ततो हलहलाशब्दः प्रादुरासीद्विशांपते। हाहाकाराश्च बहवो नगरे नागसाह्वये
Then, O lord of the people, a tumultuous sound arose, and many cries of lamentation echoed in the city called Nāgasāhvaya.
रकेचिदेनं प्रशंसन्ति निन्दन्ति स्म तथा परे। तूष्णीमासंस्तथा चान्ये नृपास्तत्र जनाधिप
Some praised him, others censured him, and yet others remained silent, O king of men, among the rulers gathered there.
एवं विजित्य राजेन्द्र कर्णः शस्त्रभृतांवरः। सपर्वतवनाकाशां ससमुद्रां सनुष्कुटाम्
Thus, having conquered, O king, Karṇa, foremost among warriors, brought under his sway the earth with its mountains, forests, skies, oceans, and dry lands.
देशैरुच्चावचैः पूर्णां पत्तनैर्नगरैरपि। द्वीपैश्चानूपसंपूर्णैः पृथिवीं पृथिवीपते
O lord of the earth, he filled the world with regions high and low, with cities, towns, and islands, and with marshlands.
कालेन नातिदीर्घेण वशे कृत्वा तु पार्थिवान्। अक्षयं धनमादाय सूतजो नृपमभ्ययात्
In not a long time, having subdued the kings, the son of the charioteer returned to the king, bringing inexhaustible wealth.
प्रविश्य च गृहं राजन्नभ्यन्तरमरिंदम। गान्धारीसहितं वीरो धृतराष्ट्रं ददर्श सः
Entering the inner chambers, O king, that hero saw Dhṛtarāṣṭra together with Gāndhārī.
पुत्रवच्च नरव्याघ्र पादौ जग्राह धर्मवित्। धृतराष्ट्रेण चाश्लिष्य प्रेम्णा चापि विसर्जितः
O tiger among men, he, learned in righteousness, grasped Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s feet as a son would; and Dhṛtarāṣṭra embraced him with affection and dismissed him.
तदाप्रभृति राजा च शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। जानाते निर्जितान्पार्थान्कर्णेन युधि भारत
From that time, O Bhārata, the king and also Śakuni, son of Subala, knew that the Pāṇḍavas had been defeated in battle by Karṇa.
जित्वा तु पृथिवीं राजन्सूतपुत्रो जनाधिप। अब्रवीत्परवीरघ्नो दुर्योधनमिदं वचः
Having conquered the earth, O king, the son of the charioteer, lord of men, spoke these words to Duryodhana, destroyer of enemy heroes.
दुर्योधन निबोधेदं यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि कौरव। श्रुत्वा वाचं तथा सर्वं कर्तुमर्हस्यरिंदम
O Duryodhana, listen to what I will say to you, O Kaurava; having heard my words, you should act accordingly, O subduer of foes.
तवाद्य पृथिवी वीर निःसपत्ना नृपोत्तम। तां पालय यथा शक्रो हतशत्रुर्महामनाः
Today, O best of kings, the earth is free of rivals for you, O hero; protect it as Indra, of great mind, did after slaying his enemies.
एवमुक्तस्तु कर्णेन कर्णं राजाऽब्रवीत्पुनः। न किंचिद्दुर्लभं तस्य यस् त्वं पुरुषर्षभ
Thus addressed by Karṇa, the king spoke again to Karṇa: 'Nothing is unattainable for him who has you, O best of men.'
सहायश्चानुरक्तश्च मदर्थं च समुद्यतः। अभिप्रायस्तु मे कश्चित्तं वै शृणु यथातथम्
You are both a devoted and affectionate ally, and you are ready for my sake; but I have a certain intention—listen to it as it truly is.
राजसूयं पाण्डवस्य दृष्ट्वा क्रतुवरं तदा। कमम स्पृहा समुत्पन्ना तां संपादय सूतज
Having seen the great Rājasūya sacrifice of the Pāṇḍava, a desire has arisen in me; fulfill that, O son of the charioteer.
एवमुक्तस्ततः कर्णो राजानमिदमब्रवीत्। तवाद्य पृथिवीपाला वश्याः सर्वे नृपोत्तम
Thus addressed, Karṇa then said to the king: 'Today, O best of kings, all the rulers of the earth are subject to you.'
आहूयन्तां द्विजवराः संभाराश्च यथाविधि। संभ्रियन्तां कुरुश्रेष्ठ यज्ञोपकरणानि च
Let the foremost Brāhmaṇas be invited, and the necessary materials be gathered as prescribed; let the sacrificial implements also be prepared, O best of the Kurus.
ऋत्विजश्च समाहूता यथोक्तं वेदपारगाः। क्रियां कुर्वन्तु ते राजन्यथाशास्त्रमरिंदम
Let the officiating priests, well-versed in the Vedas and duly invited, perform the rites, O subduer of foes, according to the injunctions of the scriptures.
बह्वन्नपानसंयुक्तः सुसमृद्धगुणान्वितः। प्रवर्ततां महायज्ञस्तवापि भरतर्षभ
Let your great sacrifice commence, O best of the Bharatas, abundant with plentiful food and drink, and endowed with all auspicious qualities.
एवमुक्तस्तु कर्णेन धार्तराष्ट्रो विशांपते। पुरोहितं समानाय्य वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्
Thus addressed by Karna, the son of Dhritarashtra, lord of the people, summoned his priest and spoke these words.
राजसूयं क्रतुश्रेष्ठं समाप्तवरदक्षिणम्। आहरस्व यथाशास्त्रं यथान्यायं यथाक्रमम्
Arrange for the Rajasuya, the foremost of sacrifices, complete with gifts and offerings, in accordance with the scriptures, with propriety, and in due order.
स एवमुक्तो नृपतिमुवाच द्विजसत्तमः
Thus addressed, the best of the twice-born spoke to the king.
ब्राह्मणैः सहितो राजन्ये तत्रासन्समागताः'। न स शक्यः क्रतुश्रेष्ठो जीवमाने युधिष्ठिरे। आहर्तुं कौरवश्रेष्ठ कुले तव नृपोत्तम
Accompanied by Brahmanas, the Kshatriyas assembled there; but, O best of the Kurus, this foremost sacrifice cannot be performed in your lineage while Yudhishthira is alive, O best of kings.
दीर्घायुर्जीवति च ते धृतराष्ट्रः पिता नृप। अतश्चापि विरुद्धस्ते क्रतुरेणष नृपोत्तमः
Your father Dhritarashtra, O king, is long-lived and still alive; therefore, O best of kings, this sacrifice is also opposed to you.
अस्ति त्वन्यन्महत्सत्रं राजसूयसमं प्रभो। तेन त्वं यज राजेन्द्र शृणु चेदं वचो मम
There is, however, another great sacrifice equal to the Rajasuya, O lord; with that you should perform the rite, O king of kings, and listen now to my words.
य इमे पृथिवीपालाः करदास्तव पार्थिव। ते करान्संप्रयच्छन्तु सुवर्णं च कृताकृतम्
Let those rulers of the earth who are subject to you, O king, present their tributes, both gold that is wrought and unwrought.
तेन ते क्रियतामद्यलाङ्गलं नृपसत्तम। यज्ञवाटस् ते भूमिः कृष्यतां तेन भारत
With that, let the plough be prepared today, O best of kings; let the ground for your sacrificial enclosure be tilled with it, O descendant of Bharata.
तत्र यज्ञो नृपश्रेष्टः प्रभूतान्नः सुसंस्कृतः। प्रवर्ततां यथान्यायं सर्वतो ह्यनिवारितः
There, O foremost of kings, let the sacrifice, abundant with well-prepared food, be conducted in due order, unrestricted in every way.
एष ते वैष्णवो नाम यज्ञः सत्पुरुषोचितः। एतेन नेष्टवान्कश्चिदृतेविष्णुं पुरातनम्
This is the sacrifice called Vaishnava, worthy of noble men; by this, none has been worshipped except the ancient Vishnu.
राजसूयं क्रतुश्रेष्ठं स्पर्धत्येष महाक्रतुः। अस्माकं रोचते चैव श्रेयश्च तव भारत
This great sacrifice rivals the Rajasuya, the foremost of rites; it pleases us, and it will also bring you prosperity, O Bharata.
निर्विघ्नश्च भवत्येष सफला स्यात्स्पृहा तव। `तस्मादेष महाबाहो तव यज्ञः प्रवर्तताम्
This sacrifice proceeds without obstacles and will fulfill your desire; therefore, O mighty-armed one, let this sacrifice of yours be performed.