आचार्यो निपुणो धीमान्ब्रह्मविच्छूरसत्तमः। आहवे चाप्रतिद्वन्द्वो दूरपाती महारथः
The teacher, skilled and wise, knower of the Vedas, foremost among heroes; in battle, he is without equal, a great chariot-warrior who strikes from afar.
सुप्रसन्नो महावीरः कुरुष्वैनं प्रदक्षिणम्। अत्रैव चाविरोधेन एष धर्मः सनातनः
He is gracious, a mighty hero; honor him by circling to his right. Here, without opposition, this is the eternal law.
यदि मे प्रहरेद्द्रोणः शरीरे मे प्रहृष्यतः । ततोऽस्मिन्प्रहरिष्यामि नान्यथा बुद्धिरस्ति मे
If Drona strikes me as I stand ready, then I will strike him in return; I have no other intention.
भारताचार्यमुख्येन ब्राह्मणेन महात्मना । तेन मे युध्यमानस्य मन्दं वाहय सारथे
Against that foremost Bharata teacher, the noble-hearted Brahmin, as I fight him, drive the chariot slowly, O charioteer.
ध्वजाग्रे सिंहलाङ्गूलो दिक्षु सर्वासु शोभते । भारताचार्यपुत्रस्तु सोऽश्वत्थामा विराजते
On the tip of his banner, a lion's tail shines in all directions; that is Ashvatthama, son of the Bharata teacher, radiant.
ध्वजाग्रं दृश्यते यत्र बालसूर्यसमप्रभम् । दुर्जयः सर्वसैन्यानां देवैरपि सवासवैः । तेन मे युध्यमानस्य मन्दं वाहय सारथे
Where the banner's tip appears, glowing like the young sun, stands one unconquerable by all armies, even by gods with Indra; as I fight him, drive the chariot slowly, O charioteer.
ध्वजाग्रे गोवृषो यस्य काञ्चनोऽभिविराजते । आचार्यवरमुख्यस्तु कृप एष महारथः
On whose banner's tip a golden bull stands resplendent; that is Kripa, the foremost among teachers, a great chariot-warrior.
द्रोणेन च समो वीर्ये पितुर्मे परमः सखा। तेन मे युध्यमानस्य मन्दं वाहय सारथे
Equal to Drona in valor, my father's dearest friend; as I fight him, drive the chariot slowly, O charioteer.
यस्य काञ्चनकम्बूभिर्हस्तिकक्ष्यापरिष्कृतः। ध्वजः प्रकाशते दूराद्रथे विद्युद्गणोपमः
Whose banner, adorned with golden bracelets and elephant trappings, shines from afar on his chariot like a cluster of lightning.
एष वैकर्तनः कर्णः प्रतिमानं धनुष्मताम्। दृढवैरी सदाऽस्माकं नित्यं कटुकभाषणः
This is Karna, son of Vaikartana, peerless among archers; always our firm enemy, ever harsh in speech.
यस्याश्रयबलादेव धार्तराष्ट्रः ससौबलः । अस्मान्निरस्य राज्याच्च पुनरद्यापि योत्स्यति
By whose strength and support, Dhritarashtra's son, with Saubala, has driven us from the kingdom and still today seeks battle.
एष वै स्पर्धते नित्यं मया सह सुदुर्जयः । जामदग्न्यस्य रामस्य शिष्यो ह्येष महारथः
He always competes with me, difficult to overcome; he is the disciple of Jamadagni's Rama, a great chariot-warrior.
सर्वास्त्रकुशलः कर्णः सर्वशस्त्रभृतांवरः । युद्धेऽप्रतिमवीर्यश्च दृढवेधी पराक्रमी
Karna is skilled in all weapons, foremost among all wielders of arms; unmatched in valor in battle, steadfast and bold.
अद्याहं युद्धमेतेन करिष्ये सूतबन्धुना। द्रष्टा त्वमावयोर्युद्धं बलिवासवयोरिव
Today I will fight with him, the charioteer's son; you will witness our battle, like that of mighty Indra and Bali.
महारथेन शूरेण सूतपुत्रेण धन्विना। तेन मे युध्यमानस्य शीघ्रं वाहय सारथे
With that heroic, great chariot-warrior, the charioteer's son, the archer; as I fight him, drive the chariot swiftly, O charioteer.
यस्य चैव रथोपस्थे नागो मणिमयो ध्वजः । एष दुर्योधनस्तत्र कौरवो यशसा वृतः
Whose chariot bears a banner with a jeweled elephant, seated upon it; that is Duryodhana, the Kaurava, surrounded by fame.
लब्धलक्षो दृढं वेधी लघुहस्तः प्रतापवान् । तेन मे युध्यमानस्य शीघ्रं वाहय सारथे
He is precise in aim, steadfast, light-handed, and full of prowess; as I fight him, drive the chariot swiftly, O charioteer.
यस्तु श्वेतावदातेन पञ्चतालेन केतुना । वैडूर्यमयदण्डेन तालवृक्षेण राजते
He whose banner is white and pure, with five palm trees, its staff made of beryl, shining with a palm tree motif.
हस्तावापी बृहद्धन्वा सेनां तिष्ठति हर्षयन् । रामेण जामदग्न्येन द्वैरथेनाजितः पुरा
With bow in hand, standing firm, he delights the army; once, in single combat, he was undefeated by Jamadagni's Rama.
शीघ्रश्च लगुवेधी च लघुहस्तः प्रतापवान् । एष शान्तनवो भीष्मः सर्वेषां नः पितामहः
Swift, precise, light-handed, and full of prowess; this is Bhishma, son of Shantanu, the grandfather of us all.
ककुदः सर्वसैन्यानां सर्वशस्त्रभृतांवरः । जयश्रियाऽवबद्धस्तु सुयोधनवशानुगः । पश्चादेष प्रयातव्यो न मे विघ्नकरो भवेत्
Kakuda, the foremost among all warriors and weapon-bearers, bound with the glory of victory and following Suyodhana's command, should proceed behind us so that he does not become an obstacle to me.
इत्येतांस्त्वरितः पार्थः कथयित्वा तु चोत्तरे। रूपतश्चिह्नतश्चैव युद्धाय त्वरते पुनः
Having swiftly spoken these words to Uttara, Partha again hastens to battle, recognizing the enemy by their forms and marks.
अश्वत्थामा ततस्तत्र कर्णं संप्रेक्ष्य वीर्यवान्। उवाच स्मयमानोऽसौ सूतपुत्रमरिन्दमम्
Then Ashvatthama, valiant, seeing Karna there, spoke with a smile to the son of the charioteer, the subduer of foes.
कर्ण यस्त्वं सभामध्ये बह्वबद्धं विकत्थसे। न मे युधि समोऽस्तीति तदिदं प्रत्युपस्थितम्
Karna, you boasted much in the assembly, saying there is none equal to you in battle—now that moment has arrived.
एषोऽन्तक इव क्रुद्धः सर्वभूतावमर्दनः । संग्रामशिरसो मध्ये दृम्भते केसरी यथा
Here he stands, like Death himself in wrath, the crusher of all beings, roaring in the midst of battle like a lion.
शूरोसि यदि संग्रामे दर्शयस्व सभां विना
If you are truly a hero in battle, show it now, without the assembly as witness.
यद्यशक्तोसि संग्रामे पार्थेनाद्भुतकर्मणा। पुनरेव सभां गत्वा धार्तराष्ट्रेण धीमता। मातुलं परिगृह्याशु मन्त्रयस्व यथासुखम्
But if you are unable to face Partha, who performs wondrous deeds, then return again to the assembly with wise Duryodhana, quickly embrace your uncle, and consult as you please.
एवमुक्तस्तथा कर्णः क्रोधादुद्वृत्य लोचने। द्रोणपुत्रमिदं वाक्यमुवाच कुरुसन्निधौ
Thus addressed, Karna, his eyes red with anger, spoke these words to Drona's son in the presence of the Kurus.
नाहं बिभेमि बीभत्सोर्न कृष्णाद्देवकीसुतात् । पाण्डवेभ्योपि सर्वेभ्यः क्षत्रधर्ममनुव्रतः
I do not fear Vibhatsu, nor Krishna, the son of Devaki, nor even all the Pandavas together, for I am steadfast in the duty of a warrior.
सत्वाधिकानां पुंसां तु धनुर्वेदोपजीविनाम् । गर्जतां जायते दर्पः स्वरश्च न विषीदति
Among men of great spirit, living by the science of archery, pride arises as they roar, and their voice does not falter.