दुर्योधनहितार्थाय युद्ध्वा पार्थेन संगरे। पृथासुतहितार्थाय पराजित इवाभवत्
For the sake of Duryodhana's welfare, he fought with Partha in battle; for the sake of Pritha's sons, he appeared as if defeated.
भीष्मं विजित्य संग्रामे कुरूणां मिषतां रणे। ततो युद्धमनाः प्रायात्पार्थः पञ्च महारथान्
Having vanquished Bhishma in battle before the watching Kurus, Partha, intent on combat, advanced against five great warriors.
आददानश्च नाराचान्विमृशन्निषुधी अपि। संस्पृशानश्च गाण्डीवं भूयः कर्णं समभ्यगाम्
Taking up arrows, examining his bowstring, and repeatedly touching Gandiva, he approached Karna once more.
कर्ण यत्तत्सभामध्ये बह्वबद्धं प्रभाषसे। न मे युधि समोऽस्तीति तदिदं प्रत्युपस्थितम्
'Karna, that boastful speech you uttered in the assembly—that I have no equal in battle—now faces its test.'
एषोऽन्तक इव क्रुद्धः सर्वभूतावमर्दनः। अदूरात्प्रत्युपस्थाय जृम्भते केसरी यथा। न पलायस्व शूरश्चेत्स्थित्वा युध्यस्व फल्गुनम्
Here he comes, furious like Death himself, crusher of all beings; he approaches from nearby, roaring like a lion. Do not flee, if you are a hero—stand and fight with Phalguna.
नाहं बिभेमि बीभत्सोः कृष्णाद्वा देवकीसुतात् । पाण्डवेभ्योपि सर्वेभ्यः क्षत्रधर्ममनुव्रतः
I do not fear Bhīmasena, nor Krishna, the son of Devakī, nor even all the Pāṇḍavas together, for I am steadfast in the warrior’s code.
सत्वाधिकानां शूराणां धनुर्वेदोपजीविनाम् । दर्शनाञ्जायते दर्पः स्वरश्च न विषीदति
Among the brave, those endowed with strength and skilled in the science of archery, pride arises upon seeing each other, and their voices do not falter.
पश्यत्वाचार्यपुत्रो मामर्जुनेन समं युधि। युध्यमानं सुसंयुक्तं दैवं तु दुरतिक्रमम्
Let the teacher’s son see me, well-prepared, fighting Arjuna in battle as an equal; yet destiny is hard to overcome.
को दोषः कर्ण शूराणां वाचा साकं हि पौरुषम् । विद्यते यदि तल्लोके गुणोत्तरमिहोच्यते
What fault is there, Karṇa, if heroes speak boldly along with their valor? If such a quality exists in this world, it is here praised as the highest virtue.
युव्यस्व त्वमभीः पार्थं प्रपलायस्व मा रणात्। उक्तं वचः स्मरन्कर्ण नाहमित्यादि संयुगे
Either you challenge Pārtha boldly, or flee from the battle; remember these words, Karṇa, spoken in the midst of combat: 'I do not.'
तं समन्ताद्रथाः पञ्च परिवार्य धनञ्जयम्। त इषून्सम्यगस्यन्तो मुमुक्षन्तोपि जीवितात्
Then five chariots surrounded Dhanañjaya on all sides; though eager to release their arrows, they valued their lives.
ते लाभमिव मन्वानाः क्षिप्रमार्च्छन्धनञ्जयम्। शरौघान्सम्यगस्यन्तो जीमूता इव वार्षिकाः
Thinking it a great gain, they swiftly approached Dhanañjaya, showering volleys of arrows like clouds in the rainy season.
बहुभिर्निशितैर्बाणैर्विविधैर्लोमवापिभिः । आद्रवन्प्रत्यवस्थाय प्रत्यविध्यन्धनञ्जयम्
With many sharp and variously feathered arrows, they advanced, stood their ground, and struck at Dhanañjaya.
ततः प्रहस्य बीभत्सुः सर्वशस्त्रभृतांवरः । दिव्यमस्त्रं विकुर्वाणः प्रत्ययाद्रथसत्तमान्
Then Bhīmasena, best among those who bear arms, laughed and, invoking a divine weapon, turned back those foremost charioteers.
यथा रश्मिभिरादित्यः प्रच्छादयति मेदिनीम्। एवं गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैः शरैः प्राच्छादयद्दिशः
Just as the sun covers the earth with its rays, so did he cover all directions with arrows released from Gāṇḍīva.
न रथानां न नगानां न ध्वजानां न वाजिनाम्। अविद्धं निशितैर्बाणैरासीद्द्यूङ्गुलमन्तरम्
There was not even a finger’s breadth among the chariots, standards, elephants, or horses that was not pierced by sharp arrows.
सर्वे शान्तिपरा योधाः स्वचित्तं नाभिजझिरे । हस्तिनोऽश्वाश्च वित्रस्ता व्यवलीयन्त भारत
All the warriors, intent on peace, lost their resolve; elephants and horses, terrified, scattered, O Bhārata.
यथा नलवनं नागः प्रभिन्नः षाष्टिहायनः । एवं सर्वानपामृद्गादर्जुनः शस्त्रतेजसा
Just as a sixty-year-old elephant tramples a cane forest, so did Arjuna crush all his foes with the brilliance of his weapons.
गाण्डीवस्य तु घोषेण पृथिवी समकम्पत। मनांसि धार्तराष्ट्राणामप्यकृन्तद्धनञ्जयः
At the sound of Gāṇḍīva, the earth trembled, and Dhanañjaya unsettled even the minds of the Dhārtarāṣṭras.
ततो विगाह्य सैन्यानां मध्यं शस्त्रभृतांवरः । सारथिं समरे शूरस्त्वभ्यभाषत वीर्यवान्
Then, penetrating the midst of the army, that foremost of warriors spoke to his charioteer in battle, full of courage and strength.
संनियम्य हयानेतान्मन्दं वाहय सारथे । आचार्यपुत्रं समरे योधयिष्येऽपराजितम्
Restrain these horses and drive slowly, charioteer; I will fight the teacher’s son, undefeated in battle.
पुरा ह्येष मया युक्तः स मे भवति पृष्ठतः ।। एवमुक्तेऽर्जुनेनासावश्वत्थामरथं प्रति
For before, he was yoked with me, and now he stands behind me; so, when Arjuna had spoken thus, Aśvatthāman advanced towards his chariot.
एषोपयाति बीभत्सुर्व्यथितो गाढवेदनः
Behold, Bibhatsu approaches, afflicted and in great pain.
तं तु तत्रैव यास्यामि नासौ मुच्येत जीवितात्
I shall go to him right there; he shall not escape with his life.
नासौ भयेन निर्यातो महात्मा पाकशासनिः। नैवं भीता निवर्तन्ते न पुनर्गाढवेदनाः
That great-souled son of Pakashaasana has not fled out of fear; those who are truly terrified do not return, nor do those suffering intense pain.
यद्येनमभिसंरब्धं पुनरेवाभियास्यसि। बहून्यस्त्राणि जानीते न पुनर्मोक्ष्यते भवान्
If you confront him again, enraged, he knows many weapons; you will not escape again.
दिष्ट्या दुर्योधनो मुक्तो दिष्ट्या गावः पलायिताः। मुक्तो दिष्ट्या च संग्रामे किं रणेन करिष्यसि
By fortune, Duryodhana is freed; by fortune, the cows have fled; by fortune, you are released in battle—what will you accomplish by fighting?
क्रोशमात्रमपाक्रम्य बलमन्वानयामहे। अन्वागतबलाः पार्थं पुनरेवाभियास्यथ
Having withdrawn a krosha's distance, we shall gather our forces; with our assembled strength, you will again confront Partha.
कर्णं पराजितं दृष्ट्वा पार्थो वैराटिमब्रवीत्। एतं मां प्रापयेदानीं रथवृन्दं प्रहारिणाम्
Seeing Karna defeated, Partha spoke to the king of Virata: 'Bring me now to the array of striking chariots.'
यत्र शान्तनवो भीष्मः सर्वेषां नः पितामहः । सुयुद्धं काङ्क्षमाणो वै रथे तिष्ठति दंशितः
Where Bhishma, son of Shantanu, our grandsire, stands on his chariot, eager for noble battle, armed and ready.