Critical Edition
संजय उवाच ततः कर्णो रणे दृष्ट्वा पार्षतं परवीरहा आजघानोरसि शरैर्दशभिर्मर्मभेदिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Then that slayer of foes viz., Karna beholding Prisata's son in battle, pierced the him on the breast with ten arrows capable of penetrating to the vitals.
प्रतिविव्याध तं तूर्णं धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि मारिष पञ्चभिः सायकैर्हृष्टस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: In return Dhristadyumna quickly pierced, in that battle, Karna, with five arrows and challenged him saying 'stay, stay.'
तावन्योन्यं शरैः संख्ये संछाद्य सुमहारथौ पुनः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैर्विव्यधाते परस्परम्
M. N. Dutt: In that dreadful battle, they both covering each other with their arrowy showers, pierced each other with shafts shot from fully-stretched bows.
ततः पाञ्चालमुख्यस्य धृष्टद्युम्नस्य संयुगे सारथिं चतुरश्चाश्वान्कर्णो विव्याध सायकैः
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter Karna dispatched the four steeds and charioteer of Dhristadyumna that foremost of the Panchalas, to the dreary abode of Death.
कार्मुकप्रवरं चास्य प्रचिच्छेद शितैः शरैः सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत्
M. N. Dutt: He cut-off with sharp arrows the latter's excellent bow and then with a bhalla felled his charioteer from the niche on the car.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः गृहीत्वा परिघं घोरं कर्णस्याश्वानपीपिषत्
M. N. Dutt: The puissant Dhristadyumna deprived of the use of his car and having his charioteer and his horses slain, quickly jumped down on the ground armed with a terrible mace.
Supplementary Passages:
7.148.6 D2.4.5. 7.8 ins. after 6ab: Dn2 after 5ab: *1202 अवप्लुत्य रथात्तूर्णं गदामादाय वीर्यवान् स विध्यमानः कर्णेन शरैः संनतपर्वभिः गत्वा कर्णसमीपं तु जघान चतुरो हयान् पुनरावृत्य वेगेन पार्षतः परवीरहा धनंजयरथं क्षिप्रमारुह्य रथिनां वरः प्रयातु कामः कर्णाय वारितो धर्मसूनुना कर्णस्तु सुमहातेजाः सिंहनादविमिश्रितम् धनुःशब्दं महच्चक्रे दध्मौ तारेण चाम्बुजम् दृष्ट्वा विनिर्जितं युद्धे पार्षतं ते महारथाः अमर्षवशमापन्नाः पाञ्चालाः सह सोमकैः सुतपुत्रवधार्थाय शस्त्राण्यादाय सर्वशः प्रययुः कर्णमुद्दिश्य मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम्
विद्धश्च बहुभिस्तेन शरैराशीविषोपमैः ततो युधिष्ठिरानीकं पद्भ्यामेवान्ववर्तत आरुरोह रथं चापि सहदेवस्य मारिष
M. N. Dutt: Then through inangled with arrows of depressed knots shot by Karna, he still approached the former's chariot and slew the steeds thereof with the strokes of his mace.
कर्णस्यापि रथे वाहानन्यान्सूतो न्ययोजयत् शङ्खवर्णान्महावेगान्सैन्धवान्साधुवाहिनः
M. N. Dutt: They then rushed against Karna, making death their final goal. Meanwhile Karna's
लब्धलक्ष्यस्तु राधेयः पाञ्चालानां महारथान् अभ्यपीडयदायस्तः शरैर्मेघ इवाचलान्
M. N. Dutt: Steeds that were of the hue of conch shells, endued with great fleetness, of the Sindhu breed and well-broken. Then the son of Radha getting the mighty warriors of the Panchalas within his range.
सा पीड्यमाना कर्णेन पाञ्चालानां महाचमूः संप्राद्रवत्सुसंत्रस्ता सिंहेनेवार्दिता मृगी
M. N. Dutt: Began to afflict them with his arrowy showers, like masses of clouds afflicting the mountain breast with torrents of rain. Afflicted sore by Karna, the division of the Panchalas.
पतितास्तुरगेभ्यश्च गजेभ्यश्च महीतले रथेभ्यश्च नरास्तूर्णमदृश्यन्त ततस्ततः
AI Translation: They fell from their horses, elephants, and chariots onto the ground. Men were seen quickly falling from their chariots here and there.
Supplementary Passages:
7.148.11 After 11, T G2-4 ins.: *1203 एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु सूतपुत्रो महारथः चकार कदनं घोरं पाण्डुसैन्येषु भारत
धावमानस्य योधस्य क्षुरप्रैः स महामृधे बाहू चिच्छेद वै कर्णः शिरश्चैव सकुण्डलम्
AI Translation: In that great battle, Karna cut off the arms and head, along with the earrings, of a warrior who was running away with razor-sharp arrows.
ऊरू चिच्छेद चान्यस्य गजस्थस्य विशां पते वाजिपृष्ठगतस्यापि भूमिष्ठस्य च मारिष
AI Translation: He cut off the thighs of another who was on an elephant, O lord of the people. And of one who was on the back of a horse, and of one who was on the ground, O friend.
नाज्ञासिषुर्धावमाना बहवश्च महारथाः संछिन्नान्यात्मगात्राणि वाहनानि च संयुगे
AI Translation: Many great warriors, running, did not know their own limbs and vehicles cut off in the battle.
ते वध्यमानाः समरे पाञ्चालाः सृञ्जयैः सह तृणप्रस्पन्दनाच्चापि सूतपुत्रं स्म मेनिरे
AI Translation: The Panchālas and Srīnjayas, being killed in battle, even from the movement of grass, thought of the son of the charioteer.
अपि स्वं समरे योधं धावमानं विचेतसः कर्णमेवाभ्यमन्यन्त ततो भीता द्रवन्ति ते
AI Translation: Even their own warriors, running away in battle, unconscious, turned to Karna alone. Then, frightened, they fled.
तान्यनीकानि भग्नानि द्रवमाणानि भारत अभ्यद्रवद्द्रुतं कर्णः पृष्ठतो विकिरञ्शरान्
AI Translation: Those armies were broken and fleeing, O descendant of Bharata. Karna quickly pursued them from behind, scattering arrows.
अवेक्षमाणास्तेऽन्योन्यं सुसंमूढा विचेतसः नाशक्नुवन्नवस्थातुं काल्यमाना महात्मना
AI Translation: Looking at each other, they were very confused and their minds were disturbed. They were unable to stand still, being harassed by the great-souled one.
कर्णेनाभ्याहता राजन्पाञ्चालाः परमेषुभिः द्रोणेन च दिशः सर्वा वीक्षमाणाः प्रदुद्रुवुः
AI Translation: O king, the Panchālas were struck by Karna with his supreme arrows, and, looking in all directions, they fled, seeing Drona.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा स्वसैन्यं प्रेक्ष्य विद्रुतम् अपयाने मतिं कृत्वा फल्गुनं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Then King Yudhishthira, seeing his army fleeing, made up his mind to flee and spoke these words to Phalguna:
पश्य कर्णं महेष्वासं धनुष्पाणिमवस्थितम् निशीथे दारुणे काले तपन्तमिव भास्करम्
AI Translation: Look at Karna, the great archer, standing with his bow in hand, at the terrible time of midnight, shining like the sun.
कर्णसायकनुन्नानां क्रोशतामेष निस्वनः अनिशं श्रूयते पार्थ त्वद्बन्धूनामनाथवत्
AI Translation: The cries of those struck by Karna's arrows are heard constantly, O Partha, like the cries of your kinsmen who are helpless.
यथा विसृजतश्चास्य संदधानस्य चाशुगान् पश्यामि जयविक्रान्तं क्षपयिष्यति नो ध्रुवम्
AI Translation: As he releases and restrains his swift arrows, I see his victorious prowess, which will surely destroy us.
यदत्रानन्तरं कार्यं प्राप्तकालं प्रपश्यसि कर्णस्य वधसंयुक्तं तत्कुरुष्व धनंजय
AI Translation: Whatever task you see as appropriate at this time, O Dhananjaya, do that which is connected with Karna's death.
एवमुक्तो महाबाहुः पार्थः कृष्णमथाब्रवीत् भीतः कुन्तीसुतो राजा राधेयस्यातिविक्रमात्
AI Translation: Thus addressed, the mighty-armed Partha said to Krishna: The son of Kunti, the king, was frightened by the great valor of Karna.
एवं गते प्राप्तकालं कर्णानीके पुनः पुनः भवान्व्यवस्यतां क्षिप्रं द्रवते हि वरूथिनी
AI Translation: Thus it is, and the time has come. Again and again in Karna's army You should quickly make an effort, for the army is fleeing.
द्रोणसायकनुन्नानां भग्नानां मधुसूदन कर्णेन त्रास्यमानानामवस्थानं न विद्यते
AI Translation: O Madhusudana, those who are struck down by Drona's arrows, those who are broken, those who are terrified by Karna, they have no place to stand.
पश्यामि च तथा कर्णं विचरन्तमभीतवत् द्रवमाणान्रथोदारान्किरन्तं विशिखैः शितैः
AI Translation: And I see Karna moving about fearlessly, and the great chariots fleeing, and him shooting sharp arrows.
नैतदस्योत्सहे सोढुं चरितं रणमूर्धनि प्रत्यक्षं वृष्णिशार्दूल पादस्पर्शमिवोरगः
AI Translation: I am not able to bear this conduct of his in the midst of the battle. Like a serpent, he is directly touched by the foot of the lion of the Vrishni clan.
स भवानत्र यात्वाशु यत्र कर्णो महारथः अहमेनं वधिष्यामि मां वैष मधुसूदन
M. N. Dutt: Under my very nose, foremost of the Vrishnis, even as a snake cannot bear the tread of human feet. So, do you take me there where the mighty Karna is fighting. Oslayer of Madhu, either I will slay him or he shall slay me.
वासुदेव उवाच पश्यामि कर्णं कौन्तेय देवराजमिवाहवे विचरन्तं नरव्याघ्रमतिमानुषविक्रमम्
M. N. Dutt: Vasudeva said I see, O son of Kunti, that foremost of men, of super-human prowess, viz.., Karna, careering at the head of battle like the king of the celestials himself.
नैतस्यान्योऽस्ति समरे प्रत्युद्याता धनंजय ऋते त्वां पुरुषव्याघ्र राक्षसाद्वा घटोत्कचात्
M. N. Dutt: O Dhananjaya, there is none, save yourself and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha who can encounter him in battle, O foremost of men.
न तु तावदहं मन्ये प्राप्तकालं तवानघ समागमं महाबाहो सूतपुत्रेण संयुगे
M. N. Dutt: O sinless one, I do not think that the hour has come when, O mighty armed one, you should meet the son of Suta in battle.
दीप्यमाना महोल्केव तिष्ठत्यस्य हि वासवी त्वदर्थं हि महाबाहो रौद्ररूपं बिभर्ति च
M. N. Dutt: The resplendent Sakti, resembling a mighty meteor, obtained by him from Vasava is still in his possession, o mighty armed one, kept carefully to be used against yourself by this son Suta.
Supplementary Passages:
7.148.34 After 34abc, K4 B1.3.4 Dc1 Dn D1.2 ins.: *1204 सूतपुत्रेण संयुगे रक्ष्यते शक्तिरेषा हि
घटोत्कचस्तु राधेयं प्रत्युद्यातु महाबलः स हि भीमेन बलिना जातः सुरपराक्रमः
AI Translation: The immensely powerful Ghatótkacha should go to meet Radha's son. He was born to Bhima, the powerful one, with the prowess of the gods.
तस्मिन्नस्त्राणि दिव्यानि राक्षसान्यासुराणि च सततं चानुरक्तो वो हितैषी च घटोत्कचः विजेष्यति रणे कर्णमिति मे नात्र संशयः
M. N. Dutt: Therefore let the mighty Ghatotkacha charge the son of Radha. That one of prowess resembling that of an immortal, was begotten by Bhima and he is conversant with numerous celestial, Asuri and Rakshasa-weapons. I am sure, he will conquer Karna in battle.
संजय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुः पार्थं पुष्करलोचनः आजुहावाथ तद्रक्षः तच्चासीत्प्रादुरग्रतः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thus spoken to the mighty-armed Partha possessed of eyes resembling lotus petals, summoned the Rakshasa. Thereupon the Rakshasa appeared before him.
कवची स शरी खड्गी सधन्वा च विशां पते अभिवाद्य ततः कृष्णं पाण्डवं च धनंजयम् अब्रवीत्तं तदा हृष्टस्त्वयमस्म्यनुशाधि माम्
M. N. Dutt: Cased in armour and armed with bows arrows and a sword, O ruler of men. Then doing obeisance to Krishna and Pandu's son Dhananjaya.
ततस्तं मेघसंकाशं दीप्तास्यं दीप्तकुण्डलम् अभ्यभाषत हैडिम्बं दाशार्हः प्रहसन्निव
M. N. Dutt: He proudly said-"Here am I order me.” Thereupon the descendant of the Dasarha race Krishna, addressing Hidimva's son of the complexion of clouds, of effulgent countenance and fiery eyes smilingly said these words.
घटोत्कच विजानीहि यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि पुत्रक प्राप्तो विक्रमकालोऽयं तव नान्यस्य कस्यचित्
M. N. Dutt: Vasudeva said Take my blessings, O Ghatotkacha, hear attentively what I now say to you. The hour for the display of your prowess and of no one else has now arrived.
स भवान्मज्जमानानां बन्धूनां त्वं प्लवो यथा विविधानि तवास्त्राणि सन्ति माया च राक्षसी
M. N. Dutt: Do you become the raft in this battle to the sinking Pandavas. You possess weapons of various kinds and the potent Rakshasi illusion.
पश्य कर्णेन हैडिम्ब पाण्डवानामनीकिनी काल्यमाना यथा गावः पालेन रणमूर्धनि
M. N. Dutt: Behold, O son of Hidimba, the hosts of the Pandavas afflicted by Karna in battle like a herd of kine belaboured by the keeper.
एष कर्णो महेष्वासो मतिमान्दृढविक्रमः पाण्डवानामनीकेषु निहन्ति क्षत्रियर्षभान्
M. N. Dutt: Yonder does the mighty bowman Karna of great intelligence and resolute prowess, burn the foremost of the Kshatriyas of the Pandava host.
किरन्तः शरवर्षाणि महान्ति दृढधन्विनः न शक्नुवन्त्यवस्थातुं पीड्यमानाः शरार्चिषा
M. N. Dutt: Scorched with his fiery arrows the Pandava warrior cannot stand before that resolute bowman who is shooting numerous arrows.
निशीथे सूतपुत्रेण शरवर्षेण पीडिताः एते द्रवन्ति पाञ्चालाः सिंहस्येव भयान्मृगाः
M. N. Dutt: Afflicted at the dead of night with showers of arrows shot by the son of Suta, yonder are the Panchalas flying away like a flock of deer attacked by the lion.
एतस्यैवं प्रवृद्धस्य सूतपुत्रस्य संयुगे निषेद्धा विद्यते नान्यस्त्वदृते भीमविक्रम
M. N. Dutt: Save yourself, O you of dreadful prowess, no one else is none who can confront Suta's son in battle thus engaged.
स त्वं कुरु महाबाहो कर्म युक्तमिहात्मनः मातुलानां पितॄणां च तेजसोऽस्त्रबलस्य च
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O mighty-armed one, do you now perform what will be worthy of yourself, your maternal uncles, your sires and the measure of your energy and might.
एतदर्थं हि हैडिम्ब पुत्रानिच्छन्ति मानवाः कथं नस्तारयेद्दुःखात्स त्वं तारय बान्धवान्
M. N. Dutt: It is for saving them from difficulties, that men desire to have sons; O son of Hidimba, do you therefore, rescue your fathers and friends.
Supplementary Passages:
7.148.48 After 48, Dn2 D2.4.5.7.8 ins.: *1205 इच्छन्ति पितरः पुत्रान्स्वार्थहेतोर्घटोत्कच इहलोकात्परे लोके तारयिष्यन्ति ये हिताः
तव ह्यस्त्रबलं भीमं मायाश्च तव दुस्तराः संग्रामे युध्यमानस्य सततं भीमनन्दन
M. N. Dutt: You are generous and your strength in battle is indeed terrible and matchless. While engaged in battle, there is none else equal to you.
पाण्डवानां प्रभग्नानां कर्णेन शितसायकैः मज्जतां धार्तराष्ट्रेषु भव पारं परंतप
M. N. Dutt: O afflicter of your foes, do you become the raft for the Pandavas when they are being routed in this hour of night by the shafts of Karna and when they are sinking in the ocean identified with the Dhartarashtra troops.
रात्रौ हि राक्षसा भूयो भवन्त्यमितविक्रमाः बलवन्तः सुदुर्धर्षाः शूरा विक्रान्तचारिणः
M. N. Dutt: Moreover, at night the Rakshasas become possessed of immeasurable prowess; the Rakshasas are by nature powerful, indomitable, heroic and energetic in battle.
जहि कर्णं महेष्वासं निशीथे मायया रणे पार्था द्रोणं वधिष्यन्ति धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमाः
M. N. Dutt: With the help of your illusions do you kill the fierce bowman Karna in this nocturnal fight. The of Pritha headed by Dhristadyumna will slay Drona in battle.
केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा बीभत्सुरपि राक्षसम् अभ्यभाषत कौरव्य घटोत्कचमरिंदमम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Hearing the words of Kesava, Vibhatsu also addressing that Rakshasa, that slayer of foes viz., Ghatotkacha said, O foremost of the Kurus, these words.
घटोत्कच भवांश्चैव दीर्घबाहुश्च सात्यकिः मतौ मे सर्वसैन्येषु भीमसेनश्च पाण्डवः
M. N. Dutt: 0 Ghatotkacha, yourself, the long-armed Satyaki and the Pandava Bhimasena, these, according to my opinion, are the foremost among all our troops.
स भवान्यातु कर्णेन द्वैरथं युध्यतां निशि सात्यकिः पृष्ठगोपस्ते भविष्यति महारथः
M. N. Dutt: In this nocturnal fight do you therefore sons warrior Satyaki will become your protect or from behind.
जहि कर्णं रणे शूरं सात्वतेन सहायवान् यथेन्द्रस्तारकं पूर्वं स्कन्देन सह जघ्निवान्
M. N. Dutt: Supported by the Satvata hero, do you slay the heroic Karna in battle, even as Indra supported by Skanda slew Taraka in days gone by.”
घटोत्कच उवाच अलमेवास्मि कर्णाय द्रोणायालं च सत्तम अन्येषां क्षत्रियाणां च कृतास्त्राणां महात्मनाम्
M. N. Dutt: Ghatotkacha said I am capable of encountering Karna and Drona, O Bharata and I am a match for all the other high-souled Kshatriyas accomplished in the use of weapons.
Supplementary Passages:
7.148.57 After the ref., S (G5 missing) ins.: *1206 एवमेव महाबाहो यथा वदसि मां प्रभो त्वया नियुक्तो गच्छामि कर्णस्य वधकाङ्क्षया
अद्य दास्यामि संग्रामं सूतपुत्राय तं निशि यं जनाः संप्रवक्ष्यन्ति यावद्भूमिर्धरिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: This night, I shall fight such a fierce battle with the son of Suta, of which men will talk as long as the earth will exit.
न चात्र शूरान्मोक्ष्यामि न भीतान्न कृताञ्जलीन् सर्वानेव वधिष्यामि राक्षसं धर्ममास्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Following the Rakshasa mode, I shall not spare this time any body, either the brave or the coward or those that will with folded palms, solicit mercy. I shall slay all folded palms, solicit mercy. I shall slay all.
संजय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुर्हैडिम्बः परवीरहा अभ्ययात्तुमुले कर्णं तव सैन्यं विभीषयन्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Having thus spoken, that slayer of hostile heroes namely the mighty-armed son of Hidimba, dashed against Karna, in that fierce fight, frightening your troops.
तमापतन्तं संक्रुद्धं दीप्तास्यमिव पन्नगम् अभ्यस्यन्परमेष्वासः प्रतिजग्राह सूतजः
M. N. Dutt: Then that foremost of men that son of Suta smilingly received Ghatotkacha of blazing countenance and burning locks, as the latter was furiously falling upon him.
तयोः समभवद्युद्धं कर्णराक्षसयोर्निशि गर्जतो राजशार्दूल शक्रप्रह्रादयोरिव
M. N. Dutt: Then the battle between those two roaring heroes, viz., Karna and that Rakshasa, commenced resembling O foremost of kings that between Shakra and Pralhada in days gone by.