संमृश्य तानि वाक्यानि दानवोक्तानि दुर्मतेः'। विजेष्यामि रणे पाण्डूनिति चास्याभवनमतिः
Reflecting on those words spoken by the Dānavas, the evil-minded one resolved, 'I will defeat the Pāṇḍavas in battle.'
कर्णं संशप्तकांश्चैव पार्थस्यामित्रघातिनः। अमन्यत वधे युक्तान्समर्थांश्च सुयोधनः
Suyodhana considered Karṇa and the Saṃśaptakas, destroyers of Arjuna's foes, as fit and capable for his death.
एवमाशा दृढा तस् धार्तराष्ट्रस् दुर्मतेः। विनिर्जये पाण्डवानामभवद्भरतर्षभ
Thus, O bull among the Bhāratas, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, in his delusion, had firm hope for the defeat of the Pāṇḍavas.
कर्णोऽप्याविष्टचित्तात्मा नरकस्यान्तरात्मना। अर्जुनस्य वधे क्रूरां करोति स्म तदा मतिम्
Karṇa too, his mind possessed by the spirit of Naraka, formed a cruel resolve for Arjuna's destruction.
संशप्तकाश्च ते वीरा राक्षसाविष्टचेतसः। रजस्तमोभ्यामाक्रान्ताः फाल्गुनस्य वधैषिणः
And those heroic Saṃśaptakas, their minds seized by Rākṣasas, overcome by passion and darkness, sought the death of Phālguna.
भीष्मद्रोणकृपाद्याश्च दानवाक्रान्तचेतसः। न तथा पाण्डुपुत्राणां स्नेहवन्तोऽभवंस्तदा
Even Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and the others, their minds overpowered by Dānavas, were not so affectionate towards the sons of Pāṇḍu at that time.
न चाचचक्षे कस्मैचिदेतद्राजा सुयोधनः। `कृत्ययाऽऽनाय्यकथितं यदस्य निशि दानवैः
King Suyodhana did not reveal to anyone what had been told to him at night by the asuras through Kritya.
दुर्योधनं निशन्ते च कर्णो वैकर्तनोऽब्रवीत्। स्मयन्निवाञ्जलिं कृत्वा पार्थिवं हेतुमद्वचः
In the night, Karna, son of Radha, spoke to Duryodhana, smiling and joining his palms, words full of reason to the king.
न मृतो जयते शत्रूञ्जीवन्भद्राणि पश्यति। मृतस्य भद्राणि कुतः कौरवेय कुतो जयः
The dead do not conquer enemies; the living alone see good fortune. For the dead, O Kaurava, how can there be good fortune, how can there be victory?
न कालाऽद्य विषादस्य भयस्य मरणस्य वा। परिष्वज्याब्रवीच्चैवनं भुजाभ्यां स महाभुजः
This is not the time for despair, for fear, or for death. Embracing him with his arms, that mighty-armed one spoke further.
उत्तिष्ठ राजन्किं शेषे कस्माच्छोचसि शत्रुहन्। शत्रून्प्रताप्य वीर्येण स कथं मर्तुमर्हसि
Rise up, O king! Why do you lie down? Why do you grieve, destroyer of foes? Having subdued your enemies by your valor, how can you think of dying?
अथवा ते भयं जातं दृष्ट्वाऽर्जुनपराक्रमम्। सत्यंते प्रतिजानामि वधिष्यामि रणेऽर्जुनम्
Or perhaps you are afraid, having seen Arjuna's prowess. I promise you truly: I will slay Arjuna in battle.
गते त्रयोदशे वर्षे सत्येनायुधमालभे। आनयिष्याम्यहं पार्तान्वशं तव जनाधिप
When the thirteenth year has passed, I will, on my oath, take up arms and bring the sons of Pritha under your control, O lord of men.
एवमुक्तस्तु कर्णेन दैत्यानां वचनात्तथा। प्रणिपातेन चाप्येषामुदतिष्ठत्सुयोधनः
Thus addressed by Karna, and also by the words of the asuras, Suyodhana rose up, bowing to them as well.
दैत्यानां तद्वचः श्रुत्वा हृदि कृत्वा स्थिरां मतिम्। ततो मनुजशार्दूलो योजयामास वाहिनीम्। रथनागाश्वफलिलां पदातिजनसंकुलाम्
Hearing the words of the asuras and fixing his mind firmly, that tiger among men then arranged his army, crowded with chariots, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers.
गङ्गौघप्रतिमा चास्य प्रयाणे शुशुभे चमूः
As he set out, his army shone like the current of the Ganges.
श्वेतच्छत्रैः पताकाभिश्चामरैश्च सुपाण्डुरैः। रथैर्नागैः पदातैश्च शुशुभेऽतीव संकुला
With white umbrellas, banners, and pure white fans, with chariots, elephants, and foot soldiers, the crowded host shone exceedingly.
व्यपेताभ्रघने काले द्यौरिवासीत्तु शारदी। `हंसपङ्क्तिसमाकीर्णा भ्रमत्सारसशोभिता
Like the autumn sky cleared of dense clouds, adorned with rows of swans and graced by circling sarasa birds, so did it appear.
जयाशीर्भिर्द्विजेन्द्रैः स स्तूयमानोऽधिराजवत्। गृह्णन्नञ्जलिमालाश्च धार्तराष्ट्रो जनाधिपः
Praised like a sovereign by the foremost brahmins with blessings for victory, the king, son of Dhritarashtra, accepted their garlands of joined palms.
सुयोधनो ययावग्रे श्रिया परमया ज्वलम्। कर्णेन सार्धं राजेन्द्र सौबलेन च देविना
Suyodhana advanced at the front, blazing with supreme splendor, together with Karna, King Saubala, and the goddess.
दुःशासनादयश्चास्य भ्रातरः सर्व एव ते। भूरिश्रवाः सोमदत्तो माराजश्च बाह्लिकः
All his brothers, including Duhshasana and the rest, as well as Bhurishrava, Somadatta, and King Bahlika, were with him.
रथैर्नानाविधाकारैर्हयैर्गजवरैस्तथा। प्रयान्तं नृपसिंहं तमनुजग्मुः कुरूद्वहाः
The foremost of the Kurus followed that lion among kings as he departed, with chariots of various forms, horses, and excellent elephants.
प्रहृष्टमनसः सर्वे दुर्योधनपुरोगमाः' ।। कालेनाल्पेन राजेन्द्र स्वपुरं विविशुस्तदा
All, with joyful hearts and led by Duryodhana, O king, entered their own city in a short time.
एवं गतेषु पार्थेषु वने तस्मिन्महात्मसु। धार्तराष्ट्रा महेष्वासाः किमकुर्वत सत्तमाः
With the sons of Pandu thus remaining in the forest, what did the mighty-armed sons of Dhritarashtra do, O best of men?
कर्णो वैकर्तनश्चैव शकुनिश्च महाबलः। भीष्मद्रोणकृपाश्चैव तन्मे शंसितुमर्हसि
Karna, the son of Radha, and the mighty Shakuni, as well as Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa—please recount this to me.
एवं गतेषु पार्थेषु विसृष्टे च सुयोधने। आगते हास्तिनपुरं मोक्षिते पाण्डुनन्दनैः। भीष्मोऽब्रवीन्महाराज धार्तराष्ट्रमिदं वच
When the sons of Pandu had departed and Suyodhana was released, and after he had returned to Hastinapura, freed by the sons of Pandu, Bhishma spoke these words to the king of the Dhritarashtras.
उक्तं तात मया पूर्वं गच्छतस्ते तपोवनम्। वचनं ते न रुचितं मम तन्न कृतं च ते
O dear one, I had previously advised you to go to the forest of ascetics, but my words did not please you, nor did you act upon them.
ततः प्राप्तं त्वया वीर ग्रहणं शत्रुभिर्बलात्। मोक्षितश्चासि धर्मज्ञैः पाण्डवैर्न च लज्जसे
Therefore, O hero, you were forcibly captured by your enemies, and then released by the righteous Pandavas, yet you do not feel any shame.
प्रत्यक्षं तव गान्धारे ससैन्यस् विशांपते। सूतपुत्रोऽपयाद्भीतो गन्धर्वाणां तदा रणात्
In your very presence, O king of kings, with your army, the son of a charioteer, Karna, fled in fear from the battle with the Gandharvas.
क्रोशतस्तव राजेन्द्र ससैन्यस्य नृपात्मज। `व्यपायात्पृष्ठतस्तस्मात्प्रेक्षमाणः पुनःपुनः
While you, O king, and your army's sons cried out, he retreated from behind, looking back again and again.