धृतराष्ट्र उवाच यस्य वै नानृता वाचः कदाचिदनुशुश्रुम। त्रैलोक्यमपि तस्य स्याद् योद्धा यस्य धनंजयः॥
Dhritarashtra said He, from whom we have never heard an untruthful word, he who has Dhananjaya to fight for him can possess himself the three worlds.
तस्यैव च न पश्यामि युधि गाण्डीवधन्वनः। अनिशं चिन्तयानोऽपि यः प्रतीयाद् रथेन तम्॥
I do not see any one equal in battle to the one who has the Gandiva bow, who seated on a car could oppose him, though I think about it day and night.
अस्यत: कर्णिनालीकान् मार्गणआन् हृदयच्छिदः। प्रत्येता न समः कश्चिद् युधि गाण्डीवधन्वनः॥
There is no equal in battle of the wielder of the Gandiva bow shooting winged arrows, Nalikas (muskets) and arrows penetrating into the heart.
द्रोणकर्णी प्रतीयातां यदि वीरौ नरर्षभौ। कृतास्त्रौ बलिनां श्रेष्ठौ समरेष्वपराजितौ॥
If the two heroes, these bulls among men, Drona and Karna, skillful in the use of weapons, the chief among those having strength and unconquerable in battle, oppose him?
महान् स्यात् संशयो लोके न त्वस्ति विजयो मम। घृणी कर्णः प्रमादी च आचार्याः स्थविरो गुरुः॥
There may be great doubts among other men, but (I am afraid) victory will not be mine. Karna is careless and compassionate and the preceptor is old in age and is beside the preceptor (of the Pandavas).
बलवान् पार्थो समर्थो दृढधन्वा जितक्लमः। भवेत् सुतमुलं युद्धं सर्वशोऽप्यपराजयः॥
Partha of firm grasp on the bow however is able, mighty and has conquered fatigue; there will be terrible fight between them, but both sides will remain undefeated.
सर्वे शस्त्रविदः शूराः सर्वे प्राप्ता महद् यशः। अपि सर्वामरैश्वव्यं त्यजेयुर्न पुनर्जयम्॥
All of these are heroes knowing the use of weapons and all of them have gained great fame, they may forego even the lordship over all the gods but not victory (in this battle).
वधे नूनं भवेच्छान्तिस्तयोर्वा फाल्गुनस्य च। न तु हन्तार्जुनस्यास्ति जेता चास्य न विद्यते॥
The two (Drona and Karna) or the son of Falguna being killed, there will certainly be peace; but there is none who can kill Arjuna, nor one who can conquer him.
मन्युस्तस्य कथं शाम्येन्मन्दान् प्रति य उत्थितः। अन्येऽप्यस्त्राणि जानन्ति जीयन्ते च जयन्ति च॥
How can his wrath that has arisen, against those foolish ones be pacified; there are others knowing the use of weapons, who conquer (others) and (sometimes) are conquered (by those).
एकान्तविजयस्त्वेव श्रूयते फाल्गुनस्य ह। त्रयस्त्रिंशत् समाहूय खाण्डवेऽग्निमतर्पयत्॥
But the rumour is that Falguna (when fighting) has but one result-victory; thirty three years ago (he) having invited the god of fire gratified him.
जिगाय च सुरान् सर्वान् नास्य विद्मः पराजयम्। यस्य यन्ता हृषीकेशः शीलवृत्तसमो युधि॥
Having first vanquished the gods; no man ever heard of his defeat anywhere. He who has for his charioteer in battle Hrishikesha is equal to him in character.
ध्रुवस्तस्य जयस्तात यथेन्द्रस्य जयस्तथा। कृष्णावेकरथे यत्तावधिज्यं गाण्डिवं धनुः॥
He has victory certain 0 dear, as the victory of Indra. The two Krishna's on one car and the stringed Gandiva bow.
युगपत् त्रीणि तेजांसि समेतान्यनुशुश्रुभ। नैवास्ति नो धनुस्तादृक् न योद्धा न च सारथिः॥
These there forces have come together, I hear; there is no similar bow, nor a warrior of that stamp, nor a charioteer of that character.
तच्च मन्दा न जानन्ति दुर्योधनवशानुगाः। शेषयेदशनिर्दीप्तो विपतन् मूर्ध्नि संजय॥
Those fools under the control of Duryodhana do not know this. The thunderbolt falling on the head ablaze leaves some remnants undestroyed, O Sanjaya.
न तु शेषं शरास्तात कुर्युरस्ताः किरीटिना। अपि चास्यन्निवाभाति निघ्नन्निव धनंजयः॥
But the shafts shot by Kritin leaves no remnant, O dear. I see now (in my mind) Dhananjaya shining forth by working havoc.
उद्धरन्निव कायेभ्यः शिरांसि शरवृष्टिभिः। अपि बाणमयं तेजः प्रदीप्तमिव सर्वतः॥
And by his shower of arrows separating heads from the bodies. (I see) also his strength in the shape of arrows blazing in all directions.
गाण्डीवोत्थं दहेताजौ पुत्राणां मम वाहिनीम्। अपि सारथ्यघोषेण भयार्ता सव्यसाचिनः॥
And coming out of the Gandiva bow and burning up the four elements of the army of my sons. (I see) also that struck with fear from the sound of Savyasachin's chariot.
वित्रस्ता बहुधा सेना भारती प्रतिभाति मे। यथा कक्षं महानग्निः प्रदहेत् सर्वतश्चरन्। महार्चिरनिलोद्भूतस्तद्वद् धक्ष्यति मामकान्॥
My army consisting of numerous forces are flying away in all directions. As a great fire raging in all directions burns up withered grass urged by the wind, so will the great fire (in the shape of Arjuna's weapons) consume my army.
स्तानाततायी समरे किरीटी। सृष्टोऽन्तकः सर्वहरो विधात्रा यथा भवेत् तद्वदपारणीयः॥
When Kiritin, incapable of being withstood, opposing them (iny men) in battle will shoot destructive showers of arrows upon them, it will be like the king of death directed by the all destroying Father.
तदा ह्यभीक्ष्णं सुबहून् प्रकारान् श्रोतास्मि तानावसथे कुरूणाम्। तेषां समन्ताच्च तथा रणाग्रे क्षयः किलायं भरतानुपैति॥
When I shall see and hear innumerable kinds of evil omens in the camp of the Kurus and around them and before the battle, then will destruction come to the race of Bharata.