Karna Asks for Shalya as His Charioteer

Verse 1 (8.22.1)

स्वेन च्छन्देन नः सर्वानवधीद्व्यक्तमर्जुनः । न ह्यस्य समरे मुच्येदन्तकोऽप्याततायिनः ॥

svena cchandena naḥ sarvānavadhīdvyaktamarjunaḥ | na hyasya samare mucyedantako'pyātatāyinaḥ

Arjuna has plainly slain all of us, just as he pleased; not even Death himself, armed as he is and bent on killing, could escape him in battle.

Note on the text: Wikisource has सर्वानवधीत् ("killed all of us") where the CE has सर्वान् नावधीत्; a recension variant, Wikisource's reading kept.

Verse 2 (8.22.2)

पार्थो ह्येकोऽहरद्भद्रामेकश्चाग्निमतर्पयत् । एकश्चेमां महीं जित्वा चक्रे बलिभृतो नृपान् ॥

pārtho hyeko'haradbhadrāmekaścāgnimatarpayat | ekaścemāṃ mahīṃ jitvā cakre balibhṛto nṛpān

Partha alone carried off Bhadra; alone he satisfied Agni; alone he conquered this earth and made its kings pay tribute.

Verse 3 (8.22.3)

एको निवातकवचानहनद्दिव्यकार्मुकः । एकः किरातरूपेण स्थितं शर्वमयोधयत् ॥

eko nivātakavacānahanaddivyakārmukaḥ | ekaḥ kirātarūpeṇa sthitaṃ śarvamayodhayat

Alone, with his divine bow, he slew the Nivatakavachas; alone he fought Sharva, who stood before him in the form of a Kirata.

Note on the text: Corrected निवातकवचनानहनद् → निवातकवचानहनद् (misprint in Wikisource; a doubled न; CE nivātakavacān avadhīt). CE adds a star line after 3a (*0188_01) not in Wikisource.

Verse 4 (8.22.4)

एको ह्यरक्षद्भरतानेको भवमतोषयत् । तेनैकेन जिताः सर्वे मदीया ह्युग्रतेजसः ॥

eko hyarakṣadbharatāneko bhavamatoṣayat | tenaikena jitāḥ sarve madīyā hyugratejasaḥ

Alone he protected the Bharatas; alone he pleased Bhava. By that one man all my fierce-spirited warriors were defeated.

Note on the text: CE 8.22.4ab and 4cd (the unmatched CE verse 8.22.4); Wikisource's line 1 reads एको ह्यरक्षद् for CE eko 'bhyarakṣad, a variant.

Verse 5 (8.22.5)

न ते निन्द्याः प्रशस्यास्ते यत्ते चक्रुर्ब्रवीहि तत् । ततो दुर्योधनः सूत पश्चात्किमकरोत्तदा ॥

na te nindyāḥ praśasyāste yatte cakrurbravīhi tat | tato duryodhanaḥ sūta paścātkimakarottadā

Those men are not to be blamed; they are to be praised for what they did. Tell me of it. Then, Suta, what did Duryodhana do afterwards?

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE 8.22.4e; line 2 = CE star 4f*0189_01 (tato duryodhanaḥ sūta paścāt kim akarot tadā).

Verse 6 (8.22.6)

हतप्रहतविध्वस्ता विवर्मायुधवाहनाः । दीनस्वरा दूयमाना मानिनः शत्रुनिर्जिताः ॥

hataprahatavidhvastā vivarmāyudhavāhanāḥ | dīnasvarā dūyamānā māninaḥ śatrunirjitāḥ

The proud Kauravas had been struck down, battered and broken, left without armour, weapons or mounts, their voices piteous and their hearts burning, beaten by their foes.

Note on the text: Wikisource has शत्रुनिर्जिताः for CE śatrubhir jitāḥ; a recension variant.

Verse 7 (8.22.7)

शिबिरस्थाः पुनर्मन्त्रं मन्त्रयन्ति स्म कौरवाः । भग्नदंष्ट्रा हतविषाः पादाक्रान्ता इवोरगाः ॥

śibirasthāḥ punarmantraṃ mantrayanti sma kauravāḥ | bhagnadaṃṣṭrā hataviṣāḥ pādākrāntā ivoragāḥ

In their camp the Kauravas took counsel together once more, like serpents with broken fangs and spent venom, trampled underfoot.

Verse 8 (8.22.8)

तानब्रवीत्ततः कर्णः क्रुद्धः सर्प इव श्वसन् । करं करेण निष्पीड्य प्रेक्षमाणस्तवात्मजम् ॥

tānabravīttataḥ karṇaḥ kruddhaḥ sarpa iva śvasan | karaṃ kareṇa niṣpīḍya prekṣamāṇastavātmajam

Then Karna, furious and hissing like a snake, rubbing one hand hard against the other and looking at your son, spoke to them.

Note on the text: Corrected क्रुद्वः → क्रुद्धः (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध, a broken conjunct). Wikisource has निष्पीड्य for CE abhipīḍya; a recension variant.

Verse 9 (8.22.9)

यत्तो दृढश्च दक्षश्च धृतिमानर्जुनः सदा । सम्बोधयति चाप्येनं यथाकालमधोक्षजः ॥

yatto dṛḍhaśca dakṣaśca dhṛtimānarjunaḥ sadā | sambodhayati cāpyenaṃ yathākālamadhokṣajaḥ

Arjuna is always watchful, steady, skilful and resolute, and Adhokshaja awakens him to what each moment requires.

Note on the text: Speaker: the page prints no heading here, but these two verses are Karna's own speech (the narration ends with 8cd); given to Karna. Wikisource has सम्बोधयति … यथाकालम् for CE sa bodhayati … prāptakālam; a variant.

Verse 10 (8.22.10)

सहसाऽस्त्रविसर्गेण वयं तेनाद्य वञ्चिताः । श्वस्त्वहं तस्य सङ्कल्पं सर्वं हन्ता महीपते ॥

sahasā'stravisargeṇa vayaṃ tenādya vañcitāḥ | śvastvahaṃ tasya saṅkalpaṃ sarvaṃ hantā mahīpate

By the sudden discharge of his missiles he cheated us today; but tomorrow, O lord of the earth, I shall undo every design of his.

Note on the text: Speaker: continuation of Karna's speech (no printed heading); given to Karna.

Verse 11 (8.22.11)

एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा सोऽनुजज्ञे नृपोत्तमान् । तेऽनुज्ञाता नृपाः सर्वे स्वानि वेश्मानि भेजिरे ॥

evamuktastathetyuktvā so'nujajñe nṛpottamān | te'nujñātā nṛpāḥ sarve svāni veśmāni bhejire

Thus addressed, Duryodhana said, "So be it," and gave leave to the foremost of the kings; and the kings, so dismissed, all went to their own quarters.

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE 8.22.10a; line 2 = CE star 10b*0190_01.

Verse 12 (8.22.12)

सुखोषितास्तां रजनीं हृष्टा युद्धाय निर्ययुः । तेऽपश्यन्विहितं व्यूहं धर्मराजेन दुर्जयम् । प्रयत्नात्कुरुमुख्येन बृहस्पत्युशनोमतात् ॥

sukhoṣitāstāṃ rajanīṃ hṛṣṭā yuddhāya niryayuḥ | te'paśyanvihitaṃ vyūhaṃ dharmarājena durjayam | prayatnātkurumukhyena bṛhaspatyuśanomatāt

Having rested well that night, they set out gladly for battle. They saw the array, hard to break, that Dharmaraja, the chief of the Kurus, had drawn up with great care according to the teaching of Brihaspati and Ushanas.

Note on the text: Corrected युद्वाय → युद्धाय (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध, a broken conjunct). Line 1 = CE 8.22.10c (Wikisource has तां for CE te); lines 2 and 3 = CE 8.22.11a and 11c.

Verse 13 (8.22.13)

अथ प्रतीपकर्तारं प्रवीरं परवीरहा । सस्मार वृषभस्कन्धं कर्णं दुर्योधनस्तदा ॥

atha pratīpakartāraṃ pravīraṃ paravīrahā | sasmāra vṛṣabhaskandhaṃ karṇaṃ duryodhanastadā

Then Duryodhana, slayer of enemy heroes, called to mind Karna, bull-shouldered, the mighty hero who stood against the foe.

Note on the text: Wikisource's line 1 differs from CE 12ab (…प्रवीरं परवीरहा for CE …satataṃ vijitātmanām); a recension variant, Wikisource's reading kept.

Verse 14 (8.22.14)

पुरन्दरसमं युद्धे मरुद्गणसमं बले । कार्तवीर्यसमं वीर्ये कर्णं राज्ञोऽगमन्मनः ॥

purandarasamaṃ yuddhe marudgaṇasamaṃ bale | kārtavīryasamaṃ vīrye karṇaṃ rājño'gamanmanaḥ

The king's mind went to Karna, who in battle was the equal of Purandara, in strength of the host of Maruts, and in valour of Kartavirya.

Note on the text: Corrected युद्वे → युद्धे (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध, a broken conjunct).

Verse 15 (8.22.15)

सर्वेषां चैव सैन्यानां कर्णमेवागमन्मनः । सूतपुत्रं महेष्वासं बन्धुमात्ययिकेष्विव ॥

sarveṣāṃ caiva sainyānāṃ karṇamevāgamanmanaḥ | sūtaputraṃ maheṣvāsaṃ bandhumātyayikeṣviva

And the minds of all the armies went to Karna alone, the charioteer's son and great archer, as to a kinsman in a time of mortal danger.

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE star 13d*0191_01; line 2 = CE 8.22.13e.

Verse 16 (8.22.16)

ततो दुर्योधनः सूत पश्चात्किमकरोत्तदा । यद्वोऽगमन्मनो मन्दाः कर्णं वैकर्तनं प्रति ॥

tato duryodhanaḥ sūta paścātkimakarottadā | yadvo'gamanmano mandāḥ karṇaṃ vaikartanaṃ prati

Then, Suta, what did Duryodhana do afterwards, when your minds, you dullards, turned to Karna Vaikartana?

Note on the text: Line 1 repeats the second line of verse 5 (CE star 4f*0189_01); line 2 = CE 8.22.14a (Wikisource कर्णं वैकर्तनं प्रति for CE karṇaṃ vaikartanaṃ tadā).

Verse 17 (8.22.17)

अप्यपश्यत राधेयं शीतार्ता इव भास्करम् । कृतेऽवहारे सैन्यानां प्रवृत्ते च रणे पुनः ॥

apyapaśyata rādheyaṃ śītārtā iva bhāskaram | kṛte'vahāre sainyānāṃ pravṛtte ca raṇe punaḥ

When the troops had been called back and the fighting had begun again, did you look to Radheya as those numbed with cold look to the sun?

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE 8.22.14c; line 2 = CE 8.22.15a.

Verse 18 (8.22.18)

दुर्योधनं च तत्राजौ पाण्डवेन भृशार्दितम् । पराक्रान्तान्पाण्डुसुतान्दृष्ट्वाऽपि भृशार्दितम् ॥

duryodhanaṃ ca tatrājau pāṇḍavena bhṛśārditam | parākrāntānpāṇḍusutāndṛṣṭvā'pi bhṛśārditam

There in the fight Duryodhana was cruelly hard pressed by a Pandava, and even as he saw the sons of Pandu pressing on in valour, he was sorely afflicted.

Note on the text: Removed the wiki quote marks (backtick and apostrophe) that bracket this interpolated passage (verses 18, 24-25 and 49 are printed in quotes). This couplet is a doublet of verse 22 (CE 8.22.17ac); Wikisource's wording differs (च तत्राजौ, दृष्ट्वाऽपि भृशार्दितम्), kept.

Verse 19 (8.22.19)

कथं वैकर्तनः कर्णस्तत्रायुध्यत सञ्जय । कथं च पाण्डवाः सर्वे युयुधुस्तत्र सूतजम् ॥

kathaṃ vaikartanaḥ karṇastatrāyudhyata sañjaya | kathaṃ ca pāṇḍavāḥ sarve yuyudhustatra sūtajam

How did Vaikartana Karna fight there, Sanjaya? And how did all the Pandavas fight against the charioteer's son?

Note on the text: Lines = CE 8.22.15c and 15e.

Verse 20 (8.22.20)

कर्णो ह्येको महाबाहुर्हन्यात्पार्थान्ससृञ्जयान् । कर्णस्य भुजयोर्वीर्यं शक्रविष्णुसमं युधि ॥

karṇo hyeko mahābāhurhanyātpārthānsasṛñjayān | karṇasya bhujayorvīryaṃ śakraviṣṇusamaṃ yudhi

Karna alone, mighty-armed, could slay the Parthas together with the Srinjayas; the might of Karna's two arms is held to be equal to that of Shakra and Vishnu in battle.

Note on the text: Wikisource has ससृञ्जयान् for CE sasomakān; a variant. Lines = CE 16a and 16c.

Verse 21 (8.22.21)

तस्य शस्त्राणि घोराणि विक्रमश्च महात्मनः । कर्णमाश्रित्य सङ्ग्रामे मत्तो दुर्योधनो नृपः ॥

tasya śastrāṇi ghorāṇi vikramaśca mahātmanaḥ | karṇamāśritya saṅgrāme matto duryodhano nṛpaḥ

Terrible are that great soul's weapons, and so is his prowess; and relying on Karna in battle, King Duryodhana is drunk with pride.

Note on the text: Line 1 corresponds to CE 16e (tathāstrāṇi sughorāṇi vikramaś ca mahātmanaḥ); line 2 corresponds to CE 18a (karṇam āśritya saṃgrāme darpo duryodhane punaḥ), with मत्तो दुर्योधनो नृपः for darpo duryodhane punaḥ; a recension variant, Wikisource's reading kept.

Verse 22 (8.22.22)

दुर्योधनं ततो दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवेन भृशार्दितम् । पराक्रान्तान्पाण्डुसुतान्दृष्ट्वा चापि महारथः ॥

duryodhanaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavena bhṛśārditam | parākrāntānpāṇḍusutāndṛṣṭvā cāpi mahārathaḥ

Though that great chariot-warrior saw Duryodhana hard pressed by a Pandava, and saw too the sons of Pandu advancing in their valour,

Note on the text: Lines = CE 8.22.17a and 17c (Wikisource ततो for CE tadā; दृष्ट्वा चापि महारथः for dṛṣṭvā cāpi mahāhave).

Verse 23 (8.22.23)

कर्णमाश्रित्य सङ्ग्रामे मन्दो दुर्योधनः पुनः । जेतुमुत्सहते पार्थान्सपुत्रान्सहकेशवान् ॥

karṇamāśritya saṅgrāme mando duryodhanaḥ punaḥ | jetumutsahate pārthānsaputrānsahakeśavān

yet, relying on Karna in battle, the foolish Duryodhana is eager once more to conquer the Parthas, with their sons and with Keshava.

Note on the text: The sentence of verse 22 runs on into this verse. Lines = CE 8.22.18a (Wikisource मन्दो दुर्योधनः for CE darpo duryodhane) and 18c.

Verse 24 (8.22.24)

यः सौबलं तथा तात नीतिमानिति मन्यते । कर्णं चाप्रतिमं युद्धे देवैरपि दुरुत्सहम् ॥

yaḥ saubalaṃ tathā tāta nītimāniti manyate | karṇaṃ cāpratimaṃ yuddhe devairapi durutsaham

He who regards Saubala as a man of sound policy, and Karna as without a rival in battle, unbearable even to the gods,

Note on the text: Corrected चाग्रतिमं → चाप्रतिमं (misprint in Wikisource; ग्र for प्र; CE cāpratimaṃ). Corrected युद्वे → युद्धे (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध, a broken conjunct). Removed the leading wiki backtick that opens this interpolated passage (verses 24-25). Line 1 corresponds to CE 21a (saubalaṃ ca tathā tāta nītimān iti manyate, with यः … for ca …); line 2 = CE star 21b*0194_01.

Verse 25 (8.22.25)

मन्यतेऽभ्यधिकं पार्थादेवं चास्य हृदि स्थितम् । विजेष्यति रणे कर्ण एकः पार्थान्ससोमकान् । मम चैव सदा मन्दः शंसते नित्यमग्रतः ॥

manyate'bhyadhikaṃ pārthādevaṃ cāsya hṛdi sthitam | vijeṣyati raṇe karṇa ekaḥ pārthānsasomakān | mama caiva sadā mandaḥ śaṃsate nityamagrataḥ

thinks him superior to Partha, and so it is fixed in his heart: "Karna alone will conquer the Parthas, with the Somakas, in battle." That fool is forever proclaiming it to me, always to my face.

Note on the text: Corrected पर्थान् → पार्थान् (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped ā; CE pārthān). Removed the closing wiki apostrophe that ends this interpolated passage. Line 1 corresponds to CE star 21b*0194_02 (manyate 'bhyadhikaṃ pārthād daivaṃ cāsya hṛdi sthitam); line 2 echoes CE 16a / star 16f*0192_02; line 3 = CE star 16f*0192_01 (mama caiva sadā mandaḥ śaṃsate nityam agrataḥ).

Verse 26 (8.22.26)

अहो बत महद्दुःखं यत्र पाण्डुसुतान्रणे । नातरद्रभसः कर्णो दैवं नूनं परायणम् ॥

aho bata mahadduḥkhaṃ yatra pāṇḍusutānraṇe | nātaradrabhasaḥ karṇo daivaṃ nūnaṃ parāyaṇam

Alas, what a great sorrow, that in the battle the impetuous Karna did not overcome the sons of Pandu! Fate, surely, is the final refuge.

Note on the text: Lines = CE 8.22.19a and 19c.

Verse 27 (8.22.27)

अहो द्यूतस्य निष्ठेयं घोरा सम्प्रति वर्तते ॥

aho dyūtasya niṣṭheyaṃ ghorā samprati vartate

Alas, how dreadful is the outcome of that game of dice, which has now come to pass!

Note on the text: A single-line verse on the page; the line = CE 8.22.19e.

Verse 28 (8.22.28)

अहो तीव्राणि दुःखानि दुर्योधनकृतान्यहम् । सोढा घोराणि बहुशः शल्यभूतानि सञ्जय ॥

aho tīvrāṇi duḥkhāni duryodhanakṛtānyaham | soḍhā ghorāṇi bahuśaḥ śalyabhūtāni sañjaya

Alas, Sanjaya, I have borne again and again the sharp and terrible sorrows that Duryodhana has brought on me, sorrows that lodge in the heart like darts.

Note on the text: Wikisource has सोढा … बहुशः for CE sahiṣyāmi sughorāṇi; a recension variant.

Verse 29 (8.22.29)

सौबलं च तदा तात नीतिमानिति मन्यते । कर्णश्च रभसो नित्यं राजानं चाप्यनुव्रतः ॥

saubalaṃ ca tadā tāta nītimāniti manyate | karṇaśca rabhaso nityaṃ rājānaṃ cāpyanuvrataḥ

And he then thought Saubala a man of sound policy, my dear Sanjaya; and Karna too, ever impetuous and devoted to the king.

Note on the text: Corrected राजा त चाप्यनुव्रतः → राजानं चाप्यनुव्रतः (misprint in Wikisource; a broken word; CE rājānaṃ cāpy anuvrataḥ). Line 1 = CE 21a; line 2 = CE star 21b*0193_01.

Verse 30 (8.22.30)

यदेवं वर्तमानेषु महायुद्धेषु सञ्जय । अश्रौषं निहतान्पुत्रान्नित्यमेव विनिर्जितान् ॥

yadevaṃ vartamāneṣu mahāyuddheṣu sañjaya | aśrauṣaṃ nihatānputrānnityameva vinirjitān

Sanjaya, even while such great battles were going on, I kept hearing that my sons were being killed and were always being defeated.

Note on the text: Corrected महायुद्वेषु → महायुद्धेषु (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध, a broken conjunct). Wikisource has यदेवं वर्तमानेषु महायुद्धेषु for CE yuddheṣu nāma divyeṣu vartamāneṣu; a recension variant.

Verse 31 (8.22.31)

न पाण्डवानां समरे कश्चिदस्ति हतः किल । स्त्रीमध्यमिव गाहन्ते दैवं तु बलवत्तरम् ॥

na pāṇḍavānāṃ samare kaścidasti hataḥ kila | strīmadhyamiva gāhante daivaṃ tu balavattaram

Surely not one of the Pandavas has been slain in battle; they plunge into our ranks as into a crowd of women. Fate is the stronger.

Note on the text: Wikisource has कश्चिदस्ति हतः किल for CE kaś cid asti nivārakaḥ, and तु for hi; a recension variant, Wikisource's reading kept.

Verse 32 (8.22.32)

राजन्पूर्वनिमित्तानि धर्मिष्ठानि विचिन्तय ॥

rājanpūrvanimittāni dharmiṣṭhāni vicintaya

O king, reflect upon the earlier causes, most righteous as they were.

Note on the text: Removed the square brackets printed around this line on the page. = CE star 24*0195_01 (rājan pūrvanimittāni dharmiṣṭhāni vicintaya). A single-line verse; the page ends the line with a single danda, here closed with ॥ as the verse end.

Verse 33 (8.22.33)

अतिक्रान्तं हि यत्कार्यं पश्चाच्चिन्तयते नरः । तच्चास्य न भवेत्कार्यं चिन्तया च विनश्यति ॥

atikrāntaṃ hi yatkāryaṃ paścāccintayate naraḥ | taccāsya na bhavetkāryaṃ cintayā ca vinaśyati

A man who broods afterwards over a matter already past finds that it can no longer be set right, and he is ruined by his worry.

Note on the text: Wikisource has पश्चाच्चिन्तयते नरः for CE paścāc cintayatīti ca; a variant.

Verse 34 (8.22.34)

तदिदं तव कार्यं तु दूरप्राप्तं विजानता । न कृतं यत्त्वया पूर्वं प्राप्ताप्राप्तविचारणम् ॥

tadidaṃ tava kāryaṃ tu dūraprāptaṃ vijānatā | na kṛtaṃ yattvayā pūrvaṃ prāptāprāptavicāraṇam

Now this matter of yours has gone far, as you well know; but earlier you did not weigh what was fitting and what was not.

Verse 35 (8.22.35)

उक्तोऽसि बहुधा राजन्मा युध्यस्वेति पाण्डवैः । न च तत्त्वग्रहीर्द्वेषात्पाण्डवेषु विशाम्पते ॥

ukto'si bahudhā rājanmā yudhyasveti pāṇḍavaiḥ | na ca tattvagrahīrdveṣātpāṇḍaveṣu viśāmpate

The Pandavas told you many times, "Do not fight," O king; but out of hatred for the Pandavas you would not accept it, O lord of men.

Note on the text: Corrected राज्ञन् → राजन् (misprint in Wikisource; a stray ज्ञ for ज; CE rājan). Wikisource has न च तत्त्वग्रहीर्द्वेषात् (na ca tat tv agrahīr dveṣāt) for CE gṛhṇīṣe na ca tan mohāt; a recension variant, Wikisource's reading kept.

Verse 36 (8.22.36)

त्वया पापानि घोराणि समाचीर्णानि पाण्डुषु । त्वत्कृते वर्तते घोरः पार्थिवानां जनक्षयः ॥

tvayā pāpāni ghorāṇi samācīrṇāni pāṇḍuṣu | tvatkṛte vartate ghoraḥ pārthivānāṃ janakṣayaḥ

You committed dreadful wrongs against the sons of Pandu; it is because of you that this terrible slaughter of kings is going on.

Verse 37 (8.22.37)

तत्त्विदानीमतिक्रान्तं मा शुचो भरतर्षभ । शृणु सर्वं यथावृत्तं घोरं वैशसमुच्यते ॥

tattvidānīmatikrāntaṃ mā śuco bharatarṣabha | śṛṇu sarvaṃ yathāvṛttaṃ ghoraṃ vaiśasamucyate

But what is past is past; do not grieve, best of the Bharatas. Hear it all as it happened, the dreadful slaughter that is now being told.

Note on the text: Wikisource has तत्त्विदानीमतिक्रान्तं … वैशसमुच्यते for CE tat tv idānīm atikramya … vaiśasam acyuta; a recension variant.

Verse 38 (8.22.38)

प्रभातायां रजन्यां तु कर्णो राजानमभ्ययात् । समेत्य च महाबाहुर्दुर्योधनमथाब्रवीत् ॥

prabhātāyāṃ rajanyāṃ tu karṇo rājānamabhyayāt | sametya ca mahābāhurduryodhanamathābravīt

When the night had given way to dawn, Karna went to the king, and having met him, the mighty-armed hero spoke to Duryodhana.

Verse 39 (8.22.39)

अद्य राजन्समेष्यामि पाण्डवेन यशस्विना । निहनिष्यामि तं वीरं स वा मां निहनिष्यति ॥

adya rājansameṣyāmi pāṇḍavena yaśasvinā | nihaniṣyāmi taṃ vīraṃ sa vā māṃ nihaniṣyati

Today, O king, I shall meet the glorious Pandava; I shall kill that hero, or he will kill me.

Verse 40 (8.22.40)

बहुत्वान्मम कार्याणां तथा पार्थस्य भारत । नाभूत्समागमो राजन्मम चैवार्जुनस्य च ॥

bahutvānmama kāryāṇāṃ tathā pārthasya bhārata | nābhūtsamāgamo rājanmama caivārjunasya ca

Because of the many tasks that fell to me, and to Partha as well, O Bharata, no meeting took place between me and Arjuna, O king.

Verse 41 (8.22.41)

इदं तु मे यथाप्रज्ञं शृणु वाक्यं विशाम्पते । अनिहत्य रणे पार्थं नाहमेष्यामि भारत ॥

idaṃ tu me yathāprajñaṃ śṛṇu vākyaṃ viśāmpate | anihatya raṇe pārthaṃ nāhameṣyāmi bhārata

But hear this word of mine, O lord of men, as my judgment bids me speak: unless I kill Partha in battle, I shall not return, O Bharata.

Verse 42 (8.22.42)

हतप्रवीरे सैन्येऽस्मिन्मयि चावस्थिते युधि । अभियास्यति मां पार्थः शक्रशक्तिविनाकृतम् ॥

hatapravīre sainye'sminmayi cāvasthite yudhi | abhiyāsyati māṃ pārthaḥ śakraśaktivinākṛtam

When the heroes of this army have been slain and I am left standing on the field, Partha will come against me, now that I am without Shakra's spear.

Verse 43 (8.22.43)

ततः श्रेयस्करं यच्च तन्निबोध जनेश्वर । आयुधानां च मे वीर्यं दिव्यानामर्जुनस्य च ॥

tataḥ śreyaskaraṃ yacca tannibodha janeśvara | āyudhānāṃ ca me vīryaṃ divyānāmarjunasya ca

Now hear, lord of men, what will serve you best: the might of my weapons, and that of Arjuna's divine ones.

Note on the text: Wikisource has आयुधानां च मे वीर्यं दिव्यानामर्जुनस्य च for CE āyudhānāṃ ca yad vīryaṃ dravyāṇām arjunasya ca; a variant.

Verse 44 (8.22.44)

कार्यस्य महतो भेदे लाघवे दूरपातने । सौष्ठवे चास्त्रपाते च सव्यसाची न मत्समः ॥

kāryasya mahato bhede lāghave dūrapātane | sauṣṭhave cāstrapāte ca savyasācī na matsamaḥ

In splitting a mighty target, in quickness, in striking from afar, in skill and in the discharge of missiles, Savyasachin is no match for me.

Note on the text: Wikisource has कार्यस्य for CE kāyasya ("body"); the page's commentary glosses कार्यस्य, so this is the vulgate reading, kept and read here as "target".

Verse 45 (8.22.45)

प्राणे शौर्येऽथ विज्ञाने विक्रमे चापि भारत । निमित्तज्ञानयोगे च सव्यसाची न मत्समः ॥

prāṇe śaurye'tha vijñāne vikrame cāpi bhārata | nimittajñānayoge ca savyasācī na matsamaḥ

In bodily strength, in courage, in knowledge, in prowess, O Bharata, and in the skill of fixing the mark, Savyasachin is no match for me.

Note on the text: = CE stars 35d*0196_01-02 (Wikisource अथ for CE ca in line 1).

Verse 46 (8.22.46)

सर्वायुधमहामात्रं विजयं नाम तद्धनुः । इन्द्रार्थं प्रियकामेन निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा ॥

sarvāyudhamahāmātraṃ vijayaṃ nāma taddhanuḥ | indrārthaṃ priyakāmena nirmitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā

There is a bow named Vijaya, the greatest of all weapons, which Vishvakarman, wishing to please him, made for Indra.

Note on the text: Corrected तद्वनुः → तद्धनुः (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध, a broken conjunct; CE dhanuḥ). Wikisource has प्रियकामेन for CE abhikāmena; a variant.

Verse 47 (8.22.47)

येन दैत्यगणान्राजञ्जितवान्वै शतक्रतुः । यस्य घोषेण दैत्यानां व्यामुह्यन्त दिशो दश ॥

yena daityagaṇānrājañjitavānvai śatakratuḥ | yasya ghoṣeṇa daityānāṃ vyāmuhyanta diśo daśa

With it Shatakratu conquered the hosts of the Daityas, O king; at its twang the ten directions became a maze to the Daityas.

Note on the text: Lines = CE 8.22.37a and 37c (व्यामुह्यन्त for CE vimuhyanti).

Verse 48 (8.22.48)

तद्भार्गवाय प्रायच्छच्छक्रः परमसम्मतम् । तद्दिव्यं भार्गवो मह्यमददद्धनुरुत्तमम् ॥

tadbhārgavāya prāyacchacchakraḥ paramasammatam | taddivyaṃ bhārgavo mahyamadadaddhanuruttamam

Shakra gave that most honoured bow to Bhargava, and Bhargava gave me that divine and excellent bow.

Note on the text: Corrected ददद्वनुरत्तमम् → ददद्धनुरुत्तमम् (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध and a dropped ु; CE dhanur uttamam). Line 1 = CE 8.22.37e; line 2 = CE 8.22.38a.

Verse 49 (8.22.49)

तेन योत्स्ये महाबाहुमर्जुनं जयतां वरम् । यथेन्द्रः समरे सर्वान्दैतेयान्वै समागतान् । निजघान तथा सर्वाञ्जेष्यामि युधि पाण्डवान् ॥

tena yotsye mahābāhumarjunaṃ jayatāṃ varam | yathendraḥ samare sarvāndaiteyānvai samāgatān | nijaghāna tathā sarvāñjeṣyāmi yudhi pāṇḍavān

With it I shall fight the mighty-armed Arjuna, best of conquerors; and as Indra in battle struck down all the assembled Daityas, so shall I conquer all the Pandavas in the fight.

Note on the text: Removed the wiki quote marks (backtick and apostrophe) around the last line. Lines = CE 38c, 38e and star 38f*0197_01 (nijaghāna tathā sarvāñ jeṣyāmi yudhi pāṇḍavān).

Verse 50 (8.22.50)

धनुर्घोरं रामदत्तं गाण्डीवात्तद्विशिष्यते । त्रिस्सप्तकृत्वः पृथिवी धनुषा येन निर्जिता ॥

dhanurghoraṃ rāmadattaṃ gāṇḍīvāttadviśiṣyate | trissaptakṛtvaḥ pṛthivī dhanuṣā yena nirjitā

The dreadful bow given by Rama surpasses the Gandiva; with that bow the earth was conquered three times seven times.

Verse 51 (8.22.51)

धनुषो ह्यस्य कर्माणि दिव्यानि प्राह भार्गवः । तद्रामो ह्यददन्मह्यं तेन योत्स्यामि पाण्डवम् ॥

dhanuṣo hyasya karmāṇi divyāni prāha bhārgavaḥ | tadrāmo hyadadanmahyaṃ tena yotsyāmi pāṇḍavam

Bhargava spoke of the divine deeds of this bow; Rama gave it to me, and with it I shall fight the Pandava.

Verse 52 (8.22.52)

अद्य दुर्योधनाहं त्वां नन्दयिष्ये सबान्धवम् । निहत्य समरे वीरमर्जुनं जयतां वरम् ॥

adya duryodhanāhaṃ tvāṃ nandayiṣye sabāndhavam | nihatya samare vīramarjunaṃ jayatāṃ varam

Today, Duryodhana, I shall delight you and your kinsmen by killing in battle the hero Arjuna, best of conquerors.

Verse 53 (8.22.53)

सपर्वतवनद्वीपा हतवीरा ससागरा । पुत्रपौत्रप्रतिष्ठा ते भविष्यत्यद्य पार्थिव ॥

saparvatavanadvīpā hatavīrā sasāgarā | putrapautrapratiṣṭhā te bhaviṣyatyadya pārthiva

Today, O king, the earth, with her mountains, forests, islands and seas, her heroes slain, will be established for your sons and grandsons.

Note on the text: Wikisource has हतवीरा for CE hatadviḍ ("with her enemies slain"); a variant.

Verse 54 (8.22.54)

नाशक्यं विद्यते मेऽद्य त्वत्प्रियार्थं विशेषतः । सम्यग्धर्मानुरक्तस्य सिद्धिरात्मवतो यथा ॥

nāśakyaṃ vidyate me'dya tvatpriyārthaṃ viśeṣataḥ | samyagdharmānuraktasya siddhirātmavato yathā

Nothing is beyond my power today, above all for your sake, just as success comes to a self-mastered man who is truly devoted to dharma.

Note on the text: Corrected सिद्वि → सिद्धि (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध, a broken conjunct).

Verse 55 (8.22.55)

न हि मे विक्रमं सोढुं स शक्तोऽग्निं तरुर्यथा । अवश्यं तु मया वाच्यं येन हीनोऽस्मि फल्गुनात् ॥

na hi me vikramaṃ soḍhuṃ sa śakto'gniṃ taruryathā | avaśyaṃ tu mayā vācyaṃ yena hīno'smi phalgunāt

He cannot withstand my prowess any more than a tree can withstand fire. But I must tell you in what respect I am inferior to Phalguna.

Verse 56 (8.22.56)

ज्या तस्य धनुषो दिव्या तथाऽक्षय्ये महेषुधी । सारथिस्तस्य गोविन्दो मम तादृङ् न विद्यते ॥

jyā tasya dhanuṣo divyā tathā'kṣayye maheṣudhī | sārathistasya govindo mama tādṛṅ na vidyate

The string of his bow is divine, and his two great quivers are inexhaustible; and his charioteer is Govinda. I have no charioteer like that.

Note on the text: Corrected तादृङ्ग विद्यते → तादृङ् न विद्यते (misprint in Wikisource; ग for न; CE tādṛṅ na vidyate). Line 1 = CE 45a; line 2 = CE star 45b*0198_01.

Verse 57 (8.22.57)

तस्य दिव्यं धनुः श्रेष्ठं गाण्डीवमजितं युधि । विजयं च महद्दिव्यं ममापि धनुरुत्तमम् ॥

tasya divyaṃ dhanuḥ śreṣṭhaṃ gāṇḍīvamajitaṃ yudhi | vijayaṃ ca mahaddivyaṃ mamāpi dhanuruttamam

His is the divine and excellent bow Gandiva, unconquered in battle; but I too have a great divine bow, the Vijaya, the finest.

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE 45c (Wikisource गाण्डीवमजितं for CE gāṇḍīvam ajaraṃ); line 2 = CE 46a.

Verse 58 (8.22.58)

तत्राहमधिकः पार्थाद्धनुषा तेन पार्थिव । येन चाप्यधिको वीरः पाण्डवस्तन्निबोध मे ॥

tatrāhamadhikaḥ pārthāddhanuṣā tena pārthiva | yena cāpyadhiko vīraḥ pāṇḍavastannibodha me

In that, O king, with that bow I am superior to Partha; now hear from me in what the Pandava hero is superior.

Note on the text: Corrected पार्थाद्वनुषा → पार्थाद्धनुषा (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध, a broken conjunct; CE dhanuṣā). Line 1 = CE 46c; line 2 corresponds to CE 47a (mayā cābhyadhiko vīraḥ pāṇḍavas tan nibodha me), Wikisource येन चाप्यधिको; a variant.

Verse 59 (8.22.59)

रश्मिग्राहश्च दाशार्हः सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः । अग्निदत्तश्च वै दिव्यो रथः काञ्चनभूषणः ॥

raśmigrāhaśca dāśārhaḥ sarvalokanamaskṛtaḥ | agnidattaśca vai divyo rathaḥ kāñcanabhūṣaṇaḥ

The one who holds his reins is Dasharha, honoured by all the worlds; and his chariot, given by Agni, is divine and adorned with gold.

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE 47c; line 2 = CE 48a.

Verse 60 (8.22.60)

अच्छेद्याः सर्वतो वीर वाजिनश्च मनोजवाः । ध्वजश्च दिव्यो द्युतिमान्वानरोपि भयङ्करः ॥

acchedyāḥ sarvato vīra vājinaśca manojavāḥ | dhvajaśca divyo dyutimānvānaropi bhayaṅkaraḥ

His horses, swift as thought, cannot be cut down from any side, O hero; and his banner, divine and radiant, bears a monkey, fearsome to see.

Note on the text: Lines = CE 48c and 48e (Wikisource अच्छेद्याः … वाजिनः for CE acchedyaḥ …; भयङ्करः for vismayaṃkaraḥ); variants.

Verse 61 (8.22.61)

कृष्णश्च जगतः स्रष्टा रथं तमभिरक्षति । एभिस्त्रिभिरहं हीनो योद्धुमिच्छामि पाण्डवम् ॥

kṛṣṇaśca jagataḥ sraṣṭā rathaṃ tamabhirakṣati | ebhistribhirahaṃ hīno yoddhumicchāmi pāṇḍavam

And Krishna, creator of the world, guards that chariot. Without these three I am to fight the Pandava.

Note on the text: Corrected युद्वुमिच्छामि → योद्धुमिच्छामि (misprint in Wikisource; a broken form; CE yoddhum icchāmi). Wikisource has एभिस्त्रिभिः ("with these three") for CE ebhir dravyair; a variant.

Verse 62 (8.22.62)

अयं तु सदृशः शौरेः शल्यः समितिशोभनः । सारथ्यं यदि मे कुर्याद्ध्रुवस्ते विजयो भवेत् ॥

ayaṃ tu sadṛśaḥ śaureḥ śalyaḥ samitiśobhanaḥ | sārathyaṃ yadi me kuryāddhruvaste vijayo bhavet

Here is Shalya, a match for Shauri, the glory of the battlefield; if he would act as my charioteer, your victory would be certain.

Note on the text: Corrected कुर्याद्द्रुवस्ते → कुर्याद्ध्रुवस्ते (misprint in Wikisource; द्द्र for द्ध्र, a broken conjunct; CE kuryād dhruvas te). Wikisource has शौरेः for CE vīraḥ ("a match for Shauri" for "a hero"); a variant.

Verse 63 (8.22.63)

तस्य मे सारथिः शल्यो भवत्वसुकरः परैः । नाराचान्गार्ध्रपत्रांश्च शकटानि वहन्तु मे ॥

tasya me sārathiḥ śalyo bhavatvasukaraḥ paraiḥ | nārācāngārdhrapatrāṃśca śakaṭāni vahantu me

Let Shalya, whom his foes can hardly cope with, be my charioteer; and let wagons carry my iron arrows and vulture-feathered shafts.

Verse 64 (8.22.64)

रथाश्च मुख्या राजेन्द्र युक्ता वाजिभिरुत्तमैः । आयान्तु पश्चात्सततं मामेव भरतर्षभ ॥

rathāśca mukhyā rājendra yuktā vājibhiruttamaiḥ | āyāntu paścātsatataṃ māmeva bharatarṣabha

And let the foremost chariots, yoked to the finest horses, follow always close behind me, O king of kings, O best of the Bharatas.

Verse 65 (8.22.65)

एवमभ्यधिकः पार्थाद्भविष्यामि गुणैरहम् । शल्योप्यभ्यधिकः कृष्णादर्जुनादपिचाप्यहम् ॥

evamabhyadhikaḥ pārthādbhaviṣyāmi guṇairaham | śalyopyabhyadhikaḥ kṛṣṇādarjunādapicāpyaham

Thus I shall be superior to Partha in qualities, and Shalya will be superior to Krishna, and I to Arjuna as well.

Verse 66 (8.22.66)

यथाऽश्वहृदयं वेद दाशार्हः परवीरहा । तथा शल्यो विजानीते हयज्ञानं महारथः ॥

yathā'śvahṛdayaṃ veda dāśārhaḥ paravīrahā | tathā śalyo vijānīte hayajñānaṃ mahārathaḥ

As Dasharha, slayer of hostile heroes, knows the heart of horses, so the mighty Shalya knows the lore of horses.

Note on the text: Wikisource has शल्यो विजानीते हयज्ञानं for CE śalyo 'pi jānīte hayānāṃ vai; a variant.

Verse 67 (8.22.67)

बाहुवीर्ये समो नास्ति मद्रराजस्य कश्चन । तथाऽस्त्रे मत्समो नास्ति कश्चिदेव धनुर्धरः ॥

bāhuvīrye samo nāsti madrarājasya kaścana | tathā'stre matsamo nāsti kaścideva dhanurdharaḥ

In strength of arm none equals the king of the Madras, and in weapons no archer at all equals me.

Verse 68 (8.22.68)

तथा शल्यसमो नास्ति हयज्ञाने हि कश्चन । सोऽयमभ्यधिकः कृष्णाद्भविष्यति रथो मम ॥

tathā śalyasamo nāsti hayajñāne hi kaścana | so'yamabhyadhikaḥ kṛṣṇādbhaviṣyati ratho mama

And none equals Shalya in knowledge of horses; so this chariot of mine will surpass Krishna's.

Note on the text: Wikisource has हयज्ञाने … कृष्णात् for CE hayayāne … pārthāt; a variant.

Verse 69 (8.22.69)

एवं कृते रथस्थोऽहं गुणैरभ्यधिकोऽर्जुनात् । विजयेयमहं सङ्ख्ये फल्गुनं कुरुसत्तम ॥

evaṃ kṛte rathastho'haṃ guṇairabhyadhiko'rjunāt | vijayeyamahaṃ saṅkhye phalgunaṃ kurusattama

When this is done, standing in my chariot I shall be superior to Arjuna in qualities, and shall conquer Phalguna in battle, O best of the Kurus.

Note on the text: = CE stars 56d*0201_01 (line 1) and 56d*0202_01 (line 2; Wikisource कुरुसत्तम for CE kurunandana, as in star 0201_02).

Verse 70 (8.22.70)

समुद्यातुं न शक्ष्यन्ति देवा अपि सवासवाः । एतत्कृतं महाराज त्वयेच्छामि परन्तप ॥

samudyātuṃ na śakṣyanti devā api savāsavāḥ | etatkṛtaṃ mahārāja tvayecchāmi parantapa

Not even the gods with Vasava will be able to rise against me. This is what I wish you to do, O great king, scorcher of foes.

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE star 56d*0200_01; line 2 = CE 57a.

Verse 71 (8.22.71)

क्रियतामेष कामो मे मा वः कालोऽत्यगादयम् । एवं कृते कृतं मह्यं त्वया सर्वं भविष्यति ॥

kriyatāmeṣa kāmo me mā vaḥ kālo'tyagādayam | evaṃ kṛte kṛtaṃ mahyaṃ tvayā sarvaṃ bhaviṣyati

Let this wish of mine be granted; do not let this moment slip away from you. If it is done, you will have done everything for me.

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE star 57b*0203_01; line 2 = CE 57c (Wikisource त्वया सर्वं for CE sarvakāmair).

Verse 72 (8.22.72)

ततो द्रक्ष्यसि सङ्ग्रामे यत्करिष्यामि भारत । सर्वथा पाण्डवान्सङ्ख्ये विजेष्ये वै समागतान् ॥

tato drakṣyasi saṅgrāme yatkariṣyāmi bhārata | sarvathā pāṇḍavānsaṅkhye vijeṣye vai samāgatān

Then, Bharata, you will see in the battle what I shall do; in every way I shall conquer the assembled Pandavas in the fight.

Note on the text: Wikisource has विजेष्ये वै for CE jeṣyāmy adya; a variant.

Verse 73 (8.22.73)

न हि मे समरे शक्ताः समुद्यातुं सुरासुराः । किमु पाण्डुसुता राजन्रणे मानुषयोनयः ॥

na hi me samare śaktāḥ samudyātuṃ surāsurāḥ | kimu pāṇḍusutā rājanraṇe mānuṣayonayaḥ

For neither gods nor asuras can stand up against me in battle; how much less the sons of Pandu, O king, born of human wombs?

Note on the text: = CE stars 58d*0204_01 and 58d*0204_02 (the CE star also carries a displaced speaker line).

Verse 74 (8.22.74)

एवमुक्तस्तव सुतः कर्णेनाहवशोभिना । सम्पूज्य सम्प्रहृष्टात्मा ततो राधेयमब्रवीत् ॥

evamuktastava sutaḥ karṇenāhavaśobhinā | sampūjya samprahṛṣṭātmā tato rādheyamabravīt

Thus addressed by Karna, the ornament of battle, your son honoured him and, with a delighted heart, then replied to Radheya.

Note on the text: = CE stars 58d*0204_03-04.

Verse 75 (8.22.75)

एवमेतत्करिष्यामि यथा त्वं कर्ण मन्यसे । सोपासङ्गा रथाः साश्वाः स्वनुयास्यन्ति संयुगे ॥

evametatkariṣyāmi yathā tvaṃ karṇa manyase | sopāsaṅgā rathāḥ sāśvāḥ svanuyāsyanti saṃyuge

I shall do just as you think best, Karna. Chariots with their quivers and horses will follow you into the fight.

Note on the text: Wikisource has एवमेतत्करिष्यामि … स्वनुयास्यन्ति संयुगे for CE sarvam etat kariṣyāmi … anuyāsyanti sūtaja; a variant.

Verse 76 (8.22.76)

नाराचान्गार्ध्रपत्रांश्च शकटानि वहन्तु ते । अनुयास्याम कर्ण त्वां वयं सर्वे च पार्थिवाः ॥

nārācāngārdhrapatrāṃśca śakaṭāni vahantu te | anuyāsyāma karṇa tvāṃ vayaṃ sarve ca pārthivāḥ

Let wagons carry your iron arrows and vulture-feathered shafts; we, O Karna, and all the kings will follow you.

Verse 77 (8.22.77)

एवमुक्त्वा महाराज तव पुत्रः प्रतापवान् । अभिगम्याब्रवीद्राजा मद्रराजमिदं वचः ॥

evamuktvā mahārāja tava putraḥ pratāpavān | abhigamyābravīdrājā madrarājamidaṃ vacaḥ

Having spoken thus, O great king, your mighty son went to the king of the Madras and addressed him in these words.