त्वया तु पाण्डवेयेषु निहतेषु महामृधे। दुर्योधनमनुज्ञाप्य वनं यास्यामि कौरव
'But when you are slain by the Pandavas in the great battle, having obtained Duryodhana's permission, I will go to the forest, O Kaurava.'
हते वा त्वयि पार्थैस्तु युधि स्वर्गमुपेयुषि। हन्तास्म्येकरथेनैव कृत्स्नान् यान्मन्यसे रथान्
'Or, if you are killed in battle by the sons of Pandu and attain heaven, then with a single chariot I will destroy all those whom you consider charioteers.'
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुर्दशाहान्येक एव स। नायुध्यत ततः कर्णः पुत्रस्य तव संयते
Having spoken thus, the mighty-armed Karna did not fight alone for ten days in your son's battle.
भीष्मः समरविक्रान्तः पाण्डवेयस्य भारत। जघान समरे योधानसङ्ख्येयपराक्रमः
Bhishma, valiant in battle, O Bhārata, struck down countless warriors of the Pandava army with his immeasurable prowess.
तस्मिंस्तु निहते शूरे सत्यसन्धे महौजसि। त्वत्सुताः कर्णमस्मार्षुस्तर्तुकामा इव प्लवम्
But when that heroic, truthful, and mighty one was slain, your sons remembered Karna, longing for him as men longing for a raft to cross over.
तावकास्तव पुत्राश्च सहिताः सर्वराजभिः। हा कर्ण इति चाक्रन्दन्कालोऽयमिति अब्रुवन्
Your sons, together with all the kings, cried out, 'Alas, Karna!' and said, 'This is the time!'
एवं ते स्म हि राधेयं सूतपुत्रं तनुत्यजम् चुक्रुशुः सहिता योधास्तत्र तत्र महाबलाः
Thus, all the mighty warriors there together cried out for Radheya, the charioteer's son, who would give up his life.
जामदग्न्याभ्यनुज्ञातमस्त्रे दुर्वारपौरुषम्। अगमन्नो मनः कर्णं बन्धुमात्ययिकेष्विव
Their minds turned to Karna, whose prowess was irresistible, who was authorized in weapons by Jamadagni's son, as if to a kinsman in a time of peril.
स हि शक्तो रणे राजञ्स्त्रातुमस्मान्महाभयात्।। त्रिदशानिव गोविन्दः सततं सुमहाभयात्
For he, O King, was able to save us from great danger in battle, just as Govinda always saves the gods from immense peril.
तथा तु सञ्जयं कर्णं कीर्तयन्तं पुनः पुनः। आशीविषवदुच्छ्वस्य धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीदिदम्
Thus, as Sanjaya repeatedly praised Karna, Dhritarashtra, breathing heavily like a serpent, spoke these words:
यत्तद्वैकर्तनं कर्णमगमद्वो मनस्तदा। उप्यरक्षत्स राधेयः सूतपुत्रस्तनुत्यजः
At that time, did your mind turn to Karna, the son of Radha, the charioteer's son, who would give up his life? Did he protect you?
अपि तन्न मृषाकार्षीत्कच्चित्सत्यपराक्रमः। सम्भान्तानां तदार्तानां त्रस्तानां त्राणमिच्छतां
Did he not act in vain? Was he truly steadfast in valor, seeking to protect those who were terrified, distressed, and longing for rescue?
अपि तत्पूरयांचक्रे धनुर्धरवरो युधि। यत्तद्विनिहते भीष्मे कौरवाणामपाकृतम्
Indeed, that foremost archer fulfilled what was left undone in battle, when, after Bhishma was slain, the Kauravas were driven back.
तत्खण्डं पूरयन्कर्णः परेषामादधद्भयम्। स हि वै पुरुषव्याघ्रो लोके सञ्जय कथ्यते
Karna, the tiger among men, filled that gap, striking fear into the enemy; for, O Sanjaya, he is renowned in the world as such.
आर्तानां बान्धवानां च क्रन्दतां च विशेषतः। परित्यज्य रणे प्राणांस्तत्त्राणार्थं च शर्म च। कृतवान्मम पुत्राणां जयाशां सफलामपि
For the sake of protecting my sons, he abandoned his life in battle, disregarding the cries of distressed relatives and especially the wailing, and thus made their hope of victory fruitful, even at the cost of his own happiness.
युधिष्ठिरो धृतिमतिसत्यसत्ववान् वृकोदरो गजशततुल्यविक्रमः। तथार्जुनस्त्रिदशवरात्मजो युवा न तद्बलं सुजयमिहामरैरपि
Yudhishthira, steadfast and true, Bhima, whose valor equals a hundred elephants, and Arjuna, the youthful son of the best of the gods—such strength as theirs cannot be easily conquered, even by the immortals.
यमौ रणे यत्र यमोपमौ बले ससात्यकिर्यत्र च देवकीसुतः। न तद्बलं कापुरुषोऽभ्युपेयिवान्निवर्तते भृत्युमुखादिवासुभृत्
Where the twin sons of Madri, equal to Yama in battle, and Satyaki, and Krishna, son of Devaki, are present—no coward would dare face that force; he would turn back as a mortal flees the jaws of death.
तपोऽभ्युदीर्णं तपसैव बाध्यते बलं बलेनैव तथा मनस्विभिः। मनश्च मे शत्रुनिवारणे ध्रुं स्वरक्षणे चाचलवद्व्यवस्थितम्
Austerity is overcome by greater austerity, strength by greater strength, and so too by those of resolute mind; my mind is firmly set, like a mountain, on repelling the enemy and protecting myself.
एवं चैषां बाधमानः प्रभावं गत्वैवाहं ताञ्जयाम्यद्य सूत। मित्रद्रोहो मर्षणीयो न मेऽयं भग्ने सैन्ये यः समेयात्स मित्रम्
Thus, understanding their power, I will go forth today and conquer them, O Suta; betrayal of friends is not to be tolerated by me—he who approaches as a friend when the army is broken is no friend.
कर्तास्म्येतत्सत्पुरुषार्यकर्म त्यक्त्वा प्राणाननुयास्यामि भीष्मम्। सर्वान्सङ्ख्ये शत्रुशङ्घान्हनिष्ये हतस्तैर्वा वीरलोकं प्रपत्स्ये
I will perform this noble and righteous deed, giving up my life if needed, and follow Bhishma; in battle, I will slay all the hosts of enemies, or, if slain by them, attain the world of heroes.
संप्राक्रुष्टे रुदितस्त्रीकुमारे पराहते पौरुषे धार्तराष्ट्रे। मया कृत्यमिति जानामि सूत तस्माद्राज्ञस्त्वद्य शत्रून्विजेष्ये
When the women and children of the Dhartarashtras are weeping, and their manliness has been struck down, I know what must be done, O Suta; therefore, today I will defeat the king’s enemies.
कुरून्रक्षन्पाण्डुपुत्राञ्जिघांसंस्त्यक्त्वा प्राणान्घोररूपे रणेऽस्मिन्। सर्वान्सङ्ख्ये शत्रुसङ्घान्निहत्य दास्याम्यहं धर्मxxxxxxxx
Protecting the Kurus and seeking to destroy the sons of Pandu, I will abandon my life in this terrible battle; having slain all the hosts of enemies in the fight, I will give dharma—
निबध्यतां मे कवचं विचित्रं हैमं शुभ्रं मणिरत्नावभासि। शिरस्त्राणं चार्कसमानभासं धनुः शरांश्चाग्निविपाहिकल्पान्
Let my splendid, golden, jewel-adorned armor be fastened on me, along with a helmet shining like the sun, and my bow and arrows blazing like fire.
उपासङ्गान्पोडश योजयन्तु धनूम्पि दिव्यानि तथाऽऽहरन्तु। असींश्च शक्तीश्च गदाश्च गुर्वीः शङ्खं च जाम्बूनदचित्रनालम्
Let them quickly bring my divine bows, fit the bowstrings, and bring swords, spears, and heavy maces, as well as a conch with a golden, decorated stem.
इमां रौक्मीं नागकक्ष्यां विचित्रां ध्वजं जैत्रं दिव्यमिन्दीवराङ्कम्। श्लक्ष्णैर्वस्त्रैर्विप्रमृज्यानयन्तु चित्रां मालां चारुबद्धां सलाजाम्
Bring this golden, intricately designed naga-belt, the victorious, divine banner marked with a blue lily, and a beautiful garland skillfully tied with grains, polished with smooth cloths.
अश्वानग्र्यान्पाण्डुराभ्रप्रकाशान् पुष्टान्स्नातान्मन्त्रपूताभिरद्भिः। तप्तैर्भाण्डैः काञ्चनैरभ्युपेतान् शीघ्राञ्शीघ्रं सूतपुत्रानयस्व
Bring at once the best horses, shining like pale clouds, strong, bathed and purified with mantra-blessed waters, harnessed with heated golden trappings, and swift—bring them quickly, O son of the charioteer.
रथं चाग्र्यं हेममालावनद्धं रत्नैश्चित्रं सूर्यचन्द्रप्रकाशैः। द्रव्यैर्युक्तं सम्प्रहारोपपन्नैर्बाहैर्युक्तं तूर्णमावर्तयस्व
And bring my foremost chariot, adorned with golden garlands, decorated with gems shining like the sun and moon, equipped with all necessary weapons and strong arms—prepare it swiftly.
चित्राणि चापानि च वेगवन्ति ज्याश्चोत्तमाः सन्नहनोपपन्नाः। तूणांश्च पूर्णान्महतः शराणामासाद्य गात्रावरणानि चैव
Bring the splendid, swift bows with excellent bowstrings, well-fitted for battle, and full quivers of great arrows, along with all the body armor.
प्रायात्रिकं चानयताशु सर्वं पूर्णं कान्त्या वीरकांस्यां च हैमम्। आनीय मालामवबध्य चाङ्गे प्रवादयन्त्वाशु जयाय भेरीः
Quickly bring all the necessary auspicious items for departure, all complete and shining, with heroic bronze and gold; bring the garland, tie it on my body, and swiftly sound the victory drums.
प्रयाहि मूताशु यतः किरीटी वृकोदरो धर्मसुतो यमौ च। तान्वा हनिष्यामि समेत्य सङ्ख्ये भीष्मो यथैष्यामि हतो द्विषद्भिः
Go quickly to where Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishthira, and the twins are; there, meeting them in battle, I will slay them, just as Bhishma was slain by his enemies.