Karna Defeats Nakula and Lets Him Go

Verse 1 (8.15.1)

नकुलं रभसं युद्धे द्रावयन्तं वरूथिनीम् । कर्णो वैकर्तनो राजन्वारयामास वै रुषा ॥

nakulaṃ rabhasaṃ yuddhe drāvayantaṃ varūthinīm | karṇo vaikartano rājanvārayāmāsa vai ruṣā

Nakula was furiously driving the host to flight in the battle, and Karna Vaikartana, O king, angrily checked him.

Note on the text: Adhyaya note: checked against the raw Wikisource page (a table, one row per verse, printed 8-15-1 to 8-15-78, ending with a colophon naming this the 15th adhyaya of the sixteenth-day battle); page and input agree on all 78 verses. Wikisource 15 corresponds to the critical edition 8.17.48–120 (the critical edition's 8.17 also holds the end of Wikisource 14). Line 1 reads द्रावयन्तम् where the critical edition reads dārayantam, and line 2 रुषा where it reads tadā (kept as variants).

Verse 2 (8.15.2)

नकुलस्तु ततः कर्णं प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् । चिरस्य बत दृष्टोऽहं दैवतैः सौम्यचक्षुषा ॥

nakulastu tataḥ karṇaṃ prahasannidamabravīt | cirasya bata dṛṣṭo'haṃ daivataiḥ saumyacakṣuṣā

Then Nakula, laughing, said this to Karna: “After a long time, at last, the gods have looked on me with a kindly eye,

Verse 3 (8.15.3)

यस्य मे त्वं रणे पाप चक्षुर्विषयमागतः । त्वं हि मूलमनर्थानां वैरस्य कलहस्य च ॥

yasya me tvaṃ raṇe pāpa cakṣurviṣayamāgataḥ | tvaṃ hi mūlamanarthānāṃ vairasya kalahasya ca

for you, wicked man, have come within the range of my eyes in this battle. You are the root of all these evils, of the enmity and of the quarrel.

Verse 4 (8.15.4)

त्वद्दोषात्कुरवः क्षीणाः समासाद्य परस्परम् । त्वामद्य समरे हत्वा कृतकृत्योऽस्मि विज्वरः ॥

tvaddoṣātkuravaḥ kṣīṇāḥ samāsādya parasparam | tvāmadya samare hatvā kṛtakṛtyo'smi vijvaraḥ

Through your fault the Kurus have been destroyed, falling upon one another. Today, by killing you in battle, I shall have done my task and be free of this burning grief.”

Verse 5 (8.15.5)

एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच नकुलं सूतनन्दनः । सदृशं राजपुत्रस्य धन्विनश्च विशेषतः ॥

evamuktaḥ pratyuvāca nakulaṃ sūtanandanaḥ | sadṛśaṃ rājaputrasya dhanvinaśca viśeṣataḥ

Spoken to in this way, Karna, the charioteer's son, answered Nakula in words that suited a king's son and above all an archer:

Verse 6 (8.15.6)

प्रहरस्व च मे वीर पश्यामस्तव पौरुषम् । कर्म कृत्वा रणे शूर ततः कत्थितुमर्हसि ॥

praharasva ca me vīra paśyāmastava pauruṣam | karma kṛtvā raṇe śūra tataḥ katthitumarhasi

“Strike at me, hero, and let us see your manhood. Do the deed in battle first, brave one, and only then should you boast.

Note on the text: Corrected रमे → रणे (misprint in Wikisource; रमे ('I delight') makes no sense after कर्म कृत्वा; the critical edition reads raṇe). Line 1 reads प्रहरस्व च मे वीर where the critical edition reads praharasva raṇe bāla (kept as a variant).

Verse 7 (8.15.7)

अनुक्त्वा समरे तात शूरा युध्यन्ति शक्तितः । प्रयुध्यस्व मया शक्त्या हनिष्ये दर्पमेव ते ॥

anuktvā samare tāta śūrā yudhyanti śaktitaḥ | prayudhyasva mayā śaktyā haniṣye darpameva te

Heroes, my friend, fight with their strength without boasting beforehand. Fight me with all your might; I shall break your pride.”

Note on the text: Line 2 reads प्रयुध्यस्व … हनिष्ये दर्पमेव ते where the critical edition reads sa yudhyasva … vineṣye darpam adya te (kept as a variant).

Verse 8 (8.15.8)

इत्युक्त्वा प्राहरत्तूर्णं पाण्डुपुत्राय सूतजः । विव्याध चैनं समरे त्रिसप्तत्या शिलीमुखैः ॥

ityuktvā prāharattūrṇaṃ pāṇḍuputrāya sūtajaḥ | vivyādha cainaṃ samare trisaptatyā śilīmukhaiḥ

Having said this, the charioteer's son quickly struck the son of Pandu, and pierced him in the battle with seventy-three arrows.

Verse 9 (8.15.9)

नकुलस्तु ततो विद्धः सूतपुत्रेण भारत । अशीत्याऽऽशीविषप्रख्यैः सूतपुत्रमविध्यत ॥

nakulastu tato viddhaḥ sūtaputreṇa bhārata | aśītyā''śīviṣaprakhyaiḥ sūtaputramavidhyata

Nakula, pierced by the charioteer's son, O Bharata, struck the charioteer's son in return with eighty arrows like venomous snakes.

Note on the text: Corrected विद्वः → विद्धः (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध; the critical edition reads viddhaḥ).

Verse 10 (8.15.10)

तस्य कर्णो धनुश्छित्त्वा स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः । त्रिंशता परमेष्वासः शरैः पाण्डवमर्दयत् ॥

tasya karṇo dhanuśchittvā svarṇapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ | triṃśatā parameṣvāsaḥ śaraiḥ pāṇḍavamardayat

Karna, the supreme archer, cut his bow and afflicted the Pandava with thirty gold-feathered arrows whetted on stone.

Verse 11 (8.15.11)

ते तस्य कवचं भित्त्वा पपुः शोणितमाहवे । आशीविषा यथा नागा भित्त्वा गां सलिलं पपुः ॥

te tasya kavacaṃ bhittvā papuḥ śoṇitamāhave | āśīviṣā yathā nāgā bhittvā gāṃ salilaṃ papuḥ

Those arrows pierced his armour and drank his blood in the battle, as venomous snakes, having pierced the earth, drink the water.

Verse 12 (8.15.12)

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय हेमपृष्ठं दुरासदम् । कर्णं विव्याध सप्तत्या सारथिञ्च त्रिभिः शरैः ॥

athānyaddhanurādāya hemapṛṣṭhaṃ durāsadam | karṇaṃ vivyādha saptatyā sārathiñca tribhiḥ śaraiḥ

Then Nakula took up another bow, gold-backed and hard to withstand, and pierced Karna with seventy arrows and his charioteer with three.

Note on the text: Corrected अथान्यद्वनुरादाय → अथान्यद्धनुरादाय (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध; the critical edition reads dhanur). Line 2 reads सप्तत्या where the critical edition reads viṃśatyā (kept as a variant).

Verse 13 (8.15.13)

ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज नकुलः परवीरहा । क्षुरप्रेण सुतीक्ष्णेन कर्णस्य धनुराच्छिनत् ॥

tataḥ kruddho mahārāja nakulaḥ paravīrahā | kṣurapreṇa sutīkṣṇena karṇasya dhanurācchinat

Then, O great king, Nakula, slayer of hostile heroes, enraged, cut Karna's bow with a very sharp razor-headed arrow.

Note on the text: Corrected परवीहा → परवीरहा (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped र; the critical edition reads paravīrahā).

Verse 14 (8.15.14)

अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं सायकानां शतैस्त्रिभिः । आजघ्ने प्रहसन्वीरः सर्वलोकमहारथम् ॥

athainaṃ chinnadhanvānaṃ sāyakānāṃ śataistribhiḥ | ājaghne prahasanvīraḥ sarvalokamahāratham

Then, laughing, the hero struck Karna, the great chariot-warrior known in all the worlds, whose bow was cut, with three hundred arrows.

Verse 15 (8.15.15)

कर्णमभ्यर्दितं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डुपुत्रेण मारिष । विस्मयं परमं जग्मुर्ऋषयः सह दैवतैः ॥

karṇamabhyarditaṃ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍuputreṇa māriṣa | vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmurṛṣayaḥ saha daivataiḥ

Seeing Karna harassed by the son of Pandu, O honoured one, the sages together with the gods were filled with the greatest wonder.

Note on the text: Line 2 reads ऋषयः where the critical edition reads rathinaḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 16 (8.15.16)

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय कर्णो वैकर्तनस्तदा । नकुलं पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्जत्रुदेशे समार्पयत् ॥

athānyaddhanurādāya karṇo vaikartanastadā | nakulaṃ pañcabhirbāṇairjatrudeśe samārpayat

Then Karna Vaikartana took up another bow and fixed five arrows in Nakula's collar-bone.

Note on the text: Corrected अथान्यद्वनुरादाय → अथान्यद्धनुरादाय, पञ्छभिर्बाणैर् → पञ्चभिर्बाणैर् (misprints in Wikisource; व for ध; the critical edition reads dhanur; छ for च; the critical edition reads pañcabhir). Line 2 reads समार्पयत् where the critical edition reads samārdayat (kept as a variant).

Verse 17 (8.15.17)

उरस्थैरथ तैर्बाणैर्माद्रीपुत्रो व्यरोचत । स्वरश्मिभिरिवादित्यो भुवने विसृजन्प्रभाम् ॥

urasthairatha tairbāṇairmādrīputro vyarocata | svaraśmibhirivādityo bhuvane visṛjanprabhām

With those arrows standing in his chest, the son of Madri shone like the sun spreading its light over the world with its own rays.

Verse 18 (8.15.18)

नकुलस्तु ततः कर्णं विद्ध्वा सप्तभिराशुगैः । अथास्य धनुषः कोटिं पुनश्चिच्छेद मारिष ॥

nakulastu tataḥ karṇaṃ viddhvā saptabhirāśugaiḥ | athāsya dhanuṣaḥ koṭiṃ punaściccheda māriṣa

And Nakula, having pierced Karna with seven swift arrows, once more cut the tip of his bow, O honoured one.

Note on the text: Corrected विद्व्वा → विद्ध्वा (misprint in Wikisource; व्व for ध्व; the absolutive is विद्ध्वा, critical edition viddhvā). Line 1 reads आशुगैः where the critical edition reads āyasaiḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 19 (8.15.19)

सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय समरे वेगवत्तरम् । नकुलस्य ततो बाणैः समन्ताच्छादयद्दिशः ॥

so'nyatkārmukamādāya samare vegavattaram | nakulasya tato bāṇaiḥ samantācchādayaddiśaḥ

Taking up another bow, swifter still, he covered all the quarters with his arrows aimed at Nakula.

Note on the text: Corrected बैणैः → बाणैः (misprint in Wikisource; broken vowel sign; the critical edition reads bāṇaiḥ). Line 2 reads समन्ताच्छादयद्दिशः where the critical edition reads sarvato 'vārayad diśaḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 20 (8.15.20)

सञ्छाद्यमानः सहसा कर्णचापच्युतैः शरैः । चिच्छेद स शरांस्तूर्णं शरैरेव महारथः ॥

sañchādyamānaḥ sahasā karṇacāpacyutaiḥ śaraiḥ | ciccheda sa śarāṃstūrṇaṃ śaraireva mahārathaḥ

Suddenly covered by the arrows shot from Karna's bow, the great chariot-warrior quickly cut those arrows with arrows of his own.

Note on the text: Corrected कर्णचाप्युतैः सरैः → कर्णचापच्युतैः शरैः (misprint in Wikisource; चाप्युतैः for चापच्युतैः (dropped च) and सरैः for शरैः (स for श); the critical edition reads karṇacāpacyutaiḥ śaraiḥ).

Verse 21 (8.15.21)

ततो बाणमयं जालं विततं व्योम्न्यदृश्यत । खद्योतानामिव व्रातैः सम्पतद्भिर्यथा नभः ॥

tato bāṇamayaṃ jālaṃ vitataṃ vyomnyadṛśyata | khadyotānāmiva vrātaiḥ sampatadbhiryathā nabhaḥ

Then a net made of arrows was seen stretched out in the sky, as if the sky were filled with swarms of fireflies flying across it.

Verse 22 (8.15.22)

तैर्विमुक्तैः शरशतैश्छादितं गगनं तदा । शलभानां यथा व्रातैस्तद्वदासीद्विशाम्पते ॥

tairvimuktaiḥ śaraśataiśchāditaṃ gaganaṃ tadā | śalabhānāṃ yathā vrātaistadvadāsīdviśāmpate

The sky, covered with the hundreds of arrows loosed by them, became just as if it were filled with swarms of locusts, O lord of the people.

Note on the text: Line 2 reads तद्वदासीद्विशाम्पते where the critical edition reads tadvad āsīt samākulam (kept as a variant).

Verse 23 (8.15.23)

ते शरा हेमविकृताः सम्पतन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः । श्रेणीकृता व्यकाशान्त क्रौञ्चाः श्रेणीकृता इव ॥

te śarā hemavikṛtāḥ sampatanto muhurmuhuḥ | śreṇīkṛtā vyakāśānta krauñcāḥ śreṇīkṛtā iva

Those gold-adorned arrows, flying again and again, shone in lines, like cranes flying in lines.

Note on the text: Corrected सम्पन्तौ → सम्पतन्तो (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped त and a broken ending; the critical edition reads saṃpatanto). Line 2 reads क्रौञ्चाः श्रेणीकृता इव where the critical edition reads haṃsāḥ śreṇīgatā iva (kept as a variant).

Verse 24 (8.15.24)

बाणजालवृते व्योम्नि च्छादिते च दिवाकरे । न स्म सम्पतते भूतं किञ्चिदप्यन्तरिक्षगम् ॥

bāṇajālavṛte vyomni cchādite ca divākare | na sma sampatate bhūtaṃ kiñcidapyantarikṣagam

With the sky veiled by the net of arrows and the sun hidden, no creature that moves through the air could fly across it.

Note on the text: Line 2 reads न स्म सम्पतते भूतं किञ्चिदप्यन्तरिक्षगम् where the critical edition reads samasarpat tato bhūtaṃ kiṃ cid eva viśāṃ pate (kept as a variant).

Verse 25 (8.15.25)

निरुद्धे तत्र मार्गे च शरसङ्घैः समन्ततः । व्यरोचेतां महात्मानौ कालसूर्याविवोदितौ ॥

niruddhe tatra mārge ca śarasaṅghaiḥ samantataḥ | vyarocetāṃ mahātmānau kālasūryāvivoditau

With the path blocked on every side by masses of arrows, the two great-souled warriors shone like two suns of the world's end risen together.

Note on the text: Corrected निरुद्वे → निरुद्धे (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध; the critical edition reads niruddhe). Line 2 reads कालसूर्याविवोदितौ (the page's own note records बालसूर्याविवोदितौ in one manuscript; the critical edition has bālasūryāv ivoditau); kept.

Verse 26 (8.15.26)

कर्णचापच्युतैर्बाणैर्वध्यमानास्तु सोमकाः । अवालीयन्त राजेन्द्र वेदनार्ता भृशार्दिताः ॥

karṇacāpacyutairbāṇairvadhyamānāstu somakāḥ | avālīyanta rājendra vedanārtā bhṛśārditāḥ

Struck by the arrows loosed from Karna's bow, the Somakas, O king of kings, shrank back, pained and greatly afflicted.

Note on the text: Corrected भूशार्दिताः → भृशार्दिताः (misprint in Wikisource; a broken vowel sign (ू for ृ)). The critical edition reads śarārditāḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 27 (8.15.27)

नकुलस्य तथा बाणैर्हन्यमाना चमूस्तव । व्यशीर्यत दिशो राजन्वातनुन्ना इवाम्बुदाः ॥

nakulasya tathā bāṇairhanyamānā camūstava | vyaśīryata diśo rājanvātanunnā ivāmbudāḥ

Your army, struck by Nakula's arrows in the same way, O king, scattered in every direction like clouds driven by the wind.

Verse 28 (8.15.28)

ते सेने हन्यमाने तु ताभ्यां दिव्यैर्महाशरैः । शरपातमपाक्रम्य तस्थतुः प्रेक्षिके तदा ॥

te sene hanyamāne tu tābhyāṃ divyairmahāśaraiḥ | śarapātamapākramya tasthatuḥ prekṣike tadā

As the two armies were struck by the two warriors' mighty divine arrows, they drew back out of range of the arrows and stood as onlookers.

Verse 29 (8.15.29)

प्रोत्सारितजने तस्मिन्कर्णपाण्डवयोः शरैः । अविध्येतां महात्मानावन्योन्यं शरवृष्टिभिः ॥

protsāritajane tasminkarṇapāṇḍavayoḥ śaraiḥ | avidhyetāṃ mahātmānāvanyonyaṃ śaravṛṣṭibhiḥ

When the people there had been driven back by the arrows of Karna and the Pandava, those two great-souled men pierced each other with showers of arrows.

Verse 30 (8.15.30)

विदर्शयन्तौ दिव्यानि शस्त्राणि रणमूर्धनि । छादयन्तौ च सहसा परस्परवधैषिणौ ॥

vidarśayantau divyāni śastrāṇi raṇamūrdhani | chādayantau ca sahasā parasparavadhaiṣiṇau

Displaying divine weapons at the head of the battle and suddenly covering each other, each eager to kill the other,

Verse 31 (8.15.31)

नकुलेन शरा मुक्ताः कङ्कबर्हिणवाससः । सूतपुत्रमवच्छाद्य व्यतिष्ठन्त यथाऽम्बरे ॥

nakulena śarā muktāḥ kaṅkabarhiṇavāsasaḥ | sūtaputramavacchādya vyatiṣṭhanta yathā'mbare

the arrows loosed by Nakula, fledged with the feathers of herons and peacocks, covered the charioteer's son and stood in the sky.

Note on the text: Corrected मुक्ता → मुक्ताः (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped visarga; the plural शराः requires मुक्ताः, critical edition muktāḥ). Line 2 reads सूतपुत्रमवच्छाद्य व्यतिष्ठन्त यथाऽम्बरे where the critical edition reads te tu karṇam avacchādya vyatiṣṭhanta yathā pare (kept as a variant).

Verse 32 (8.15.32)

तथैव सूतपुत्रेण प्रेषिताः परमाहवे । पाण्डुपुत्रमवच्छाद्य व्यतिष्ठन्ताम्बरे शराः ॥

tathaiva sūtaputreṇa preṣitāḥ paramāhave | pāṇḍuputramavacchādya vyatiṣṭhantāmbare śarāḥ

In the same way the arrows sent by the charioteer's son in that supreme battle covered the son of Pandu and stood in the sky.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the star passage 8.17.78d*0130_01–02 (two lines, after 8.17.78), identical to the page.

Verse 33 (8.15.33)

शरवेश्मप्रविष्टौ तौ ददृशाते न कैश्चन । सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ राजञ्छाद्यमानौ घनैरिव ॥

śaraveśmapraviṣṭau tau dadṛśāte na kaiścana | sūryācandramasau rājañchādyamānau ghanairiva

Gone into a house of arrows, the two were seen by no one, like the sun and the moon, O king, when hidden by clouds.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 8.17.79a; line 2 reads सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ … घनैरिव where the critical edition reads candrasūryau yathā rājaṃś chādyamānau jalāgame (kept as a variant).

Verse 34 (8.15.34)

ततः क्रुद्धो रणे कर्णः कृत्वा घोरतरं वपुः । पाण्डवं छादयामास समन्ताच्छरवृष्टिभिः ॥

tataḥ kruddho raṇe karṇaḥ kṛtvā ghorataraṃ vapuḥ | pāṇḍavaṃ chādayāmāsa samantāccharavṛṣṭibhiḥ

Then Karna, enraged in battle, taking on a still more terrible form, covered the Pandava on every side with showers of arrows.

Verse 35 (8.15.35)

सोऽतिच्छन्नो महाराज सूतपुत्रेण पाण्डवः । न चकार व्यथां राजन्भास्करो जलदैर्यथा ॥

so'ticchanno mahārāja sūtaputreṇa pāṇḍavaḥ | na cakāra vyathāṃ rājanbhāskaro jaladairyathā

Though thickly covered by the charioteer's son, O great king, the Pandava showed no distress, like the sun behind clouds.

Verse 36 (8.15.36)

ततः प्रहस्याधिरथिः शरजालानि मारिष । प्रेषयामास समरे शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥

tataḥ prahasyādhirathiḥ śarajālāni māriṣa | preṣayāmāsa samare śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

Then, laughing, the son of Adhiratha, O honoured one, sent out nets of arrows in the battle, by hundreds and then by thousands.

Verse 37 (8.15.37)

एकच्छायमभूत्सर्वं तस्य बाणैर्महात्मनः । अभ्रच्छायेव सञ्जज्ञे सम्पतद्भिः शरोत्तमैः ॥

ekacchāyamabhūtsarvaṃ tasya bāṇairmahātmanaḥ | abhracchāyeva sañjajñe sampatadbhiḥ śarottamaiḥ

With that great-souled man's arrows everything was left in one shadow, as though cloud-shade had arisen from the falling of the best of arrows.

Verse 38 (8.15.38)

ततः कर्णो महाराज धनुश्छित्त्वा महात्मनः । सारथिं पातयामास रथनीडाद्धसन्निव ॥

tataḥ karṇo mahārāja dhanuśchittvā mahātmanaḥ | sārathiṃ pātayāmāsa rathanīḍāddhasanniva

Then Karna, O great king, cut the great-souled Nakula's bow and, as if laughing, threw his charioteer down from the seat of the chariot.

Note on the text: Corrected रथनीडाद्वसन्निव → रथनीडाद्धसन्निव (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध; रथनीडात् + हसन् gives द्धसन्, critical edition rathanīḍād dhasann iva).

Verse 39 (8.15.39)

ततोऽश्वांश्चतुरश्चास्य चतुर्भिर्निशितैः शरैः । यमस्य भवनं तूर्णं प्रेषयामास भारत ॥

tato'śvāṃścaturaścāsya caturbhirniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | yamasya bhavanaṃ tūrṇaṃ preṣayāmāsa bhārata

Then with four sharp arrows he quickly sent his four horses to Yama's abode, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Corrected ततोऽश्वांश्छतुरश्चास्य → ततोऽश्वांश्चतुरश्चास्य (misprint in Wikisource; छ for च; the critical edition reads caturaś cāsya). Line 1 reads ततोऽश्वान् where the critical edition reads tathāśvān, and line 2 भवनम् where it reads sadanam (kept as variants).

Verse 40 (8.15.40)

अथास्य तं रथं दिव्यं तिलशो व्यधमच्छरैः । पताकां चक्ररक्षांश्च गदां खड्गं च मारिष ॥

athāsya taṃ rathaṃ divyaṃ tilaśo vyadhamaccharaiḥ | patākāṃ cakrarakṣāṃśca gadāṃ khaḍgaṃ ca māriṣa

Then with his arrows he broke up his divine chariot into pieces, with its banner, its wheel-guards, its mace and sword, O honoured one,

Note on the text: Corrected खङ्गं → खड्गं (misprint in Wikisource; ङ्ग for ड्ग; the critical edition reads khaḍgaṃ). Lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 8.17.86ac; line 1 reads दिव्यम् where the critical edition reads tūrṇam, and line 2 गदाम् where it reads dhvajam (kept as variants). Verses 40–41 together make the critical edition's 8.17.86 (three lines) plus its star passage 86f*0131_01.

Verse 41 (8.15.41)

शतचन्द्रं च तच्चर्म सर्वोपकरणानि च । सुवर्णविकृतं तच्च धनुः शरमाहवे ॥

śatacandraṃ ca taccarma sarvopakaraṇāni ca | suvarṇavikṛtaṃ tacca dhanuḥ śaramāhave

and his shield bright with a hundred moons and all his equipment, and that gold-wrought bow and arrow in the fight.

Note on the text: Corrected सर्वापकरणानि → सर्वोपकरणानि (misprint in Wikisource; अप for उप; सर्वापकरण ('all injuries') does not fit, the critical edition reads sarvopakaraṇāni). Removed the stray wiki quote marks (' ') round line 2. Line 1 is the critical edition's 8.17.86e (तच्च for tataś); line 2 is its star passage 8.17.86f*0131_01 (धनुः शरम् for dhanuḥ saśaram), not in the constituted text.

Verse 42 (8.15.42)

हताश्वो विरथश्चैव विवर्मा च विशाम्पते । अवतीर्य रथात्तूर्णं परिघं गृह्य विष्ठितः ॥

hatāśvo virathaścaiva vivarmā ca viśāmpate | avatīrya rathāttūrṇaṃ parighaṃ gṛhya viṣṭhitaḥ

With his horses slain, without a chariot and without armour, O lord of the people, he quickly leapt down from the chariot and stood, taking up an iron bar.

Note on the text: Corrected धिष्ठितः → विष्ठितः (misprint in Wikisource; ध for व; the critical edition reads viṣṭhitaḥ).

Verse 43 (8.15.43)

तमुद्यतं महाघोरं परिघं तस्य सूतजः । व्यहनत्सायकै राजन्सुतीक्ष्णैर्भारसाधनैः ॥

tamudyataṃ mahāghoraṃ parighaṃ tasya sūtajaḥ | vyahanatsāyakai rājansutīkṣṇairbhārasādhanaiḥ

As he raised that most terrible iron bar, the charioteer's son shattered it, O king, with sharp and heavy-driving arrows.

Note on the text: Corrected महारघोरं → महाघोरं (misprint in Wikisource; a stray र; the critical edition reads mahāghoram). Line 2 reads सुतीक्ष्णैर्भारसाधनैः where the critical edition reads śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 44 (8.15.44)

व्यायुधं चैनमालक्ष्य शरैः सन्नतपर्वभिः । आर्पयद्बहुभिः कर्णो न चैनं समपीडयत् ॥

vyāyudhaṃ cainamālakṣya śaraiḥ sannataparvabhiḥ | ārpayadbahubhiḥ karṇo na cainaṃ samapīḍayat

Seeing him weaponless, Karna struck him with many well-jointed arrows, yet did not press him hard.

Note on the text: Line 2 reads आर्पयद्बहुभिः where the critical edition reads ārdayad bahuśaḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 45 (8.15.45)

स हन्यमानः समरे कृतास्त्रेण बलीयसा । प्राद्रवत्सहसा राजन्नकुलो व्याकुलेन्द्रियः ॥

sa hanyamānaḥ samare kṛtāstreṇa balīyasā | prādravatsahasā rājannakulo vyākulendriyaḥ

Struck in the battle by the stronger man, skilled in weapons, Nakula suddenly fled, O king, with his senses in confusion.

Verse 46 (8.15.46)

तमभिद्रुत्य राधेयः प्रहसन्वै पुनःपुनः । सज्यमस्य धनुः कण्ठे व्यवासृजत भारत ॥

tamabhidrutya rādheyaḥ prahasanvai punaḥpunaḥ | sajyamasya dhanuḥ kaṇṭhe vyavāsṛjata bhārata

Running after him, Radheya, laughing again and again, hung Nakula's strung bow around his neck, O Bharata.

Verse 47 (8.15.47)

ततः स शुशुभे राजन्कण्ठासक्तमहाधनुः । परिवेषमनुप्राप्तो यथा स्याद्व्योम्नि चन्द्रमाः ॥

tataḥ sa śuśubhe rājankaṇṭhāsaktamahādhanuḥ | pariveṣamanuprāpto yathā syādvyomni candramāḥ

Then, O king, with the great bow hanging at his neck he shone like the moon in the sky when it has gained a halo,

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 8.17.92ac.

Verse 48 (8.15.48)

यथैव चासितो मेघः शक्रचापेन शोभितः । अशोभत महाराज पाण्डुपुत्रस्तथा रणे ॥

yathaiva cāsito meghaḥ śakracāpena śobhitaḥ | aśobhata mahārāja pāṇḍuputrastathā raṇe

or like a dark cloud adorned with the rainbow; so the son of Pandu looked in that battle, O great king.

Note on the text: Removed the stray wiki quote marks (' ') round line 2. Line 1 is the critical edition's 8.17.92e; line 2 is its star passage 8.17.92f*0132_01, not in the constituted text (identical to the page).

Verse 49 (8.15.49)

तमब्रवीत्ततः कर्णो व्यर्थं व्याहृतवानसि । वदेदानीं पुनर्हृष्टो वध्यमानः पुनःपुनः ॥

tamabravīttataḥ karṇo vyarthaṃ vyāhṛtavānasi | vadedānīṃ punarhṛṣṭo vadhyamānaḥ punaḥpunaḥ

Then Karna said to him: “What you said was in vain. Speak now, glad again, though you are struck again and again.

Note on the text: Line 2 reads वध्यमानः पुनःपुनः where the critical edition reads vadhyaṃ māṃ tvaṃ punaḥ punaḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 50 (8.15.50)

मा योत्सीः कुरुभिः सार्धं बलवद्भिश्च पाण्डव । सदृशैस्तात युध्यस्व व्रीडां मा कुरु पाण्डव ॥

mā yotsīḥ kurubhiḥ sārdhaṃ balavadbhiśca pāṇḍava | sadṛśaistāta yudhyasva vrīḍāṃ mā kuru pāṇḍava

Do not fight with the Kurus, Pandava, who are strong. Fight with your equals, dear boy; feel no shame, Pandava,

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 8.17.94ac; line 1 reads कुरुभिः where the critical edition reads gurubhiḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 51 (8.15.51)

गृहं वा गच्छ माद्रेय यत्र वा कृष्णफल्गुनौ । एवमुक्त्वा महाराज विससर्ज स तं तदा ॥

gṛhaṃ vā gaccha mādreya yatra vā kṛṣṇaphalgunau | evamuktvā mahārāja visasarja sa taṃ tadā

or go home, son of Madri, or to where Krishna and Phalguna are.” Having said this, O great king, he then let him go.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 8.17.94e; line 2 corresponds to its 8.17.95a (विससर्ज स तं तदा for vyasarjayata taṃ tataḥ). Spoken by Karna in line 1 only, so the verse stays with the narrator.

Verse 52 (8.15.52)

वधप्राप्तं तु तं शूरो नाहनद्धर्मवित्तदा । स्मृत्वा कुन्त्या वचो राजंस्तत एनं व्यसर्जयत् ॥

vadhaprāptaṃ tu taṃ śūro nāhanaddharmavittadā | smṛtvā kuntyā vaco rājaṃstata enaṃ vyasarjayat

Though Nakula was within his power to kill, the hero, knower of dharma, did not strike him down then; remembering Kunti's words, O king, he let him go.

Note on the text: Corrected नाहनद्वर्मवित्तदा → नाहनद्धर्मवित्तदा (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध; नाहनत् + धर्मवित् gives द्ध). Lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 8.17.95ce; line 1 reads शूरो नाहनद्धर्मवित्तदा where the critical edition reads nāvadhīt sūtanandanaḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 53 (8.15.53)

विसृष्टः पाण्डवो राजन्सूतपुत्रेण धन्विना । व्रीडन्निव जगामाथ युधिष्ठिररथं प्रति ॥

visṛṣṭaḥ pāṇḍavo rājansūtaputreṇa dhanvinā | vrīḍanniva jagāmātha yudhiṣṭhirarathaṃ prati

Released by the charioteer's son, the archer, the Pandava, O king, went off as if ashamed towards Yudhishthira's chariot.

Verse 54 (8.15.54)

आरुरोह रथं चापि सूतपुत्रप्रतापितः । निःश्वसन्दुःखसन्तप्तः कुम्भक्षिप्त इवोरगः ॥

āruroha rathaṃ cāpi sūtaputrapratāpitaḥ | niḥśvasanduḥkhasantaptaḥ kumbhakṣipta ivoragaḥ

Tormented by the charioteer's son, he climbed onto the chariot, sighing, burning with grief, like a snake thrown into a pot.

Verse 55 (8.15.55)

तं विजित्याथ कर्णोऽपि पाञ्चालांस्त्वरितो ययौ । रथेनातिपताकेन चन्द्रवर्णहयेन च ॥

taṃ vijityātha karṇo'pi pāñcālāṃstvarito yayau | rathenātipatākena candravarṇahayena ca

Having conquered him, Karna too went quickly against the Panchalas, in a chariot with abundant banners, drawn by horses the colour of the moon.

Note on the text: Line 1 reads तं विजित्याथ where the critical edition reads taṃ visṛjya raṇe (kept as a variant).

Verse 56 (8.15.56)

तत्राक्रन्दो महानासीत्पाण्डवानां विशाम्पते । दृष्ट्वा सेनापतिं यान्तं पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान् ॥

tatrākrando mahānāsītpāṇḍavānāṃ viśāmpate | dṛṣṭvā senāpatiṃ yāntaṃ pāñcālānāṃ rathavrajān

A great cry arose there among the Pandavas, O lord of the people, when they saw the commander going among the Panchala bands of chariots.

Verse 57 (8.15.57)

तत्राकरोन्महाराज कदनं सूतनन्दनः । मध्यं प्राप्ते दिनकरे चक्रवद्विचरन्प्रभुः ॥

tatrākaronmahārāja kadanaṃ sūtanandanaḥ | madhyaṃ prāpte dinakare cakravadvicaranprabhuḥ

There, O great king, the charioteer's son wrought a slaughter, wheeling about like a discus, the mighty one, as the sun stood at midday.

Note on the text: Line 2 reads मध्यं प्राप्ते … विचरन् where the critical edition reads madhyaṃ gate … pracaran (kept as variants).

Verse 58 (8.15.58)

भग्नचक्रै रथैः कैश्चिच्छिन्नध्वजपताकिभिः । हताश्वैर्हतसूतैश्च भग्नाक्षैश्चैव मारिष । ह्रियमाणानपश्याम पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान् ॥

bhagnacakrai rathaiḥ kaiścicchinnadhvajapatākibhiḥ | hatāśvairhatasūtaiśca bhagnākṣaiścaiva māriṣa | hriyamāṇānapaśyāma pāñcālānāṃ rathavrajān

We saw the Panchala bands of chariots being carried off, O honoured one, some chariots with broken wheels and cut-down banners and flags, with horses slain and charioteers slain, and with broken axles.

Note on the text: Corrected कैश्चिच्छिन्नध्यवजपताकिभिः → कैश्चिच्छिन्नध्वजपताकिभिः, हियमाणानपश्याम → ह्रियमाणानपश्याम (misprints in Wikisource; ध्यव for ध्व; the critical edition reads chinnadhvajapatākibhiḥ; the conjunct ह्र lost its र (the page's own note gives the variant म्रियमाणान्); the critical edition reads hriyamāṇān). Line 2 reads हताश्वैर्हतसूतैश्च where the critical edition reads sasūtair hatasūtaiś ca (kept as a variant). Three lines, as the page prints it (8-15-58a–c).

Verse 59 (8.15.59)

तत्रतत्र च सम्भ्रान्ता विचेरुरथ कुञ्जराः । दावाग्न्यभिपरीताङ्गा यथैव स्युर्महावने ॥

tatratatra ca sambhrāntā viceruratha kuñjarāḥ | dāvāgnyabhiparītāṅgā yathaiva syurmahāvane

Here and there the elephants wandered about bewildered, their bodies scorched as if they were in a great forest caught in a forest fire.

Note on the text: Line 1 reads विचेरुरथ कुञ्जराः where the critical edition reads vicerur mattakuñjarāḥ (kept as a variant).

Verse 60 (8.15.60)

भिन्नकुम्भाः सरुधिराश्छिन्नहस्ताश्च वारणाः । छिन्नगात्रावराश्चैव च्छिन्नवालधयोऽपरे । छिन्नाभ्राणीव सम्पेतुर्हन्यमाना महात्मना ॥

bhinnakumbhāḥ sarudhirāśchinnahastāśca vāraṇāḥ | chinnagātrāvarāścaiva cchinnavāladhayo'pare | chinnābhrāṇīva sampeturhanyamānā mahātmanā

Elephants with split temples and streaming blood, with trunks cut off, some with their hind parts cut and others with their tails cut, fell like riven clouds, struck down by that great-souled man.

Note on the text: Three lines, as the page prints it.

Verse 61 (8.15.61)

अपरे त्रासिता नागा नाराचशरतोमरैः । तमेवाभिमुखं जग्मुः शलभा इव पावकम् ॥

apare trāsitā nāgā nārācaśaratomaraiḥ | tamevābhimukhaṃ jagmuḥ śalabhā iva pāvakam

Other elephants, terrified by iron arrows, shafts and javelins, rushed straight at him, like moths into a fire.

Verse 62 (8.15.62)

अपरे निष्टनन्तश्च व्यदृश्यन्त महाद्विपाः । क्षरन्तः शोणितं गात्रैर्नगा इव जलस्रवाः ॥

apare niṣṭanantaśca vyadṛśyanta mahādvipāḥ | kṣarantaḥ śoṇitaṃ gātrairnagā iva jalasravāḥ

Other great elephants were seen groaning, streaming blood from their bodies, like mountains with streams of water.

Verse 63 (8.15.63)

उरश्छदैर्वियुक्तांश्च वालबन्धैश्च वाजिनः । राजतैश्च तथा कांस्यैः सौवर्णैश्चैव भूषणैः ॥

uraśchadairviyuktāṃśca vālabandhaiśca vājinaḥ | rājataiśca tathā kāṃsyaiḥ sauvarṇaiścaiva bhūṣaṇaiḥ

We saw the horses stripped of their breast-plates and tail-ties, and of their ornaments of silver, bronze and gold,

Verse 64 (8.15.64)

हीनांश्चाभरणैश्चैव खलीनैश्च विवर्जितान् । चामरैश्च कुथाभिश्च तूणीरैः पतितैरपि ॥

hīnāṃścābharaṇaiścaiva khalīnaiśca vivarjitān | cāmaraiśca kuthābhiśca tūṇīraiḥ patitairapi

bare of decorations and lacking bits, their chowries, saddle-cloths and quivers fallen,

Verse 65 (8.15.65)

निहतैः सादिभिश्चैव शूरैराहवशोभितैः । अपश्याम रणे तत्र भ्राम्यमाणान्हयोत्तमान् ॥

nihataiḥ sādibhiścaiva śūrairāhavaśobhitaiḥ | apaśyāma raṇe tatra bhrāmyamāṇānhayottamān

their riders slain, heroes who had adorned the battle; we saw those finest horses wandering about in the fight there.

Verse 66 (8.15.66)

प्रासैः खड्गैश्च रहितानृष्टिभिश्चापि भारत । हयसादीनपश्याम कञ्चुकोष्णीषधारिणः ॥

prāsaiḥ khaḍgaiśca rahitānṛṣṭibhiścāpi bhārata | hayasādīnapaśyāma kañcukoṣṇīṣadhāriṇaḥ

We saw horsemen wearing coats of mail and turbans, O Bharata, deprived of their javelins, swords and spears.

Note on the text: Corrected खङ्गैश्च → खड्गैश्च (misprint in Wikisource; ङ्ग for ड्ग; the critical edition reads khaḍgaiḥ). Line 1 reads रहितान् where the critical edition reads saṃsyūtān, and line 2 हयसादीन् where it reads hayayodhān (kept as variants).

Verse 67 (8.15.67)

निहतान्वध्यमानांश्च वेपमानांश्च भारत । नानाङ्गावयवैर्हीनांस्तत्रतत्रैव भारत ॥

nihatānvadhyamānāṃśca vepamānāṃśca bhārata | nānāṅgāvayavairhīnāṃstatratatraiva bhārata

Men slain, men being slain, men trembling, O Bharata, stripped of their various limbs, here and there, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Corrected नागाङ्गावयवैर् → नानाङ्गावयवैर् (misprint in Wikisource; ग for न; the star passage reads nānāṅgāvayavair). Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the star passages 8.17.109d*0134_01 (line 1) and 8.17.109d*0135_01 (line 2), after 8.17.109. The page itself notes that the second line appears in only one manuscript.

Verse 68 (8.15.68)

रथान्हेमपरिष्कारान्संयुक्ताञ्जवनैर्हयैः । भ्राम्यमाणानपश्याम हतेषु रथिषु द्रुतम् ॥

rathānhemapariṣkārānsaṃyuktāñjavanairhayaiḥ | bhrāmyamāṇānapaśyāma hateṣu rathiṣu drutam

We saw gold-decked chariots yoked with swift horses roaming about swiftly, their warriors slain.

Verse 69 (8.15.69)

भग्नाक्षकूबरान्कांश्चिद्भग्नचक्रांश्च भारत । विपताकध्वजांश्चान्याञ्छिन्नेषादण्डबन्धुरान् ॥

bhagnākṣakūbarānkāṃścidbhagnacakrāṃśca bhārata | vipatākadhvajāṃścānyāñchinneṣādaṇḍabandhurān

Some had their axles and yoke-poles broken, O Bharata, some their wheels broken, others no flags or banners, with their pole-shafts cut and splayed.

Note on the text: Line 2 reads छिन्नेषादण्डबन्धुरान् where the critical edition reads chinneṣāyugabandhurān (kept as a variant).

Verse 70 (8.15.70)

विहीनान्रथिनस्तत्र धावमानांस्ततस्ततः । सूतपुत्रशरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्हन्यमानान्विशाम्पते ॥

vihīnānrathinastatra dhāvamānāṃstatastataḥ | sūtaputraśaraistīkṣṇairhanyamānānviśāmpate

We saw chariot-warriors bereft, running here and there, struck down by the sharp arrows of the charioteer's son, O lord of the people.

Note on the text: Line 2 reads सूतपुत्रशरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्हन्यमानान् where the critical edition reads sūryaputraśarais trastān (kept as a variant).

Verse 71 (8.15.71)

विशस्त्रांश्च तथैवान्यान्सशस्त्रांश्च हतान्बहून् । तारकाजालसञ्छन्नान्वरघण्टाविशोभितान् ॥

viśastrāṃśca tathaivānyānsaśastrāṃśca hatānbahūn | tārakājālasañchannānvaraghaṇṭāviśobhitān

Others lay weaponless, and many lay slain with their weapons, and there were elephants covered with nets of star-shaped ornaments and adorned with fine bells,

Note on the text: Line 2 reads तारकाजालसञ्छन्नान्वरघण्टाविशोभितान् where the critical edition reads tāvakāñ jālasaṃchannān uroghaṇṭāvibhūṣitān (kept as a variant); the adjectives belong to the elephants of verse 72.

Verse 72 (8.15.72)

नानावर्णविचित्राभिः पताकाभिरलङ्कृतान् । वारणाननुपश्याम धावमानान्समन्ततः ॥

nānāvarṇavicitrābhiḥ patākābhiralaṅkṛtān | vāraṇānanupaśyāma dhāvamānānsamantataḥ

decked with banners of many varied colours; we saw those elephants running about on every side.

Note on the text: Corrected वारमआननुपश्याम → वारणाननुपश्याम (misprint in Wikisource; ण for म and an independent vowel आ for the matra; the elephants of verse 71 are the object). The critical edition reads padātīn anvapaśyāma (foot-soldiers) at this place; the page's वारणान् (elephants) is kept as a variant.

Verse 73 (8.15.73)

शिरांसि बाहूनूरूंश्च च्छिन्नानन्यांस्तथैव च । कर्णचापच्युतैर्बाणैरपश्याम समन्ततः ॥

śirāṃsi bāhūnūrūṃśca cchinnānanyāṃstathaiva ca | karṇacāpacyutairbāṇairapaśyāma samantataḥ

We saw heads, arms and thighs, and other limbs likewise cut off, on every side, severed by the arrows shot from Karna's bow.

Verse 74 (8.15.74)

महान्व्यतिकरो रौद्रो योधानामन्वपद्यत । कर्णसायकनुन्नानां युध्यतां च शितैः शरैः ॥

mahānvyatikaro raudro yodhānāmanvapadyata | karṇasāyakanunnānāṃ yudhyatāṃ ca śitaiḥ śaraiḥ

A great and dreadful confusion arose among the warriors, who were driven back by Karna's arrows and who were fighting with sharp arrows.

Note on the text: Line 1 reads अन्वपद्यत where the critical edition reads anvadṛśyata, and line 2 युध्यतां च where it reads hatānāṃ (kept as variants).

Verse 75 (8.15.75)

ते वध्यमानाः समरे सूतपुत्रेण सृञ्जयाः । तमेवाभिमुखं यान्ति पतङ्गा इव पावकम् ॥

te vadhyamānāḥ samare sūtaputreṇa sṛñjayāḥ | tamevābhimukhaṃ yānti pataṅgā iva pāvakam

Struck down in the battle by the charioteer's son, the Srinjayas went straight at him, like moths at a flame.

Verse 76 (8.15.76)

तं दहन्तमनीकानि तत्रतत्र महारथम् । क्षत्रिया वर्जयामासुर्युगान्ताग्निमिवोल्बणम् ॥

taṃ dahantamanīkāni tatratatra mahāratham | kṣatriyā varjayāmāsuryugāntāgnimivolbaṇam

As he burned the divisions here and there, the Kshatriyas avoided that great chariot-warrior as they would the fierce fire of the world's end.

Verse 77 (8.15.77)

हतशेषास्तु ये वीराः पाञ्चालानां महारथाः । तान्प्रभग्नान्द्रुतान्वीरः पृष्ठतो विकिरञ्छरैः । अभ्यधावत तेजस्वी विशीर्णकवचध्वजान् ॥

hataśeṣāstu ye vīrāḥ pāñcālānāṃ mahārathāḥ | tānprabhagnāndrutānvīraḥ pṛṣṭhato vikirañcharaiḥ | abhyadhāvata tejasvī viśīrṇakavacadhvajān

The great chariot-warriors of the Panchalas who remained alive, the heroes, broken and fled, the splendid one chased, scattering arrows at their backs, their armour and banners shattered.

Note on the text: Corrected तान्प्रभग्रान्दुतान् → तान्प्रभग्नान्द्रुतान्, पृष्ठो → पृष्ठतो, विकिऱञ्छरैः → विकिरञ्छरैः, विशीर्णवचनध्वजान् → विशीर्णकवचध्वजान् (misprints in Wikisource; ग्र for ग्न and a dropped र in द्रुतान्; the critical edition reads prabhagnān drutān; a dropped त; the critical edition reads pṛṣṭhato; ऱ for र (a stray letter); वचन for कवच; the critical edition reads viśīrṇakavacadhvajān). Line 2 reads वीरः where the critical edition reads karṇaḥ (kept as a variant). Three lines, as the page prints it.

Verse 78 (8.15.78)

तापयामास तान्बाणैः सूतपुत्रो महाबलः । मध्यन्दिनमनुप्राप्तो भूतानीव तमोनुदः ॥

tāpayāmāsa tānbāṇaiḥ sūtaputro mahābalaḥ | madhyandinamanuprāpto bhūtānīva tamonudaḥ

The mighty charioteer's son scorched them with his arrows, having reached the midday sun, like the dispeller of darkness scorching living things.