मूलं च सुकृतं कृत्वा भुङ्क्ते भूमिं च पाण्डवः। अशक्यान्पाण्डवान्मन्ये देवैरपि सवासवैः
Having established a righteous foundation, the Pandava enjoys the land; I think even the gods together with Indra could not overcome the Pandavas.
येषामर्थे सदा युक्तौ कृष्णसंकर्षणावुभौ। श्रेयश्च यदि मन्यद्वं मन्मतं यदि वा मतम्
For whose sake Krishna and Sankarshana are always engaged; if you consider it beneficial, or if you agree with my opinion—
संविदं पाण्डवैः सर्वैः कृत्वा याम यथागतम्। गोपुराट्टालकैरुच्चैरुपतल्पशतैरपि
Let us, after reaching an understanding with all the Pandavas, depart as we have come, even though there are lofty gateways, towers, and hundreds of inner chambers.
गुप्तं पुरवरश्रेष्ठमेतदद्भिश्च संवृतम्। तृणधान्येन्धरसैस्तथा यन्त्रायुधौषधैः
This excellent and well-guarded city is surrounded by water, and filled with grass, grain, fuel, machines, weapons, and medicinal herbs.
युक्तं बहुकवाटैश्च द्रव्यागारसुवेदिकैः। भीमोच्छ्रितमहाचक्रं बृहदट्टालसंवृतम्
It is equipped with many gates, storerooms, and altars; with massive wheels raised by Bhima's strength, and enclosed by great towers.
दृढप्राकारनिर्यूहं शतघ्नीशतसंकुलम्। ऐष्टको दारवो वप्रो मानुषश्चेति यः स्मृतः
With strong ramparts and outworks, crowded with hundreds of engines of war; the embankment is said to be made of bricks, wood, and earth.
प्राकारकर्तृभिर्वीरैर्नृगर्भस्तत्र पूजितः। तदेतन्नरगर्भेण पाण्डरेण विराजते
Within, the city is honored by heroic builders of the ramparts; and it shines with the presence of Pandara, born in the city.
सालेनानेकतालेन सर्वतः संवृतं पुरम्। अनुरक्ताः प्रकृतयो द्रुपदस्य महात्मनः
The city is surrounded on all sides by a great wall of many palmyra trees; the people of the great-souled Drupada are loyal.
दानमानार्जिताः सर्वे बाह्याभ्यन्तरगाश्च ये। प्रतिरुद्धानिमाञ्ज्ञात्वा राजभिर्भीमविक्रमैः
All those within and without, who have been won over by gifts and respect, are loyal; knowing these are restrained by kings of mighty valor.
उपयास्यन्ति दाशार्हाः समुदग्रोच्छ्रितायुधाः। तस्मात्संन्धिं वयं कृत्वा धार्तराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवैः
The Dasharhas, bearing weapons raised high, will come; therefore, let us make peace between the sons of Dhritarashtra and the Pandavas.
स्वराष्ट्रमेव गच्छामो यद्याप्तं वचनं मम। एतन्मम मतं सर्वैः क्रियतां यदि रोचते। एतद्धि सुकृतं मन्ये क्षेमं चापि महीभिताम्
Let us return to our own kingdom, if my words are acceptable; let this be done by all if it pleases you. I think this is the righteous and safe course for kings.
सौमदत्तेर्वचः श्रुत्वा कर्णो वैकर्तनो वृषा। उवाच वचनं काले कालज्ञः सर्वकर्मणाम्
Hearing the words of Saumadatti, Karna, son of Vikartana, the mighty one, who knows the proper time for all actions, spoke these timely words.
नीतिपूर्वमिदं सर्वमुक्तं वचनमर्थवत्। वचनं नाभ्यसूयामि श्रूयतां यद्वचस्त्विति
All this has been spoken with policy and meaning; I do not find fault with these words. Listen now to what I have to say.
द्वैधीभावो न गन्तव्यः सर्वकर्मसु मानवैः। द्विधाभूतेन मनसा अन्यत्कर्म न सिध्यति
One should not act with a divided mind in any undertaking; with a mind split in two, no action succeeds.
संप्रयाणासनाभ्यां तु कर्शनेन तथैव च। नैतच्छक्यं पुरं हर्तुमाक्रन्दश्चाप्यशोभनः
By siege or by assault, or by wearing them down, this city cannot be taken; and a mere outcry is not fitting.
अवमर्दनकालोऽत्र मतश्चिन्तयतो मम। यावन्नो वृष्णयः पार्ष्णिं न गृह्णन्तिरणप्रियाः
Now is the time for pressing the attack, as I consider while reflecting; before the Vrishnis, dear to battle, seize our rear.
भवन्तश्च तथा हृष्टाः स्वबाहुबलशालिनः। प्राकारमवमृद्रन्तु परिघाः पूरयन्त्वपि
You all, strong in the power of your own arms, should break down the rampart, and let the battering rams fill the moat.
प्रस्रावयन्तु सलिलं क्रियतां विषमं समम्। तृणकाष्ठेन महता खातमस्य प्रपूर्यताम्
Let water be drained away, let the ground be made uneven and level; let the great moat be filled with grass and wood.
घुष्यतां राजमार्गेषु परेषां यो हनिष्यति। नागमश्वं पदातिं वा दानमानं स लप्स्यति
Let it be proclaimed in the royal roads: whoever kills the enemy—whether elephant, horse, or foot-soldier—shall receive gifts and honor.
नागे दशसहस्राणि पञ्च चाश्वपदातिषु। रथे वै द्विगुणं नागाद्वसु दास्यन्ति पार्थिवाः
For an elephant, ten thousand; for horse and foot-soldier, five thousand; for a chariot, twice as much as for an elephant—the kings will bestow wealth.
यश्च कामसुखे सक्तो बालश्च स्थविरश्च यः। अयुद्धमनसो ये च ते तु तिष्ठन्तु भीरवः
Whoever is attached to pleasure, or is a child, or is old, or whose mind is not set on battle—let those fearful ones remain behind.
प्रदरश्च न दातव्यो न गन्तव्यमचोदितैः। यशो रक्षत भद्रं वो जेष्यामो वै रिपून्वयम्
No one should give passage or go forth without being summoned; protect your honor—good fortune to you—we shall indeed conquer our foes.
अनुलोमाश्च नो वाताः सततं मृगपक्षिणः। अग्नयश्च विराजन्ते शस्त्राणि कवचानि च
The winds are always favorable to us, as are the beasts and birds; the fires blaze brightly, and our weapons and armor shine.
ततः कर्णवचः श्रुत्वा धार्तराष्ट्रप्रियैषिणः। निर्ययुः पृथिवीपालाश्चालयन्तः परान्रणे
Then, hearing Karna’s words, who sought the good of Dhritarashtra’s sons, the kings set out, shaking the enemy in battle.
न हि तेषां मनःसक्तिरिन्द्रियार्थेषु सर्वशः। यथा परिरपुघ्नानां प्रसभं युद्ध एव च
Their minds were not at all attached to sense-objects, but only to fiercely striking down the enemy and to battle itself.
वैकर्तनपुरोव्रातः सैन्धवोर्मिमहास्वनः। दुःशासनमहामत्स्यो दुर्योधनमहाग्रहः
At their head was Karna, like a mighty wave of the Sindhu; Duhshasana, the great fish, and Duryodhana, the great shark.
स राजसागरो भीमो भीमघोषप्रदर्शनः। अभिदुद्राव वेगेन पुरं तदपसव्यतः
That royal ocean, Bhima, with a terrible roar, rushed swiftly at the city from the left side.
तदनीकमनाधृष्यं शस्त्राग्निव्यालदीपितम्। समुत्कम्पितमाज्ञाय चुक्रुशुर्द्रुपदात्मजाः
Seeing that invincible army, blazing with the fire of weapons and armor, trembling, the sons of Drupada shouted aloud.
ते मेघसमनिर्घोषैर्बलिनः स्यन्दनोत्तमैः। निर्ययुर्नगरद्वारात्त्रासयन्तः परान्र
Those mighty warriors, with chariots of the highest quality, whose roar was like thunderclouds, sallied out from the city gates, terrifying the enemy.
धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च सुमित्रः प्रियदर्शनः। चित्रकेतुः सुकेतुश्च ध्वजकेतुश्च वीर्यवान्
Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Sumitra the gracious, Citraketu, Suketu, and the valiant Dhvajaketu—