द्विधा रङ्गः समभवत्स्त्रीणां द्वैधमजायत। कुन्तिभोजसुता मोहं विज्ञातार्था जगाम ह
The arena was divided in two, and the women were also split; the daughter of Kuntibhoja, understanding the truth, fell into confusion.
तां तथा मोहमापन्नां विदुरः सर्वधर्मवित्। कुन्तीमाश्वासयामास प्रेष्याभिश्चन्दनोदकैः
Seeing her thus overcome with confusion, Vidura, knower of all dharma, comforted Kunti with attendants and cool sandalwood water.
ततः प्रत्यागतप्राणा तावुभौ परिदंशितौ। पुत्रौ दृष्ट्वा सुसंभ्रान्ता नान्वपद्यत किंचन
Then, having regained her senses, she anxiously watched her two sons, but, deeply disturbed, she could do nothing.
तावुद्यतमहाचापौ कृपः शारद्वतोऽब्रवीत्। द्वन्द्वयुद्धसमाचारे कुशलः सर्वधर्मवित्
Kripa, son of Sharadvat, skilled in the rules of single combat and knower of all dharma, spoke to the two, who had raised their great bows.
अयं पृथायास्तनयः कनीयान्पाण्डुनन्दनः। कौरवो भवता सार्धं द्वन्द्वयुद्धं करिष्यति
This is the youngest son of Pritha, a son of Pandu; the Kaurava will engage in single combat with you.
त्वमप्येवं महाबाहो मातरं पितरं कुलम्। कथयस्व नरेन्द्राणां येषां त्वं कुलभूषणम्
You too, mighty-armed one, declare your mother, father, and lineage to the kings, for you are the ornament of your clan.
ततो विदित्वा पार्थस्त्वां प्रतियोत्स्यति वा न वा। वृथाकुलसमाचारैर्न युध्यन्ते नृपात्मजाः
Then, knowing this, Partha may or may not accept your challenge; princes do not fight with those of unknown lineage.
एवमुक्तस्य कर्णस्य व्रीडावनतमाननम्। बभौ वर्षाम्बुविक्लिन्नं पद्ममागलितं यथा
When Karna was thus addressed, his face fell in shame, like a lotus drenched by rain, its petals drooping.
आचार्य त्रिविधा योनी राज्ञां शास्त्रविनिश्चये। सत्कुलीनश्च शूरश्च यश्च सेनां प्रकर्षति
Teacher, there are three kinds of royal birth, as determined by scripture: one of noble family, one who is heroic, and one who leads armies.
अद्भ्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मतः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम्। तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति
From water comes fire, from Brahman comes the warrior, from stone comes iron; their inherent energy is everywhere, but rests in their own origins.
यद्ययं फाल्गुनो युद्धे नाराज्ञा योद्धुमिच्छति। तस्मादेषोऽङ्गविषये मया राज्येऽभिषिच्यते
If this Phalguna does not wish to fight without the king's command, then I shall anoint him as king in the land of Anga.
ततो राजानमामन्त्र्य गाङ्गेयं च पितामहम्। अभिषेकस्य संभारान्समानीय द्विजातिभिः
Then, after addressing the king and Bhishma, the son of Ganga, he gathered the materials for the consecration with the help of the twice-born.
गोसहस्रायुतं दत्त्वा युक्तानां पुण्यकर्मणाम्। अर्होऽयमङ्गराज्यस्य इति वाच्य द्विजातिभिः
Having given ten thousand cows of good deeds, let the twice-born declare, 'He is worthy of the kingdom of Anga.'
ततस्तस्मिन्क्षणे कर्णः सलाजकुसुमैर्घटैः। काञ्चनैः काञ्चने पीठे मन्त्रविद्भिर्महारथः
Then, at that very moment, Karna, the great chariot-warrior, was consecrated as king of Anga with jars adorned with sandalwood and flowers, golden vessels, and upon a golden seat by those skilled in mantras.
अभिषिक्तोऽङ्गराजे स श्रिया युक्तो महाबलः। `स मौलिहारकेयूरः सहस्ताभरणाङ्गदः
Thus consecrated as king of Anga, endowed with splendor and great strength, he wore a royal diadem, a necklace, armlets, and bracelets on his hands.
राजलिङ्गैस्तथाऽन्यैश्च भूषितो भूषणैः शुभैः।' सच्छत्रवालव्यजनो जयशब्दोत्तरेण च
Adorned with royal insignia and other auspicious ornaments, with white umbrellas and fans, and with shouts of victory resounding.
उवाच कौरवं राजन्वचनं स वृषस्तदा। अस्य राज्यप्रदानस्य सदृशं किं ददानि ते
Then that bull among men spoke these words to the Kaurava king: 'What gift shall I give you in return for this grant of a kingdom?'
प्रब्रूहि राजशार्दूल कर्ता ह्यस्मि तथा नृप। अत्यन्तं सख्यमिच्छामीत्याह तं स सुयोधनः
'Speak, O tiger among kings, for I shall do so,' said Karna. Then Suyodhana replied to him, 'I desire your utmost friendship.'
एवमुक्तस्ततः कर्णस्तथेति प्रत्युवाच तम्। हर्षाच्चोभौ समाश्लिष्य परां मुदमवापतुः
Thus addressed, Karna replied, 'So be it.' Then, both embraced each other in joy and attained the highest delight.
ततः स्रस्तोत्तरपटः सप्रस्वेदः सवेपथुः। विवेशाधिरथो रङ्गं यष्टिप्राणो ह्वयन्निव
Then Adhiratha, with his upper garment slipping, sweating and trembling, entered the arena, as if summoned by the very call of his life.
तमालोक्य धनुस्त्यक्त्वा पितृगौरवयन्त्रितः। कर्णोऽभिषेकार्द्रशिराः शिरसा समवन्दत
Seeing him, Karna, restrained by respect for his father, set aside his bow, and with his head still wet from the consecration, bowed down with his head.
ततः पादाववच्छाद्य पटान्तेन ससंभ्रमः। पुत्रेति परिपूर्णार्थमब्रवीद्रथसारथिम्
Then, covering his feet with the edge of his garment, trembling, he addressed the charioteer, saying 'Son,' thus fully expressing his meaning.
परिष्वज्य च तस्याथ मूर्धानं स्नेहविक्लवः। अङ्गराज्याभिषेकार्द्रमश्रुभिः सिषिचे पुनः
Then, embracing him, his heart overcome with affection, he again bathed Karna's head, still wet from the Anga consecration, with his tears.
तं दृष्ट्वा सूतपुत्रोऽयमिति संचिन्त्य पाण्डवः। भीमसेनस्तदा वाक्यमब्रवीत्प्रहसन्निव
Seeing that he is the son of a charioteer, Bhimasena, the Pandava, thought thus and spoke these words, almost laughing.
न त्वमर्हसि पार्थेन सूतपुत्र रणे वधम्। कुलस्य सदृशस्तूर्णं प्रतोदो गृह्यतां त्वया
'You are not worthy, son of a charioteer, to be slain in battle by Partha. Take up the whip quickly, as befits your lineage.'
अङ्गराज्यं च नार्हस्त्वमुपभोक्तुं नराधम। श्वा हुताशसमीपस्थं पुरोडाशमिवाध्वरे
'Nor are you fit, wretch among men, to enjoy the kingdom of Anga, just as a dog is unfit to taste the sacrificial offering near the fire.'
एवमुक्तस्ततः कर्णः किंचित्प्रस्फुरिताधरः। गगनस्थं विनिःश्वस्य दिवाकरमुदैक्षत
Thus addressed, Karna's lips quivered slightly; he exhaled toward the sky and gazed at the sun.
ततो दुर्योधनः कोपादुत्पपात महाबलः। भ्रातृपद्मवनात्तस्मान्मदोत्कट इव द्विपः
Then Duryodhana, mighty in strength, leapt up in anger from among his brothers, like a maddened elephant from a lotus pond.
सोऽब्रवीद्भीमकर्माणं भीमसेनमवस्थितम्। वृकोदर न युक्तं ते वचनं वक्तुमीदृशम्
He then spoke to Bhīmasena, who stood there, mighty in deeds: 'Vṛkodara, it is not fitting for you to speak such words.'
क्षत्रियाणां बलं ज्यष्ठं योक्तव्यं क्षत्रबन्धुना। शूराणां च नदीनां च प्रभवो दुर्विभावनः
A kṣatriya must always employ his greatest strength; the origin of the brave and of rivers is difficult to comprehend.