कर्णपर्व - Karṇaparva (सप्तदश दिवसीय युद्धम् - भाग- २)
अध्यायः – 3 ::Chapter-3 (Seventeenth day war – Part-2)
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Shlokas |
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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) |
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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.'" |
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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॥ द्रविडान्ध्रनिषादास्तु पुनः सात्यकिचोदिताः । अभ्यर्दयञ्जिघांसन्तः पत्तयः कर्णमाहवे ॥ 18॥ ते विबाहुशिरस्त्राणाः प्रहताः कर्णसायकैः । पेतुः पृथिव्यां युगपच्छिन्नं शालवनं यथा ॥ 19॥ एवं योधशतान्याजौ सहस्राण्ययुतानि च । हतानीयुर्महीं देहैर्यशसापूरयन्दिशः ॥ 20 स राजगृद्धिभी रुद्धः पाण्डुपाञ्चालकेकयैः । नाशकत्तानतिक्रान्तुं मृत्युर्ब्रह्मविदो यथा ॥ 21॥ ततो युधिष्ठिरः कर्णमदूरस्थं निवारितम् । अब्रवीत्परवीरघ्नः क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः ॥ 22॥ कर्ण कर्ण वृथादृष्टे सूतपुत्र वचः शृणु । सदा स्पर्धसि सङ्ग्रामे फल्गुनेन यशस्विना ॥ तथास्मान्बाधसे नित्यं धार्तराष्ट्रमते स्थितः ॥ 23॥ यद्बलं यच्च ते वीर्यं प्रद्वेषो यश्च पाण्डुषु । तत्सर्वं दर्शयस्वाद्य पौरुषं महदास्थितः ॥ युद्धश्रद्धां स तेऽद्याहं विनेष्यामि महाहवे ॥ 24॥ एवमुक्त्वा महाराज कर्णं पाण्डुसुतस्तदा । सुवर्णपुङ्खैर्दशभिर्विव्याधायस्मयैः शितैः ॥ 25॥ तं सूतपुत्रो नवभिः प्रत्यविध्यदरिंदमः । वत्सदन्तैर्महेष्वासः प्रहसन्निव भारत ॥ 26॥ ततः क्षुराभ्यां पाञ्चाल्यौ चक्ररक्षौ महात्मनः । जघान समरे शूरः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥ 27॥ तावुभौ धर्मराजस्य प्रवीरौ परिपार्श्वतः । रथाभ्याशे चकाशेते चन्द्रस्येव पुनर्वसू ॥ 28॥ युधिष्ठिरः पुनः कर्णमविध्यत्त्रिंशता शरैः । सुषेणं सत्यसेनं च त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरताडयत् ॥ 29॥ शल्यं नवत्या विव्याध त्रिसप्तत्या च सूतजम् । तांश्चास्य गोप्तॄन्विव्याध त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरजिह्मगैः ॥ 30॥ ततः प्रहस्याधिरथिर्विधुन्वानः स कार्मुकम् । भित्त्वा भल्लेन राजानं विद्ध्वा षष्ट्यानदन्मुदा ॥ 31॥ ततः प्रवीराः पाण्डूनामभ्यधावन्युधिष्ठिरम् । सूतपुत्रात्परीप्सन्तः कर्णमभ्यर्दयञ्शरैः ॥ 32॥ सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च युयुत्सुः पाण्ड्य एव च । धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः ॥ 33॥ यमौ च भीमसेनश्च शिशुपालस्य चात्मजः । कारूषा मत्स्यशेषाश्च केकयाः काशिकोसलाः ॥ एते च त्वरिता वीरा वसुषेणमवारयन् ॥ 34॥ जनमेजयश्च पाञ्चाल्यः कर्णं विव्याध सायकैः । वराहकर्णैर्नाराचैर्नालीकैर्निशितैः शरैः ॥ वत्सदन्तैर्विपाठैश्च क्षुरप्रैश्चटकामुखैः ॥ 35॥ नानाप्रहरणैश्चोग्रै रथहस्त्यश्वसादिनः । सर्वतोऽभ्याद्रवन्कर्णं परिवार्य जिघांसया ॥ 36॥ स पाण्डवानां प्रवरैः सर्वतः समभिद्रुतः । उदैरयद्ब्राह्ममस्त्रं शरैः सम्पूरयन्दिशः ॥ 37 ततः शरमहाज्वालो वीर्योष्मा कर्णपावकः । निर्दहन्पाण्डववनं चारु पर्यचरद्रणे ॥ 38॥ स संवार्य महास्त्राणि महेष्वासो महात्मनाम् । प्रहस्य पुरुषेन्द्रस्य शरैश्चिच्छेद कार्मुकम् ॥ 39॥ ततः सन्धाय नवतिं निमेषान्नतपर्वणाम् । बिभेद कवचं राज्ञो रणे कर्णः शितैः शरैः ॥ 40॥ तद्वर्म हेमविकृतं रराज निपतत्तदा । सविद्युदभ्रं सवितुः शिष्टं वातहतं यथा ॥ 41॥ तदङ्गं पुरुषेन्द्रस्य भ्रष्टवर्म व्यरोचत । रत्नैरलङ्कृतं दिव्यैर्व्यभ्रं निशि यथा नभः ॥ 42॥ स विवर्मा शरैः पार्थो रुधिरेण समुक्षितः । क्रुद्धः सर्वायसीं शक्तिं चिक्षेपाधिरथिं प्रति ॥ 43॥ तां ज्वलन्तीमिवाकाशे शरैश्चिच्छेद सप्तभिः । सा छिन्ना भूमिमपतन्महेष्वासस्य सायकैः ॥ 44॥ ततो बाह्वोर्ललाटे च हृदि चैव युधिष्ठिरः । चतुर्भिस्तोमरैः कर्णं ताडयित्वा मुदानदत् ॥ 45॥ उद्भिन्नरुधिरः कर्णः क्रुद्धः सर्प इव श्वसन् । ध्वजं चिच्छेद भल्लेन त्रिभिर्विव्याध पाण्डवम् ॥ इषुधी चास्य चिच्छेद रथं च तिलशोऽच्छिनत् ॥ 46॥ एवं पार्थो व्यपायात्स निहतप्रार्ष्टिसारथिः । अशक्नुवन्प्रमुखतः स्थातुं कर्णस्य दुर्मनाः ॥ 47 |
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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, Sanjaya recounted: 'Karna, amidst a swarm of thousands of chariots, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers, charged ferociously through the Pandava army toward the righteous King Yudhishthira. With a barrage of arrows, Karna neutralized the countless weapons hurled at him, fearlessly tearing through the enemy ranks. The Suta's son decapitated, dismembered, and felled scores of enemies, their lifeless bodies collapsing onto the battlefield. Others, their formations shattered, scattered in retreat. The Dravida, Andhaka, and Nishada infantry, spurred on by Satyaki, surged once more towards Karna, intent on his demise. But Karna's arrows struck them down, leaving them armless, helmetless, and lifeless on the ground, like a forest of Sala trees felled by an axe. Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of warriors, their lives extinguished, fell upon the earth, their fleeting glory now filling the skies. The Pandavas and Pancalas tried to restrain Karna, also known as Vaikartana, who raged like the Destroyer himself, as people try to ward off disease with spells and remedies. Sweeping aside all resistance, Karna pressed on towards Yudhishthira, an unstoppable plague defying all attempts to contain it. Eventually, the combined forces of the Pandavas, Pancalas, and Kekayas, determined to protect their king, checked Karna's advance. He could not pass them, much like how Death cannot conquer those who know Brahma. Then Yudhishthira, his eyes burning with anger, confronted Karna, the vanquisher of enemy heroes, who was held back a short distance away: "Karna! Karna! Useless fool! Son of a Suta, listen to me! You always challenge the valiant Arjuna in battle, and, at the bidding of Dhritarashtra's son, you constantly seek to oppose us. Now, summon your vaunted strength, unleash your full power, and display all the hatred you harbor for the sons of Pandu. Today, in this brutal clash, I will cure you of your thirst for battle!" With that, the son of Pandu, O king, struck Karna with ten iron arrows, fletched with gold. The Suta's son, that great archer and punisher of enemies, carefully returned fire, striking Yudhishthira with ten arrows that had heads like calves' teeth. Stung by this contemptuous assault, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira erupted in fury, like a fire intensified with butter. He strung his formidable, gold-adorned bow and nocked a razor-sharp arrow, capable of splitting mountains. Drawing the bowstring to its limit, the king swiftly released the arrow, as deadly as the Destroyer's rod, aiming to kill the Suta's son. Launched by the mighty king, the arrow screamed like thunder and struck Karna, the mighty warrior, on his left side. Severely wounded, the powerful Karna, his strength failing, collapsed unconscious in his chariot, his bow slipping from his grasp. Seeing Karna's plight, the vast Dhartarashtra army cried out in despair, and the faces of all the warriors paled. On the other hand, the Pandavas, witnessing their king's prowess, roared with joy and shouted in triumph. But Radha's cruel son, swiftly regaining consciousness, focused his mind on the destruction of Yudhishthira.' Karna, the Suta's son of immense spirit, drew his magnificent gold-adorned bow, Vijaya, and began to fiercely resist Pandu's son with his keen arrows. With a pair of razor-edged arrows, he slew Candradeva and Dandadhara, the two Pancala princes guarding Yudhishthira's chariot wheels. These heroes, standing by Yudhishthira's chariot, shone like the Punarvasu constellation beside the moon. Yudhishthira retaliated, striking Karna with thirty arrows and Sushena and Satyasena with three each. He also pierced Karna's protectors with three direct arrows each. Adhiratha's son, laughing and shaking his bow, inflicted a deep wound on the king with a wide-headed arrow, then pierced him with sixty more arrows, letting out a great shout. Many leading Pandava heroes, eager to rescue the king, angrily charged at Karna, assailing him with their arrows. Satyaki, Chekitana, Yuyutsu, Shikhandi, the sons of Draupadi, the Prabhadrakas, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, Bhimasena, Shishupala, the Karushas, Matsyas, Suras, Kaikayas, Kasis, and Kosalas—all brave and energetic heroes—attacked Vasusena. The Pancala prince Janamejaya also struck Karna with numerous arrows. The Pandava heroes, armed with various arrows and weapons, accompanied by chariots, elephants, and steeds, surrounded Karna from all sides, seeking to kill him. Besieged by the foremost Pandava warriors, Karna unleashed the brahmastra, filling every direction with arrows. The heroic Karna, like a blazing fire with arrows as scorching flames, raged in battle consuming the Pandava troops like a forest. The noble Karna, a great archer, aimed some mighty weapons and, laughing, severed Yudhishthira's bow. Then, in a mere blink, he fired ninety precise arrows, shredding his opponent's armor. The gold-decked, gem-studded armor fell like a wind-tossed cloud pierced by sunlight. Indeed, the armor, adorned with precious gems, lay beautiful, like the night sky studded with stars. His armor destroyed, Pritha's son, covered in blood, furiously hurled an iron dart at Adhiratha's son. However, Karna intercepted and shattered the blazing dart into seven pieces mid-air with his arrows. The dart, thus cut down, fell to the earth. Yudhishthira then struck Karna with four lances–two in his arms, one in his forehead and another in his chest— repeatedly shouting loudly. Blood gushed from Karna's wounds, and filled with rage, Karna, breathing like a snake, cut down Yudhishthira's standard and pierced the Pandava himself with three broad-headed arrows, cutting his quivers and chariot into pieces. Thereupon the king, riding to another chariot pulled by the horses that were white as ivory and having black hair on their tails began to flee, utterly dispirited and unable to withstand Karna. |
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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 (219) |
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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.'" |
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