Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 8.97

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8.97.1

ततोऽपयाताः शरपातमात्रमवस्थिता वै कुरवो नरेन्द्र ।
विद्युत्प्रकाशं ददृशुः समन्ताद्धनञ्जयास्त्रं समुदीर्यमाणम् ॥ ८.९७.१ ॥

Then the Kurus, having withdrawn and stationed themselves just within the range of an arrow's flight, O lord of men, saw Dhanañjaya's weapon launched on all sides, flashing like lightning.

8.97.2

ततोऽग्रसत्सूतपुत्रोऽर्जुनस्य वियद्गतं घोरतरं शरैस्तत् ।
क्रुद्धेन पार्थेन शरं विसृष्टं वधाय कर्णस्य महाविमर्दे ॥ ८.९७.२ ॥

Then the son of the charioteer intercepted with his arrows that most terrible shaft of Arjuna, moving through the sky, which the enraged son of Pṛthā had loosed for the killing of Karṇa in the great clash.

8.97.3

उदीर्यमाणं स्म कुरुन्दहन्तं सुवर्णपुङ्खैर्विशिखैर्ममर्द ।
कर्णस्त्वमोघेष्वसनं दृढज्यं विस्फारयित्वा विसृजञ्छरौघान ॥ ८.९७.३ ॥

Karṇa crushed that shaft, which was rising up burning the Kurus, with arrows feathered in gold; and, drawing wide his unfailing bow with its firm string, he loosed floods of arrows.

8.97.4

रामादुपात्तेन महामहिम्ना ह्याथर्वणेनारिविनाशनेन ।
तदर्जुनास्त्रं व्यघमद्दहन्तं पार्थ च वाणैर्निशितैरविध्यत् ॥ ८.९७.४ ॥

With the Ātharvaṇa weapon obtained from Rāma, of great majesty and destroyer of foes, he crushed that burning weapon of Arjuna, and pierced the son of Pṛthā with sharp arrows.

8.97.5

ततो विमर्दः सुमहान्वभूव तत्रार्जुनस्याधिरथेश्च राजन् ।
अन्योन्यमासादयतोः पृषत्कैर्विषाणघातैर्द्विपयोरिवाजौ ॥ ८.९७.५ ॥

Then, O king, a very great clash arose there between Arjuna and Karṇa, son of the charioteer; with arrows they fell upon one another, like two elephants colliding in battle with the blows of their tusks.

8.97.6

ततोऽस्त्रसंघातसमावृतं तदा बभूव राजंस्तुमुलं रणाजिरम् ।
य्त्कर्णपार्थै शरवृष्टिसङ्घैर्निरन्तरं चक्रतुरम्बरं तदा ॥ ८.९७.६ ॥

Then, O king, that battlefield, covered with masses of weapons, became tumultuous; Karṇa and Pārtha filled the sky continuously with showers of arrows.

8.97.7

ततो जालं वाणमयं महान्तं सर्वेऽद्राक्षुः कुरवः सोमकाश्च ।
नान्यं च भूतं ददृशुस्तदा ते बाणान्धकारे तुमुलेऽथ किंचित् ॥ ८.९७.७ ॥

Then the Kurus and the Somakas all saw a vast net made of arrows; in that tumult of arrow-darkness they could see nothing else at all.

8.97.8

तौ सन्दधानावनिशं च राजन् समस्यन्तौ चापि शराननेकान् ।
सन्दर्शयेतां युधि मार्गान्दिचित्रा न्धनुर्धरौ तौ विविधैः कृतास्त्रैः ॥ ८.९७.८ ॥

O king, those two, ceaselessly fitting and loosing arrows, shot many arrows in battle and displayed wondrous paths — those two archers, skilled in many kinds of weapons.

8.97.9

तयोरेवं युध्यतोराजिमध्ये सूतात्मजोऽभूदधिकः कदाचित् ।
पार्थः कदाचित्त्वधिकः किरीटी वीर्यास्त्रमायाबलपौरुषेण ॥ ८.९७.९ ॥

As those two fought thus in the midst of the battle, at times the son of the charioteer was the greater, and at times the crowned Pārtha was the greater — by valour, weapons, illusion, strength and manly effort.

8.97.10

दृष्ट्वा तयोस्तं युधि संप्रहारं परस्परस्यान्तरमीक्षमाणयोः ।
घोरं तयोर्दुर्विषहं रणेऽन्यैर्योधाः सर्वे विस्मयमभ्यगच्छन् ॥ ८.९७.१० ॥

Seeing that dreadful, unbearable clash of blows in battle between those two, each seeking an opening in the other, all the other warriors were struck with astonishment.

8.97.11

ततो भूतान्यन्तरिक्षस्थितानि तौ कर्णपार्थै प्रशशंसुर्नरेन्द्र ।
भोः कर्ण साध्वर्जुन साधु चेति वियत्सु वाणी श्रूयते सर्वतोपि ॥ ८.९७.११ ॥

Then the beings standing in the sky, O lord of men, praised those two, Karṇa and Pārtha. "Well done, Karṇa! Well done, Arjuna!" — such a voice was heard from all sides in the sky.

8.97.12

तस्मिन्विमर्दे रथवाजिनागैस्तदाऽभिघातैर्दलिते हि भूतले ।
ततस्तु पातालतले शयानो नागोऽश्वसेनः कृतवैरोऽर्जुनेन ॥ ८.९७.१२ ॥

In that crush of battle, when the earth was trampled by the blows of chariots, horses and elephants, then the serpent Aśvasena, lying in the depths of the netherworld, who had made enmity with Arjuna, was there.

8.97.13

राजंस्तदा खाण्डवदाहमुक्तो विवेश कोपाद्वसुधातले यः ।
अथोत्पपातोर्ध्वगतिर्जवेन सन्दृश्य कर्णार्जुनयोर्विमर्दम् ॥ ८.९७.१३ ॥

O king, then the serpent who had escaped the burning of Khāṇḍava and entered the earth in anger, seeing the clash of Karṇa and Arjuna, rose swiftly upward.

8.97.14

अयं हि कालेस्य दुरात्मनो वै पार्थस्य वैरप्रतियातनाय ।
सञ्चिन्त्य तूर्ण प्रविवेश चैव कर्णस्य राजन्शररुपधारी ॥ ८.९७.१४ ॥

"Now is the time for this wicked one to requite his enmity with Pārtha," thinking so, O king, he quickly entered Karṇa, taking the form of an arrow.

8.97.15

ततोस्रसङ्घातसमाकुलं तदा बभूव जन्यं विततांशुजालम् ।
तत्कर्णपार्थौ शरसङ्घ्वृष्टिभिर्निरन्तरं चक्रतुरंबरं तदा ॥ ८.९७.१५ ॥

Then the battlefield, crowded with streams of blood, became like a spread net of rays. Then Karṇa and Pārtha incessantly filled the sky with showers of volleys of arrows.

8.97.16

तद्वाणजालैकमयं महान्तं सर्वेऽत्रसन्कुरवः सोमकाश्च ।
नान्यत्किञ्चिद्ददृशुः सम्पतद्वै बाणान्धकारे तुमुलेऽतिमात्रम् ॥ ८.९७.१६ ॥

Seeing that vast darkness made entirely of a web of arrows, all the Kurus and Somakas were terrified. In the dreadful darkness of arrows they could see nothing else but the arrows falling.

8.97.17

ततस्तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ सर्वलोकधनुर्धरौ ।
त्यक्तप्राणौ रणे वीरौ युध्दश्रममुपागतौ ॥ ८.९७.१७ ॥

Then those two tigers among men, archers of all the worlds, heroes who had abandoned their lives in battle, had come to the weariness of war.

8.97.18

समुत्क्षेपैर्वीक्षमाणौ सिक्तौ चन्दनवारिणा ।
सवालव्यजनैर्दिव्यैर्दिविस्थैरप्सरोगणैः ।
शक्रसूर्यकराब्जाभ्यां प्रमार्जितमुखावुभौ ॥ ८.९७.१८ ॥

Both of them, sprinkled with sandal-scented water, fanned with yak-tail fans and divine fans, watched by companies of Apsarases standing in heaven, their faces wiped by the lotus hands of Indra and the Sun.

8.97.19

कर्णोऽथ पार्थ न विशेषयद्यदा भृशं च पार्थेन शराभितप्तः ।
ततस्तु वीरः शरविक्षताङ्गो दघ्रे मनो ह्येकशयस्य तस्य ॥ ८.९७.१९ ॥

When Arjuna had greatly afflicted him with arrows, Karṇa could no longer distinguish Arjuna from himself. Then that hero, his body wounded by arrows, fixed his mind upon that one bed.

8.97.20

ततो रिपुघ्नं समधत्त कर्णः सुसंचितं सर्पमुखं ज्वलन्तम् ।
रौद्रं शरं सन्नतमुग्रघौतं पार्थार्थमित्येव चिराभिगुप्तम् ॥ ८.९७.२० ॥

Then Karṇa fixed upon that enemy-slaying arrow, well prepared, serpent-mouthed, blazing, terrible, bent, fiercely whetted, long guarded for the sake of Arjuna alone.

8.97.21

सदार्चितं चन्दनचूर्णशायितं सुवर्णतूणीरशयं महार्चिषम् ।
आकर्णपूर्ण विचकर्ष कर्णो विमोक्तुकामः शरमुग्रवेगम् ॥ ८.९७.२१ ॥

Always honored, lying on sandalwood powder, resting in a golden quiver, that great-flamed arrow — Karṇa drew it full to his ear, desiring to release the arrow of fierce speed.

8.97.22

प्रदीप्तमैरावतवंशसंभवं शिरो जिहीर्षुर्युधि सव्यसाचिनः ।
ततः प्रजज्वाल दिशो नमश्च उल्काश्च घोराः शतशः प्रपेतुः ॥ ८.९७.२२ ॥

Born of the lineage of Airāvata, blazing, it desired to seize the head of Savyasācin (Arjuna) in battle. Then the directions and the sky blazed, and hundreds of terrible meteors fell.

8.97.23

तस्मिस्तु नागे धनुषि प्रयुक्ते हाहाकृता लोकपालाः सशक्राः ॥ ८.९७.२३ ॥

When that serpent-arrow was applied to the bow, the world-guardians, together with Śakra, cried out, 'Alas, alas!'

8.97.24

स सूतपुत्रस्तमपाङ्गदेशे अवाड्मुखं संधयति स्म रोषात् ।
न तं स्म जानाति महानुभावमपङ्गदेशेऽभिनिविष्टमाजौ ॥ ८.९७.२४ ॥

In anger, the charioteer's son set that downward-facing arrow at the corner of the eye. He did not know that mighty one, fixed at the corner of the eye in battle.

8.97.25

न चापि तं बुबुधे सूतपुत्रो बाणे प्रविष्टं योगबलेन नागम् ।
दशशतनयनोऽहिं दृश्य बाणे प्रविष्टं निहत इति सुतो मे स्रस्तगात्रो बभूव ।
जलजकुसुमयोनिः श्रेष्ठभावो जितात्मा त्रिदशपतिमवोचन्मा व्यथिष्ठा जये श्रीः ॥ ८.९७.२५ ॥

The charioteer's son did not perceive that serpent which had entered the arrow by the power of yoga. Indra, the thousand-eyed, seeing the serpent entered into the arrow, grew limp-limbed, thinking, 'My son is slain.' Then Brahmā, lotus-born, of supreme nature and self-controlled, said to the lord of the gods, 'Do not be distressed; fortune lies in victory.'

8.97.26

ततोऽब्रवीन्मद्रराजो महात्मा दृष्ट्वा कर्ण प्रहितेषुं तमुग्रम् ।
ग्रीवायतः कर्ण न् संहितोऽयं समीक्ष्य संधत्स्व शरं परध्नम् ॥ ८.९७.२६ ॥

Then the great-souled king of the Madras, seeing that fierce arrow Karṇa had loosed, said: "Karṇa, it is aimed at the neck; look at it and fit an arrow that slays the enemy."

8.97.27

अथाब्रवीत्क्रोधसंरक्तनेत्रो मद्राधिपं सूतपुत्रो मनस्वी ।
न संधत्ते द्विः शरं शल्य कर्णो न मादृशा जिह्ययुध्दा भवन्ति ॥ ८.९७.२७ ॥

Then Karṇa, the proud charioteer's son, his eyes reddened with anger, said to the lord of the Madras: "Śalya, Karṇa does not fit a second arrow; men like me do not fight with crooked methods."

8.97.28

इतिदमुक्त्वा विससर्ज तं शरं प्रयत्नतो वर्षगणाभिपूजितम् ।
हतोसि रे फल्गुन इत्यधिक्षिपन्नुवाच चोच्चैर्गिरमूर्जितां वृषः ॥ ८.९७.२८ ॥

Having spoken thus, he released that arrow, long honored, with his utmost effort; taunting, "Hey Phalguna, you are slain!" the mighty bull of a warrior cried out loudly.

8.97.29

स सायकः कर्णभुजप्रसृष्टो हुताशनार्कप्रतिमः सुघोरः ।
गुणच्युतः कर्णधनुः प्रमुक्तो वियद्गतः प्राज्वलदन्तरिक्षे ॥ ८.९७.२९ ॥

That arrow, released from Karṇa's arm, was fearsome as fire and the sun; loosed from the string of Karṇa's bow, it rose into the sky and blazed forth in the firmament.

8.97.30

तमापतन्तं ज्वलितं निरीक्ष्य वियद्गतं वृष्णिकुलप्रवीरः ।
रथस्य चक्रं सहसा निपीड्य पञ्चाङ्गुलं मञ्जयति स्म वीरः ॥ ८.९७.३० ॥

Seeing that blazing arrow falling toward them from the sky, the foremost hero of the Vṛṣṇi clan suddenly pressed down the chariot wheel and sank it five fingers' depth into the earth.

8.97.31

ततोऽन्तरिक्षे सुमहान्निनादः संपूजनार्थ मधुसूदनस्य ।
र्दिव्यानि पुष्पाण्यथ सिंहनादाः ।
तस्मिंस्तथा वै धरणीं निमग्ने रथे प्रयत्नान्मधुसूदनस्य ॥ ८.९७.३१ ॥

Then a great roar rose in the sky to honour Madhusūdana; divine flowers fell, and lion-roars sounded. At that moment the chariot was sinking into the earth, and Madhusūdana with effort held it up.

8.97.32

ततः किरीटं वहुरत्नचित्रं जघान नागोऽर्जुनमूर्धतो बलात् ।
गिरेः सुजाताङ्कुरपुष्पितद्रुमं महेन्द्रवज्रं शिखरं यथोत्तमम् ॥ ८.९७.३२ ॥

Then the serpent forcibly struck the crown, variegated with many gems, from Arjuna's head, as the supreme peak of a mountain, with fine shoots and blossoming trees, is struck by Indra's thunderbolt.

8.97.33

ततः किरीटं तपनीयचित्रं पार्थोत्तमाङ्गदहरत्तरस्वी ।
तद्धेमजालावनतं सुघोरं संप्रज्वलत्तन्निपपात भूमौ ॥ ८.९७.३३ ॥

Then the swift son of Pṛthā snatched the gold-variegated crown from Arjuna's head; bent with its golden net, that most dreadful crown, blazing, fell to the ground.

8.97.34

ततोऽर्जुनस्योत्तमगात्रभूषणं सुवर्णमुक्तामणिवज्रचित्रितम् ।
धरावियद्दयोसलिलेषु विश्रुतं बलं निसर्गोत्तममन्युभिः सदा ॥ ८.९७.३४ ॥

Then the ornament of Arjuna's noble body, variegated with gold, pearls, gems and diamonds, renowned on earth, in the sky, in heaven and in the waters, always endowed with the strength of his natural supreme wrath.

8.97.35

शरेण मूर्ध्नि प्रजहार सूतजो दिवाकरेन्दुज्वलनग्रहत्विषम् ।
सुवर्णमुक्तामणिवज्रभूषणं पुरन्दरार्थ तपसा प्रयत्नतः ॥ ८.९७.३५ ॥

The son of the charioteer struck with an arrow the head-ornament, radiant like the sun, moon, fire and planets, adorned with gold, pearls, gems and diamonds, fashioned with effort through austerity for Indra.

8.97.36

स्वयं कृतं यद्विधिना स्वयंभुवा महार्हरुपं द्विषतां भयंकरम् ।
निजघ्नते देवरिपून्सुरेश्वरः स्वयं ददौ यध्दि मुदाऽर्जुनाय ॥ ८.९७.३६ ॥

That which was made by the Self-born himself, of great worth and form, terrifying to enemies, with which Indra, lord of the gods, struck down the foes of the gods, he gladly gave to Arjuna.

8.97.37

हरिप्रचेतोहरिवित्तगोप्तृभिः पिनाकपाशाशनिदण्डधारिभिः ।
सुरोत्तमैरप्यविषह्यमर्दितुं प्रसह्य नागेन जहार तद्वृषा ॥ ८.९७.३७ ॥

That which even the best of gods cannot bear to crush, guarded by Hari, Pracetas and Kubera, the bearers of the bow, the noose, the thunderbolt and the club, the bull took away by force through the serpent.

8.97.38

तदुत्तमेषून्मथितं विषाहिना प्रदीप्तपर्चिष्मदतीव सुन्दरम् ।
पपात पार्थस्य किरीटमुत्तमं दिवाकरोस्तादिव पर्वताज्ज्वलन् ॥ ८.९७.३८ ॥

That excellent diadem of Pārtha, shaken by the excellent arrows and by the venomous serpent, blazing with flames and very beautiful, fell like the sun blazing down from a mountain.

8.97.39

महीवियद्दयोसलिलानि वायुना प्रसह्य रुग्णानि विघूर्णितानि वा ।
इतीव शब्दं भुवनेषु तत्तथा जना व्यवस्यन्ति दिशश्च विह्वलाः ॥ ८.९७.३९ ॥

The earth, sky, heaven and the waters, as if broken and whirled about by the wind — thus that sound rang through the worlds, and people and the quarters, bewildered, took it to be so.

8.97.40

विना किरीटं शुशुभे स पार्थः श्यामो युवा शैल इव त्रिशृङ्गैः ॥ ८.९७.४० ॥

Without his diadem, that Pārtha, dark-complexioned and young, shone like a mountain with three peaks.

8.97.42

ततः समुद्ग्र्थ्य सितेन वाससा स्वमूर्घजानव्यथितस्तदाऽर्जुनः ।
बभौ सुसंपूर्णमरीचिनेन्दुना शिरोगतेनोदयपर्वतो यथा
स चापि राधेयभुजप्रमुक्तो हुताशनार्कप्रतिमद्युतिर्महान् ।
महोरगः कृतवैरोऽर्जुनेन किरीटमाहृत्य समुत्पपात ॥ ८.९७.४२ ॥

Then Arjuna, unafflicted, bound up his hair with a white cloth and shone like the rising mountain with the full-rayed moon upon its summit. That great serpent, released from Karṇa's arm, brilliant like fire and the sun, bearing enmity toward Arjuna, seized the diadem and flew upward.

8.97.43

तमुत्पतन्तं द्विपदां वरिष्ठो दृष्ट्वा वचः पार्थमुवाच कृष्णः ।
महोरगं पाण्डव पश्यपश्य प्रयोजितं त्वन्निधनार्थमुग्रम् ॥ ८.९७.४३ ॥

Seeing that serpent rising in flight, Kṛṣṇa, best of the two-footed, spoke to Arjuna: Look, Pāṇḍava, look at that fierce great serpent, sent forth for your destruction!

8.97.44

स एवमुक्तो मधुसूदनेन गाण्डीवधन्वा हरिमुग्रवाचा ।
उवाच को न्वेष ममाद्य नागः क्षयाय नागाद्गरुडस्य वक्त्रम् ॥ ८.९७.४४ ॥

When Madhusūdana had spoken thus, Arjuna, the bowman of the Gāṇḍīva, said to Hari in fierce words: Who is this that has come as a serpent today for my destruction? Who is this, like a serpent escaped from the mouth of Garuḍa?

8.97.45

योऽसौ त्वया खाण्डवे चित्रभानुं संतर्पयाणेन धनुर्धरेण ।
वियद्गतो जननीगुप्तदेहो मत्वैकरूपं निहताऽस्य माता ॥ ८.९७.४५ ॥

He whom you slew, the bowman, while satisfying Citrabhānu (Fire) in the Khāṇḍava forest, the one whose body was protected by his mother, he has gone into the sky. Taking you and her to be one form, he killed your mother.

8.97.46

स एष तद्वैरमनुस्मरन्वै त्वां प्रार्थयत्यात्मवधाय नूनम् ।
नभश्च्युतां प्रज्वलितामिवोल्कां पश्यैनमायान्तममित्रसाह ॥ ८.९७.४६ ॥

Remembering that enmity, he surely seeks you out for his own destruction. Look at him coming like a blazing meteor fallen from the sky, O conqueror of foes.

8.97.47

ततः स जिष्णुः परिवृत्य रोषाच्चिच्छेद षड्भिर्निशितैः सुधारैः ।
नागं वियत्तिर्यगिवोत्पतन्तं स च्छिन्नगात्रो निपपात भूमौ ॥ ८.९७.४७ ॥

Then Arjuna, the conqueror, turned in anger and with six sharp, well-edged arrows cut down the serpent as it rose sideways through the sky; its body cut apart, it fell to the ground.

8.97.48

हते च तस्मिन्भुजगे किरीटिना स्वयं विभुः पार्थिव भूतलादथ ।
समुज्जहाराशु पुनः पतन्तं रथं भुजाभ्यां पुरुषोत्तमस्ततः ॥ ८.९७.४८ ॥

O king, when the diademed Arjuna had slain that serpent, the mighty Puruṣottama himself quickly lifted up again the chariot falling from the ground with his arms.

8.97.49

तस्मिन्मुहूर्ते दशभिः पृषत्कैः शिलाशितैर्बर्हिणबर्हवाजितैः ।
विव्याघ कर्णः पुरुषप्रवीरो धनञ्जयं तिर्यगवेक्षमाणः ॥ ८.९७.४९ ॥

In that very moment, the hero Karṇa, foremost of men, struck Dhanañjaya with ten arrows whetted on stone and fletched with peacock feathers, glancing at him sidelong.

8.97.50

ततोऽर्जुनो द्वादशभिः सुमुक्तैर्वराहकर्णैर्निशितैः समर्प्य ।
नाराचमाशीविषतुल्यवेगमाकर्णपूर्णायतमुत्ससर्ज ॥ ८.९७.५० ॥

Then Arjuna, fitting twelve well-released sharp boar-eared arrows, loosed an iron shaft swift as a venomous serpent, drawn full to the ear.

8.97.51

स चित्रवर्मेषुवरो विदार्य प्राणान्निरस्यन्निव साधुमुक्तः ।
कर्णस्य पीत्वा रुधिरं विवेश वसुंधरां शॊणितदिग्धवाजः ॥ ८.९७.५१ ॥

That best of arrows, with its variegated armor, well released, as if expelling the life-breaths, pierced Karṇa, drank his blood, and entered the earth, its feathers smeared with blood.

8.97.52

ततो वृषो बाणनिपातकोपितो महोरगो दण्डविघट्टितो यथा ।
तदाऽऽशुकारी व्यसृजच्छरोत्तमान् महाविषः सर्प इवोत्तमं विषम् ॥ ८.९७.५२ ॥

Then Vṛṣa, enraged by the fall of the arrow, like a great serpent struck with a staff, swiftly released the finest arrows, as a great-poisoned serpent releases its supreme venom.

8.97.53

जनार्दनं द्वादशभिः पराभिनन्नवैर्नवत्या च शरैस्तथाऽर्जुनम् ।
शरेण घोरेण पुनश्च पाण्डवं विदार्य कर्णो व्यनदज्जहास च ॥ ८.९७.५३ ॥

He struck Janārdana with twelve arrows and Arjuna with ninety; then, piercing the Pāṇḍava again with a terrible arrow, Karṇa roared and laughed.

8.97.54

तमस्य हर्षं ममृषे न पाण्डवो बिभेद मर्माणि ततोऽस्य मर्मवित् ।
परःशतैः पत्रिभिरिन्द्रविक्रमस्तथा यथेन्द्रो बलमोजसा रणे ॥ ८.९७.५४ ॥

The Pāṇḍava could not endure his exultation; knowing the vital spots, he pierced Karṇa's vital points with hundreds of feathered arrows, valiant as Indra, as Indra strikes in battle with his strength and vigor.

8.97.55

ततः शराणां नवतिं तदाऽर्जुनः ससर्ज कर्णेऽन्तकदण्डसंनिभाम् ।
तैः पत्रिभिर्विद्धतनुः स विव्यथे तथा यथा वज्रविदारितोऽचलः । ॥ ८.९७.५५ ॥

Then Arjuna released ninety arrows at Karṇa, like the staff of Death; his body pierced by those feathered arrows, he writhed, as a mountain split by the thunderbolt.

8.97.56

मणिप्रवेकोत्तमवज्रहाटकैरलंकृतं चास्य वराङ्गभूषणम् ।
प्रविद्धमुर्व्यां निपपात पत्रिभिर्धनञ्जयेनोत्तमकुण्डलेपि च ॥ ८.९७.५६ ॥

His excellent body-ornament, adorned with gems, fine diamonds and gold, was pierced by Arjuna's arrows and fell to the ground, and his excellent earring fell too.

8.97.57

महाधनं शिल्पिवरैः प्रयत्नतः कृतं यदस्योत्तमवर्म भास्वरम् ।
सुदीर्घकालेन ततोऽस्य पाण्डवः क्षणेन बाणैर्बहुधा व्यशातयत् ॥ ८.९७.५७ ॥

His excellent, shining armour, very costly, made with great effort over a long time by the finest craftsmen, was shattered by the Pāṇḍava into many pieces with arrows in an instant.

8.97.58

तस्येषुभिः खण्डितकुण्डलोऽन्तः परिक्षतश्चाभ्यधिकं तदानीम् ।
सलोहिताङ्गश्रवणश्चकाशे सलोहिताङ्गश्रवणो यथा दिवि ॥ ८.९७.५८ ॥

His earrings were broken by the arrows; he was grievously wounded inwardly at that time, and with blood-red limbs and ears he shone like a red planet in the sky.

8.97.59

स तं विवर्माणमथोत्तपेषुभिः शितैश्चतुर्भिः कुपितः पराभिनत् ।
स विव्यथेऽत्यर्थमरिप्रताडितो यथाऽऽतुरः पित्तकफानिलज्वरैः ॥ ८.९७.५९ ॥

Arjuna, enraged, struck the armourless Karṇa with four sharp, blazing arrows; struck by his enemy, Karṇa writhed in great pain, like a sick man racked by fevers of bile, phlegm and wind.

8.97.60

महाधनुर्मण्डलनिः सृतैः शितैः क्रियाप्रयत्नप्रहितैर्बलेन च ।
ततक्ष कर्ण बहुभिः शरोत्तमैर्बिभेद मर्मस्वपि चार्जुनस्त्वरन् ॥ ८.९७.६० ॥

With many excellent arrows, sharp and released from the circle of his great bow, sent by skilled effort and strength, Arjuna struck Karṇa; and hastening, Arjuna pierced even his vital spots.

8.97.61

दृढाहतः पत्रिभिरुग्रवेगैः पार्थेन कर्णो विविधैः शिताग्रैः ।
बभौ गिरिर्गैरिकधातुरक्तः क्षरन्प्रपातैरिव रक्तमम्भः ॥ ८.९७.६१ ॥

Struck hard by many fierce, sharp-pointed arrows from Pārtha, Karṇa shone like a mountain reddened with red ochre, streaming blood-like water from its waterfalls.

8.97.62

ततोऽर्जुनः कर्णमवक्रगैर्नवैः सुवर्णपुङ्खैः सुदृढैरयस्मयैः ।
यमाग्निदण्डप्रतिमैः स्तनान्तरे पराभिनत्क्रौञ्चमिवाद्रिमग्निजः ॥ ८.९७.६२ ॥

Then Arjuna pierced Karṇa in the midst of his chest with new, straight-flying iron arrows with golden feathers, very strong and like the rods of Yama and Agni, as the son of fire pierced the Krauñca mountain.

8.97.63

ततः शरावापमपास्य सूतजो धनुश्च तच्छक्रशरासनोपमम् ।
ततो रथस्थः स मुमोह च स्खलन् प्रशीर्णमुष्टिः सुभृशाहतः प्रभो ॥ ८.९७.६३ ॥

Then the charioteer's son threw away that bow, like Indra's bowstring, and his quiver; then he, standing on the chariot, became bewildered and reeled, his grip loosened, sorely struck, O lord!

8.97.64

न चार्जुनस्तं व्यसने तदेषिवान्निहन्तुमार्यः पुरुषव्रते स्थितः ।
ततस्तमिन्द्रावरजः सुसंभ्रमादुवाच किं पाण्डव हे प्रमाद्यसे ॥ ८.९७.६४ ॥

Arjuna, the noble one, standing firm in the vow of manhood, did not wish to slay him in that calamity; then the younger brother of Indra said to him in great haste, 'O Pāṇḍava, why are you careless?'

8.97.65

नैवाहितानां सततं विपश्चितः क्षणं प्रतीक्षन्त्यपि दुर्बलीयसाम् ।
विशेषतोऽरीन्व्यसनेषु पण्डितो निहत्य धर्मं च यशश्च विन्दते ॥ ८.९७.६५ ॥

The wise never wait even a moment for their enemies, especially the weaker ones; a learned man who slays enemies in calamities obtains both dharma and fame.

8.97.66

तदेकवीरं तव चाहितं सदा त्वरस्व कर्ण सहसाऽभिमर्दितुम् ।
पुरा समर्थः समुपैति सूतजो भिन्धि त्वमेनं नमुचिं यथा हरिः ॥ ८.९७.६६ ॥

Therefore, hurry to crush at once that single hero, your ever-present enemy, O Karṇa. The son of the charioteer is coming forward, capable; strike him down as Hari struck Namuci.

8.97.67

ततस्तदेवेत्यभिपूज्य सत्वरं जनार्दनं कर्णमविध्यदर्जुनः ।
शरोत्तमैः सर्वकुरुत्तमस्त्वरं स्तथा यथा शम्बरहा पुरा बलिम् ॥ ८.९७.६७ ॥

Then, saying 'So be it,' and quickly honoring Janārdana, Arjuna, best of all the Kurus, pierced Karṇa with excellent arrows, just as the slayer of Śambara of old pierced Bali.

8.97.68

साश्चं तु कर्णं सरथं किरीटी समाचिनोद्भारत वत्सदन्तैः ।
प्रच्छादयामास दिशश्च बाणैः सर्वप्रयत्नात्तपनीयपुङ्खैः ॥ ८.९७.६८ ॥

But Kirīṭin (Arjuna), O Bhārata, covered Karṇa together with his horses and chariot with calf-tooth arrows; with all his effort he also covered the directions with golden-feathered shafts.

8.97.69

स वत्सदन्तैः पृथुपीनवक्षाः समाचितः सोऽधिरथिर्विभाति ।
सुपुष्पिताशोकपलाशशाल्मलिर्यथाऽचलश्चन्दनकाननायुतः ॥ ८.९७.६९ ॥

Covered with calf-tooth arrows, that son of Adhiratha, broad and full-chested, shines like a mountain surrounded by sandalwood forests, with its well-flowering aśoka, palāśa and śālmalī trees.

8.97.70

शरैः शरीरे बहुभिः समर्पितैर्विभाति कर्णः समरे विशांपते ।
महीरुहैराचितसानुकन्दरो यथा गिरीन्द्रः स्फुटकर्णिकारवान् ॥ ८.९७.७० ॥

O lord of men, in battle Karṇa shines with the many arrows fixed upon his body, like the lord of mountains with peaks and caves covered by trees, bearing blossoming karṇikāra trees.

8.97.71

स बाणस्ङ्घान्बहुधा व्यवासृजन् विभाति कर्णः शरजालरश्मिवान् ।
सलोहितो रक्तगभस्तिमण्डलो दिवाकरोऽस्ताभिमिखो यथा तथा ॥ ८.९७.७१ ॥

He loosed flocks of arrows in many ways; Karṇa shone with a net of arrows for rays, as the sun with its disc of red rays shines facing its setting.

8.97.72

बाह्वन्तरादाधिरथेर्विमुक्तान् बाणान्महाहीनिव दीप्यमानान् ।
व्यध्वंसयन्नर्जुनवाहुमुक्ताः शराः समासाद्य दिशः शिताग्राः ॥ ८.९७.७२ ॥

The sharp-pointed arrows released from Arjuna's arms shattered the blazing arrows loosed from between Karṇa's arms, like great serpents; reaching the quarters.

8.97.73

ततः स कर्णः समवाप्य धैर्य बाणान्विमुञ्चन्कुपिताहिकल्पान् ।
विव्याध पार्थ दशभिः पृषत्कैः कृष्णं च षड्भिः कुपिताहिकल्पैः ॥ ८.९७.७३ ॥

Then Karṇa, regaining courage, loosed arrows like enraged serpents; he pierced Pārtha with ten pṛṣatka arrows and Kṛṣṇa with six arrows like enraged serpents.

8.97.74

ततः किरीटी भृशमुग्रनिः स्वनं महाशरं सर्पविषानलोपमम् ।
अयस्मयं रौद्रमहास्रसंभृतं महाहवे क्षेप्तुमना महामतिः ॥ ८.९७.७४ ॥

Then Kirīṭī (Arjuna), of great wisdom, resolved to hurl a great arrow, roaring fiercely in the great battle, like the fire of serpent poison, made of iron, terrible, filled with mighty weapons.

8.97.75

कालो ह्यदृश्यो नृप विप्रशापान्निदर्शयन्कर्णवधं ब्रुवाणः ।
भूमिस्तु चक्रं ग्रसतीत्यवोच त्कर्णस्य तस्मिन्वघकाल आगते ॥ ८.९७.७५ ॥

O king, Time, unseen through a brahmin's curse, showing Karṇa's slaying, spoke: 'Indeed the earth swallows the wheel'; so it said when that time of Karṇa's slaying had come.

8.97.76

न चास्य धोरं प्रतिभाति चास्त्रं यद्भार्गवोऽस्मै प्रददौ महात्मा ।
चक्रं च वामं ग्रसते भूमिरस्य प्राप्ते तस्मिन्वध्काले नृवीर ॥ ८.९७.७६ ॥

The terrible weapon that the great-souled Bhārgava gave him does not come to his mind, and when the time of his death has come, O hero among men, the earth is swallowing his left wheel.

8.97.77

ततो रथो घूर्णितवान्नरेन्द्र शापात्तदा ब्राह्मणसत्तमस्य ।
प्राप्तं वधं शंसति चाप्यथास्रं प्रणश्यमानं द्विजमुख्यशापात् ॥ ८.९७.७७ ॥

Then, O lord of men, by the curse of the best of brahmins his chariot began to whirl; it foretells that his death has arrived, and by the curse of the foremost of the twice-born the weapon too is perishing.

8.97.78

ततश्च क्रमपतत्तस्य भूमौ स विह्वलः समरे सूतपुत्रः ।
सवेदिकश्चैत्य इवातिमात्रः सुपुष्पितो भूमितले निमग्नः ॥ ८.९७.७८ ॥

Then the son of a charioteer, bewildered in battle, gradually fell to the ground, sinking into the earth like a very tall, flowering sacred tree together with its altar.

8.97.79

मग्ने रथे ब्राह्मणशापमूढो ह्यस्त्रं च तं मोघमिषुं च सर्पम् ।
अमृष्यमाणो व्यसनानि तानि ह्स्तौ विधुन्वन्विजगर्ह धर्मम् ॥ ८.९७.७९ ॥

With the chariot wheel sunk, bewildered by the brahmin's curse, unable to bear these misfortunes, and recalling that weapon, the futile arrow and the serpent-arrow, he shook his hands and reproached dharma.

8.97.80

धर्मप्रधानं किल पाति धर्म इत्यब्रुवन्धर्मविदः सदैव ।
वयं च धर्मे प्रयताम नित्यं चर्तुयथाशक्ति यथाश्रुतं च ।
स चापि निघ्नाति न पाति भक्तान् मन्ये न नित्यं परिपाति धर्मः ॥ ८.९७.८० ॥

The knowers of dharma have always said that dharma is supreme and that it is dharma that protects. We too strive always to follow dharma according to our ability and as we have heard it. Yet that same dharma strikes down its devotees and does not protect them; in my view dharma does not always protect.