संजय उवाच प्रसाद्य धर्मराजानं प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना. पार्थः प्रोवाच गोविन्दं सूतपुत्रवधोद्यतः॥
Sanjaya said On having satisfied Yudhishthira, Partha, bent upon slaying the son of Suta, cheerfully said unto Govinda:
कल्पतां मे रथो भूयो युज्यन्तां च हयोत्तमाः। आयुधानि च सर्वाणि सज्जन्तां मे महारथे।॥
Let my chariot be again got ready and let the best of steeds be harnessed thereto and let all sorts of arms be placed in that superb vehicle.
उपावृत्ताश्च तुरगाः शिक्षिताश्चाश्वसादिभिः। रथोपकरणैः सजा उपायान्तु त्वरान्विताः॥ प्रयाहि शीघ्रं गोविन्द सूतपुत्रजिघांसया।
The horse, thoroughly trained by expert horsemen, have already refreshed themselves by rolling on the ground. Let them be forth with brought out and equipped in the trappings of the car. O Govinda, make headway, to take away the life of Suta's son.
एवमुक्तो महाराज फाल्गुनेन महात्मना॥ उवाच दारुकं कृष्णः कुरुं सर्व यथाब्रवीत्। अर्जुनो भरतश्रेष्ठः श्रेष्ठः सर्वधनुष्मताम्॥
O sovereign, on being thus addressed by the magnanimous Phalguna, Krishna said to Daruka-"Do all that has been said by Arjuna, the foremost of archers and the best scion of Bharata's race."
आज्ञाप्तस्त्वथ कृष्णेन दारुको राजसत्तम। योजयामास स रथं वैयाघ्र शत्रुतापनम्॥ सज्जं निवेदयामास पाण्डवस्य महात्मनः।
O best of kings, Daruka on being thus ordered by Krishna, equipped the chariot, covered with tiger-skins and ever awe-inspiring to the enemies. He then informed the magnanimous son of Pandu, that the chariot was ready.
युक्तं तु तं रथं दृष्ट्वा दारुकेण महात्मना।॥ आपृच्छय धर्मराजानं ब्राह्मणान् स्वस्ति वाच्य च। सुमङ्गलस्वस्त्ययनमारुरोह रथोत्तमम्॥
Seeing the chariot equipped by the highsouled Daruka, Arjuna took leave of Yudhishthira and with the Brahmanas' blessings and performance of their many propitiatory rites, then proceeded to ascend his superb chariot.
तस्य राजा महाप्राज्ञो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। आशिषोऽयुक्त स ततः प्रायात् कर्ण रथं प्रति॥
On Yudhishthira, the righteous one and of great wisdom, having bestowed his benedictions Arjuna marched against Karna's chariot.
तमायान्तं प्रहेष्वासं दृष्ट्वा भूतानि भारत। निहतं मेनिरे कर्णं पाण्डवेन महात्मना॥
O Bharata, seeing that great archer start off for the field all the living beings believed Karna as already slain by the magnanimous Pandava.
बभूवुर्विमला: सर्वा दिशो राजन् समन्ततः। चाषाक्ष शतपत्राश्च क्रौञ्चाश्चैव जनेश्वर॥ प्रदक्षिणमकुर्वन्त तदा वै पाण्डुनन्दनम्।
O king, the whole universe turned calm for the time being. O lord of men blue jays (the king-fishers), wood-packers, herons, began to hover round the son of Pandu.
बहवः पक्षिणो राजन् पुन्नामानः शुभाः शिवाः॥१२ त्वरयन्तोऽर्जुनं युद्धे हृष्टरूपा ववाशिरे।
O king, a fight of birds, of beauty and good omen, called Pung, began to cackle merrily as if to urge Arjuna to hasten to the battle.
कङ्का गृध्रा बकाः श्येना वायसाश्च विशाम्पते॥ अग्रतस्तस्य गच्छन्ति मांसहेतोभयानकाः।
While O monarch, the portentous Kankas, vultures, cranes, hawks and revens flew before him in anticipation of food.
निमित्तानि च धन्यानि पाण्डवस्य शशंसिरे॥ विनाशमरिसैन्यानां कर्णस्य च वधं प्रति।
Besides these other auspicious auguries presaged the extinction of the hostile host and the doom of Karna.
प्रयातस्याथ पार्थस्य महान् स्वेदो व्यजायत।॥ चिन्ता च विपुला जज्ञे कथं चेदं भविष्यति।
While on his way to the field Partha began to perspire copiously and became deeply thoughtful as to how he would gain his end.
ततो गाण्डीवधन्वानमब्रवीन्मधुसूदनः॥ पार्थं तथा यान्तं चिन्तापरिगतं तदा।
Then finding Partha proceeding in such a thoughtful mood Vasudeva's son, the slayer of Madhu, said these words to the wielder of Gandiva.
वासुदेव उवाच गाण्डीव धन्वन् संग्रामे ये त्वया धनुषा न तेषा मानुषो जेता त्वदन्य इह विद्यते।
Vasudeva said O Wielder of Gandiva, there is no man in this world, who could defeat those you have defeated with your bow in the battle-field.
जिताः॥ दृष्टा हि बहवः शूराः शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमाः॥ त्वां प्राप्य समरे शूरं ते गताः परमां गतिम्।
I have seen many a hero, valiant like Sakra, who have gone off to the highest regions having encountered you in the battle.
को हि द्रोणं च भीष्मं च भगदत्तं च मारिष॥ विन्दानुविन्दावावन्तयौ काम्बोजं च सुदक्षिणम्। श्रुतायुषं महावीर्यमच्युतायुषमेव च। प्रत्युद्गम्य भवेत् क्षेमी यो न स्यात् त्वमिव प्रभो॥२०
O gifted one, who, that is not equal to you, could in battle withstand Drona and Bhishma and Bhagadatta and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti and Sudakshina, the chief of the Kambojas and Shrutayudha of mighty prowess and Achyutayudha as well.
तव शस्त्राणि दिव्यानि लाघवं बलमेव च। असम्मोहश्च युद्धेषु विज्ञानस्य च संततिः॥ वेधः पातश्च लक्ष्येषु योगश्चैव तथार्जुन। भवान् देवान् सगन्धर्वान् हन्यात् सह चराचरान्॥२२
O Arjuna, you have heavenly weapons and dexterity of hand and energy; you are always clear-handed in the battle-field, well-versed in the science of war, unfailing in your aim and your ready-wit in emergencies and your martial manoeuvres are admirable. O Partha, you can vanquish the gods and Gandharvas together with the organic and inorganic creation.
पृथिव्यां तु रणे पार्थ न योद्धा त्वत्समः पुमान्। धनुग्रार्हा हि ये केचित् क्षत्रिया युद्धदुर्मदाः॥ आ देवात् त्वत्समं तेषां न पश्यामि शृणोमि च।
There is no mortal warrior on earth who can be your rival in battle. There cannot be found any skilled archer like you, either among the invincible Kshatriyas or the gods.
ब्रह्मणा च प्रजाः सृष्टा गाण्डीवं च महद् धनुः॥ येनं त्वं युध्यसे पार्थ तस्मान्नास्ति त्वया समः।
Brahma, the creator of all beings, has himself made that powerful bow Gandiva, O Parthas, which you fight with. And that is why no one can outstrip you in battle.
अवश्यं तु मया वाच्यं यत् पथ्यं तव पाण्डव॥ मावमंस्था महाबाहो कर्णमाहवशोभिनम्।
However, O son of Pandu, I shall tell you words that would conduce to your well-being. O strong-armed one, do not think lightly of Karna, who is a glory of the field.
कर्णो हि बलवान् दृप्तः कृतास्त्रश्च महारथः॥ कृती च चित्रयोधी च देशकालस्य कोविदः।
Karna is valiant, proud, an adept in the use of weapons, an expert charioteer, skilled in the tactics of war, a veteran warrior and an able diplomatist.
बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन संक्षेपाच्छृणु पाण्डव॥ त्वत्समं त्वद्विशिष्टं वा कर्णं मन्ये महारथम्। परमं यत्नमास्थाय त्वया वध्यो महाहवे॥
O son of Pandu, to you I need not say much; hear me tell you of him in brief. I regard that mighty car-warrior Karna as being equal, if not superior, to you in prowess. Therefore exert utmost caution in slaying his in the great battle.
तेजसा वह्निसदृशो वायुवेगसमो जवे। अन्तकप्रतिमः क्रोधे सिंहसंहननो बली॥
He is valarous like Agni, swift like the speed of the wind, furious like the Destroyer, strong and powerful like the lion.
अष्टरनिर्महाबाहुयूंढोरस्कः सुदुर्जयः। अभिमानी च शूरश्च प्रवीरः प्रियदर्शनः॥
He is eight ratnis (i.e. about 168 inches) in height and of long arms. His chest is expanded and strong and he is almost invincible. He is, moreover, chivalrous and an eminent hero and of graceful figure.
सर्वयोधगुणैर्युक्तो मित्राणामभयंकरः। सततं पाण्डवद्वेषी धार्तराष्ट्रहिते रतः॥
He possesses all the necessary attributes of an warrior and is a dispeller of the fears of his friends, always hostile to the Pandavas and ever bent upon doing good turns to the sons of Dhritarashtra.
सर्वैविध्यो राधेयो देवैरपि सवासवैः। ऋते त्वामिति मे बुद्धिस्तदद्य जहि सूतजम्॥
Methinks that the son of Radha cannot be slain by any one, not even by the gods with Vasava himself at their head, excepting by you alone. Therefore, do you slay the son of Suta today.
देवैरपि हि संयत्तैर्बिभ्रद्भिर्मासशोणितम्। अशक्यः स रथो जेतुं सर्वैरपि युयुत्सुभिः॥
No one made of flesh and blood, not all the warriors, nor even the gods would succeed in defeating that inighty car-warrior in fight, even if they combine together to do so.
दुरातमानं पापवृत्तं नृशंसं दुष्टप्रज्ञं पाण्डवेयेषु नित्यम्। हीनस्वार्थ पाण्डवेयैर्विरोधे हत्वा कर्ण निश्चितार्थो भवाद्य॥
He is wicked, vicious and wanton and ever bears evil designs against the Pandavas. He has no self-interest in this quarrel with the Pandavas. Do you attain success today by slaying Karna in battle.
तं सूतपुत्रं रथिनां वरिष्ठं निष्कालिकं कालवशं नयाद्य। तं सूतपुत्रं रथिनां वरिष्ठं हत्वा प्रीति धर्मराजे कुरुष्व॥
The son of a charioteer (Karna), the best chariot fighter thinks himself beyond the reach of Yama. Enslave him to Yama today. Kill Karna, the son of a charioteer today for the pleasure of Dharamraja, Yudhishthira.
जानामि ते पार्थ वीर्यं यथावद् दुर्वारणीयं च सुरासुरैश्च। नसौ दर्पात् सूतपुत्रो दुरात्मा॥
O Partha! I am known to your might and valour toughest to bring down even for gods and monsters both. Karna, the wicked son of a charioteer humiliated Pandavas always under sheer influence of his super ego.
आत्मानं मन्यते वीरं येन पापः सुयोधनः। तमद्य मूलं पापानां जहि सौतिं धनंजय॥
O Dhananjaya, the sinful Suyodhana poses himself as a hero only counting upon Karna's valour. Do you today strike at the root of all evils by slaying down that son of Suta.
खङ्गजिआँ धनुरास्यं शरदंष्ट्रं तरस्विनम्। दृप्तं पुरुषशार्दूलं जहि कर्ण धनंजय॥
O Dhananjaya, do slay that mighty Karna, who has the sword for his tongue, the bow for his mouth, the arrows for his teeth and who is moreover arrogant and energetic. Slaughter him.
अहं त्वामनुजानामि वीर्येण च बलेन च। जहि कर्ण रणे शूर मातङ्गमिव केसरी॥
I am fully aware of your chivalry and strength. Do, O hero, slay that Karna battle even as a lion kills an elephant.
यस्य वीर्येण वीर्यं ते धार्तराष्ट्रोऽवमन्यते। तमद्य पार्थ संग्रामे कर्ण वैकर्तनं जहि॥
Do in today's battle kill that Vaikartana Karna, counting upon whose prowess the sons of Dhritarashtra over look your manly virtues.