संजय उवाच हते द्रोणे महेष्वासे तस्मिन्नहनि भारत। कृते च मोघसंकल्पे द्रोणपुत्रे महारथे॥
Sanjaya said O Descendant of the Bharata race, when, in that day, the mighty bowman Drona was slain in battle and when again, the objects of that mighty car-warrior were unfulfilled;
द्रवमाणे महाराज कौरवाणां बलार्णवे। व्यूह्य पार्थः स्वकं सैन्यमतिष्ठद् भ्रातृभिर्वृतः॥
And when, O great king, the army of the Kauravas, that was like the vast ocean, had fled away, the son of Pritha, having arranged his own troops properly waited in the field with all his brothers.
तमवस्थितमाज्ञाय पुत्रस्ते भरतर्षभ। विद्रुतं स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा पौरुषेण न्यवारयत्॥
O foremost of the Bharata race, your son having seen him staying in the field and also having witnessed his own army flaying away form the battle, forbade them run away in the most encouraging terms.
स्वमनीकमवस्थाप्य बाहुवीर्यमुपाश्रितः। युद्ध्वा च सुचिरं कालं पाण्डवैः सह भारत॥
Then with the confidence in the strength of his own arms, having arranged his own army in a regular position and O descendant of the Bharata race, having fought for a while with the Pandavas.
लब्धलक्ष्यैः परैर्हष्टैक्यच्छद्भिश्चिरं तदा। संध्याकालं समासाद्य प्रत्याहारमकारयत्॥
Who had attained their objects and who were the most cheerful enemies and who, again, were engaged for pretty long time in battle, he, on the approach of the evening, caused the army of the enemies to withdraw,
कृत्वावहारं सैन्यानां प्रविश्य शिबिरं स्वकम्। कुरवः सुहितं मन्त्रं मन्त्रयाञ्चक्रिरे मिथः॥
Thereupon having drawn the troops and entered into their own encampment, the sons of Kuru held a consultation among themselves for their own welfare.
पर्यङ्केषु परार्येषु स्पास्तरणवत्सु च। वरासनेषूपविष्टाः सुखशय्यास्विवामराः॥
They had seated themselves in the most excellent seats and valuable conches furnished with beautiful coverlets, even as the celestials take their seats on the most pleasant bows.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा साम्ना परमवल्गुना। तानाभाष्य महेष्वासान् प्राप्तकालमभाषत।॥
Thereupon king Duryodhana addressed these mighty bowmen in the most agreeable and pleasant terms and spoke them in a way most suited to the time.
दुर्योधन उवाच मतं मतिमतां श्रेष्ठाः सर्वे प्रबूत मा चिरम्। एवं गते तु किं कार्यं किं च कार्यतरं नृपाः॥
Duryodhana said O monarchs, all of you are the best of the intellectual persons; do you at once give your individual opinions as to what is necessary or what is unnecessary under the present circumstances.
संजय उवाच एवमुक्ते नरेन्द्रेण नरसिंहा युयुत्सवः। चक्रुर्नानाविधाश्चेष्टाः सिंहासनगतास्तदा॥
Sanjaya said When these words had been uttered by the lord of men, then the foremost of princes, who had seated themselves on the throne and were most willing to fight, began to make various gestures (expressive of their heroism).
तेषां निशाम्येगितानि युद्धे प्राणाञ्जुहूषताम्। समुद्वीक्ष्य मुखं राज्ञो बालार्कसमवर्चसम्॥ आचार्यपुत्रो मेधावी वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यमाददे।
Having understood the gestures of those, who were ready to sacrifice their lives in the battle and having beheld the face of the king, that had the splendour of the newly rising Sun. The highly intellectual son of Acharya, who
रागो योगस्तथा दाक्ष्यं नयश्चेत्यर्थसाधकाः॥ उपाया: पण्डितैः प्रोक्तास्ते तु दैवमुपाश्रिताः।
'Zeal, perseverance, as also skillfulness and diplomacy, these have been declared by the learned me to be the principal expedients of accomplishing ends, which, again, are wholly dependent upon Destiny.'
लोकप्रवीरा येऽस्माकं देवकल्पा महारथः॥ नीतिमन्तस्तथा युक्ता दक्षा रक्ताक्ष ते हताः। न त्वेव कार्यं नैराश्यमस्माभिर्विजयं प्रति॥
Those foremost of men, the mighty carwarriors, on our side, who had been like the celestials and who were acquainted with the principles of government were all slain in battle. In spite of all these, there should be no disappointment as regards victory.
सुनीतैरिह सर्वार्थैर्देवमप्यनुलोम्यते। ते वयं प्रवरं नृणां सर्वैगुणगणौर्युतम्॥ कर्णमेवाभिषेक्ष्यामः सैनापत्येन भारत। कर्ण सेनापति कृत्वा प्रमथिष्यामहे रिपून्॥
For, Destiny could be made favourable, if we can take recourse to the honest principles comprehensive of all the expedients. O descendant of the Bharata race, we shall, therefore, install Karna, that best of men, endowed with all the good qualities, as the commander of the army. Having made Karna the commander of our force, we shall be in a position to destroy all the enemies.
एष ह्यतिबलः शूरः कृतास्त्रो युद्धदुर्मदः। वैवस्वत इवासह्यः शक्तो जेतुं रणे रिपून्॥
Because this hero, who is possessed of immense strength and who is acquainted with the use of weapons and who cannot easily be vanquished and who is like Death himself and who is irresistible, is capable of subduing the enemies in battle.
एतदाचार्यतनयाच्छ्रुत्वा राजंस्तवात्मजः। आशा बहुमती चक्रे कर्णं प्रति स वै तदा॥
O king, having heard these (words) from the son of the preceptor, then your son had entertained great hopes in respect to Karna.
हते भीष्मे च द्रोणे च कर्णो जेष्यति पाण्डवान्। तामाशां हृदये कृत्वा समाश्वस्य च भारत॥ ततो दुर्योधनः प्रीतः प्रियं श्रुत्वाऽस्य तद् वचः। प्रीतिसत्कार संयुक्तं तथ्यमात्महितं शुभम्॥ स्वं मनः समवस्थाप्य बाहुवीर्यमुपाश्रितः। दुर्योधनो महाराज राधेयमिदमब्रवीत्॥
When both Bhishma and Drona have been slain, Karna will surely then defeat the Pandavas. O descendant of the Bharata race, having cherished this hope in his heart and also having comforted himself. Thereupon king Duryodhana was exceedingly gratified to hear his words, that were fraught with delight and reverence, that were also beneficial to himself and true and most pleasant. Then having secured the steadiness of his mind and relied upon the strength of his own arms, the most powerful king Duryodhana spoke these words to the son of Radha-.
कर्ण जानामि ते वीर्यं सौहृदं परमं मयि। तथापि त्वां महाबाहो प्रवक्ष्यामि हितं वचः॥
O Karna, I know your strength, as well as great intimacy that you entertain for myself. In spite of all that, O mighty-armed one, I will tell you some words that are beneficial to yourself.
श्रुत्वा यथेष्टं च कुरु वीर यत् तव रोचते। भवान् प्राज्ञतमो नित्यं मम चैव परा गतिः॥
O hero, you are the greatest sage are always my highest protection as well. Now, having heard my words, do whatever you desire, or whatever you like most.
भीष्मद्रोणावतिरथौ हतौ सेनापति मम। सेनापतिर्भवानस्तु ताभ्यां द्रविणवत्तरः॥
My two great generalissimos, Bhishma and Drona, those car-warriors of the first class, have been already slain in battle. You are more powerful than either of them. Now should you be installed as the commander of my army.
वृद्धौ च तौ महेष्वासौ सापेक्षौ च धनंजये। मानितौ च मया वीरौ राधेय वचनात् तव॥
Indeed, those two mighty bowmen were very old; and they were favourable disposed and you towards Dhananjaya. In despite thereof, O son of Radha, those two heroes were selected by me as the generalissimo of my army at your word.
पितामहत्वं सम्प्रेक्ष्य पाण्डुपुत्रा महारणे। रक्षितास्तात भीष्मेण दिवसानि दशैव तु॥
Beholding their connection of grand-father with themselves, the sons of Pandu, O father, were saved in that formidable battle by Bhishma for ten consecutive days.
न्यस्तशस्त्रे च भवति हतो भीष्मः पितामहः। शिखण्डिन पुरस्कृस्य फाल्गुनेन महाहवे॥
When you had laid aside your arms, Bhishma of mighty prowess was slain in battle by Falguna, who had placed Shikhandin in his front.
हते तस्मिन् महेष्वासे शरतल्पगते तथा। त्वयोक्ते पुरुष व्याघ्र द्रोणो ह्यासीत् पुरः सरः॥
When that great bowman had fallen and lain down on the bed of arrows, it was them, O foremost of men, that Drona was appointed as the commander (of the army) at your request.
तेनापि रक्षिताः पार्थाः शिष्यत्वादिति मे मतिः। स चापि निहतो वृद्धो धृष्टद्युम्नेन सत्वरम्॥
My opinion is, that by that hero, too, the sons of Pritha were saved (from the hand of Death) in consideration that the latter were the pupils of the former. But even that old man, again, was speedily slain (in battle) by Dhristadyumna.
निहताभ्यां प्रधानाभ्यां ताभ्यानमितविक्रम। त्वत्समं समरे योधं नान्यं पश्यामि चिन्तयन्॥
Reflecting for a while, I do not see any other person, like yourself, of more immeasurable prowess than those two best of warriors, who are already slain in battle.
भवानेव तु नः शक्तो विजयाय न संशयः। पूर्वं मध्ये च पश्चाच तथैव विहितं हितम्॥
At present you are able to obtain victory for ourselves. There is no doubt about it. In accordance therewith you have rendered good to us both before and after, as well as in the middle.
स भवान् धुर्यवत् संख्ये धुरमुद्वोढुमहति। अभिषेचय सैनान्ये स्वयमात्मानमात्मना॥
You should, like the commander of the force, bear all the burden in battle. So, should you be installed as the general by yourself.
देवतानां यथा स्कन्दः सेनानीः प्रभुरव्ययः। तथा भवानिमां सेनां धार्तराष्ट्रीं बिभर्तु वै॥
Therefore, do you maintain this force of Dhritarashtra, even as lord Skanda of eternal energy, the leader of the celestials, maintain the celestial force.
जहि शत्रुगणान् सर्वान् महेन्द्रो दानवानिव। अवस्थितं रणे दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवास्त्वां महारथाः॥ द्रविष्यन्ति च पञ्चाला विष्णुं दृष्ट्वेव दानवाः। तस्मात् त्वं पुरुषव्याघ्र प्रकर्षैतां महाचमूम्॥
Do you slay all the foes, even as Mahendra slays the Danavas. When the most powerful car-warriors, the Pandavas, will see you waiting in the field of battle, they will surely fly away with all the Panchalas, even as the Danavas fly away, beholding Vishnu. Consequently, O foremost of men, do you command this mighty force.
भवत्यवस्थिते यत्ते पाण्डवा मन्दचेतसः। द्रविष्यन्ति सहामात्याः पञ्चालाः सुंजयाश्च ह॥
When you will stay in the field, all those Pandavas of wicked soul with their allies, the Panchalas and the Srinjayas, all will run away from the field.
यथा ह्यभ्युदितः सूर्यः प्रतपन् स्वेन तेजसा। व्यपोहति समस्तीव्र तथा शत्रून् प्रतापय॥
So, do you exterminate all the enemies, even as the risen Sun, burning by his own energy, destroys the awful darkness.
संजय उवाच आशा बलवती राजन् पुत्रस्य तव याऽभवत्। हते भीष्मे च द्रोणे च कर्णो जेष्यति पाण्डवान्॥ तामाशां हृदये कृत्वा कर्णमेवं तदाब्रवीत्। सूतपुत्र न ते पार्थः स्थित्वाग्रे संयुयुत्सति॥
Sanjaya said That after the slaughter of both Bhishma and Drona, Karna would surely subdue the Pandavas, this hope, O king, of your son was found to be very great. Having entertained in the mind that strong hope, he then addressed Karna saying thus-"O son of Suta, the son of Pritha would never fight, staying before you (in the field)."
कर्ण उवाच उक्तमेतन्मया पूर्वं गान्धारे तव संनिधौ। जेष्यामि पाण्डवान् सर्वान् सपुत्रान् सजनार्दनान्॥४०
Karna said O son of Gandhari, this was already told by me before you, namely that I would subdue all the Pandavas with their sons and with Janardana, too.
सेनापतिर्भविष्यामि तवाहं नात्र संशयः। स्थिरो भव महाराज जितान् विद्धि च पाण्डवान्॥४१
I will be your generalissimo, there is not doubt about it. O powerful monarch, have peace. And do you think the Pandavas were already conquered.
संजय उवाच एवमुक्तो महाराज ततो दुर्योधनो नृपः। उत्तस्थौ राजभिः सार्धं देवैरिव शतक्रतुः॥
Sanjaya said O great monarch, on his being thus addressed, king Duryodhana stood up with all other monarchs, like Indra of one hundred sacrifices with the celestials, in order to pay respect to Karna.
सेनापत्येन सत्कर्तुं कर्णं स्कन्दमिवामराः। ततोऽभिषिषिचुः कर्णं विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा॥ दुर्योधनमुखा राजन् राजानो विजयैषिणः।
As the commander of his force, even as the gods do to lord Skanda. Thereupon, monarch, all the kings, at the head of whom was Duryodhana, who were most desirous of victory, installed Karna (in the generalship of army), according to the rites ordained by Providence.
शातकुम्भमयैः कुम्भैर्माहेयैश्चभिमन्त्रितैः॥ तोयपूर्णविषाणैश्च द्विपखङ्गमहर्षभैः। मणिमुक्तायुतैश्चान्यैः पुण्यगन्धस्तथौषधैः। औदुम्बरे सुखासीनमासने क्षौमसंवृत। शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना सम्भारैश्च सुसम्भृतैः॥ ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रिया वैश्यास्तथा शूद्राश्च सम्मताः। तुष्टुवुस्तं महात्मानमभिषिक्तं वरासने॥
By the offerings of gold and earthen vessels filled with water, sanctified with the holy expressions (the mantras) and of the tusks of elephants and the horns of rhinoceroses and well-constituted bulls and also by the offerings of other vessels overlaid with jewels and gems and of fragrant herbs. He (Karna) at this time seated himself at ease on a seat made of Udumbara wood and covered over with a piece of silken cloth. The Brahmanas, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas, as well as the Sudras of high social position began to praise that loftyminded one, who was installed, with the offerings of articles collected according to the rites enjoined by the Shastras, in that highest position.
ततोऽभिषिक्ते राजेन्द्र निष्कर्गोभिर्धनेन च। वाचयामास विप्राय्यान् राधेयः परवीरहा॥
Thereupon, being thus installed, O lord of monarchs, the son of Radha, that slayer of the most war-like enemies, worshipped the foremost of the regenerate persons by the offerings of gold, kine and other wealth; and thereby caused them to say benedictions to him.
जय पार्थान सगोविन्दान् सानुगांस्तान् महामृधे। इति तं वन्दिनः प्राहुर्द्विजाश्च पुरुषर्षभम्॥ जहि पार्थान् सपाञ्चालान् राधेय विजयाय नः। उद्यन्निव सदा भानुस्तमांस्युप्रैर्गभस्तिभिः॥
O foremost of men, the bards and the twiceborn persons uttered these words to him-"Do you subdue the sons of Pritha, with Govinda and with their principal attendants in that formidable battle. O son of Radha, do you slay the sons of Pritha, along with the Panchalas, that we may win victory, even as risen Sun always destroys the thick gloom by his terrible rays.
न ह्यलं त्वद्विसृष्टानां शराणां वै सकेशवाः। उलूकाः सूर्यरश्मीनां ज्वलतामिव दर्शने॥
The faithless sons of Pandu with Keshava, cannot indeed bear with the sight of the arrows shot by you, even as it is most intolerable to look at the burning rays of the Sun.
न हि पार्थाः सपाञ्चाला: स्थातुं शक्तास्तवाग्रतः। आत्तशस्त्रस्य समरे महेन्द्रस्येव दानवाः॥
Having put on all the weapons, the sons of Pritha, along with the Panchalas, will not be able to stay before you in the field, even as the Danavas are not able to stand before Indra (in battle).
अभिषिक्तस्तु राधेयः प्रभया सोऽमितप्रभः। अत्यरिच्यत रूपेण दिवाकर इवापरः॥
Having been thus installed in the generalship, the son of Radha of unparalleled radiance surpassed all the beauty and splendour like a second Sun.
सैनापत्ये तु राधेमभिषिच्य सुतस्तव। अमन्यत् तदाऽऽत्मानं कृतार्थं कालचोदितः॥
Having installed the son of Radha in the leadership (of the army), thereupon, your son, insisted upon by Death as it were, considered himself most successful.
कर्णोऽपि राजन् सम्प्राप्य सैनापत्यमरिंदमः। योगामाज्ञापगमास सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति॥
O monarch, Karna, the subduer of enemies, having obtained this leadership, ordered for arranging the troops in battle-array towards the rising of the Sun.
तव पुत्रैर्वृतः कर्णः शुशुभे तत्र भारत। देवैरिव यथा स्कन्दः संग्रामे तारकामये॥
O descendant of the Bharata race, Karna, having been surrounded by your sons in the battle, looked resplendent, even as the lord Skanda, encompassed by all the celestials, looked radiant in the battle, wherein the Asura Taraka, like an evil, was sought to be defeated.