धृतराष्ट्र उवाच सुदुष्करमिदं कर्म कृतं भीमेन संजय। येन कर्णो महाबाहू रथोपस्थे निपातितः॥
Dhritarashtra said Highly difficult was this feat performed by Bhima, O Sanjaya, by which the mighty-armed Karna was caused to lie down on his car.
कर्णो ोको रणे हन्ता पाण्डवान् सृञ्जयैः सह। इति दुर्योधनः सूत प्राब्रवीन्मां मुहुर्मुहुः॥
“There is Karna who alone will kill the Pandava along with Srinjayas.” This my son Duryodhana oftentimes said to me.
पराजितं तु राधेयं दृष्ट्वा भीमेन संयुगे। ततः परं किमकरोत् पुत्रो दुर्योधनो मम॥
Beholding the son of Radha vanquished by Bhimasena in battle what did my son Duryodhana do afterwards?
ते संजय उवाच विमुखं प्रेक्ष्य राधेय सूतपुत्रं महाहवे। पुत्रस्तव महाराज सोदर्यान् समभाषत॥
Sanjaya said Seeing Karna's retreat in that great battle, your son, O king, said to his own brothers.
शीघ्रं गच्छतं भद्रं वो राधेयं परिरक्षत। भीमसेनभयागाधे मजन्तं व्यसनार्णवे॥
May good betide you! Go quickly and rescue the son of Radha who is plunged into the fathomless calamity consequent upon the fear of Bhimasena.
तु राज्ञा समादिष्टा भीमसेनं जिघांसवः। अभ्यवर्तन्त संक्रुद्धाः पतङ्गाः पावकं यथा॥
Thus commanded by the king those princes, worked up with anger and desirous of killing Bhimasena, proceeded towards him like a swarm of insects, towards a blazing fire.
श्रुतर्वा दुर्धरः क्राथो विवित्सुर्विकटः समः। निषङ्गी कवची पाशी तथा नन्दोपनन्दकौ॥ दुष्प्रधर्षः सुबाहुश्च वातवेगसुवर्चसौ। धनुर्लाहो दुर्मदश्च जलसंधः शलः सहः॥ एते रथैः परिवृता वीर्यवन्तो महाबलाः। भीमसेनं समासाद्य समन्तान् पर्यवारयन्॥
They were Srutarvan, Durddhara Kratha, Vivitsu, Vikata, Soma, Nishangin, Kavachin, Pashin, Nava, Upanedaka Duspradharsha, Savahu, Vatavega, Suvarchas, Dhanurgraha, Durmada, Jalasandha, Shala and Saha. Encircled by large car-force, those highly energetic and powerful princes approached Bhimasena and surrounded him on all sides.
व्यमुञ्चञ्छरवातान् नानालिङ्गान् समन्ततः। से तैरभ्यर्घमानस्तु भीमसेनो महाबलः॥ तेषामापततां क्षिप्रं सुतानां ते जनाधिप। रथैःपञ्चादशैः सार्ध पञ्चाशदहनद् रथान्॥
They discharged at himn from all sides showers of arrows of various sorts. Thus assailed by them, O king, the highly powerful Bhima soon killed fifty leading car-warriors and five hundred from amongst your sons who fell upon him.
ते विवित्सोस्तु ततः क्रुद्धो भल्लेनापाहरच्छिरः। भीमसेनो महाराज तत् पपात हतं भुवि।॥ सकुण्डलशिरस्त्राणं पूर्णचन्द्रोपमं तथा।
Worked up with anger, Bhima, O king, with a Bhalla, cut-off the head of Vivitsu, adorned with ear-rings and a crown and a face resembling the full-moon. Thus cut-off the prince fell down on earth.
तं दृष्ट्वा निहतं शूरं भ्रातरः सर्वतः प्रभो॥ अभ्यद्रवन्त समरे भीमं भीमपराक्रमम्।
Beholding their heroic brother slain your other sons, from all sides, rushed upon the terribly powerful Bhima.
ततोऽपराभ्यां भल्लाभ्यां पुत्रयोस्ते महाहवे॥ जहार समरे प्राणान् भीमो भीमपराक्रमः।
With two Bhallas Bhima killed two other sons of yours in that great battle.
तौ धरामन्वपद्येतो वातरुग्णाविव दुमौ॥ विकटश्च सहयोभौ देवपुत्रोपमौ नृप।
Then Vikata and Saha, looking like two celestial youths, fell down on earth like a couple of trees uprooted by a tempest.
ततस्तु त्वरितो भीमः क्राथं निन्ये यमक्षयम्॥ नाराचेन सुतीक्ष्णेन स हतो न्यपतद् भुवि।
Then in a moment Bhima dispatched Kratha to the abode of Yama with a long keen arrow. Deprived of life that prince fell down on earth.
हाहाकारस्ततस्तीव्रः सम्बभूव जनेश्वर॥ वध्यमानेषु वीरेषु तव पुत्रेषु धान्विषु।
O king, when those your heroic sons, great bowmen, were being thus killed people began to send loud cried of lamentations.
तेषां सुलुलिते सैन्ये पुनर्भीमो महाबलः॥ नन्दोपनन्दौ समरे प्रेषयद् यमसादनम्।
When your army was once more agitated Bhima sent Nanda and Upananda in that great battle to the abode of the Regent of death.
ततस्ते प्राद्रवन् भीताःपुत्रास्ते विह्वलीकृताः॥ भीमसेनं रणे दृष्टा कालान्तकयमोपमम्।
Beholding Bhimasena in battle behave like the Destroyer himself at the end of Yuga your sons, worked up greatly with fear, took to their heels.
पुत्रांस्ते निहतान् दृष्ट्वा सूतपुत्रः सुदुर्मनाः॥ हंसवर्णान् हयान् भूयः प्रेषयद् यत्र पाण्डवः।
Seeing those sons of yours thus slain Karna once more urged on his swan-like horses to where that son of Pandu was.
ते प्रेषिता महाराज मद्रराजेन वाजिनः॥ भीमसेनरथं प्राप्य समसज्जन्त वेगिताः।
The horses, driven by the king of Madras, approached quickly the car of Bhimasena and entered into battle.
स संनिपातस्तुमुलो घोररूपो विशाम्पते॥ आसीद् रौद्रो महाराज कर्णपाण्डवयोर्मधे।
The encounter, O king, that once more took place between Karna and Bhima, was highly dreadful and fierce and accompanied by a loud noise.
दृष्ट्वा मम महाराज तौ समेतौ महारथौ॥ आसीद् बुद्धिः कथं युद्धमेतदद्य भविष्यति।
Seeing, O king, those two powerful carwarriors near each other I became curious to observe the course of fight.
ततो भीम रणश्लाघी छादयामास पत्रिभिः॥ कर्णं रणे महाराज पुत्राणां तव पश्यताम्।
Then boasting of his power in battle, O king, Bhima covered Karna with Naracha in the presence of your sons.
ततः कर्णो भृषं क्रुद्धो भीमं नवभिरायसैः॥ विव्याध परमास्त्रज्ञो भल्लैः संनतपर्वभिः।
Then Karna, a master of best weapons, worked up with anger, struck Karna with nine Bhallas purely made of iron.
आहत: स महाबाहुर्भीमो भीमपराक्रमः॥ आकर्णपूणैर्विशिखैःकर्ण विव्याध सप्तभिः।
Thus struck by Karna the highly powerful and mighty-armed Bhima struck his antagonist in return with seven arrows shot off his bowstring drawn to his ear.
ततः कर्णो महाराज आशीविष इव श्वसन्॥ शरवर्षेण महता छादयामास पाण्डवम्।
Then sighing like a serpent of deadly venom, O king, Karna covered the son of Pandu with a thick shower of arrows.
भीमोऽपि तं शरवातैश्छादयित्वा महारथम्॥ पश्यतां कौरवेयाणां विननद महाबलः।
Then covering the mighty car-warrior Karna with a shower of arrows in return before the very eyes of the Kauravas, Bhima sent up a loud war-cry.
ततः कर्णो भृशं क्रुद्धोः दृढमादाय कार्मुकम्॥ भीमं विव्याध दशभिः कङ्कपत्रैः शिलाशितैः। कार्मुकं चास्य चिच्छेद भल्लेन निशितेन च॥
Then worked up with anger Karna grasped his bow very strongly and struck Bhima with ten Kanka-feathered arrows whetted on stone. With another sharp Bhalla he cut-off Bhima's bow.
ततो भीमो महाबाहुर्हमपट्टविभूषितम्। परिघं घोरमादाय मृत्युदण्डमिवापरम्॥ कर्णस्य निधनाकाङ्क्षी चिक्षेपातिबलो नदन्।
Then taking up a dreadful Parigha adorned with gold resembling the rod of death the mighty-armed Bhima, with a view to kill Karna, hurled it at him making a great roar.
तमापतन्तं परिघं वज्रशनिसमस्वनम्॥ चिच्छेद बहुधा कर्णः शरैराशीविषोपमैः।
Then the serpentine arrow Karna sundered into pieces Parigha that was about to fall making a sound like that of a thunderbolt.
ततः कार्मुकमादाय भीमो दृढतरं तदा॥ छादयामास विशिखैः कर्णं परबलार्दनम्।
Then taking up a bow with grim grasp Bhima, the grinder of enemies, covered Karna with arrows.
ततो युद्धमभूद् घोरं कर्णपाण्डवयोर्मधे॥ हरीन्द्रयोरिव मुहुःपरस्परवधैषिणोः।
Then there took place a dreadful encounter between Karna and Bhima desirous of discomfiting each other every moment like that between Hari and Indra.
ततः कर्णो महाराज भीमसेनं त्रिभिः शरैः॥ आकर्णमूलं विव्याध दृढमायम्य कार्मुकम्।
Thereupon, O king, drawing firmly to his ear the bow Karna struck Bhima with three arrows.
सोऽतिविद्धो महेष्वासः कर्णेनबलिनां वरः॥ घोरमादत्त विशिखं कर्णकायावदारणम्।
Then pierced by Karna the great bowman, the foremost of the strong, took up a dreadful arrow capable of piercing Karna's body.
तस्य भित्वा तनुत्राणं भित्वा कायं च सायकः॥ प्राविशद् धरणी राजन् वल्मीकमिव पन्नगः।
Piercing his coat of mail and body, O king, that arrow entered into the earth like a snake entering into a noble-hill.
स तेनातिप्रहारेण व्यथितो विह्वलनिवा। ३८॥ संचचाल रथे कर्णः क्षितिकम्पे यथाचलः।
Then with that heavy stroke Karna trembled on his car, as if bewildered like a mountain at the time of earth-quake.
ततः कर्णो महाराज रोषामर्षसमन्वितः॥ पाण्डवं पञ्चविंशत्या नाराचानां समार्पयत्। आजघ्ने बहुभिर्बाणैर्ध्वजमेकेषुणाहनत्॥
Thereupon O great king, filled with anger and revenge Karna discharged twenty-five Narachas at Bhima. With one arrow he then cut-off Bhima's standard.
सारर्थि चास्य भल्लेन प्रेषयामास मृत्यवे। छित्त्वा च कार्मुकं तूर्ण पाण्डवस्याशुपत्रिणा॥ ततो मुहूर्ताद् राजेन्द्र नातिकृच्छ्राद्धसन्निवा विरथं भीमकर्माणं भीमं कर्णश्चकार ह। ४२॥
With another Bhalla he dispatched Bhima's driver to the abode of Yama. Then quickly cutting off his bow with another winged arrow Karna deprived Bhima of dreadful feats of his car.
विरथो भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रहसन्ननिलोपमः। गदां गृह्य महाबाहुरपतत् स्यन्दनोत्तमात्॥
O best of Bharatas, deprived of his car the mighty-armed Bhima, who resembled the Wind-god, took up a mace and jumped down from his excellent car.
अवप्लुत्य च वेगेन तव सैन्यं विशाम्पते। व्यधमद् गदया भीमः शरन्मेधानिवानिलः॥
Jumping down furiously from his car Bhima began to kill your troops, O king, like the wind destroying the autumnal clouds.
नागान् सप्तशतान् राजन्नीषादन्तान् प्रहारिणः। व्यधमत् सहसा भीमः क्रुद्धरूपः परंतपः॥
Suddenly the son ot Pandu, the consumer of enemies worked up with anger, dispersed seven hundred elephants with tusks as large as plough-shares and all skilled in smiting hostile soldiers.
दन्तवेष्टेषु नेत्रेषु कुम्भेषु च कटेषु च। मर्मस्वपि च मर्मज्ञस्तान नागानवधीद् बली॥
The powerful hero, conversant with vital parts, killed all those elephants striking them on their temples, frontal globes eyes and in parts above the gums.
ततस्ते प्राद्रवन् भीताः प्रतीपं प्रहिताः पुनः। महामात्रैस्तामवतुर्मेघा इव दिवाकरम्॥
Then filled with fear those animals ran away. But again urged on by their drivers they surrounded Bhimasena like the clouds covering the sun.
तान् स सप्तशतान् नागान् सारोहायुधकेतनान्। भूमिष्टो गदया जने वज्रेणेन्द्रि इवाचलान्॥
Like Indra, striking down mountains with his thunderbolt Bhima, with his mace, struck down those seven hundred elephants with their riders, weapons and standards.
ततः सुबलपुत्रस्य नागानतिबलान् पुनः। पोथयामास कौन्तेयो द्विपञ्चाशदरिंदमः॥
Then the son of Kunti, the subduer of foes, struck down fiftytwo highly powerful elephants belonging to the son of Subala.
तथा रथशतंसाग्रं पत्तींश्च शतशोऽपरान्। न्यहनत् पाण्डवो युद्धे तापयंस्तव वाहिनीम्॥
Then scorching your army the Pandava killed, in battle, a hundred of cars and hundreds of powerful foot soldiers.
प्रताप्यमानं सूर्येण भीमेन च महात्मना। तव सैन्यं संचुकोच चर्माग्नावाहितं यथा॥
Scorched by the sun and the high-souled Bhima your army began to shrink like a piece of leather spread over a fire.
ते भीमभयसंत्रस्तावका भरतर्षभ। विहाय समरे भीमं दुद्रुवः दिशो दश॥
O foremost of Bharatas, filled with anxiety consequent upon the fear of Bhima, your troops avoided him and fled away in all directions.
रथाः पञ्चशताश्चान्ये हादिनचर्मवर्मिणः। भीममभ्यद्रवन् जन्तः शरपूगैः समन्ततः॥
Then five hundred car-warriors, clad in excellent coats of mail, fell upon Bhima with loud shouts discharging a shower of arrows on all sides.
तान् स पञ्चशतान् वीरान् सपताकध्वजायुधान्। पोथयामास गदया भीमो विष्णुरिवासुरान्॥
Like Vishnu killing the demons Bhima, with his mace, destroyed those valiant warriors with their drivers, cars, banners, standards and weapons.
ततः शकुनिनिर्दिष्टाः सादिनः शूरसम्मताः। त्रिसाहस्त्राभ्ययुभीमं शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासपाणयः॥
Then three thousand cavalry led by Shakuni, held in esteem by all brave men and armed with darts, swords and lances, dashed on the great Bhima.
प्रत्युट्रम्य जवे पशु साश्वारोहांस्तदारिहा। विविधान् विचरन् मार्गान् गदया समपोथयत्॥
Advancing impetuously towards them and coursing in various ways that slayer of foes killed them with his mace.
तेषामासीन्महाञ्छब्दस्ताडितानां त सर्वशः। अश्मभिर्विध्यमानां नगानामिव भारत॥
While they were thus being assailed by Bhima loud sounds arose among them like those from among a herd of elephants struck with a large piece of rock.
एवं सुबलपुत्रस्य त्रिसाहस्त्रान् हयोत्तमान्। हत्वान्यं रथमास्थाय क्रुद्धो राधेयमभ्ययात्॥
Having killed those three thousand excellent horses of Subala's son in that way he rode upon another car and worked up with anger proceeded against the son of Radha.
कर्णोऽपि समरे राजन् धर्मपुत्रमरिंदमम्। स शैरश्छादयामास सारथिं चाप्यपातयत्॥
Karna too, O king, coveredwith arrows in battle Dharma's son, the subduer of foes and struck down his charioteer.
ततः स प्रद्रुतं संख्ये रथं दृष्ट्वा महारथः। अन्वधावत् किरन् बाणैः कङ्कपत्रैरजिह्मगैः॥
Beholding him thus fly away quickly in battle the mighty car-warrior Karna pursued him shooting straight Kanka-feathered arrows.
राजानमभिधावन्तं शरैरावृत्य रोदसी। क्रुद्धः प्रच्छादयामास शरजालेन मारुतिः॥
Covering the earth and sky with arrows, the son of the Wind-god (Bhima) covered him with a shower of arrows while he pursued the king.
संनिवृत्तस्ततस्तूर्णं राधेयः शत्रुकर्शनः। भीमं प्रच्छादयामास समन्तनिशितैः शरैः॥
Then quickly returning, the son of Radha, the subduer of enemies, covered Bhima on all sides with sharpened arrows.
भीमसेनरथव्यग्रं कर्ण भारत सात्यकिः। अभ्यर्दयदजमेयात्मा पाणिग्रहणकारणात्॥
Then placing himself on the side of Bhima's car, O Bharata, the highly energetic Satyaki began to afflict Karna who was in front of Bhima.
अभ्यवर्तत कर्णस्तदितोऽपि शरैर्भृशम्। तावन्योन्यं समासाद्य वृषभौ सर्वधन्विनाम्॥ विसृजन्तौ शरान् दीप्तान् व्यभ्राजेता मनस्विनौ।
Though greatly assailed by Satyaki Karna still approached Bhima; approaching each : other, those two best of archers, the two highly energetic heroes, appeared highly resplendent as they discharged arrows at each other.
ताभ्यां वियति राजेन्द्र विततं भीमदर्शनम्॥ क्रौञ्चपृष्ठारुणं रौद्रं नाणजालं व्यदृश्यता
Spread by them, O king, in the sky those rows, shining as the backs of crane, looked exceedingly fierce and terrible.
नैव सूर्यप्रभा राजन् न दिशः प्रदिशस्तथा॥ प्राज्ञासिष्म वयं ते वा शरैमुक्तैः सहस्रशः।
On account of those thousands of arrows, O king, neither the rays of the sun nor the cardinal quarters could be seen either by ourselves or by the enemy.
मध्याह्ने तपतो राजन् भास्करस्य महाप्रभाः॥ हृताः सर्वाः शरौघैस्तैः कर्णपाण्डवयोस्तदा।
The fierceness of the sun's rays burring at midday was removed by those thick showers of arrows discharged by Karna and the son of Pandu.
सौबलं कृतवर्माणं द्रौणिमाधिरथिं कुपम्॥ संसक्तान् पाण्डवैर्दृष्ट्वा निवृत्ताः कुरवः पुनः।
Beholding the son of Subala, Kritavarma, Drona's son, Adhiratha's son and Kripa fight with the Pandavas the Kauravas rallied and came back to the battle.
तेषामापततां शब्दस्तीव्र आसीद् विशाम्पते॥ उवृत्तानां यथा वृष्ट्या सागराणां भयावहः।
O king, the army, dashing impetuously against the enemies, caused a tumult resembling the terrible noise made by many oceans swollen with rams.
ते सेने भृशसंसक्ते दृष्ट्वान्योन्यं महाहवे॥ हर्षेण महता युक्ते परिगृह्य परस्परम्।
Furiously engaged in fight the two armies became filled with delight as the warriors saw and seized one another.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं मध्यं प्राप्ते दिवाकरे॥ तादृश न कदाचिद्धि दृष्टपूर्वं न च श्रुतम्।
When the sun was at its meridian they engaged in fight the like of which was never seen or heard of before.
बलौद्यस्तु समासाद्य बलौघं सहसा रणे॥ उपासर्पत वेगेन वार्योघ इव सागरम्। आसीन्निनादः सुमहान् बाणौघानां परस्परम्॥ गर्जतां सागरौघाणां यथा स्यान्निःस्वनौ महान्।
One powerful division, meeting with another such, rushed upon it with impetuosity like a huge collection of water rushing towards the ocean. The din, caused by the two armies as they roared at each other, was loud and deep like that which is heard when several oceans mingle with one another.
ते तु सेने समासाद्य वेगवत्यौ परस्परम्॥ एकीभावमनुप्राप्ते नद्याविव समागमे।
That the two furious armies, approaching one another, formed one mass like two furious rivers that run into each other.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं घोररूपं विशाम्पते॥ कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च लिप्सतां सुमहद् यशः।
Then a dreadful encounter took place between the Kurus and Pandavas who were actuated by the desire of gaining glory.
शूराणां गर्जतां तत्र ह्यविच्छेदकृता गिरः॥ श्रूयन्ते विविधा राजन् नामान्युद्दिश्य भारत।
O descendant of Bharata, as those warriors called one another by name a regular confusion of voices was heard.
यस्य यद्धि रणे व्यङ्गं पितृतो मातृतोऽपि वा॥ कर्मतः शीलतो वापि स तच्छ्रावयते युधि।
In that battle, his antagonist was made to hear by a hero whatever matter or ridicule he had of his father, mother, conduct of character.
तान् दृष्ट्वा समरे शूरांस्तर्जमानान् परस्परम्॥ अभवन्मे मती राजन् नैषामस्तीति जीवितम्।
Beholding those heroes reviling one another in battle, O king, I thought that the lease of their life had run out.
तेषां दृष्ट्वा तु क्रुद्धानां वपूष्यमिततेजसाम्॥ अभवन्मेभयं तीव्र कथमेतद् भविष्यति।
Beholding the bodies of those highly energetic and wrathful heroes my mind was possessed by great fear and I thought, "what will become of them?
ततस्ते पाण्डवा राजन् कौरवाश्च महारथाः। ततक्षुः सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैर्निजन्तो हि परस्परम्॥
O king! Soon thereafter the great chariot riders in Pandava and Kauravas' army started causing injuries to each other by shooting acute arrows. O king! Soon thereafter the great chariot riders in Pandava and Kauravas' army started causing injuries to each other by shooting acute arrows.