Karna's Conquest of the World

Verse 1 (3.255.1)

ततः कर्णो महेष्वासो बलेन महता वृतः । द्रुपदस्य पुरं रम्यं रुरोध भरतर्षभ ॥

tataḥ karṇo maheṣvāso balena mahatā vṛtaḥ | drupadasya puraṃ ramyaṃ rurodha bharatarṣabha

Vaishampayana said: Then Karna, the great archer, at the head of a mighty army, laid siege to Drupada's lovely city, O bull of the Bharatas.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 28–29.

Verse 2 (3.255.2)

युद्धेन महता चैनं चक्रे वीरं वशानुगम् । सुवर्णं रजतं चापि रत्नानि विविधानि च । करं च दापयांमास द्रुपदं नृपसत्तम ॥

yuddhena mahatā cainaṃ cakre vīraṃ vaśānugam | suvarṇaṃ rajataṃ cāpi ratnāni vividhāni ca | karaṃ ca dāpayāṃmāsa drupadaṃ nṛpasattama

In a great battle he brought that hero under his sway, and he made Drupada pay tribute — gold and silver and gems of many kinds — O best of kings.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 30–32.

Verse 3 (3.255.3)

तं विनिर्जित्य राजेन्द्र राजानस्तस्य येऽनुगाः । तान्सर्वान्वशगांश्चक्रे करं चैनानदापयत् ॥

taṃ vinirjitya rājendra rājānastasya ye'nugāḥ | tānsarvānvaśagāṃścakre karaṃ cainānadāpayat

Having vanquished him, O king of kings, he brought under his control all the kings who followed Drupada, and made them pay tribute too.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 33–34.

Verse 4 (3.255.4)

अथोत्तरां दिशं गत्वा वशे चक्रे नराधिपान् । भगदत्तं च निर्जित्य राधेयो गिरिमारुहत् ॥

athottarāṃ diśaṃ gatvā vaśe cakre narādhipān | bhagadattaṃ ca nirjitya rādheyo girimāruhat

Then he went to the northern quarter and subdued its rulers; and after defeating Bhagadatta, Radha's son climbed the mountain —

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 35–36.

Verse 5 (3.255.5)

हिमवन्तं महाशैलं युध्यमानश्च शत्रुभिः । प्रययौ च दिशः सर्वान्नृपतीन्वशमानयत् ॥

himavantaṃ mahāśailaṃ yudhyamānaśca śatrubhiḥ | prayayau ca diśaḥ sarvānnṛpatīnvaśamānayat

Himavat, the great mountain — fighting his enemies all the while. He advanced in every direction and brought all the kings under his power.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 37–38.

Verse 6 (3.255.6)

स हैमवतिकाञ्जित्वा करं सर्वानदापयत् । नेपालविषये ये च राजानस्तानवाजयत् ॥

sa haimavatikāñjitvā karaṃ sarvānadāpayat | nepālaviṣaye ye ca rājānastānavājayat

He conquered the peoples of the Himalaya and made them all pay tribute, and he defeated the kings of the land of Nepala.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 39–40.

Verse 7 (3.255.7)

अवतीर्य ततः शैलात्पूर्वां दिशमभिद्रुतः । अङ्गान्वङ्गान्कलिङ्गांश्च शुण्डिकान्मिथिलानथ ॥

avatīrya tataḥ śailātpūrvāṃ diśamabhidrutaḥ | aṅgānvaṅgānkaliṅgāṃśca śuṇḍikānmithilānatha

Coming down from the mountain, he swept on to the eastern quarter, against the Angas, the Vangas and the Kalingas, the Shundikas and the Mithilas,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 41–42.

Verse 8 (3.255.8)

मागधान्कर्कखण्डांश्च निवेश्य विषयेऽऽत्मनः । आवशीरांश्च योध्यांश्च अहिक्षत्रांश्च सोऽजयत् ॥

māgadhānkarkakhaṇḍāṃśca niveśya viṣaye''tmanaḥ | āvaśīrāṃśca yodhyāṃśca ahikṣatrāṃśca so'jayat

the Magadhas and the Karkakhandas, bringing them into his own dominion; and he conquered the Avashiras, the Yodhyas and the Ahikshatras.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 43–44.

Verse 9 (3.255.9)

पूर्वां दिशं विनिर्जित्य वत्सभूमिं तथाऽगमत् ॥

pūrvāṃ diśaṃ vinirjitya vatsabhūmiṃ tathā'gamat

Having conquered the eastern quarter, he went on to Vatsabhumi.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), line 45.

Verse 10 (3.255.10)

वत्सभूमिं विनिर्जित्य केवलां मृत्तिकावतीम् । मोहनं पत्तनं चैव त्रिपुरीं कोसलां तथा ॥

vatsabhūmiṃ vinirjitya kevalāṃ mṛttikāvatīm | mohanaṃ pattanaṃ caiva tripurīṃ kosalāṃ tathā

Having conquered Vatsabhumi, he took Kevala, Mrittikavati, Mohana, Pattana, Tripuri and Kosala.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 46–47.

Verse 11 (3.255.11)

एतान्सर्वान्विनिर्जित्य करमादाय सर्वशः । दक्षिणां दिशमास्थाय कर्णो जित्वा महारथान् । रुक्मिणं दाक्षिणात्येषु योधयामास सूतजः ॥

etānsarvānvinirjitya karamādāya sarvaśaḥ | dakṣiṇāṃ diśamāsthāya karṇo jitvā mahārathān | rukmiṇaṃ dākṣiṇātyeṣu yodhayāmāsa sūtajaḥ

Having conquered all these and taken tribute from every one of them, Karna turned to the southern quarter; defeating great chariot-warriors there, the charioteer's son gave battle to Rukmi among the southern kings.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 48–50.

Verse 12 (3.255.12)

स युद्धं तुमुलं कृत्वा रुक्मी प्रोवाच सूतजम् । प्रीतोऽस्मि तव राजेन्द्र विक्रमेण बलेन च ॥

sa yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ kṛtvā rukmī provāca sūtajam | prīto'smi tava rājendra vikrameṇa balena ca

After a tumultuous battle Rukmi said to the charioteer's son: "I am pleased with you, O king of kings, with your valour and your strength.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 51–52. Corrected प्रीतोस्मि → प्रीतोऽस्मि (missing avagraha; the critical edition's appendix reads prīto 'smi).

Verse 13 (3.255.13)

न ते विघ्नं करिष्यामि प्रतिज्ञां समपालयम् । प्रीत्या चाहं प्रयच्छामि हिरण्यं यावदिच्छसि ॥

na te vighnaṃ kariṣyāmi pratijñāṃ samapālayam | prītyā cāhaṃ prayacchāmi hiraṇyaṃ yāvadicchasi

I will put no obstacle in your way; I have kept my vow as a warrior. Out of goodwill I will give you as much gold as you wish."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 53–54.

Verse 14 (3.255.14)

समेत्य रुक्मिणा कर्णः पाण्ड्यं शैलं च सोऽगमत् ॥

sametya rukmiṇā karṇaḥ pāṇḍyaṃ śailaṃ ca so'gamat

Having come to terms with Rukmi, Karna went on to the Pandya country and to the mountain Shrishaila.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), line 55. Corrected सोगमत् → सोऽगमत् (missing avagraha; the critical edition's appendix reads so 'gamat).

Verse 15 (3.255.15)

स केरलं रणे चैव नीलं चापि महीपतिम् । वेणुदारिसुतं चैव ये चान्ये नृपसत्तमाः । दक्षिणस्यां दिशि नृपान्करान्सर्वानदापयत् ॥

sa keralaṃ raṇe caiva nīlaṃ cāpi mahīpatim | veṇudārisutaṃ caiva ye cānye nṛpasattamāḥ | dakṣiṇasyāṃ diśi nṛpānkarānsarvānadāpayat

In battle he made Kerala and King Nila, the son of Venudari, and the other excellent kings of the southern quarter all pay tribute.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 56–58. Corrected केवलं रणए → केरलं रणे (misprints in Wikisource: केवलं for the country Kerala, and a broken रणए; the critical edition's appendix reads keralaṃ raṇe).

Verse 16 (3.255.16)

शैशुपालिं ततो गत्वा विजिग्ये सूतनन्दनः । पार्श्वस्थांश्चापि नृपतीन्वशे चक्रे महाबलः ॥

śaiśupāliṃ tato gatvā vijigye sūtanandanaḥ | pārśvasthāṃścāpi nṛpatīnvaśe cakre mahābalaḥ

Then the charioteer's son went to Shishupala's son and defeated him; and the mighty one brought the neighbouring kings under his control as well.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 59–60.

Verse 17 (3.255.17)

आवन्त्यांश्च वशे कृत्वा साम्ना च भरतर्षभ । वृष्णिभिः सह संगम्य पश्चिमामपि निर्जयत् ॥

āvantyāṃśca vaśe kṛtvā sāmnā ca bharatarṣabha | vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha saṃgamya paścimāmapi nirjayat

He won over the people of Avanti by conciliation, O bull of the Bharatas, and, joining forces with the Vrishnis, he conquered the west as well.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 61–62. Corrected संम्य → संगम्य (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara; the critical edition's appendix reads saṃgamya).

Verse 18 (3.255.18)

वारुणीं दिशमागम्य यावनान्बर्बरांस्तथा । नृपान्पश्चिमभूमिस्थान्दापयामास वै करान् ॥

vāruṇīṃ diśamāgamya yāvanānbarbarāṃstathā | nṛpānpaścimabhūmisthāndāpayāmāsa vai karān

Reaching Varuna's quarter, he made the Yavana and Barbara kings who dwell in the western lands pay tribute.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 63–64. Corrected वर्बरांस्तथा → बर्बरांस्तथा (misprint in Wikisource; व for ब; the critical edition's appendix reads barbarāṃs tathā).

Verse 19 (3.255.19)

विजित्य पृथिवीं सर्वां सपूर्वापरदक्षिणाम् । सम्लेच्छाटविकान्वीरः सपर्वतनिवासिनः ॥

vijitya pṛthivīṃ sarvāṃ sapūrvāparadakṣiṇām | samlecchāṭavikānvīraḥ saparvatanivāsinaḥ

The hero conquered the whole earth, east, west and south, together with the mlecchas, the forest tribes and the dwellers in the mountains —

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 65–66.

Verse 20 (3.255.20)

भद्रान्रोहितकांश्चैव आग्रेयान्मालवानपि । गणान्सर्वान्विनिर्जित्य नीतिकृत्प्रहसन्निव ॥

bhadrānrohitakāṃścaiva āgreyānmālavānapi | gaṇānsarvānvinirjitya nītikṛtprahasanniva

the Bhadras, the Rohitakas, the Agreyas and the Malavas; a master of policy, he vanquished all those tribal republics as if with a laugh.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 67–68.

Verse 21 (3.255.21)

शशकान्यवनांश्चैव विजिग्ये सूतनन्दनः । नग्नजित्प्रमुखांश्चैव गणाञ्जित्वा महारथान् ॥

śaśakānyavanāṃścaiva vijigye sūtanandanaḥ | nagnajitpramukhāṃścaiva gaṇāñjitvā mahārathān

The charioteer's son conquered the Shashakas and the Yavanas, and defeated the republics led by Nagnajit, great chariot-warriors all.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 69–70.

Verse 22 (3.255.22)

एवं स पृथिवीं सर्वां वशे कृत्वा महारथः । विजित्य पुरुषव्याघ्रो नागसाह्वयमागमत् ॥

evaṃ sa pṛthivīṃ sarvāṃ vaśe kṛtvā mahārathaḥ | vijitya puruṣavyāghro nāgasāhvayamāgamat

Thus the great chariot-warrior, the tiger among men, brought the whole earth under his sway and, victorious, returned to the city named after the elephant.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 71–72.

Verse 23 (3.255.23)

तमागतं महेष्वासं धार्तराष्ट्रो जनाधिपः । प्रत्युद्गत्य महाराज सभ्रातृपितृबान्धवः ॥

tamāgataṃ maheṣvāsaṃ dhārtarāṣṭro janādhipaḥ | pratyudgatya mahārāja sabhrātṛpitṛbāndhavaḥ

When the great archer arrived, King Duryodhana, son of Dhritarashtra, went out to meet him, great king, with his brothers, his father and his kinsmen,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 73–74.

Verse 24 (3.255.24)

अर्चयामास विधिना कर्णमाहवशोभिनम् । आश्रावयच्च तत्कर्म प्रीयमाणो जनेश्वरः ॥

arcayāmāsa vidhinā karṇamāhavaśobhinam | āśrāvayacca tatkarma prīyamāṇo janeśvaraḥ

and he honoured Karna, the glory of battle, with due rites. Delighted, the lord of men had that feat proclaimed throughout the city.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 75–76.

Verse 25 (3.255.25)

यन्न भीष्मान्न च द्रोणान्न कृपान्न च वाह्लिकात् । प्राप्तवानस्मि भद्रं ते त्वत्तःप्राप्तं मया हि तत् ॥

yanna bhīṣmānna ca droṇānna kṛpānna ca vāhlikāt | prāptavānasmi bhadraṃ te tvattaḥprāptaṃ mayā hi tat

"What I never obtained from Bhishma, nor from Drona, nor from Kripa, nor from Bahlika, I have obtained from you — bless you.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 77–78.

Verse 26 (3.255.26)

बहुना च किमुक्तेन शृणु कर्ण वचो मम । सनाथोऽस्मि महाबाहो त्वया नाथेन सत्तम ॥

bahunā ca kimuktena śṛṇu karṇa vaco mama | sanātho'smi mahābāho tvayā nāthena sattama

Why say more? Hear my words, Karna: in you, mighty-armed one, best of men, I have found my protector.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 79–80. Corrected सनाथोस्मि → सनाथोऽस्मि (missing avagraha; the critical edition's appendix reads sanātho 'smi).

Verse 27 (3.255.27)

न हि ते पाण्डवाः सर्वे कलामर्हन्ति षोडशीम् । अन्येवा पुरुषव्याघ्र राजानोऽभ्युदितोदिताः ॥

na hi te pāṇḍavāḥ sarve kalāmarhanti ṣoḍaśīm | anyevā puruṣavyāghra rājāno'bhyuditoditāḥ

All the Pandavas together are not worth a sixteenth part of you, tiger among men — nor are other kings, however exalted.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 81–82.

Verse 28 (3.255.28)

स भवान्धृतराष्ट्रं तं गान्धारीं च यशस्विनीम् । पश्य कर्ण महेष्वास अदितिं वज्रभृद्यथा ॥

sa bhavāndhṛtarāṣṭraṃ taṃ gāndhārīṃ ca yaśasvinīm | paśya karṇa maheṣvāsa aditiṃ vajrabhṛdyathā

Now, great archer Karna, go and see Dhritarashtra and the illustrious Gandhari, as the wielder of the thunderbolt visits Aditi."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 83–84.

Verse 29 (3.255.29)

ततो हलहलाशब्दः प्रादुरासीद्विशांपते । हाहाकाराश्च बहवो नगरे नागसाह्वये ॥

tato halahalāśabdaḥ prādurāsīdviśāṃpate | hāhākārāśca bahavo nagare nāgasāhvaye

Then, lord of the people, a great uproar arose, and many cries of "Ah! Ah!" in the city named after the elephant.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 85–86.

Verse 30 (3.255.30)

केचिदेनं प्रशंसन्ति निन्दन्ति स्म तथा परे । तूष्णीमासंस्तथा चान्ये नृपास्तत्र जनाधिप ॥

kecidenaṃ praśaṃsanti nindanti sma tathā pare | tūṣṇīmāsaṃstathā cānye nṛpāstatra janādhipa

Some praised him, while others found fault with him; and some of the kings there kept silent, O ruler of men.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 87–88. Corrected रकेचिदेनं → केचिदेनं (misprint in Wikisource; stray र; the critical edition's appendix reads ke cid enaṃ).

Verse 31 (3.255.31)

एवं विजित्य राजेन्द्र कर्णः शस्त्रभृतांवरः । सपर्वतवनाकाशां ससमुद्रां सनिष्कुटाम् ॥

evaṃ vijitya rājendra karṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃvaraḥ | saparvatavanākāśāṃ sasamudrāṃ saniṣkuṭām

Thus, O king of kings, Karna, best of those who bear arms, conquered the earth with its mountains, forests and open country, its seas and its pleasure gardens —

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 89–90. Corrected सनुष्कुटाम् → सनिष्कुटाम् (misprint in Wikisource; निष्कुट, "pleasure garden"; the critical edition's appendix reads saniṣkuṭām).

Verse 32 (3.255.32)

देशैरुच्चावचैः पूर्णां पत्तनैर्नगरैरपि । द्वीपैश्चानूपसंपूर्णैः पृथिवीं पृथिवीपते ॥

deśairuccāvacaiḥ pūrṇāṃ pattanairnagarairapi | dvīpaiścānūpasaṃpūrṇaiḥ pṛthivīṃ pṛthivīpate

the earth full of lands high and low, of towns and cities, and of islands and marshlands, O lord of the earth;

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 91–92.

Verse 33 (3.255.33)

कालेन नातिदीर्घेण वशे कृत्वा तु पार्थिवान् । अक्षयं धनमादाय सूतजो नृपमभ्ययात् ॥

kālena nātidīrgheṇa vaśe kṛtvā tu pārthivān | akṣayaṃ dhanamādāya sūtajo nṛpamabhyayāt

having in no long time brought its kings under his sway, the charioteer's son took inexhaustible wealth and came to the king.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 93–94.

Verse 34 (3.255.34)

प्रविश्य च गृहं राजन्नभ्यन्तरमरिंदम । गान्धारीसहितं वीरो धृतराष्ट्रं ददर्श सः ॥

praviśya ca gṛhaṃ rājannabhyantaramariṃdama | gāndhārīsahitaṃ vīro dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ dadarśa saḥ

Entering the inner palace, O king, subduer of enemies, the hero saw Dhritarashtra together with Gandhari.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 95–96.

Verse 35 (3.255.35)

पुत्रवच्च नरव्याघ्र पादौ जग्राह धर्मवित् । धृतराष्ट्रेण चाश्लिष्य प्रेम्णा चापि विसर्जितः ॥

putravacca naravyāghra pādau jagrāha dharmavit | dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa cāśliṣya premṇā cāpi visarjitaḥ

Like a son, O tiger among men, he who knew dharma clasped their feet; and Dhritarashtra embraced him with affection and then let him go.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 97–98.

Verse 36 (3.255.36)

तदाप्रभृति राजा च शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः । जानाते निर्जितान्पार्थान्कर्णेन युधि भारत ॥

tadāprabhṛti rājā ca śakuniścāpi saubalaḥ | jānāte nirjitānpārthānkarṇena yudhi bhārata

From that time on, O Bharata, the king and Shakuni, son of Subala, both looked on the sons of Pritha as already defeated by Karna in battle.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the CE gives it only in Appendix I.24 (inserted after 3.241.15b), lines 99–100.