Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 8.31
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8.31.1
दृष्ट्वा कर्ण महावीर्य युयुत्सुं समास्थितम् ।
चुक्रुशुः कुरवः सर्वे हृष्टरुपाः समन्ततः ॥ ८.३१.१ ॥
Seeing Karṇa of great valour standing, eager for battle, all the Kurus, joyful in appearance, shouted on every side.
8.31.2
ततो दुन्दुभिनिर्घोषैर्भेरीणां निनदेन च ।
कोणशब्दैश्च विविधैर्गर्जितैश्च तरस्विनाम् ।
निर्ययुस्तावकाः सर्वे मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम् ॥ ८.३१.२ ॥
Then, amid the roar of kettledrums, the sound of war-drums, the twang of various lute-plectra and the roars of the swift warriors, all your men set out, making death itself their resolve never to turn back.
8.31.3
प्रयाते तु ततः कर्णे रथेषु मुदितेषु च ।
चचाल च मही सर्वा ररास च सुविस्वरम् ॥ ८.३१.३ ॥
When Karṇa had set out, and the chariots were rejoicing, the whole earth trembled and roared very loudly.
8.31.4
निः सरतो व्यदृश्यन्त सूर्यात्सप्ता महाग्रहाः ॥ ८.३१.४ ॥
As they went forth, seven great planets were seen issuing from the sun.
8.31.5
उल्कापाताश्च संजज्ञुर्दिग्दाहाश्चैव दारुणाः ।
तथाऽश्न्यश्च संपेतुर्ववुर्वाताश्च भैरवाः ॥ ८.३१.५ ॥
Meteors fell, terrible burnings of the quarters appeared, thunderbolts also struck, and fearful winds blew.
8.31.6
मृगपक्षिगणाश्चैव पृतनां बहुशस्तव ।
अपसव्यं तदा चक्रुर्वेद्यन्तो महाभयम् ॥ ८.३१.६ ॥
Herds of beasts and flocks of birds also repeatedly passed your army on the left, announcing great fear.
8.31.7
प्रस्थितस्य च कर्णस्य निपेतुस्तुरगा भुवि ।
अस्थिवर्ष च पतितमन्तरिक्षाद्भयानकम् ॥ ८.३१.७ ॥
As Karṇa set out, his horses fell to the ground, and a terrifying rain of bones fell from the sky.
8.31.8
जज्वलुश्चैव शस्त्राणि ध्वजाश्चैव चकम्पिरे ।
अश्रूणि च् व्यमुञ्चन्त वाहनानि विशांपते ॥ ८.३१.८ ॥
The weapons blazed, the banners trembled, and the vehicles shed tears, O lord of the people.
8.31.9
एते चान्ये च बहव उत्पातास्तत्र मारिप ।
समुत्मेतुर्विनाशाय कौरवाणां सुदारुणाः ॥ ८.३१.९ ॥
These and many other portents, O protector of men, arose there, most dreadful for the destruction of the Kauravas.
8.31.10
न च तान्गणयमासुः सर्वे दैवेन मोहिताः ।
प्रस्थितं सूतपुत्रं च जयेत्यूचर्नराधिपाः ॥ ८.३१.१० ॥
Deluded by fate, all the kings took no account of these omens, and they cried "Victory!" to the charioteer's son as he set out.
8.31.11
शल्येन सहितं दृष्ट्वा कर्णमाहवशोभिनम् ।
निर्जितान्पाण्डवांश्चैव मेनिरे तत्र कौरवाः ॥ ८.३१.११ ॥
Seeing Karṇa, glorious in battle, accompanied by Śalya, the Kauravas there believed the Pāṇḍavas were already conquered.
8.31.12
ततो रथस्थः परवीरहन्ता भीष्मद्रोणावतिवीर्यौ समीक्ष्य ।
समुज्ज्वलन्भास्करपावकाभो वैकर्तनोऽसौ रथकुञ्जरो वृषा ॥ ८.३१.१२ ॥
Then Karṇa, son of Vikartana, standing on his chariot, slayer of hostile heroes, elephant among chariot-warriors, bull among men, having looked at the mighty Bhīṣma and Droṇa, blazed brightly, like the sun and fire.
8.31.13
स शल्यमाभाष्य जगाद् वाक्यं पार्थस्य दृष्ट्वाऽप्रतिमं च कर्म ।
मानेन दर्णेण विदह्यमानः क्रोधेन दीप्यन्निव निः श्वसंश्च ॥ ८.३१.१३ ॥
Having addressed Śalya, he spoke these words, seeing Arjuna's incomparable deed, burning with pride and arrogance, blazing as if with anger, and sighing heavily.
8.31.14
नाहं महेन्द्रादपि वज्रपाणेः क्रुध्दाद्विभेम्यात्तधनू रथस्यः ।
दृष्ट्वाऽपि भीष्मप्रमुखाञ्शयानान्नत्वेव मां सा स्थिरता जहाति ॥ ८.३१.१४ ॥
I do not fear even Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, when angered; I stand on the chariot with bow taken up. Even seeing the foremost warriors led by Bhīṣma lying slain, that steadiness does not forsake me.
8.31.15
महेन्द्रविष्णुप्रतिमावनिन्दितौ रथाश्चनागप्रवरप्रमाथिनौ ।
अवध्यकल्पौ निहतौ यदा परैस्तथापि मे नास्ति रणेऽद्य साध्वसम् ॥ ८.३१.१५ ॥
Though the charioteers—like Indra and Viṣṇu, blameless, crushers of the finest elephants, seeming unslayable—have been slain by enemies, yet today in battle I have no dismay.
8.31.16
समीक्ष्य सङ्ख्येऽतिबलान्नराधिपान् ससूतमातङ्गरथान्परैर्हतान् ।
कथं न सर्वानहितान्रणेऽवधीन्महास्त्रविद्वाह्मणपुङ्गवो गुरुः ॥ ८.३१.१६ ॥
Seeing the very mighty kings slain in battle by enemies, along with their charioteers, elephants and chariots, why did the teacher, the best of Brahmins and knower of the great weapons, not slay all the hostile ones in battle?
8.31.17
स संस्मरन्द्रोणमहं महाहवे ब्रवीमि सत्यं कुरवो निबोधत ।
नवो मदन्यः प्रसहेद्रणेऽर्जुनं समागतं मृत्युमिवोग्ररुपिणम् ॥ ८.३१.१७ ॥
Recalling Droṇa, he says: Hear me, Kurus, I speak the truth in this great battle. No one other than me could withstand Arjuna, who has come into battle like Death in fearsome form.
8.31.18
शिक्षा प्रसादश्च बलं धृतिश्च द्रोणे महास्त्राणि च संनतिश्च ।
स चेदगान्मृत्युवशं महात्मा सर्वानन्यानातुरानद्य मन्ये ॥ ८.३१.१८ ॥
In Droṇa were skill, favor, strength, steadfastness, the great weapons and humility. If that great-souled one has gone into the power of death, I think all the others are afflicted today.
8.31.19
नेह ध्रुवं किंचिदपि प्रचिन्तयन् वदामि लोके कर्मणो नित्ययोगात् ।
सूर्योदये को हि विमुक्तसंशयो भावं कुर्वीताद्य गुरौ निपातिते ॥ ८.३१.१९ ॥
Here I do not say anything certain after reflection; I speak from the constant connection of action in the world. On this day, when the teacher has fallen at sunrise, who, free from doubt, could take up any attitude?
8.31.20
न नूनमस्त्राणि बलं पराक्रमः क्रियाः सुनीतं परमायुधानि वा ।
अलं मनुष्यस्य सुखाय वर्तितुं तथाहि युध्दे निहतः परैर्गुरुः ॥ ८.३१.२० ॥
Surely weapons, strength, valor, deeds, good policy or supreme arms are not enough for a man to live in happiness, for in battle the teacher has been slain by enemies.
8.31.21
हुताशनादित्यसमानतेजसं पराक्रमे विष्णुपुरंदरोपमम् ।
नये बृहस्पत्युशनः समं सदा न चैनमस्त्रं तदुपास्त दुःसहम् ॥ ८.३१.२१ ॥
Whose brilliance was equal to fire and the sun, who in valor was like Viṣṇu and Indra, and in policy always equal to Bṛhaspati and Uśanas, that unbearable weapon never approached him.
8.31.22
संप्रक्रुष्टे रुदितस्त्रीकुमारे पराभूते पौरुषे धार्तराष्ट्रे ।
कृत्यं मया नाद्य जानामि शल्य प्रयाहि तस्माद्विषतामनीकम् ॥ ८.३१.२२ ॥
While women and children weep aloud, and the valor of Dhṛtarāṣṭra's son lies defeated, I do not know my duty today. Therefore, O Śalya, go forth toward the army of the enemies.
8.31.23
स यत्र राजा पाण्डवः सत्यसन्धो व्यवस्थितो भीमसेनार्जुनौ च ।
स वासुदेवः सात्यकिः सृञ्जयाश्च यमौ च कस्तान्विषहेन्मदन्यः ॥ ८.३१.२३ ॥
Where the king Pāṇḍava, true to his vow, stands firm, and Bhīmasena and Arjuna, and that Vāsudeva, Sātyaki, the Sṛñjayas and the twins are — who else but me could withstand them?
8.31.24
तस्मात्क्षिप्रं मद्रपते प्रयाहि रणे पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवान्सृञ्जयांश्च ।
तान्वा हिनिष्यामि समेत्य सङ्ख्ये यास्यामि वा द्रोणमुखो यमाय ॥ ८.३१.२४ ॥
Therefore, lord of the Madras, go swiftly into battle. Meeting the Pāñcālas, the Pāṇḍavas and the Sṛñjayas in the fight, I shall slay them, or with Droṇa at the head I shall go to Yama.
8.31.25
नत्वेवाहं न गमिष्यामि मध्ये तेषां शूराणामिति शल्याद्य विध्दि ।
मित्रद्रोहो मर्षणीयो न मेऽयं त्यक्त्वा प्राणाननुयास्यामि द्रोणम् ॥ ८.३१.२५ ॥
But know this today, Śalya: I will not go into the midst of those heroes. Betrayal of a friend is not to be endured by me; having given up my life, I shall follow Droṇa.
8.31.26
प्राज्ञस्य मूढस्य च जीवितान्ते नास्ति प्रमोक्षोऽन्तकसन्निभस्य ।
अतो विद्वन्नभियोत्स्यामि पार्थ दिष्टं न शक्यं व्यतिवर्तितुं वै ॥ ८.३१.२६ ॥
For the wise and the foolish alike there is no release at the end of life from one who is like Death. Therefore, learned one, I shall fight with Pārtha; what is fated cannot be averted.
8.31.27
कल्याणवृत्तः सततं हि राजा वैचित्रवीर्यस्य सुतो ममासीत् ।
तस्यार्थसिध्द्यर्थमहं त्यजामि प्रियान्भोगान्दुस्त्यजं जीवितं च ॥ ८.३१.२७ ॥
The king of good conduct, my son, the son of Vicitravīrya, was always so. For the accomplishment of his aim I give up dear pleasures and life, which is hard to give up.
8.31.28
वैयाघ्रचर्माणमकूजनाक्षं हैमं त्रिकोशं रजतत्रिवेणुम् ।
रथप्रवर्ह तुरगप्रवर्है र्युक्तं प्रादान्मह्यमिमं हि रामः ॥ ८.३१.२८ ॥
Covered with tiger-skin, with a silent axle, golden, three-cased, with three silver poles, drawing the chariot, yoked to excellent horses, this chariot Rāma gave to me.
8.31.29
धनूंषि चित्राणि निरिक्ष्य शल्य ध्वजान्गदाः सायकांश्चोग्ररुपान् ।
असिं च दीप्तं परमायुधं च शङ्खं च शुभ्रं स्वनवन्तमुग्रम् ॥ ८.३१.२९ ॥
O Śalya, having looked at the wondrous bows, banners, maces and fierce-formed arrows, and also at the blazing sword, the supreme weapon, and the bright, resounding, fierce conch.
8.31.30
पताकिनंवज्रनिपातनिः स्वनं सिताश्वयुक्तं शुभतूणशोभितम् ।
इमं समास्थाय रथर्षभं रणे दृढं हनिष्याम्यहमर्जुनं बलात् ॥ ८.३१.३० ॥
Mounting this best of chariots, with banners, resounding like thunderbolt-strikes, yoked to white horses and adorned with fine quivers, I shall firmly slay Arjuna in battle by force.
8.31.31
तं चेन्मृत्युः सर्वहरोऽभिरक्षेत्सदाऽप्रमत्तः समरे पाण्डुपुत्रम् ।
तं वा हनिष्यामि रणे समेत्य यास्यामि वा द्रोणमुखो यमाय ॥ ८.३१.३१ ॥
Even if Death, the taker of all, should guard the son of Pāṇḍu in battle, ever vigilant, I shall meet him and slay him in battle; or, with Droṇa at the front, I shall go to Yama.
8.31.32
यमवारुणकुबेरवासवा वा यदि युगपत्सगणा महाहवे ।
जुगुपुरिह समेत्य फल्गुनं किमु बहुना सह तैर्जयामि तम् ॥ ८.३१.३२ ॥
Even if Yama, Varuṇa, Kubera and Indra, with their retinues, together came into this great battle to protect Phalguna, I would conquer him even with them. Why say more?
8.31.33
इति रणरभसस्य कत्थत स्तदुपनिशम्य वश्वः स मद्रराट ।
अवहसदवमन्य वीर्यवान् प्रतिषिषिधे च जगाद् चोत्तरम् ॥ ८.३१.३३ ॥
Hearing Karṇa boast thus in his eagerness for battle, the mighty king of the Madras, Śalya, laughed at him with disdain, checked him, and replied as follows.
8.31.34
विरम् विरम् कर्ण कत्थना दतिरभसोऽप्यतिवाचमुक्तवान् ।
क्कच हि नरवरो धनंजयः क्क पुनरिह त्वमहो नराधमः ॥ ८.३१.३४ ॥
Stop, stop, Karṇa! In boasting you have been too eager and have spoken beyond measure. Where is Dhanaṃjaya, the best of men, and where are you here, alas, lowest of men!
8.31.35
यदुसदनमुपेन्द्रपालितं त्रिदिवमिवामरराजरक्षितम् ।
प्रसभमतिविलोड्य को हरेपुरुषवरावरजामृतेऽर्जुनात् ॥ ८.३१.३५ ॥
Who, except Arjuna, could forcibly churn the abode of the Yadus, protected by Upendra as heaven is guarded by the king of the gods, and seize the younger sister of the best of men?
8.31.36
त्रिभुवनसृजमीश्वरेश्वरं क इह पुमान्भवमाह्वयेद्युधि ।
मृगवधकलहे ऋतेऽर्जुनात् सुरपतिवीर्यसमप्रभावतः ॥ ८.३१.३६ ॥
Who among men, save Arjuna, whose valour and power equal the lord of the gods, would challenge in battle Bhava, the creator of the three worlds, lord of lords, in a quarrel over a deer-hunt?
8.31.37
असुरसुरमहोरगान्नरान् गरुडपिशाचसयक्षराक्षसान् ।
इषुभिरजयदग्निगौरवात् खभिलपितं च हविर्ददौ जयः ॥ ८.३१.३७ ॥
Arjuna conquered Asuras, Suras, great serpents, men, Garuḍas, piśācas, yakṣas and rākṣasas with his arrows; and out of reverence for Agni, as the sky desired, he also offered the oblation.
8.31.38
स्मरसि ननु यदा परैर्हृतः सहधृतराष्ट्रसुतो विमोक्षितः ।
अधिरथज नरोत्तमैर्युतान् कुरुषु बहून्विनिहत्य तानरीन् ॥ ८.३१.३८ ॥
Do you not remember, son of Adhiratha, when you, together with the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, were seized by enemies and then released, and those best of men slew many enemies among the Kurus?
8.31.39
प्रथममपि पलायिते त्वयि प्रियकलहा धृतराष्ट्रसूनवः ।
स्मरसि ननु यदा प्रमोचिताः खचरगणानवजित्य पाण्डवैः ॥ ८.३१.३९ ॥
Even when you had already fled, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, fond of quarrels, were there. Do you remember when the Pāṇḍavas conquered the hosts of sky-goers and released them?
8.31.40
समुदितबलवाहनाः पुनः पुरुषवरेण जिताः स्थ गोग्रहे ।
सगुरुगुरुसुताः सभीष्मकाः किमु न जितः स तदा त्वयाऽर्जुनः ॥ ८.३१.४० ॥
At the cattle-raid, you, with your armies and vehicles assembled, were again conquered by the best of men. Together with the teacher, the teacher's son and Bhīṣma, why then did you not conquer Arjuna?
8.31.41
इदमपरमुपस्थितं पुनस्तव निधनाय सुयुध्दमद्य वै ।
यदि न रिपुभयात्पलायसे समरगतोऽद्य हतोऽसि सूतज ॥ ८.३१.४१ ॥
Today another fine battle has arisen for your destruction. If you do not flee in fear of the enemy, you, who have come to battle, will be slain today, son of the charioteer.
8.31.42
इति बहुपरुषं प्रभाषति प्रमनसि मद्रपतौ रिपुस्तवम् ।
भृशमभिरुषितः परंतपः कुरुपृतनापतिराह मद्रपम् ॥ ८.३१.४२ ॥
As the lord of the Madras spoke these many harsh words, delighted in his heart by the enemy's praise, the commander of the Kuru army, greatly enraged, the scorcher of enemies, said to the lord of the Madras.
8.31.43
भ्वतु भवतु किं विकत्थसे ननु मम तस्य हि युध्दमुद्यतम् ।
यदि स जयति मामिहाहवे तत इदमस्तु सुकत्थितं तव ॥ ८.३१.४३ ॥
Very well, very well — why do you boast? My battle with him is already ready. If he conquers me here in battle, then this your boasting will be well-founded.
8.31.44
एवमस्त्विति मद्रेश उक्त्वा नोत्तरमुक्तवान् ।
याहि शल्येति चाप्येनं कर्णः प्राह युयुत्सया ॥ ८.३१.४४ ॥
The lord of the Madras said, 'So be it,' and gave no further reply. Then Karṇa, eager for battle, said to him, 'Śalya, drive on.'
8.31.45
स रथः प्रययौ शत्रून्निध्नतः शल्यसारथिः ।
निध्नन्नमित्रान्समरे तमोध्नः सविता यथा ॥ ८.३१.४५ ॥
That chariot, with Śalya as its charioteer, went forward striking down its enemies; striking down the foes in battle, it shone like Savitṛ, the sun who destroys darkness.
8.31.46
ततः प्रायात्प्रीतिमान्वै रथेन वैयाघ्रेण श्वेतयुजाऽथ कर्णः ।
स चालोक्य ध्वजिनीं पाण्ड्वानां धनंजयं त्वरया पर्यपृच्छत् ॥ ८.३१.४६ ॥
Then Karṇa, delighted, advanced in his chariot yoked to tigers and white horses. Seeing the army of the Pāṇḍavas, he quickly asked about Dhanaṃjaya.