मिथ्योपचरिता ह्येते वर्तमान ह्यनुप्रिये । अहितत्वाय कल्पन्ते दोषा भरतसत्तम
These faults, though falsely attributed and seeming agreeable in the present, O best of the Bharatas, ultimately lead to harm.
त्वमुक्तः कुरुवृद्धेन मया च विदुरेण च । वासुदेवेन च तथा श्रेयो नैवाभिमन्यसे
You have been advised by the elder of the Kurus, by me, by Vidura, and by Vasudeva as well, yet you do not consider what is best.
अस्ति मे बलमित्येव सहसा त्वं तितीर्षसि। सग्राहनक्रमकरं गङ्गावेगमिवोष्णगे
Thinking only, 'I have strength,' you wish to cross over at once, like one seeking to ford the rushing Ganga, full of crocodiles, in the heat.
वाससैव यथा हि त्वं प्रावृण्वानोऽभिमन्यसे। स्रजं त्यक्तामिव प्राप्य लोभाद्यौधिष्ठिरीं श्रियम्
Just as you are satisfied merely by clothing yourself, so, out of greed, you seize the prosperity of Yudhishthira, like one taking a discarded garland.
द्रौपदीसहितं पार्थं सायुधैर्भ्रातृभिर्वृतम्। वनस्थमपि राज्यस्थः पाण्डवं को विजेष्यति
Who can defeat the Pandava, surrounded by his armed brothers and Draupadi, even if he dwells in the forest, while you possess the kingdom?
निदेशे यस्य राजानः सर्वे तिष्ठन्ति किङ्कराः । तमैलविलमासाद्य धर्मराजो व्यराजत
At whose command all kings stand as servants, upon approaching that son of Ila, King Yudhishthira shone with splendor.
कुबेरसदनं प्राप्य ततो रत्नान्यवाप्य च । स्फीतमाक्रम्य ते राष्ट्रं राज्यमिच्छन्ति पाण्डवाः
Having reached Kubera’s abode and obtained treasures from there, the Pandavas, having prospered, now seek to rule your kingdom.
दत्तं हुतमधीतं च ब्राह्मणास्तर्पिता धनैः । आवयोर्गतमायुश्च कृतकृत्यौ च विद्धि नौ
Know that we have performed gifts, sacrifices, and studies, and have satisfied the Brahmanas with wealth; our allotted lifespan is spent, and our duties are fulfilled.
त्वं तु हित्वा सुखं राज्यं मित्राणि च धनानि च । विग्रहं पाण्डवैः कृत्वा महद्व्यसनमाप्स्यसि
But you, abandoning the happiness of kingship, friends, and wealth, by making conflict with the Pandavas, will encounter great calamity.
द्रौपदी यस्य चाशास्ते विजयं सत्यवादिनी । तपोघोरव्रता देवी कथं जेष्यसि पाण्डवम्
How will you defeat the Pandava whose victory is desired by Draupadi, the truth-speaking goddess, devoted to severe vows and austerity?
मन्त्री जनार्दनो यस्य भ्राता यस्य धनञ्जयः। सर्वशस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठः कथं जेष्यसि पाण्डवम्
How will you defeat the Pandava whose counselor is Janardana, whose brother is Dhananjaya, the foremost among all wielders of weapons?
सहाया ब्राह्मणा यस्य धृतिमन्तो जितेन्द्रियाः। तमुग्रतपसं वीरं कथं जेष्यसि पाण्डवम्
How will you defeat the heroic Pandava, whose allies are steadfast Brahmanas, self-controlled and resolute, and who himself is fierce in austerity?
पुनरुक्तं च वक्ष्यामि यत्कार्यं भूतिमिच्छता। सुहृदा मञ्जमानेषु सुहृत्सु व्यसनार्णवे
I will say again what should be done by one who desires prosperity: when friends are sinking in the ocean of misfortune, be a friend to them.
अलं युद्धेन तैर्वीरैः शाम्य त्वं कुरुवृद्धये । मा गमः सतुतामात्यःसमित्रश्च यमक्षयम्
Enough of war with those heroes; make peace for the good of the Kurus. Do not, with your counselors and allies, go to the abode of Yama.
राजपुत्रैः परिवृतस्तथा भृत्यैश्च सत्तम। उपारोप्य रथे कर्णं निर्यातो मधुसूदनः
Surrounded by princes and excellent attendants, Madhusudana set Karna upon the chariot and departed.
किमब्रवीद्रथोपस्थे राधेयं परवीरहा । कानि सान्त्वानि गोविन्दः सूतपुत्रे प्रयुक्तवान्
What did Govinda say to Radheya, the slayer of enemy heroes, as he sat upon the chariot? What words of conciliation did he address to the son of the charioteer?
उद्यन्मेघस्वनः काले यत्कृष्णः कर्णमब्रवीत्। मृदु वा यदि वा तीक्ष्णं तन्ममाचक्ष्व सर्वशः
Tell me in full what Krishna said to Karna, whether gentle or harsh, like the sound of rising thunderclouds at the proper time.
आनुपूर्व्येण वाक्यानि तीक्ष्णानि च मृदूनि च। प्रियाणि धर्मयुक्तानि सत्यानि च हितानि च
Tell me all the words, in order, both harsh and gentle, pleasing, righteous, true, and beneficial.
हृदयग्रहणीयानि राधेयं मधुसूदनः । यान्यब्रवीदमेयात्मा तानि मे श्रृणु भारत
Hear from me, O Bharata, those words that Madhusudana, whose mind is immeasurable, spoke to Radheya—words that seize the heart.
उपासितास्ते राधेय ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। तत्त्वार्थं परिपृष्टाश्च नियतेनानसूयया
O Radheya, you have served Brahmanas who are accomplished in the Vedas, and you have questioned them about the true meaning, with discipline and without envy.
त्वमेव कर्ण जानासि वेदवादान्सनातनान् । त्वमेव धर्मशास्त्रेषु सूक्ष्मेषु परिनिष्ठितः
You alone, Karna, know the eternal doctrines of the Vedas; you alone are accomplished in the subtle scriptures of dharma.
कानीनश्च सहोढश्च कन्यायां यश्च जायते । वोढारं पितरं तस्य प्राहुः शास्त्रविदो जनाः
The learned in the scriptures say that for a maiden, both the one born before and the one born after marriage, the husband is called the father of her child.
सोऽसि कर्ण तथाजातः पाण्डोः पुत्रोसि धर्मतः । निश्चयाद्धर्मशास्त्राणामेहि राजा भविष्यसि
Thus, Karna, you are born in this way; by dharma you are the son of Pandu. According to the certain law of dharma, come, you shall be king.
पितृपक्षे च ते पार्था मातृपक्षे च वृष्णयः । द्वौ पक्षावभिजानीहि त्वमेतौ पुरुषर्षभ
Know, O best of men, that the Parthas are your kin on your father’s side, and the Vrishnis on your mother’s side; these are your two lineages.
मया सार्धमितो यातमद्य त्वां तात पाण्डवाः । अभिजानन्तु कौन्तेयं पूर्वजातं युधिष्ठिरात्
Come with me now, my child, so that the Pandavas may recognize you as Kunti’s son, born before Yudhishthira.
पादौ तव ग्रहीष्यन्ति भ्रातरः पञ्च पाण्डवाः। द्रौपदेयास्तथा पञ्च सौभद्रश्चापराजितः
Your five brothers, the Pandavas, will take hold of your feet, as will the five sons of Draupadi and the undefeated son of Subhadra.
राजानो राजपुत्राश्च पाण्डवार्थे समागताः। पादौ तव ग्रहीष्यन्ति सर्वे चान्धकवृष्णयः
Kings and princes, assembled for the Pandavas’ cause, will take hold of your feet, as will all the Andhakas and Vrishnis.
हिरण्मयांश्च ते कुम्भान्राजतान्पार्थिवांस्तथा । ओषध्यः सर्वबीजानि सर्वरत्नानि वीरुधः
Golden vessels, silver ones, and royal pitchers, along with herbs, all seeds, all jewels, and plants will be brought for you.
राजन्या राजकन्याश्चाप्यानयन्त्वाभिषेचनम् । षष्ठे त्वां च तथा काले द्रौपद्युपगमिष्यति
Kshatriya women and princesses will also bring the consecration materials; and at the sixth time, Draupadi herself will approach you.
अग्निं जुहोतु वै धौम्यः संशितात्मा द्विजोत्तमः । अद्य त्वामभिषिञ्चन्तु चातुर्वैद्या द्विजातयः
Let Dhaumya, steadfast in mind and best of Brahmins, offer oblations into the fire; today let the twice-born, skilled in the Vedas, anoint you.