Karṇaparva Chapter -3 (Seventeenth day war – Part-2)

 

कर्णपर्व - Karṇaparva (सप्तदश दिवसीय युद्धम् - भाग- २)

अध्यायः – 3  ::Chapter-3 (Seventeenth day war – Part-2)

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
सञ्जय उवाच॥ दृष्ट्वा कर्णं महेष्वासं युयुत्सुं समवस्थितम् । चुक्रुशुः कुरवः सर्वे हृष्टरूपाः परन्तप ॥ 1॥ ततो दुन्दुभिघोषेण भेरीणां निनदेन च । बाणशब्दैश्च विविधैर्गर्जितैश्च तरस्विनाम् ॥ निर्ययुस्तावका युद्धे मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम् ॥ 2॥ ततो रथस्थः परवीरहन्ता; भीष्मद्रोणावात्तवीर्यौ निरीक्ष्य । समज्वलद्भारत पावकाभो; वैकर्तनोऽसौ रथकुञ्जरो वृषः ॥ 3॥ स शल्यमाभाष्य जगाद वाक्यं; पार्थस्य कर्माप्रतिमं च दृष्ट्वा । मानेन दर्पेण च दह्यमानः; क्रोधेन दीप्यन्निव निःश्वसित्वा ॥ 4॥ नाहं महेन्द्रादपि वज्रपाणेः; क्रुद्धाद्बिभेम्यात्तधनू रथस्थः । दृष्ट्वा तु भीष्मप्रमुखाञ्शयाना;न्न त्वेव मां स्थिरता सञ्जहाति ॥ 5॥ महेन्द्रविष्णुप्रतिमावनिन्दितौ; रथाश्वनागप्रवरप्रमाथिनौ । अवध्यकल्पौ निहतौ यदा परै;स्ततो ममाद्यापि रणेऽस्ति साध्वसम् ॥ 6॥ समीक्ष्य सङ्ख्येऽतिबलान्नराधिपै;र्नराश्वमातङ्गरथाञ्शरैर्हतान् । कथं न सर्वानहितान्रणेऽवधी;न्महास्त्रविद्ब्राह्मणपुङ्गवो गुरुः ॥ 7॥ स संस्मरन्द्रोणहवं महाहवे; ब्रवीमि सत्यं कुरवो निबोधत । न वो मदन्यः प्रसहेद्रणेऽर्जुनं; क्रमागतं मृत्युमिवोग्ररूपिणम् ॥ 8॥ शिक्षा प्रसादश्च बलं धृतिश्च; द्रोणे महास्त्राणि च संनतिश्च । स चेदगान्मृत्युवशं महात्मा; सर्वानन्यानातुरानद्य मन्ये ॥ 9॥ सम्प्रक्रुष्टे रुदितस्त्रीकुमारे; पराभूते पौरुषे धार्तराष्ट्रे । मया कृत्यमिति जानामि शल्य; प्रयाहि तस्माद्द्विषतामनीकम् ॥ 10॥ यत्र राजा पाण्डवः सत्यसन्धो; व्यवस्थितो भीमसेनार्जुनौ च । वासुदेवः सृञ्जयाः सात्यकिश्च; यमौ च कस्तौ विषहेन्मदन्यः ॥ 11॥ पताकिनं वज्रनिपातनिस्वनं; सिताश्वयुक्तं शुभतूणशोभितम् । इमं समास्थाय रथं रथर्षभं; रणे हनिष्याम्यहमर्जुनं बलात् ॥ 12॥ तं चेन्मृत्युः सर्वहरोऽभिरक्षते; सदाप्रमत्तः समरे पाण्डुपुत्रम् । तं वा हनिष्यामि समेत्य युद्धे; यास्यामि वा भीष्ममुखो यमाय ॥ 13॥ यमवरुणकुबेरवासवा वा; यदि युगपत्सगणा महाहवे । जुगुपिषव इहैत्य पाण्डवं; किमु बहुना सह तैर्जयामि तम् ॥ 14॥ इति रणरभसस्य कत्थत;स्तदुपनिशम्य वचः स मद्रराट् । अवहसदवमन्य वीर्यवा;न्प्रतिषिषिधे च जगाद चोत्तरम् ॥ 15॥ विरम विरम कर्ण कत्थना;दतिरभसोऽस्यति चाप्ययुक्तवाक् । क्व च हि नरवरो धनञ्जयः; क्व पुनरिह त्वमुपारमाबुध ॥ 16॥ असुरसुरमहोरगान्नरा;न्गरुडपिशाचसयक्षराक्षसान् । इषुभिरजयदग्निगौरवा;त्स्वभिलषितं च हविर्ददौ जयः ॥ 17॥ स्मरसि ननु यदा परैर्हृतः; स च धृतराष्ट्रसुतो विमोक्षितः । दिनकरज नरोत्तमैर्यदा; मरुषु बहून्विनिहत्य तानरीन् ॥ 18॥ प्रथममपि पलायिते त्वयि; प्रियकलहा धृतराष्ट्रसूनवः । स्मरसि ननु यदा प्रमोचिताः; खचरगणानवजित्य पाण्डवैः ॥ 19॥ इदमपरमुपस्थितं पुन;स्तव निधनाय सुयुद्धमद्य वै । यदि न रिपुभयात्पलायसे; समरगतोऽद्य हतोऽसि सूतज ॥ 20॥ सञ्जय उवाच॥ इति बहुपरुषं प्रभाषति; प्रमनसि मद्रपतौ रिपुस्तवम् । भृशमतिरुषितः परं वृषः; कुरुपृतनापतिराह मद्रपम् ॥ 21॥ भवतु भवतु किं विकत्थसे; ननु मम तस्य च युद्धमुद्यतम् । यदि स जयति मां महाहवे; तत इदमस्तु सुकत्थितं तव ॥ 22॥ एवमस्त्विति मद्रेश उक्त्वा नोत्तरमुक्तवान् । याहि मद्रेश चाप्येनं कर्णः प्राह युयुत्सया ॥ 23॥ ततः प्रायात्प्रीतिमान्वै रथेन; वैयाघ्रेण श्वेतयुजाथ कर्णः । स चालोक्य ध्वजिनीं पाण्डवानां; धनञ्जयं त्वरया पर्यपृच्छत् ॥ 24॥	24 (153)
Sanjaya recounted, 'Seeing the powerful Karna take his battle position, the Kauravas, overjoyed, roared loudly from all directions. With cymbals clashing, drums beating, arrows whizzing, and warriors roaring with energy, your entire army marched into battle, determined to fight to the death.  Contemplating Arjuna's great deeds, burning with arrogance and pride, and fueled by rage, panting heavily, Karna spoke to Shalya: "Even facing Indra himself, armed with the thunderbolt and enraged, I wouldn't be afraid when on my chariot with my bow. Don't worry about seeing those great heroes led by Bhishma fallen on the battlefield. Even with the flawless Bhishma and Drona, equals of Indra and Vishnu, those destroyers of the best chariots, horses, and elephants, those invincible heroes slain by the enemy, I still feel no fear in this war."  "Knowing mighty weapons and being the best of Brahmins, why didn't the teacher defeat all enemies in battle, witnessing them destroy our strongest kings with their drivers, elephants, and chariots? Remembering Drona in that great battle, I tell you truly, listen, O Kurus, none of you except me can withstand Arjuna's advance, that warrior who resembles death in its most terrifying form. Drona possessed skill, strength, bravery, the greatest weapons, and tactical genius. Since even that noble soul succumbed to death, I consider the rest of our army weak and facing imminent demise." When our women and children weep and wail loudly, when the strength of the Dhartarashtras has been broken, I know, Shalya, it falls to me to fight. Advance, then, against our foes. Who but I can withstand those forces led by the steadfast son of Pandu, Bhimasena, Arjuna, Satyaki, and the twins? Astride this banner-decked chariot, its wheels thunderous, drawn by white steeds, and armed with fine quivers, I will unleash my might and slay Arjuna, that great warrior. Even if Death himself guards Pandu's son, I will face him, either killing him or joining Bhishma in the realm of Yama. Should Yama, Varuna, Kuvera, and Indra, with all their hosts, protect Pandu's son in this great battle—I say without exaggeration—I will still defeat him and them.' Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing Karna's boastful, battle-eager words, the valiant king of Madras, mocking him, laughed and rebuked him.' "Shalya retorted, 'Enough, Karna, with your boasting! You're carried away and speak recklessly. Where is Arjuna, that great warrior, and where are you, the lowest of men? For the honor of Agni, Arjuna defeated asuras, gods, serpents, humans, birds, pishachas, yakshas, and rakshasas, offering that god the food he desired.' 'Do you recall, Karna, when Arjuna, with sun-bright arrows, slaughtered hordes of enemies and freed Dhritarashtra's own son among the Kurus? Remember when you fled first, and the quarrelsome sons of Dhritarashtra were rescued by the Pandavas after they defeated the sky-ranging gandharvas led by Chitraratha? A perfect battle now presents itself for your destruction. If you don't run from fear, know, son of Suta, that you'll be slain as soon as you enter the fight!'"  "Sanjaya continued, 'As the Madra king hurled these harsh words at Karna, praising his foe, the enraged Kuru commander replied to Shalya,  'Karna said, 'So be it. Why do you sing Arjuna's praises? A battle between us is imminent. If he defeats me, then your praises will be justified.'"  Sanjaya continued, 'The king of the Madras consented silently. Eager for battle, Karna urged Shalya to proceed. The great warrior, with his white horses and Shalya as his charioteer, advanced against the enemy. He slaughtered many, like the sun banishing darkness. Karna, in his tiger-skin covered chariot, moved forward cheerfully. Spotting the Pandava army, he quickly enquired after Arjuna.'"
सञ्जय उवाच॥ मद्राधिपस्याधिरथिस्तदैवं; वचो निशम्याप्रियमप्रतीतः । उवाच शल्यं विदितं ममैत;द्यथाविधावर्जुनवासुदेवौ ॥ 1॥ शौरे रथं वाहयतोऽर्जुनस्य; बलं महास्त्राणि च पाण्डवस्य । अहं विजानामि यथावदद्य; परोक्षभूतं तव तत्तु शल्य ॥ 2॥ तौ चाप्रधृष्यौ शस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठौ; व्यपेतभीर्योधयिष्यामि कृष्णौ । सन्तापयत्यभ्यधिकं तु रामा;च्छापोऽद्य मां ब्राह्मणसत्तमाच्च ॥ 3॥ अवात्सं वै ब्राह्मणच्छद्मनाहं; रामे पुरा दिव्यमस्त्रं चिकीर्षुः । तत्रापि मे देवराजेन विघ्नो; हितार्थिना फल्गुनस्यैव शल्य ॥ 4॥ कृतोऽवभेदेन ममोरुमेत्य; प्रविश्य कीटस्य तनुं विरूपाम् । गुरोर्भयाच्चापि न चेलिवानहं; तच्चावबुद्धो ददृशे स विप्रः ॥ 5॥ पृष्टश्चाहं तमवोचं महर्षिं; सूतोऽहमस्मीति स मां शशाप । सूतोपधावाप्तमिदं त्वयास्त्रं; न कर्मकाले प्रतिभास्यति त्वाम् ॥ 6॥ अन्यत्र यस्मात्तव मृत्युकाला;दब्राह्मणे ब्रह्म न हि ध्रुवं स्यात् । तदद्य पर्याप्तमतीव शस्त्र;मस्मिन्सङ्ग्रामे तुमुले तात भीमे ॥ 7 तस्माद्बिभेमि बलवद्ब्राह्मणव्याहृतादहम् । एते हि सोमराजान ईश्वराः सुखदुःखयोः ॥ 8॥ होमधेन्वा वत्समस्य प्रमत्त इषुणाहनम् । चरन्तमजने शल्य ब्राह्मणात्तपसो निधेः ॥ 9॥ ईषादन्तान्सप्तशतान्दासीदासशतानि च । ददतो द्विजमुख्याय प्रसादं न चकार मे ॥ 10॥ कृष्णानां श्वेतवत्सानां सहस्राणि चतुर्दश । आहरन्न लभे तस्मात्प्रसादं द्विजसत्तमात् ॥ 11॥ ऋद्धं गेहं सर्वकामैर्यच्च मे वसु किञ्चन । तत्सर्वमस्मै सत्कृत्य प्रयच्छामि न चेच्छति ॥ 12॥ ततोऽब्रवीन्मां याचन्तमपराद्धं प्रयत्नतः । व्याहृतं यन्मया सूत तत्तथा न तदन्यथा ॥ 13॥ अनृतोक्तं प्रजा हन्यात्ततः पापमवाप्नुयात् । तस्माद्धर्माभिरक्षार्थं नानृतं वक्तुमुत्सहे ॥ 14॥ मा त्वं ब्रह्मगतिं हिंस्याः प्रायश्चित्तं कृतं त्वया । मद्वाक्यं नानृतं लोके कश्चित्कुर्यात्समाप्नुहि ॥ 15॥ इत्येतत्ते मया प्रोक्तं क्षिप्तेनापि सुहृत्तया । जानामि त्वाधिक्षिपन्तं जोषमास्स्वोत्तरं शृणु ॥ 16॥ विदार्य कर्णस्तां सेनां धर्मराजमुपाद्रवत् । रथहस्त्यश्वपत्तीनां सहस्रैः परिवारितः ॥ 17॥ ततो बाह्वोर्ललाटे च हृदि चैव युधिष्ठिरः । चतुर्भिस्तोमरैः कर्णं ताडयित्वा मुदानदत् ॥ 18॥ उद्भिन्नरुधिरः कर्णः क्रुद्धः सर्प इव श्वसन् । ध्वजं चिच्छेद भल्लेन त्रिभिर्विव्याध पाण्डवम् ॥ इषुधी चास्य चिच्छेद रथं च तिलशोऽच्छिनत् ॥ 19॥ एवं पार्थो व्यपायात्स निहतप्रार्ष्टिसारथिः । अशक्नुवन्प्रमुखतः स्थातुं कर्णस्य दुर्मनाः ॥ 20॥	20 (173)
Sanjaya said, 'The noble son of Adhiratha, after hearing the King of Madras' words skeptically, spoke to Shalya: "I know well the power of Vasudeva and Arjuna. I am fully aware of Saurin's skill with chariots, as well as Arjuna's strength and formidable weapons. You, Shalya, lack firsthand experience of these things. I will fight the two Krishnas fearlessly, those supreme wielders of weapons. However, Rama's curse weighs heavily on me today. I once lived with Rama disguised as a brahmana, seeking divine weapons. During that time, Shalya, Indra, wanting to help Phalguna, created an obstruction.  It took the form of a terrible worm and burrowed into my thigh. As my teacher slept with his head resting upon my lap, the worm pierced my thigh. A pool of thick blood flowed from my body because of it, but I didn't move, fearing to disturb my teacher's sleep. When the brahmana awoke and saw what had happened, he witnessed my patience and said to me, 'You are no brahmana! Tell me truly who you are.' Then, Shalya, I told him the truth, that I was a Suta. Hearing this, the great ascetic, filled with rage, cursed me, saying, 'Because of your deception in obtaining this weapon, Suta, it will fail you in your hour of need, at the moment of your death. Brahman cannot reside in one who is not a brahmana."  "Once upon a time, I carelessly shot a terrible arrow, striking the calf of a sacred cow in a secluded forest. Unintentionally, I killed it. The Brahmin cursed me, saying, 'Because you senselessly killed my sacred calf, your chariot wheel will sink into the earth and fear will consume you in battle.' His words haunt me with dread. I offered him seven hundred mighty elephants and hundreds of slaves, but he remained unappeased. I then gathered fourteen thousand black cows, each with a white calf, yet still couldn't earn his forgiveness. I offered my lavish mansion filled with riches, everything I owned, with heartfelt reverence, but he refused it all. Despite my offense and desperate pleas for pardon, the Brahmin declared, 'What I have spoken, O Suta, is destined to occur. It cannot be undone. False words would destroy all beings, and sin would be upon me. Therefore, to uphold righteousness, I will not utter falsehoods. Do not deprive a Brahmin of his livelihood. No one can prove my words untrue. Accept my decree as atonement for your sin.' Though you rebuke me, friendship compels me to reveal this. I know your reasons for scolding me. Be silent now, and listen to what I must say."  Sanjaya said, 'Karna, amidst thousands of chariots, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers, charged into the Pandava army towards the righteous King Yudhishthira. Yudhisthira hit Karna on his hands, chest with four powerful arrows and roared. Enraged and hissing like a snake, Karna severed Yudhishthira's banner and pierced him with three broad-headed arrows. He also destroyed Yudhishthira's quivers and shattered his chariot. Yudhishthira began to retreat, his charioteer killed, utterly disheartened and unable to face Karna.
सञ्जय उवाच॥ ते प्रेषिता महाराज शल्येनाहवशोभिना । भीमसेनरथं प्राप्य समसज्जन्त वाजिनः ॥ 1॥ दृष्ट्वा कर्णं समायान्तं भीमः क्रोधसमन्वितः । मतिं दध्रे विनाशाय कर्णस्य भरतर्षभ ॥ 2॥ सोऽब्रवीत्सात्यकिं वीरं धृष्टद्युम्नं च पार्षतम् । एनं रक्षत राजानं धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥ संशयान्महतो मुक्तं कथञ्चित्प्रेक्षतो मम ॥ 3॥ एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुः प्रायादाधिरथिं प्रति । सिंहनादेन महता सर्वाः संनादयन्दिशः ॥ 4॥ तथागतं तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य भीमं युद्धाभिनन्दिनम् । अब्रवीद्वचनं शल्यं राधेयः प्रहसन्निव ॥ 5॥ निहते भीमसेने तु यदि वा विरथीकृते । अभियास्यति मां पार्थस्तन्मे साधु भविष्यति ॥ अत्र यन्मन्यसे प्राप्तं तच्छीघ्रं सम्प्रधारय ॥ 6॥ एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं राधेयस्य महात्मनः । उवाच वचनं शल्यः सूतपुत्रं तथागतम् ॥ 7॥ अभियासि महाबाहो भीमसेनं महाबलम् । निरस्य भीमसेनं तु ततः प्राप्स्यसि फल्गुनम् ॥ 8॥ यस्ते कामोऽभिलषितश्चिरात्प्रभृति हृद्गतः । स वै सम्पत्स्यते कर्ण सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ 9॥ एवमुक्ते ततः कर्णः शल्यं पुनरभाषत । हन्ताहमर्जुनं सङ्ख्ये मां वा हन्ता धनञ्जयः ॥ युद्धे मनः समाधाय याहि याहीत्यचोदयत् ॥ 10॥ ततः प्रायाद्रथेनाशु शल्यस्तत्र विशां पते । यत्र भीमो महेष्वासो व्यद्रावयत वाहिनीम् ॥ 11॥ तस्य कर्णो धनुर्मध्ये द्विधा चिच्छेद पत्रिणा । अथ तं छिन्नधन्वानमभ्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे ॥ 12 नाराचेन सुतीक्ष्णेन सर्वावरणभेदिना ॥ ॥ संरम्भामर्षताम्राक्षः सूतपुत्रवधेच्छया ॥ 13॥ स कार्मुके महावेगं भारसाधनमुत्तमम् । गिरीणामपि भेत्तारं सायकं समयोजयत् ॥ 14॥ विकृष्य बलवच्चापमा कर्णादतिमारुतिः । तं मुमोच महेष्वासः क्रुद्धः कर्णजिघांसया ॥ 15॥ स विसृष्टो बलवता बाणो वज्राशनिस्वनः । अदारयद्रणे कर्णं वज्रवेग इवाचलम् ॥ 16॥ स भीमसेनाभिहतो सूतपुत्रः कुरूद्वह । निषसाद रथोपस्थे विसञ्ज्ञः पृतनापतिः ॥ 17॥ ततो मद्राधिपो दृष्ट्वा विसञ्ज्ञं सूतनन्दनम् । अपोवाह रथेनाजौ कर्णमाहवशोभिनम् ॥ 18॥ ततः पराजिते कर्णे धार्तराष्ट्रीं महाचमूम् । व्यद्रावयद्भीमसेनो यथेन्द्रो दानवीं चमूम् ॥ 19॥	19 (192)
Sanjaya said, 'Spurred on by Shalya, that valiant warrior, the horses guided toward Bhimasena's chariot, and they clashed in battle. Bhima, seeing Karna approach, was consumed by fury, determined to destroy him. He told Satyaki and Dhrishtadyumna, "Protect the virtuous King Yudhishthira. He barely escaped great danger right before my eyes." Having spoken, the mighty-armed Bhima advanced toward Adhiratha’s son, his roar echoing across the battlefield like a lion's. Seeing Bhima charging, Karna chuckled and said to Shalya, "If I defeat or kill Bhima, Arjuna might face me, which I would welcome. Decide quickly what's best to do." Shalya replied, "Go against the mighty Bhimasena first. By stopping him, you can then confront Arjuna. Your long-held desire will be fulfilled, Karna, I assure you." Karna responded, "Either I will kill Arjuna in battle, or he will kill me. Focus on the fight and head toward Vrikodara."'"  Sanjaya went on, 'O King, Shalya quickly drove his chariot to where the great archer Bhima was decimating your forces. Karna then shattered Bhima's bow in two with a barrage of arrows, aiming at the handle. After breaking the bow, he struck Bhima squarely in the chest with a sharp, armor-piercing arrow. Wounded, eyes blazing with fury and vengeance, the enraged son of Pandu, driven by a thirst to kill Karna, notched a powerful arrow, one that could pierce mountains, to his bow. Drawing the string back to his ear, the mighty Bhima, fuelled by wrath and determined to end Karna's life, released the arrow. The shaft, launched by Bhima, roared like thunder and struck Karna with the force of a thunderbolt hitting a mountain. Staggered by Bhimasena's attack, Karna, the leader of your army, collapsed unconscious on his chariot. Seeing Karna incapacitated, Shalya quickly rescued him, carrying him away from the battle on his chariot. With Karna's defeat, Bhimasena began to scatter the vast Dhartarashtra army, much like Indra scattering the demons.'"

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  कर्णपर्वणि तृतीयोऽध्यायः॥

Karṇaparva Chapter- 2

Karṇaparva Chapter- 4