.
त्रिदशानपि चोद्युक्तान्सर्वशस्त्रधरान्युधि वारयेद्यो रणे कर्णः सयक्षासुरमानवान्
M. N. Dutt: Indeed that Karna who is competent enough of resisting the celestials together with the Yakshas, Asuras and men all armed with numerous kinds of weapon.
स कथं पाण्डवं युद्धे भ्राजमानमिव श्रिया नातरत्संयुगे तात तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय
M. N. Dutt: How is it that Karna could not vanquish in battle that son of Pritha, of great effulgence? O Sanjaya tell me all you know about it in detail.
कथं च युद्धं भूयोऽभूत्तयोः प्राणदुरोदरे अत्र मन्ये समायत्तो जयो वाजय एव वा
M. N. Dutt: Tell me how the battle them raged-battle in which each staked his very life. Messems each of them was capable of conquering or each mighty have suffered defeat, (at the hand of the other).
कर्णं प्राप्य रणे सूत मम पुत्रः सुयोधनः जेतुमुत्सहते पार्थान्सगोविन्दान्ससात्वतान्
M. N. Dutt: Obtaining Suta's son Karna to help him, my son Duryodhana is confident of securing victory over the Pandavas with Govinda and the Satwatas.
श्रुत्वा तु निर्जितं कर्णमसकृद्भीमकर्मणा भीमसेनेन समरे मोह आविशतीव माम्
M. N. Dutt: However, hearing of the repeated defeats of Karna by Bhimasena of dreadful deeds, a swoon seems to overtake me. pervert son
विनष्टान्कौरवान्मन्ये मम पुत्रस्य दुर्नयैः न हि कर्णो महेष्वासान्पार्थाञ्जेष्यति संजय
M. N. Dutt: I regard the Kauravas as already slain, in consequence of the evil policy of my son. O Sanjaya, Karna will never be able to vanquish the sons of Pritha, those illustrious bowmen.
कृतवान्यानि युद्धानि कर्णः पाण्डुसुतैः सह सर्वत्र पाण्डवाः कर्णमजयन्त रणाजिरे
M. N. Dutt: In all the battles that Karna has fought with the sons of Pandu, the latter have worsted him on the field of battle.
अजय्याः पाण्डवास्तात देवैरपि सवासवैः न च तद्बुध्यते मन्दः पुत्रो दुर्योधनो मम
M. N. Dutt: The Pandavas are incapable of being vanquished even by the celestials led by Vasava himself. But my Duryodhana will not take cognisance of this fact.
धनं धनेश्वरस्येव हृत्वा पार्थस्य मे सुतः मधुप्रेप्सुरिवाबुद्धिः प्रपातं नावबुध्यते
M. N. Dutt: Having robbed Yudhishthira the son of Pritha's who is like the Lord of wealth, of his wealth, my foolish son sees not the impending fall, like a searcher of honey (on the mountains).
Supplementary Passages:
7.108.10 For 10ab, G1 M subst.: *848 कर्णस्य मतमास्थाय स्वार्थमित्येव मे सुतः
निकृत्या निकृतिप्रज्ञो राज्यं हृत्वा महात्मनाम् जितानित्येव मन्वानः पाण्डवानवमन्यते
M. N. Dutt: Having robbed by means of his deceit, the kingdom of those high-souled ones, my son conversant with deceit, thinks it to be irrecoverably his own; and so always insults the Pandavas.
पुत्रस्नेहाभिभूतेन मया चाप्यकृतात्मना धर्मे स्थिता महात्मानो निकृताः पाण्डुनन्दनाः
M. N. Dutt: Those high-souled son of Pandu, who ever treaded the paths of rectitude, were also insulted by myself who am over-fondly attached to my sons and am of selfish temperament.
शमकामः सदा पार्थो दीर्घप्रेक्षी युधिष्ठिरः अशक्त इति मन्वानैः पुत्रैर्मम निराकृतः
M. N. Dutt: The foresighted Yudhishthira that son of Pritha, was ever desirous of peace. But my sons turned him out, taking him to be incapable (of launching on war).
Supplementary Passages:
7.108.13 After 13, G1 M1.2 ins.: *849 तानुत्क्रम्याब्रवीत्पुत्रो मम द्यूते सुमन्दधीः
तानि दुःखान्यनेकानि विप्रकारांश्च सर्वशः हृदि कृत्वा महाबाहुर्भीमोऽयुध्यत सूतजम्
M. N. Dutt: Bearing in mind all those hardships and all other insults offered to the Pandavas, the mighty-armed Bhima fought with Suta's son.
तस्मान्मे संजय ब्रूहि कर्णभीमौ यथा रणे अयुध्येतां युधि श्रेष्ठौ परस्परवधैषिणौ
M. N. Dutt: O Sanjaya, relate to me, how Bhima and Karna, those two foremost of warriors fought with each other, desirous of taking each other's life.
संजय उवाच शृणु राजन्यथा वृत्तः संग्रामः कर्णभीमयोः परस्परवधप्रेप्स्वोर्वने कुञ्जरयोरिव
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Hear, O king, how the battle between Karna and Bhima raged like that between two elephants desirous of slaughtering each other in the forest.
Supplementary Passages:
7.108.16 After the ref., M3-5 ins.: *850 हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि तयोः प्राणद(?दु)रोदरम् पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां केशवार्जुनयोरपि
राजन्वैकर्तनो भीमं क्रुद्धः क्रुद्धमरिंदमम् पराक्रान्तं पराक्रम्य विव्याध त्रिंशता शरैः
M. N. Dutt: O king, the enraged son of Vikartana then pierced with thirty arrows that chastiser of foes viz., Bhimasena who excited with rage, had been putting forth his prowess.
महावेगैः प्रसन्नाग्रैः शातकुम्भपरिष्कृतैः आहनद्भरतश्रेष्ठ भीमं वैकर्तनः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of the Bharatas, Vikartana's son then wounded Bhima with many shafts of keen points and great impetuosity and decked with gold.
तस्यास्यतो धनुर्भीमश्चकर्त निशितैस्त्रिभिः रथनीडाच्च यन्तारं भल्लेनापातयत्क्षितौ
M. N. Dutt: But when Karna was engaged in wounding him, Bhima cut-off his bow with three sharp shafts and then with a Bhalla felled his charioteer from the niche on the car.
स काङ्क्षन्भीमसेनस्य वधं वैकर्तनो वृषः शक्तिं कनकवैडूर्यचित्रदण्डां परामृशत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Vikartana's son longing to compass the slaughter of Bhimasena, took a lance with a staff variegated with gold and lapises.
प्रगृह्य च महाशक्तिं कालशक्तिमिवापराम् समुत्क्षिप्य च राधेयः संधाय च महाबलः चिक्षेप भीमसेनाय जीवितान्तकरीमिव
M. N. Dutt: Taking up that fierce lance that resembled a second dart of Death and tilting it and aiming it, the powerful son of Radha.
शक्तिं विसृज्य राधेयः पुरंदर इवाशनिम् ननाद सुमहानादं बलवान्सूतनन्दनः तं च नादं ततः श्रुत्वा पुत्रास्ते हृषिताभवन्
M. N. Dutt: That puissant descendant of a charioteer's race, uttered a loud roar; and then your sons hearing that loud shout uttered by Karna, became filled with delight.
Supplementary Passages:
7.108.22 For 22ab, G1 M1.2 subst.: *851 शक्तिं वियद्गतां द्र्ष्ट्वा शक्राशनिसमद्युतिम्
तां कर्णभुजनिर्मुक्तामर्कवैश्वानरप्रभाम् शक्तिं वियति चिच्छेद भीमः सप्तभिराशुगैः
M. N. Dutt: But as that lance of the radiance of fire or the sun was coursing through the skies, Bhima cut it off with seven swift-arrows.
छित्त्वा शक्तिं ततो भीमो निर्मुक्तोरगसंनिभाम् मार्गमाण इव प्राणान्सूतपुत्रस्य मारिष
M. N. Dutt: Cutting off that lance resembling a snake just freed from its slough, Bhima, O sire, as if looking out for the opportunity of wrenching the life-breaths out of Suta's son.
प्राहिणोन्नव संरब्धः शरान्बर्हिणवाससः स्वर्णपुङ्खाञ्शिलाधौतान्यमदण्डोपमान्मृधे
M. N. Dutt: Wrathfully pierced the latter with many arrows furnished with wings of peacock's feathers or of gold and whetted on stone and resembling darts of Death.
कर्णोऽप्यन्यद्धनुर्गृह्य हेमपृष्ठं दुरासदम् विकृष्य च महातेजा व्यसृजत्सायकान्नव
M. N. Dutt: Karna also then taking up another terrible bow of golden staff, began to stretch it; and then that highly energetic one began to discharge arrows at Bhima.
तान्पाण्डुपुत्रश्चिच्छेद नवभिर्नतपर्वभिः वसुषेणेन निर्मुक्तान्नव राजन्महाशरान् छित्त्वा भीमो महाराज नादं सिंह इवानदत्
M. N. Dutt: But the son of Pandu cut-off those shafts, with nine shafts of depressed knots shot by himself. Having cut-off, O foremost of men, those arrows shot by Karna.
Supplementary Passages:
7.108.27 B4 ins. after 27ab: S after 27cd: *852 सुवर्णविकृतैर्बाणैः सुवर्णविकृताञ्शरान्
तौ वृषाविव नर्दन्तौ बलिनौ वाशितान्तरे शार्दूलाविव चान्योन्यमत्यर्थं च ह्यगर्जताम्
AI Translation: Like two bulls roaring in the forest, those two strong men, like two tigers, roared at each other.
अन्योन्यं प्रजिहीर्षन्तावन्योन्यस्यान्तरैषिणौ अन्योन्यमभिवीक्षन्तौ गोष्ठेष्विव महर्षभौ
AI Translation: Desiring to kill each other, seeking each other's weakness, Looking at each other like great bulls in a herd.
महागजाविवासाद्य विषाणाग्रैः परस्परम् शरैः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैरन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः
M. N. Dutt: Then like two huge elephants goring each other with the ends of their tusks, those two heroes began to pierce each other with arrows shot from bows drawn to the fullest stretch.
निर्दहन्तौ महाराज शरवृष्ट्या परस्परम् अन्योन्यमभिवीक्षन्तौ कोपाद्विवृतलोचनौ
AI Translation: Burning each other with a shower of arrows, looking at each other with eyes wide open in anger,
प्रहसन्तौ तथान्योन्यं भर्त्सयन्तौ मुहुर्मुहुः शङ्खशब्दं च कुर्वाणौ युयुधाते परस्परम्
AI Translation: Laughing at each other, repeatedly reviling each other, Making the sound of a conch, they fought with each other.
तस्य भीमः पुनश्चापं मुष्टौ चिच्छेद मारिष शङ्खवर्णांश्च तानश्वान्बाणैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम्
AI Translation: O venerable one, Bhima again cut off his bow in his hand. And with arrows he sent those horses, which were the color of conch shells, to Yama's abode.
Supplementary Passages:
7.108.33 After 33, Bom. ed. ins.: *853 सारथिं च तथाप्यस्य रथनीडादपातयत् ततो वैकर्तनः कर्णश्चिन्तां प्राप दुरत्ययाम् स छाद्यमानः समरे हताश्वो हतसारथिः मोहितः शरजालेन कर्तव्यं नाभ्यपद्यत
तथा कृच्छ्रगतं दृष्ट्वा कर्णं दुर्योधनो नृपः वेपमान इव क्रोधाद्व्यादिदेशाथ दुर्जयम्
AI Translation: Seeing Karna in distress, King Duryodhana trembling with anger, then ordered the invincible one,
गच्छ दुर्जय राधेयं पुरा ग्रसति पाण्डवः जहि तूबरकं क्षिप्रं कर्णस्य बलमादधत्
AI Translation: Go, Durjaya, to Radha's son before the Pandava swallows him up. Quickly kill the son of a slave-girl, adding to Karna's strength.
एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा तव पुत्रस्तवात्मजम् अभ्यद्रवद्भीमसेनं व्यासक्तं विकिरञ्शरान्
AI Translation: Thus addressed, he said, "So be it," and your son, your son, attacked Bhimasena, shooting arrows, as he was engaged.
स भीमं नवभिर्बाणैरश्वानष्टभिरर्दयत् षड्भिः सूतं त्रिभिः केतुं पुनस्तं चापि सप्तभिः
AI Translation: He wounded Bhima with nine arrows, his horses with eight, his charioteer with six, his banner with three, and again him with seven.
भीमसेनोऽपि संक्रुद्धः साश्वयन्तारमाशुगैः दुर्जयं भिन्नमर्माणमनयद्यमसादनम्
AI Translation: Bhimasena, too, enraged, quickly killed Durjaya, with his charioteer and horses, with his arrows, and sent him to Yama's abode, with his vital parts pierced.
स्वलंकृतं क्षितौ क्षुण्णं चेष्टमानं यथोरगम् रुदन्नार्तस्तव सुतं कर्णश्चक्रे प्रदक्षिणम्
AI Translation: He was adorned, but trampled on the ground, moving like a snake. Karna, crying and distressed, circumambulated your son.
स तु तं विरथं कृत्वा स्मयन्नत्यन्तवैरिणम् समाचिनोद्बाणगणैः शतघ्नीमिव शङ्कुभिः
AI Translation: Having thus deprived him of his chariot, he, the enemy of the enemy, smiled and pierced him with a hundred arrows, like a stake with nails.
तथाप्यतिरथः कर्णो भिद्यमानः स्म सायकैः न जहौ समरे भीमं क्रुद्धरूपं परंतपः
AI Translation: But the great warrior Karna, though wounded by arrows, did not abandon Bhima in battle, though he was angry and fierce.