Critical Edition
दुर्योधन उवाच अयं ते कर्ण सारथ्यं मद्रराजः करिष्यति कृष्णादभ्यधिको यन्ता देवेन्द्रस्येव मातलिः
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said O Karna, this king of Madra, superior even to Krishna, will act as your driver, like Matali, the driver of the king of gods.
यथा हरिहयैर्युक्तं संगृह्णाति स मातलिः शल्यस्तव तथाद्यायं संयन्ता रथवाजिनाम्
M. N. Dutt: As Matali manages his car drawn by the horse of Hari so will Shalya manage today your car and horses.
योधे त्वयि रथस्थे च मद्रराजे च सारथौ रथश्रेष्ठो ध्रुवं संख्ये पार्थो नाभिभविष्यति
M. N. Dutt: With you as the warrior on that car and the king of Madra as the charioteer it will, forsooth, defeat the Parthas in battle.
संजय उवाच ततो दुर्योधनो भूयो मद्रराजं तरस्विनम् उवाच राजन्संग्रामे संयच्छन्तं हयोत्तमान्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thereupon again in the morning Duryodhana addressed the active king of
Supplementary Passages:
8.26.4 After 4abc, Ś1 K4 V1 B D S ins.: *296 ऽध्युषिते पर्युपस्थिते कर्णस्य यच्छ संग्रामे
त्वयाभिगुप्तो राधेयो विजेष्यति धनंजयम् इत्युक्तो रथमास्थाय तथेति प्राह भारत
AI Translation: "O Rādhā, protected by you, Karṇa will defeat Dhananjaya." Thus addressed, he mounted his chariot and said, "So be it," O descendant of Bharata
शल्येऽभ्युपगते कर्णः सारथिं सुमनोऽब्रवीत् स्वं सूत स्यन्दनं मह्यं कल्पयेत्यसकृत्त्वरन्
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed he expressed his consent and got upon the chariot, O Bharata. When Shalya went there, Karna, in good spirits, addressed his driver saying, O charioteer, quickly equip this car for me.
ततो जैत्रं रथवरं गन्धर्वनगरोपमम् विधिवत्कल्पितं भर्त्रे जयेत्युक्त्वा न्यवेदयत्
M. N. Dutt: Having duly equipped that victorious car the best of its kind, which resembled the city of Gandharvas Shalya presented it to Karna, saying-“May good betide you and may you come off victorious!”
तं रथं रथिनां श्रेष्ठः कर्णोऽभ्यर्च्य यथाविधि संपादितं ब्रह्मविदा पूर्वमेव पुरोधसा
AI Translation: The best of charioteers, Karna, worshipped that chariot in accordance with the prescribed rites. It had been prepared earlier by the priest who was learned in the Vedas.
कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं यत्नादुपस्थाय च भास्करम् समीपस्थं मद्रराजं समारोपयदग्रतः
AI Translation: Having circumambulated with effort and having attended to the sun, he placed the king of Madra, who was nearby, in front.
ततः कर्णस्य दुर्धर्षं स्यन्दनप्रवरं महत् आरुरोह महातेजाः शल्यः सिंह इवाचलम्
M. N. Dutt: Then like a lion ascending a hill the highly energetic Shalya got upon the strong built car of Karna.
ततः शल्यास्थितं राजन्कर्णः स्वरथमुत्तमम् अध्यतिष्ठद्यथाम्भोदं विद्युत्वन्तं दिवाकरः
M. N. Dutt: Beholding Shalya stationed there Karna got upon his most excellent car like the sun riding on a mass of clouds charged with lightning.
तावेकरथमारूढावादित्याग्निसमत्विषौ व्यभ्राजेतां यथा मेघं सूर्याग्नी सहितौ दिवि
M. N. Dutt: Seated on the same car those two horses. effulgent like the sun and fire, shone there like the sun and fire sitting together on a cloud in the sky.
संस्तूयमानौ तौ वीरौ तदास्तां द्युतिमत्तरौ ऋत्विक्सदस्यैरिन्द्राग्नी हूयमानाविवाध्वरे
M. N. Dutt: Eulogised those two highly effulgent heroes shone like Indra and Agni (fire-god) adored with hymns in a sacrifice by Ritvikas and Sadasyas.
स शल्यसंगृहीताश्वे रथे कर्णः स्थितोऽभवत् धनुर्विस्फारयन्घोरं परिवेषीव भास्करः
M. N. Dutt: Shalya holding the reins of the horses Karna stood on that car stretching his dreadful bow like the sun enveloped with a circular light.
आस्थितः स रथश्रेष्ठं कर्णः शरगभस्तिमान् प्रबभौ पुरुषव्याघ्रो मन्दरस्थ इवांशुमान्
M. N. Dutt: Stationed on that best of cars Karna, the foremost of men, with the rays of his shafts, looked like the sun on the mount Mandara.
तं रथस्थं महावीरं यान्तं चामिततेजसम् दुर्योधनः स्म राधेयमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: To that chariot-borne, greatly valorous, and infinitely radiant one, Duryodhana spoke these words to Karna.
अकृतं द्रोणभीष्माभ्यां दुष्करं कर्म संयुगे कुरुष्वाधिरथे वीर मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम्
AI Translation: O son of the Adhiratha, do that which Drona and Bhishma have not done in battle, which is difficult to do. Do it while all the archers are watching.
मनोगतं मम ह्यासीद्भीष्मद्रोणौ महारथौ अर्जुनं भीमसेनं च निहन्ताराविति ध्रुवम्
M. N. Dutt: I had always thought that those two mighty car-warriors Bhishma and Drona would kill, without any doubt, Bhima and Arjuna.
ताभ्यां यदकृतं वीर वीरकर्म महामृधे तत्कर्म कुरु राधेय वज्रपाणिरिवापरः
M. N. Dutt: Like the second wielder of thunderbolt do you accomplish that heroic feat in the great battle which had not been performed by them.
गृहाण धर्मराजं वा जहि वा त्वं धनंजयम् भीमसेनं च राधेय माद्रीपुत्रौ यमावपि
M. N. Dutt: Either attack the pious Yudhishthira or kill Arjuna and Bhima, O son of Radha and the twin sons of Madri.
जयश्च तेऽस्तु भद्रं च प्रयाहि पुरुषर्षभ पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैन्यानि कुरु सर्वाणि भस्मसात्
M. N. Dutt: Many blessings and victory attend you. Start for battle, O foremost of men, consume the arıny of the Pandavas.
ततस्तूर्यसहस्राणि भेरीणामयुतानि च वाद्यमानान्यरोचन्त मेघशब्दा यथा दिवि
M. N. Dutt: Ten thousands of trumpets and ten thousand drums simultaneously struck and produced a sound resembling the muttering of clouds in the sky.
प्रतिगृह्य तु तद्वाक्यं रथस्थो रथसत्तमः अभ्यभाषत राधेयः शल्यं युद्धविशारदम्
AI Translation: Having accepted those words, the best of charioteers, standing on the chariot, Addressed Shalya, skilled in battle,
चोदयाश्वान्महाबाहो यावद्धन्मि धनंजयम् भीमसेनं यमौ चोभौ राजानं च युधिष्ठिरम्
AI Translation: "O mighty-armed one, urge on the horses, so that I may kill Dhananjaya, Bhimasena, the two Yamas, and King Yudhishthira."
अद्य पश्यतु मे शल्य बाहुवीर्यं धनंजयः अस्यतः कङ्कपत्राणां सहस्राणि शतानि च
M. N. Dutt: O Shalya, Arjuna will witness today the strength of my arms when I will discharge hundreds and thousands of Kanka feather were arrows.
अद्य क्षेप्स्याम्यहं शल्य शरान्परमतेजनान् पाण्डवानां विनाशाय दुर्योधनजयाय च
M. N. Dutt: I will shoot today, O Shalya, powerful arrows for destroying the Pandavas and securing victory for Duryodhana.
Supplementary Passages:
8.26.26 After 26a, T1 ins.: *297 पाण्डवान्सजनार्दनान् संयोक्ष्यामि रणे शल्य After 26, S ins.: *298 संजय उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य शल्यः कर्णं वचोऽब्रवीत्
शल्य उवाच सूतपुत्र कथं नु त्वं पाण्डवानवमन्यसे सर्वास्त्रज्ञान्महेष्वासान्सर्वानेव महारथान्
M. N. Dutt: Shalya said O son of a charioteer, why do you make light of the sons of Pandu who are all very powerful, great bow men and experts in the use of other weapons. They never retreat from battle, fortunate, unconquerable and are of great prowess.
अनिवर्तिनो महाभागानजेयान्सत्यविक्रमान् अपि संजनयेयुर्ये भयं साक्षाच्छतक्रतोः
AI Translation: Those who are not to be turned back, those who are greatly fortunate, those who are unconquerable, those who are true in their valor, Even those who would generate fear in the very
यदा श्रोष्यसि निर्घोषं विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः राधेय गाण्डिवस्याजौ तदा नैवं वदिष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: They are capable of striking fear even into the heart of Indra himself. O son of Radha, when you will hear the twang of his Gandiva bow in battle like the peal of the thunder itself you will not give vent to such words.
Supplementary Passages:
8.26.29 After 29, K3.4 V1 B D T2.3 G M ins.: *299 यदा द्रक्ष्यसि भीमेन कुञ्जरानीकमाहवे विशीर्णदन्तं निहतं तदा नैवं वदिष्यसि यदा द्रक्ष्यसि संग्रामे धर्मपुत्रं यमौ तथा शितैः पृषत्कैः कुर्वाणानभ्रच्छायामिवाम्बरे अस्यतः क्षिण्वतश्चारीन्लघुहस्तान्दुरासदान् पार्थिवानपि चान्यांस्त्वं तदा नैवं वदिष्यसि
संजय उवाच अनादृत्य तु तद्वाक्यं मद्रराजेन भाषितम् द्रक्ष्यस्यद्येत्यवोचद्वै शल्यं कर्णो नरेश्वर
AI Translation: Sānjaya said: But disregarding those words spoken by the king of the Madras, Karna said to Shalya, "You will see today," O lord of men.
दृष्ट्वा कर्णं महेष्वासं युयुत्सुं समवस्थितम् चुक्रुशुः कुरवः सर्वे हृष्टरूपाः परंतप
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Beholding the great bowmen bowmen Karna stationed for battle all the Kurus began to utter loud cries of joy from all sides.
ततो दुन्दुभिघोषेण भेरीणां निनदेन च बाणशब्दैश्च विविधैर्गर्जितैश्च तरस्विनाम् निर्ययुस्तावका युद्धे मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon with the beatings of cymbals and drums, the sound of all sorts of weapons and the war-cries of the greatly active heroes all your soldiers proceeded to the battle-field, making death the final point of stoppage.
प्रयाते तु ततः कर्णे योधेषु मुदितेषु च चचाल पृथिवी राजन्ररास च सुविस्वरम्
M. N. Dutt: When Karna went all the soldiers, were filled with joy. The earth, O king, trembled and created a loud noise.
निश्चरन्तो व्यदृश्यन्त सूर्यात्सप्त महाग्रहाः उल्कापातश्च संजज्ञे दिशां दाहस्तथैव च तथाशन्यश्च संपेतुर्ववुर्वाताश्च दारुणाः
M. N. Dutt: All the great planets including the sun seemed moving about. And the meteors were seen blazing up all the quarters. Cloudless thunders fell and fierce winds blew.
मृगपक्षिगणाश्चैव बहुशः पृतनां तव अपसव्यं तदा चक्रुर्वेदयन्तो महद्भयम्
M. N. Dutt: A large number of animals and birds, kept to the right of your army and emitted noise foreboding a dreadful calamity.
प्रस्थितस्य च कर्णस्य निपेतुस्तुरगा भुवि अस्थिवर्षं च पतितमन्तरिक्षाद्भयानकम्
M. N. Dutt: After the departure of Karna his horses trembled down on earth. And a dreadful shower of bones fell from the sky.
जज्वलुश्चैव शस्त्राणि ध्वजाश्चैव चकम्पिरे अश्रूणि च व्यमुञ्चन्त वाहनानि विशां पते
M. N. Dutt: O king, their weapons were as if burning and the flags were trembling. And the horses shed tears.
एते चान्ये च बहव उत्पातास्तत्र मारिष समुत्पेतुर्विनाशाय कौरवाणां सुदारुणाः
M. N. Dutt: Those and other dreadful portends appeared there presaging the destruction of the Kauravas. Stupefied by Destiny they paid no attention of them.
न च तान्गणयामासुः सर्वे ते दैवमोहिताः प्रस्थितं सूतपुत्रं च जयेत्यूचुर्नरा भुवि निर्जितान्पाण्डवांश्चैव मेनिरे तव कौरवाः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing the departure of the charioteer's son all the king cried out victory. The Kauravas then thought that the Pandavas had been defeated.
Supplementary Passages:
8.26.39 After 39cd, S (except M1) ins.: *300 शल्येन सहितं दृष्ट्वा कर्णमाहवशोभिनम्
ततो रथस्थः परवीरहन्ता; भीष्मद्रोणावात्तवीर्यौ निरीक्ष्य समज्वलद्भारत पावकाभो; वैकर्तनोऽसौ रथकुञ्जरो वृषः
M. N. Dutt: The king Vikartana, the subduer of hostile heroes and the foremost of car-warriors, stood on the car, thinking of the death of Bhishma and Drona. He shone there like the sun of fire.
स शल्यमाभाष्य जगाद वाक्यं; पार्थस्य कर्माप्रतिमं च दृष्ट्वा मानेन दर्पेण च दह्यमानः; क्रोधेन दीप्यन्निव निःश्वसित्वा
M. N. Dutt: Thinking of the powerful feats of Arjuna, elated with self conceit and pride, worked up with anger and breathing hot and hard, said to Shalya-
नाहं महेन्द्रादपि वज्रपाणेः; क्रुद्धाद्बिभेम्यात्तधनू रथस्थः दृष्ट्वा तु भीष्मप्रमुखाञ्शयाना;न्न त्वेव मां स्थिरता संजहाति
M. N. Dutt: When I am with my bow I do not fear even the angry Mahendra with thunder-bolt in his hand. Beholding Bhishma and other leading heroes lying on the battle field I do not feel the least anxiety.
महेन्द्रविष्णुप्रतिमावनिन्दितौ; रथाश्वनागप्रवरप्रमाथिनौ अवध्यकल्पौ निहतौ यदा परै;स्ततो ममाद्यापि रणेऽस्ति साध्वसम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing the immaculate Bhishma and Drona equal to Indra and Vishnu, the grinders of the best of cars, elephants and horses and who are not to be killed by any, slain by the enemy I do not feel any fear in battle today.
समीक्ष्य संख्येऽतिबलान्नराधिपै;र्नराश्वमातङ्गरथाञ्शरैर्हतान् कथं न सर्वानहितान्रणेऽवधी;न्महास्त्रविद्ब्राह्मणपुंगवो गुरुः
M. N. Dutt: Well-versed in the use of powerful weapons and himself the foremost of Brahmanas why did not the preceptor kill in battle all the enemies who killed the most powerful of our hero with their drivers, elephants and chariots?
स संस्मरन्द्रोणहवं महाहवे; ब्रवीमि सत्यं कुरवो निबोधत न वो मदन्यः प्रसहेद्रणेऽर्जुनं; क्रमागतं मृत्युमिवोग्ररूपिणम्
M. N. Dutt: Listen to me, O Karna, I tell you the truth, thinking of this Drona in battle that there is none amongst you excepting myself who can withstand the advancing Arjuna the heroes who resembled the most dreadful Regent of Death.
शिक्षा प्रसादश्च बलं धृतिश्च; द्रोणे महास्त्राणि च संनतिश्च स चेदगान्मृत्युवशं महात्मा; सर्वानन्यानातुरानद्य मन्ये
M. N. Dutt: In Drona were skill, practice, strength, patience, the greatest of weapons and policy. While that high-souled one has come by death I think all others, shorn of strength, on the point of death.
नेह ध्रुवं किंचिदपि प्रचिन्त्यं; विदुर्लोके कर्मणोऽनित्ययोगात् सूर्योदये को हि विमुक्तसंशयो; गर्वं कुर्वीताद्य गुरौ निपातिते
M. N. Dutt: Even on reflection I do not find any thing perinanent in this world on account of the eternal connection of acts. When the preceptor himself is no more who can expect that he will surely live till even today's sun-rise.
न नूनमस्त्राणि बलं पराक्रमः; क्रिया सुनीतं परमायुधानि वा अलं मनुष्यस्य सुखाय वर्तितुं; तथा हि युद्धे निहतः परैर्गुरुः
M. N. Dutt: While preceptor has been slain in battle by the enemies, weapons, strength, prowess, actions and wise policy cannot forsooth conduce to the happiness of a man.
हुताशनादित्यसमानतेजसं; पराक्रमे विष्णुपुरंदरोपमम् नये बृहस्पत्युशनःसमं सदा; न चैनमस्त्रं तदपात्सुदुःसहम्
M. N. Dutt: In energy Drona equaled the sun or firc; in prowess he was like Vishnu or Indra, in policy he was like Vrihaspati or Ushanas; invincible though he was even weapons could not protect him.
संप्रक्रुष्टे रुदितस्त्रीकुमारे; पराभूते पौरुषे धार्तराष्ट्रे मया कृत्यमिति जानामि शल्य; प्रयाहि तस्माद्द्विषतामनीकम्
M. N. Dutt: Our women and children are weeping and bewailing, the manliness of the sons of Dhritarashtra has been defeated. I know therefore, O Shalya, that it is I who am to fight; proceed therefore against the array of our enemies.
यत्र राजा पाण्डवः सत्यसंधो; व्यवस्थितो भीमसेनार्जुनौ च वासुदेवः सृञ्जयाः सात्यकिश्च; यमौ च कस्तौ विषहेन्मदन्यः
M. N. Dutt: Save me who can withstand the army in the midst of which in the truthful Pandavas king Bhimasena, Arjuna, Vasudeva, Satyaki, Srinjaya and the twins.
तस्मात्क्षिप्रं मद्रपते प्रयाहि; रणे पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवान्सृञ्जयांश्च तान्वा हनिष्यामि समेत्य संख्ये; यास्यामि वा द्रोणमुखाय मन्ये
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O king of Madra, move on quickly in this battle towards the Panchalas, Pandavas and Srinjayas. Encountering them either I will kill them or will myself go to the abode of death by the road followed by Drona.
न त्वेवाहं न गमिष्यामि मध्यं; तेषां शूराणामिति मा शल्य विद्धि मित्रद्रोहो मर्षणीयो न मेऽयं; त्यक्त्वा प्राणाननुयास्यामि द्रोणम्
M. N. Dutt: Do not think, O Shalya, that I will not enter into the heart of their army. I cannot tolerate such dissension's amongst the kith and kin. I will even follow Drona, renouncing my life.
प्राज्ञस्य मूढस्य च जीवितान्ते; प्राणप्रमोक्षोऽन्तकवक्त्रगस्य अतो विद्वन्नभियास्यामि पार्थं; दिष्टं न शक्यं व्यतिवर्तितुं वै
M. N. Dutt: A wise man or an ignorant person, none can escape death, when the lease of his life expires. Therefore, O learned one. I shall proceed against Partha. I cannot transgress my destiny.
कल्याणवृत्तः सततं हि राज;न्वैचित्रवीर्यस्य सुतो ममासीत् तस्यार्थसिद्ध्यर्थमहं त्यजामि; प्रियान्भोगान्दुस्त्यजं जीवितं च
M. N. Dutt: O king, the son of Chitravirya's son always does me good. For the accomplishment of his object I will give up this dear life which it is very difficult to renounce.
वैयाघ्रचर्माणमकूजनाक्षं; हैमत्रिकोशं रजतत्रिवेणुम् रथप्रबर्हं तुरगप्रबर्है;र्युक्तं प्रादान्मह्यमिदं हि रामः
M. N. Dutt: Rama conferred upon me this best of cars covered with tiger-skins, with axle producing no sound, equipped with a golden seat, having trivenu made of silver and drawn by best of horses.
धनूंषि चित्राणि निरीक्ष्य शल्य; ध्वजं गदां सायकांश्चोग्ररूपान् असिं च दीप्तं परमायुधं च; शङ्खं च शुभ्रं स्वनवन्तमुग्रम्
M. N. Dutt: Behold, O Shalya, these beautiful bows, these, flags, these maces, these dreadful arrows, this shinning sword, this powerful weapon this white conch of dreadful and loud blare.
Supplementary Passages:
8.26.57 After 57, T3 G ins.: *301 अस्त्राणि दिव्यान्यददान्महात्मा
पताकिनं वज्रनिपातनिस्वनं; सिताश्वयुक्तं शुभतूणशोभितम् इमं समास्थाय रथं रथर्षभं; रणे हनिष्याम्यहमर्जुनं बलात्
M. N. Dutt: Mounted upon this chariot with banners, its wheels producing a sound like that of a thunderbolt drawn by white horses and adorned with beautiful quivers I shall, with all my mighty, destroy that best of car-warriors, Arjuna.
Supplementary Passages:
8.26.58 After 58ab, T3 G ins.: *302 रथप्रबर्हं पुरुषप्रबर्हः
तं चेन्मृत्युः सर्वहरोऽभिरक्षते; सदाप्रमत्तः समरे पाण्डुपुत्रम् तं वा हनिष्यामि समेत्य युद्धे; यास्यामि वा भीष्ममुखो यमाय
M. N. Dutt: Even if death himself the destroyer of all, protects vigilantly the son of Pandu, in battle I will either kill him or go myself to the abode of death following Bhishma.
यमवरुणकुबेरवासवा वा; यदि युगपत्सगणा महाहवे जुगुपिषव इहैत्य पाण्डवं; किमु बहुना सह तैर्जयामि तम्
M. N. Dutt: If Yama, Varuna, Kubera and Vasava with all their followers come here and unitedly protect the son of Pandu in battle, I will even then defeat himn with them all. What is the use of speaking more?
इति रणरभसस्य कत्थत;स्तदुपनिशम्य वचः स मद्रराट् अवहसदवमन्य वीर्यवा;न्प्रतिषिषिधे च जगाद चोत्तरम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Hearing those words of Karna who was delighted at the prospect of the battle, the powerful king of Madras laughed him and said the following to check him.
विरम विरम कर्ण कत्थना;दतिरभसोऽस्यति चाप्ययुक्तवाक् क्व च हि नरवरो धनंजयः; क्व पुनरिह त्वमुपारमाबुध
AI Translation: "Stop, stop, O Karna, your boasting! Your speech is too rash and ill-suited. " And where is the best of men, Dhananjaya, and where are you
यदुसदनमुपेन्द्रपालितं; त्रिदिवमिवामरराजरक्षितम् प्रसभमिह विलोक्य को हरे;त्पुरुषवरावरजामृतेऽर्जुनात्
M. N. Dutt: Who else save him the foremost of men (Arjuna) could carry away by force the younger sister of Keshava, having made a confusion in the capital of Yadus that was protected by the younger brother of Indra and that resembled the celestial region protected by the king of gods.
त्रिभुवनसृजमीश्वरेश्वरं; क इह पुमान्भवमाह्वयेद्युधि मृगवधकलहे ऋतेऽर्जुना;त्सुरपतिवीर्यसमप्रभावतः
M. N. Dutt: Who else save, Arjuna, powerful like the king of gods, could on the occasion of a quarrel brought about by the slaughter of an animal summon Bhaba, the lord of lords, the creator of the worlds, to battle?
असुरसुरमहोरगान्नरा;न्गरुडपिशाचसयक्षराक्षसान् इषुभिरजयदग्निगौरवा;त्स्वभिलषितं च हविर्ददौ जयः
M. N. Dutt: To honor the god of fire Jaya, (Arjuna) vanquished the Asuras, gods, great snakes, men, birds, Pishacas, Yakshas and Rakshasas with his arrow and gave him the food he wanted.
स्मरसि ननु यदा परैर्हृतः; स च धृतराष्ट्रसुतो विमोक्षितः दिनकरज नरोत्तमैर्यदा; मरुषु बहून्विनिहत्य तानरीन्
M. N. Dutt: Do you remember, O Karna, the occasion when killing the large nuinber of enemies with this arrows effulgent like the sun Arjuna liberated the son of Dhritarashtra himself among the Kurus?
प्रथममपि पलायिते त्वयि; प्रियकलहा धृतराष्ट्रसूनवः स्मरसि ननु यदा प्रमोचिताः; खचरगणानवजित्य पाण्डवैः
M. N. Dutt: Do you remember the occasion when you yourself were the first to take to your heels and the Pandavas, having defeated the Gandharvas headed by Chitraratha, liberated the quarrelsome sons of Dhritarashtra?
समुदितबलवाहनाः पुनः; पुरुषवरेण जिताः स्थ गोग्रहे सगुरुगुरुसुताः सभीष्मकाः; किमु न जितः स तदा त्वयार्जुनः
M. N. Dutt: When Virata's kine were seized by them, the Kauravas, overwhelining in number both as regards men and animals and having the preceptor, the preceptor's son and Bhishma amongst them, were defeated by that foremost of men. Why did you not defeat Arjuna then?
इदमपरमुपस्थितं पुन;स्तव निधनाय सुयुद्धमद्य वै यदि न रिपुभयात्पलायसे; समरगतोऽद्य हतोऽसि सूतज
M. N. Dutt: Another battle has presented itself today for your destruction. If you do not fly from the battle in fear of your enemies you will be killed, O charioteer's son, as soon as you will go to the battle.
संजय उवाच इति बहुपरुषं प्रभाषति; प्रमनसि मद्रपतौ रिपुस्तवम् भृशमतिरुषितः परं वृषः; कुरुपृतनापतिराह मद्रपम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said When the king of Madra was thus, in all sincerity, addressing these harsh words to him and singing the glories of his enemy, that slayer of foes, the commander of the Kuru army, excited with anger, said.
भवतु भवतु किं विकत्थसे; ननु मम तस्य च युद्धमुद्यतम् यदि स जयति मां महाहवे; तत इदमस्तु सुकत्थितं तव
M. N. Dutt: Karna said Let it be so. Why do you praise Arjuna so much. A battle will soon take place between him and me. If he defeats me in battle then your praises will be considered as well said.
एवमस्त्विति मद्रेश उक्त्वा नोत्तरमुक्तवान् याहि मद्रेश चाप्येनं कर्णः प्राह युयुत्सया
AI Translation: The king of Madra said, "So be it!" and said no more. "Go, O king of Madra, and fight with him," said Karna, eager for battle.
स रथः प्रययौ शत्रूञ्श्वेताश्वः शल्यसारथिः निघ्नन्नमित्रान्समरे तमो घ्नन्सविता यथा
AI Translation: That chariot, with white horses and Shalya as its charioteer, went to the enemy, slaying the enemy in battle, like the sun dispelling darkness.
ततः प्रायात्प्रीतिमान्वै रथेन; वैयाघ्रेण श्वेतयुजाथ कर्णः स चालोक्य ध्वजिनीं पाण्डवानां; धनंजयं त्वरया पर्यपृच्छत्
M. N. Dutt: Then in that car covered with tiger-skins and white horses yoked to it, Karna went on cheerfully. And seeing the armies of the Pandavas he immediately inquired after Arjuna.