Karna and Arjuna Meet; the Worlds Take Sides

Verse 1 (8.91.1)

वृषसेनं हतं दृष्ट्वा क्रोधामर्षसमन्वितः । पुत्रशोकोद्भवं वारि नेत्राभ्यां समवासृजत् ॥

vṛṣasenaṃ hataṃ dṛṣṭvā krodhāmarṣasamanvitaḥ | putraśokodbhavaṃ vāri netrābhyāṃ samavāsṛjat

Seeing Vrishasena slain, Karna, filled with rage and indignation, let tears of grief for his son fall from his eyes.

Verse 2 (8.91.2)

रथेन कर्णस्तेजस्वी जगामाभिमुखो रिपुम् । युद्धायामर्षताम्राक्षः समाहूय धनञ्जयम् ॥

rathena karṇastejasvī jagāmābhimukho ripum | yuddhāyāmarṣatāmrākṣaḥ samāhūya dhanañjayam

The radiant Karna, his eyes red with fury, drove his chariot against the foe, challenging Dhananjaya to battle.

Note on the text: Corrected युद्धायामर्पताम्राक्षः → युद्धायामर्षताम्राक्षः (misprint in Wikisource; ष misprinted as प; the critical edition reads yuddhāyāmarṣatāmrākṣaḥ).

Verse 3 (8.91.3)

तौ रथौ सूर्यसङ्काशौ वैयाघ्रपरिवारितौ । समेतौ ददृशुस्तत्र द्वाविवार्कौ समुद्गतौ ॥

tau rathau sūryasaṅkāśau vaiyāghraparivāritau | sametau dadṛśustatra dvāvivārkau samudgatau

There the two chariots, bright as the sun and ringed with tiger-skins, met, and men saw them like two suns risen together.

Verse 4 (8.91.4)

श्वेताश्वौ पुरुषादित्यावास्थितावरिमर्दनौ । शुशुभाते महात्मानौ चन्द्रादित्यौ यथा दिवि । रथौ चतुर्भिर्जलदैर्भगमित्राविवाम्बरे ॥

śvetāśvau puruṣādityāvāsthitāvarimardanau | śuśubhāte mahātmānau candrādityau yathā divi | rathau caturbhirjaladairbhagamitrāvivāmbare

The two white-horsed warriors, each a sun among men, crushers of foes, stood in their chariots and shone, great-souled, like the moon and the sun in the sky; and the two chariots, borne as it were by four clouds, were like Bhaga and Mitra in the heavens.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (` ') from the text. Lines 1–2 are CE 8.63.4a and 4c; line 3 is the star passage 8.63.4b*0976_01 (not in the constituted text).

Verse 5 (8.91.5)

तौ दृष्ट्वा विस्मयं जग्मुः सर्वसैन्यानि मारिष । त्रैलोक्यविजये यत्ताविन्द्रवैरोचनाविव ॥

tau dṛṣṭvā vismayaṃ jagmuḥ sarvasainyāni māriṣa | trailokyavijaye yattāvindravairocanāviva

Seeing them, all the armies were struck with wonder, O sire, as though Indra and Virochana's son, eager to conquer the three worlds, stood before them.

Verse 6 (8.91.6)

रथज्यातलनिर्हादैर्बाणशङ्खरवैस्तथा । तौ रथावभ्यधावन्त क्षत्रियाः सर्व एव हि ॥

rathajyātalanirhādairbāṇaśaṅkharavaistathā | tau rathāvabhyadhāvanta kṣatriyāḥ sarva eva hi

Amid the din of chariots, bowstrings and slapping palms, and the sound of arrows and conches, all the kshatriyas ran toward the two chariots.

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 8.63.6a; line 2 is a different wording of 6c (CE: tau rathāv abhidhāvantau samālokya mahīkṣitām).

Verse 7 (8.91.7)

ध्वजावालोक्य वीराणां विस्मयः समपद्यत । हस्तिकक्ष्यां च कर्णस्य वानरं च किरीटिनः ॥

dhvajāvālokya vīrāṇāṃ vismayaḥ samapadyata | hastikakṣyāṃ ca karṇasya vānaraṃ ca kirīṭinaḥ

The heroes were amazed at the sight of the banners: Karna's elephant-rope and the monkey of Kiritin.

Verse 8 (8.91.8)

तौ रथौ सम्प्रसक्तौ तु दृष्ट्वा भारत पार्थिवाः । सिंहनादरवांश्चक्रुः साधुवादांश्च पुष्कलान् ॥

tau rathau samprasaktau tu dṛṣṭvā bhārata pārthivāḥ | siṃhanādaravāṃścakruḥ sādhuvādāṃśca puṣkalān

Seeing the two chariots locked together, O Bharata, the kings raised lion-roars and shouted loud applause.

Verse 9 (8.91.9)

श्रुत्वा तयोर्द्वैरथं च तत्र योधाः सहस्रशः । चक्रुर्बाहुस्वनांश्चैव तथा बाणरवं महत् ॥

śrutvā tayordvairathaṃ ca tatra yodhāḥ sahasraśaḥ | cakrurbāhusvanāṃścaiva tathā bāṇaravaṃ mahat

Hearing of the chariot-duel of the two, thousands of warriors there slapped their arms and raised a great clamour of arrows.

Note on the text: Same sense as CE 8.63.9 but in different words (a recension variant).

Verse 10 (8.91.10)

आजघ्नुः कुरवस्तत्र वादित्राणि समन्ततः । राधेयमभितो दध्मुः शङ्खाञ्शतसहस्रशः ॥

ājaghnuḥ kuravastatra vāditrāṇi samantataḥ | rādheyamabhito dadhmuḥ śaṅkhāñśatasahasraśaḥ

The Kurus struck up their instruments on every side, and blew conches by the hundred thousand around Radheya.

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of CE 8.63.10a; line 2 is the star passage 8.63.10d*0977_01 (rādheyam abhito dadhmuḥ śaṅkhāñ śatasahasraśaḥ).

Verse 11 (8.91.11)

तथैव पाण्डवाः सर्वे हर्षयन्तो धनञ्जयम् । तूर्यशङ्खनिनादेन दिशः सर्वा व्यनादयन् ॥

tathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ sarve harṣayanto dhanañjayam | tūryaśaṅkhaninādena diśaḥ sarvā vyanādayan

In the same way all the Pandavas, cheering Dhananjaya, made every quarter resound with the blare of trumpets and conches.

Verse 12 (8.91.12)

क्ष्वेलितास्फोटितोत्क्रुष्टैस्तुमुलं सर्वतोऽभवत् । बाहुशब्दैश्च शूराणां कर्णार्जुनसमागमे ॥

kṣvelitāsphoṭitotkruṣṭaistumulaṃ sarvato'bhavat | bāhuśabdaiśca śūrāṇāṃ karṇārjunasamāgame

At the meeting of Karna and Arjuna a tumult arose on every side, with roars, slappings and shouts, and the sound of the heroes' arms.

Verse 13 (8.91.13)

तौ दृष्ट्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रौ रथस्थौ रथिनां वरौ । प्रगृहीतमहाचापौ शरशक्तिध्वजायुतौ ॥

tau dṛṣṭvā puruṣavyāghrau rathasthau rathināṃ varau | pragṛhītamahācāpau śaraśaktidhvajāyutau

Seeing those two tigers among men standing in their chariots, the best of chariot-fighters, with great bows in hand, with arrows, javelins and banners,

Note on the text: Line 2 differs from CE 8.63.13c (śaraśaktigadāyudhau); a recension variant.

Verse 14 (8.91.14)

वर्मिणौ बद्धनिस्त्रिंशौ श्वेताश्वौ शङ्खशोभितौ । तूणीरवरसम्पन्नौ द्वावप्येतौ सुदर्शनौ ॥

varmiṇau baddhanistriṃśau śvetāśvau śaṅkhaśobhitau | tūṇīravarasampannau dvāvapyetau sudarśanau

armoured, swords bound on, white-horsed, resplendent with conches, furnished with fine quivers, both of them were fair to behold.

Note on the text: Corrected तूणीरवसम्पन्नौ → तूणीरवरसम्पन्नौ (misprint in Wikisource; र dropped; the critical edition reads tūṇīravarasaṃpannau).

Verse 15 (8.91.15)

रक्तचन्दनदिग्धाङ्गौ समदौ गोवृषाविव । चापविद्युद्ध्वजोपेतौ शस्त्रसम्पत्तियोधिनौ ॥

raktacandanadigdhāṅgau samadau govṛṣāviva | cāpavidyuddhvajopetau śastrasampattiyodhinau

Their limbs smeared with red sandalwood, like two rutting bulls, their bows flashing like lightning, their banners raised, they fought with a wealth of weapons.

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 8.63.15a; line 2 is the star passage 8.63.14b*0978_03 (with -yodhinau for -śobhinau).

Verse 16 (8.91.16)

चामरव्यजनोपेतौ श्वेतच्छत्रोपशोभितौ । कृष्णशल्यरथोपेतौ तुल्यरूपौ महारथौ ॥

cāmaravyajanopetau śvetacchatropaśobhitau | kṛṣṇaśalyarathopetau tulyarūpau mahārathau

Furnished with whisks and fans, graced with white parasols, and equipped with chariots driven by Krishna and Shalya, the two great chariot-warriors were alike in form.

Note on the text: Corrected चामरव्यजनोपैतौ → चामरव्यजनोपेतौ (misprint in Wikisource; उपैतौ is not the word here, upeta "furnished with" is meant; the critical edition (star passage) reads camaravyajanopetau). Not in the CE's constituted text. Both lines are star passages: line 1 is 8.63.14b*0978_04, line 2 is 8.63.14b*0978_01.

Verse 17 (8.91.17)

सिंहस्कन्धौ दीर्घभुजौ रक्ताक्षौ हेममालिनौ । सिंहस्कन्धप्रतीकाशौ व्यूढोरस्कौ महाबलौ । अन्योन्यवधमिच्छन्तावन्योन्यजयकाङ्क्षिणौ ॥

siṃhaskandhau dīrghabhujau raktākṣau hemamālinau | siṃhaskandhapratīkāśau vyūḍhoraskau mahābalau | anyonyavadhamicchantāvanyonyajayakāṅkṣiṇau

Lion-shouldered, long-armed, red-eyed, wearing golden garlands, with the look of lions' shoulders, broad-chested and mighty, each wished to kill the other and hoped to conquer the other.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; the lines appear only as star passages: line 1 is a variant of 8.63.14b*0978_02 (siṃhabhujau), line 2 is 8.63.15b*0979_01, line 3 is a variant of 8.63.15b*0979_02.

Verse 18 (8.91.18)

अन्योन्यमभिधावन्तौ गोष्ठे गोवृषभाविव । प्रभिन्नाविव मातङ्गौ सुसंरब्धाविवाचलौ ॥

anyonyamabhidhāvantau goṣṭhe govṛṣabhāviva | prabhinnāviva mātaṅgau susaṃrabdhāvivācalau

Rushing at each other like two bulls in a cow-pen, like two rutting elephants, like two mountains in a rage,

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; it is the star passage 8.63.15b*0979_03–04.

Verse 19 (8.91.19)

आशीविषशिशुप्रख्यौ यमकालान्तकोपमौ । इन्द्रवृत्राविव क्रुद्धौ सूर्यचन्द्रसमप्रभौ ॥

āśīviṣaśiśuprakhyau yamakālāntakopamau | indravṛtrāviva kruddhau sūryacandrasamaprabhau

like two young venomous snakes, like Yama, Kala and Antaka, like Indra and Vritra in anger, they shone like the sun and the moon.

Note on the text: Line 1 corresponds to CE 8.63.15c; line 2 to 16a (with sūryacandrasamaprabhau for sūryācandramasaprabhau).

Verse 20 (8.91.20)

महाग्रहाविव क्रुद्धौ युगान्ताय समुत्थितौ । देवगर्भौ देवसमौ देवतुल्यौ च रूपतः ॥

mahāgrahāviva kruddhau yugāntāya samutthitau | devagarbhau devasamau devatulyau ca rūpataḥ

Like two great planets enraged and risen for the end of an age, they were god-born, like gods, and in form equal to gods.

Note on the text: Line 1 corresponds to CE 8.63.16c (varied); line 2 is 17a.

Verse 21 (8.91.21)

यदृच्छया समायातौ सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ यथा । बलिनौ समरे दृप्तौ नानाशस्त्रधरौ युधि ॥

yadṛcchayā samāyātau sūryācandramasau yathā | balinau samare dṛptau nānāśastradharau yudhi

As though come together by chance, like the sun and the moon, mighty, proud in battle, bearing many weapons in the fight,

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; it is the star passage 8.63.17b*0980_01–02.

Verse 22 (8.91.22)

तौ दृष्ट्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रौ शार्दूलाविव धिष्ठितौ । बभूव परमो हर्षस्तावकानां विशाम्पते ॥

tau dṛṣṭvā puruṣavyāghrau śārdūlāviva dhiṣṭhitau | babhūva paramo harṣastāvakānāṃ viśāmpate

seeing those two tigers among men standing like two tigers, great joy arose among your men, O lord of men.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; it is the star passage 8.63.17b*0981_01–02 (with dhiṣṭhitau for vegitau).

Verse 23 (8.91.23)

संशयः सर्वभूतानां विजये समपद्यत । समेतौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ प्रेक्ष्य कर्णधनञ्जयौ ॥

saṃśayaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ vijaye samapadyata | sametau puruṣavyāghrau prekṣya karṇadhanañjayau

Doubt about the victory arose in all beings as they watched Karna and Dhananjaya, those two tigers among men, come together.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the star passage 8.63.17b*0981_03; line 2 is CE 8.63.17c.

Verse 24 (8.91.24)

उभौ वरायुधधरावुभौ रणकृतश्रमौ । उभौ च बाहुशब्देन नादयन्तौ नभस्तलम् ॥

ubhau varāyudhadharāvubhau raṇakṛtaśramau | ubhau ca bāhuśabdena nādayantau nabhastalam

Both bore the finest weapons, both were hardened by toil in war, both made the vault of heaven ring with the sound of their arms.

Verse 25 (8.91.25)

उभौ विश्रुतकर्माणौ पौरुषेण बलेन च । उभौ च सदृशौ युद्धे शम्बरामरराजयोः ॥

ubhau viśrutakarmāṇau pauruṣeṇa balena ca | ubhau ca sadṛśau yuddhe śambarāmararājayoḥ

Both were renowned for their deeds, for manly prowess and strength; in battle both were equal to Shambara and the king of the immortals.

Verse 26 (8.91.26)

कार्तवीर्यसमौ चोभावुभौ दाशरथेः समौ । विष्णुवीर्यसमौ चोभावुभौ भवसमौ युधि ॥

kārtavīryasamau cobhāvubhau dāśaratheḥ samau | viṣṇuvīryasamau cobhāvubhau bhavasamau yudhi

Both were like Kartavirya, both like Dasharatha's son, both like Vishnu in valour, both like Bhava (Shiva) in battle.

Note on the text: Second line varies from CE 8.63.20c (a recension variant).

Verse 27 (8.91.27)

उभौ श्वेतहयौ राजन्रथप्रवरवाहिनौ । सारथिप्रवरौ चापि उभौ मद्रजनार्दनौ ॥

ubhau śvetahayau rājanrathapravaravāhinau | sārathipravarau cāpi ubhau madrajanārdanau

Both had white horses, O king, and the finest of chariots to carry them; both had the best of charioteers, the Madra king and Janardana.

Note on the text: Wording differs from CE 8.63.21 (a recension variant).

Verse 28 (8.91.28)

ततो दृष्ट्वा महाराज राजमानौ महारथौ । सिद्धचारणसङ्घानां विस्मयः समपद्यत ॥

tato dṛṣṭvā mahārāja rājamānau mahārathau | siddhacāraṇasaṅghānāṃ vismayaḥ samapadyata

Then, O great king, seeing the two great chariot-warriors shine, wonder arose among the throngs of Siddhas and Charanas.

Verse 29 (8.91.29)

धार्तराष्ट्रास्ततस्तूर्णं सबला भरतर्षभ । परिवव्रुर्महात्मानं कर्णमाहवशोभिनम् ॥

dhārtarāṣṭrāstatastūrṇaṃ sabalā bharatarṣabha | parivavrurmahātmānaṃ karṇamāhavaśobhinam

Then, O best of the Bharatas, Dhritarashtra's sons with their forces swiftly surrounded the great-souled Karna, glorious in battle.

Verse 30 (8.91.30)

तथैव पाण्डवा दृष्ट्वा धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमाः । यमौ च चेकितानश्च प्रहृष्टाश्च प्रभद्रकाः ॥

tathaiva pāṇḍavā dṛṣṭvā dhṛṣṭadyumnapurogamāḥ | yamau ca cekitānaśca prahṛṣṭāśca prabhadrakāḥ

In the same way the Pandavas, seeing this, with Dhrishtadyumna at their head, and the twins, Chekitana and the delighted Prabhadrakas,

Note on the text: Line 1 corresponds to CE 8.63.24a (hṛṣṭā for dṛṣṭvā); line 2 is the star passage 8.63.24b*0983_01. The sentence runs on into the next verse.

Verse 31 (8.91.31)

नानादेश्याश्च ये शूराः शिष्टा युद्धाभिनन्दिनः । ते सर्वे सहिता हृष्टाः परिवव्रुर्धनञ्जयम् ॥

nānādeśyāśca ye śūrāḥ śiṣṭā yuddhābhinandinaḥ | te sarve sahitā hṛṣṭāḥ parivavrurdhanañjayam

and the heroes of many lands who remained, glad of battle — all of them gathered together, rejoicing, and surrounded Dhananjaya.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; it is the star passage 8.63.24b*0983_02–03.

Verse 32 (8.91.32)

रिरक्षिषन्तः शत्रुघ्नाः पत्त्यश्वरथकुञ्जराः । धनञ्जयस्य विजये धृताः कर्णवधेऽपि च ॥

rirakṣiṣantaḥ śatrughnāḥ pattyaśvarathakuñjarāḥ | dhanañjayasya vijaye dhṛtāḥ karṇavadhe'pi ca

Those slayers of foes, footmen, horsemen, chariots and elephants, wishing to guard him, were set on Dhananjaya's victory and on Karna's death.

Note on the text: Corrected शथ्रुघ्नाः → शत्रुघ्नाः (misprint in Wikisource; थ for त; the critical edition reads śatrughnāḥ). Not in the CE's constituted text; it is the star passage 8.63.24b*0983_04–05.

Verse 33 (8.91.33)

तथैव तावकाः सर्वे यत्ताः सेनाप्रहारिणः । दुर्योधनमुखा राजन्कर्णं जुगुपुराहवे ॥

tathaiva tāvakāḥ sarve yattāḥ senāprahāriṇaḥ | duryodhanamukhā rājankarṇaṃ jugupurāhave

In the same way all your men, intent and striking hard, led by Duryodhana, O king, guarded Karna in the fight.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; it is the star passage 8.63.24b*0983_06–07. The CE's own line 24c (parivavrur mahātmānaṃ pārtham apratimaṃ yudhi) is not in this text.

Verse 34 (8.91.34)

तावकानां रणे कर्णो ग्लहो ह्यासीद्विशाम्पते । तथैव पाण्डवेयानां ग्लहः पार्थोऽभवत्तदा ॥

tāvakānāṃ raṇe karṇo glaho hyāsīdviśāmpate | tathaiva pāṇḍaveyānāṃ glahaḥ pārtho'bhavattadā

In that battle, O lord of men, Karna was the stake for your side, and Partha in the same way was the stake for the Pandavas.

Verse 35 (8.91.35)

तयोस्तु सभ्यास्तत्रासन्प्रेक्षकाश्चाभवन्युधि । तत्रैषां ग्लहमानानां ध्रुवौ जयपराजयौ ॥

tayostu sabhyāstatrāsanprekṣakāścābhavanyudhi | tatraiṣāṃ glahamānānāṃ dhruvau jayaparājayau

For the two of them, the assembly of onlookers sat there and watched the battle; for these who staked all, victory and defeat were fixed.

Note on the text: Line 1 varies from CE 8.63.26a (ta eva sabhyās tatrāsan prekṣakāś cābhavan sma te).

Verse 36 (8.91.36)

ताभ्यां द्यूतं समासक्तं विजयायेतराय वा । अस्माकं पाण्डवानां च स्थितानां रणमूर्धनि ॥

tābhyāṃ dyūtaṃ samāsaktaṃ vijayāyetarāya vā | asmākaṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca sthitānāṃ raṇamūrdhani

Between those two a game of dice was joined, for victory or for the opposite, for us and for the Pandavas standing at the head of the battle.

Note on the text: Corrected द्यतं → द्यूतं (misprint in Wikisource; ū dropped; द्यत is not a word here, the critical edition reads dyūtaṃ).

Verse 37 (8.91.37)

तौ तु स्थितौ महाराज समरे युद्धशालिनौ । अन्योन्यं प्रतिसंरब्धावन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणौ ॥

tau tu sthitau mahārāja samare yuddhaśālinau | anyonyaṃ pratisaṃrabdhāvanyonyavadhakāṅkṣiṇau

Those two, O great king, stood in the battle, eager fighters, each furious at the other and each wishing to kill the other.

Verse 38 (8.91.38)

तावुमौ प्रजिहीर्षन्ताविन्द्रवृत्राविव प्रभो । भीमरूपधरावास्तां महाधूमाविव ग्रहौ ॥

tāvumau prajihīrṣantāvindravṛtrāviva prabho | bhīmarūpadharāvāstāṃ mahādhūmāviva grahau

Each longing to strike the other, like Indra and Vritra, O lord, they took on terrible forms, like two great comets.

Verse 39 (8.91.39)

ततोऽन्तरिक्षे सञ्जज्ञे विवादो भरतर्षभ । मिथो भेदाश्च भूतानामासन्कर्णार्जुनान्तरे ॥

tato'ntarikṣe sañjajñe vivādo bharatarṣabha | mitho bhedāśca bhūtānāmāsankarṇārjunāntare

Then, O best of the Bharatas, a dispute arose in the sky, and discord among the beings, over Karna and Arjuna.

Note on the text: Corresponds to CE 8.63.30a (sākṣepā vivādā) and 30c.

Verse 40 (8.91.40)

व्याश्रयन्त द्विधा भिन्नाः सर्वे लोकास्तु मारिष । देवदानवगन्धर्वाः पिशाचोरगराक्षसाः । प्रतिपक्षग्रहं चक्रुः कर्णार्जुनसमागमे ॥

vyāśrayanta dvidhā bhinnāḥ sarve lokāstu māriṣa | devadānavagandharvāḥ piśācoragarākṣasāḥ | pratipakṣagrahaṃ cakruḥ karṇārjunasamāgame

All the worlds, O sire, split in two and took sides: gods, Danavas, Gandharvas, Pishachas, serpents and Rakshasas ranged themselves on opposite parties at the meeting of Karna and Arjuna.

Note on the text: Line 1 corresponds to CE 8.63.30e (vyāśrayanta diśo bhinnāḥ sarvalokāś ca māriṣa); lines 2–3 to 31a and 31c.

Verse 41 (8.91.41)

द्यौरासीत्कर्णपक्षेऽत्र सनक्षत्रा विशाम्पते । भूर्विशाला पार्थमाता पुत्रस्य जयकाङ्क्षिणी ॥

dyaurāsītkarṇapakṣe'tra sanakṣatrā viśāmpate | bhūrviśālā pārthamātā putrasya jayakāṅkṣiṇī

The sky with its stars, O lord of men, was on Karna's side; the wide Earth, Partha's mother, longed for her son's victory.

Note on the text: Corresponds to CE 8.63.32 (dyaur āsīt karṇato vyagrā …), in different words.

Verse 42 (8.91.42)

सागराश्चैव गिरयः सरितश्च नरोत्तम । महीजा जलजाश्चैव व्याश्रयन्त किरीटिनम् ॥

sāgarāścaiva girayaḥ saritaśca narottama | mahījā jalajāścaiva vyāśrayanta kirīṭinam

The oceans, the mountains and the rivers, O best of men, and the creatures born of the earth and of the water took the side of Kiritin.

Note on the text: Corresponds to CE 8.63.33, in different words.

Verse 43 (8.91.43)

असुरा यातुधानाश्च गुह्यकाश्च परन्तप । कर्णः समभवद्यत्र खेचराणि वयांसि च ॥

asurā yātudhānāśca guhyakāśca parantapa | karṇaḥ samabhavadyatra khecarāṇi vayāṃsi ca

The Asuras, Yatudhanas and Guhyakas, O scourge of foes, and the birds that range the sky, were with Karna.

Verse 44 (8.91.44)

रत्नानि निधयः सर्वे वेदाश्चाख्यानपञ्चमाः । सोपवेदोपनिषदो व्याश्रयन्त किरीटिनम् ॥

ratnāni nidhayaḥ sarve vedāścākhyānapañcamāḥ | sopavedopaniṣado vyāśrayanta kirīṭinam

The jewels, the treasures, and the Vedas with the tales as the fifth, together with the Upavedas and the Upanishads, took the side of Kiritin.

Note on the text: Line 2 differs from CE 8.63.35c (sarahasyāḥ sasaṃgrahāḥ).

Verse 45 (8.91.45)

वासुकिश्चित्रसेनश्च तक्षकश्चोपतक्षकः । महीवियज्जलचराः काद्रवेयाश्च सान्वयाः । विषवन्तो महानागा वेगिनश्चार्जुनेऽभवन् ॥

vāsukiścitrasenaśca takṣakaścopatakṣakaḥ | mahīviyajjalacarāḥ kādraveyāśca sānvayāḥ | viṣavanto mahānāgā veginaścārjune'bhavan

Vasuki, Chitrasena, Takshaka and Upatakshaka, the serpents that range the earth, the sky and the waters, the sons of Kadru with their lines, the great venomous nagas, fast and fierce, were on Arjuna's side.

Note on the text: Lines 2–3 differ from CE 8.63.36c and 36e (a recension variant).

Verse 46 (8.91.46)

ऐरावताः सौरभेया वैशालेयाश्च भोगिनः । एतेऽभवन्नर्जुनस्य पापाः सर्पाश्च कर्णतः ॥

airāvatāḥ saurabheyā vaiśāleyāśca bhoginaḥ | ete'bhavannarjunasya pāpāḥ sarpāśca karṇataḥ

The Airavatas, Saurabheyas and Vaishaleyas, the hooded serpents, were Arjuna's; the wicked snakes were Karna's.

Note on the text: Line 2 differs from CE 8.63.37c (ete 'bhavann arjunataḥ kṣudrasarpās tu karṇataḥ).

Verse 47 (8.91.47)

ईहामृगा व्यालमृगा मङ्गला मृगपक्षिणः । मङ्गलाः पशवश्चैव सिंहव्याघ्रास्तथैव च । पार्थस्य विजये राजन्सर्व एव समाश्रिताः ॥

īhāmṛgā vyālamṛgā maṅgalā mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ | maṅgalāḥ paśavaścaiva siṃhavyāghrāstathaiva ca | pārthasya vijaye rājansarva eva samāśritāḥ

Wolves and beasts of prey, auspicious beasts and birds, auspicious animals, lions and tigers — all of them, O king, took refuge in Partha's victory.

Note on the text: Corresponds to CE 8.63.38a, 38b*0985_01 (star passage), 38c.

Verse 48 (8.91.48)

वसवो मरुतः साध्या रुद्रा देवाश्विनावपि । अग्नी रुद्रश्च सोमश्च पन्नगाश्च दिशो दश । कर्णतः समपद्यन्त श्वसृगालवयांसि च ॥

vasavo marutaḥ sādhyā rudrā devāśvināvapi | agnī rudraśca somaśca pannagāśca diśo daśa | karṇataḥ samapadyanta śvasṛgālavayāṃsi ca

The Vasus, Maruts, Sadhyas, Rudras, the two Ashvins, the two Agnis, Rudra, Soma, the serpents and the ten directions were with Arjuna; but to Karna's side came dogs, jackals and birds.

Note on the text: Corresponds to CE 8.63.39a, 39c (varied; compare the star 39d*0988_01) and 39d*0987_01 (star passage). The verse names the gods and then only Karna's side (dogs, jackals, birds); the gods' side, Arjuna's, is understood from CE 8.63.39.

Verse 49 (8.91.49)

वसवश्च महेन्द्रेण मरुतश्च सहाग्निना । धनञ्जयस्य ते वर्गा आदित्याः कर्णतोऽभवन् ॥

vasavaśca mahendreṇa marutaśca sahāgninā | dhanañjayasya te vargā ādityāḥ karṇato'bhavan

The Vasus with Mahendra and the Maruts with Agni — those hosts were Dhananjaya's; the Adityas were Karna's.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the star passage 8.63.39d*0987_03; line 2 corresponds to CE 8.63.39e.

Verse 50 (8.91.50)

देवताः पितृभिः सार्धमृषिभिश्च परन्तप । तुम्बुरुप्रमुखाः सर्वे गन्धर्वा भरतर्षभ । यमो वैश्रवणश्चैव वरुणश्च यतोऽर्जुनः ॥

devatāḥ pitṛbhiḥ sārdhamṛṣibhiśca parantapa | tumburupramukhāḥ sarve gandharvā bharatarṣabha | yamo vaiśravaṇaścaiva varuṇaśca yato'rjunaḥ

The gods with the ancestors and the sages, O scourge of foes, all the Gandharvas led by Tumburu, O best of the Bharatas, and Yama, Vaishravana and Varuna were on the side where Arjuna stood.

Note on the text: Corrected यमौ वैश्रवणश्चैव → यमो वैश्रवणश्चैव (misprint in Wikisource; यमौ is dual, but one god Yama is meant, with Vaishravana and Varuna; the critical edition reads yamo vaiśravaṇaś caiva). Line 1 corresponds to CE 8.63.40a, line 2 to 41c, line 3 to 40c.

Verse 51 (8.91.51)

देवर्षिब्रह्मर्षिगणाः सर्वे च खचराश्च ये । प्रालेयाः सहमौनेयाः शुभाश्चाप्सरसां गणाः ॥

devarṣibrahmarṣigaṇāḥ sarve ca khacarāśca ye | prāleyāḥ sahamauneyāḥ śubhāścāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ

All the hosts of divine sages and brahmarshis and all who range the sky, the Praleyas with the Maunayas, and the bright companies of Apsarases,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the star passage 8.63.41b*0991_01; line 2 corresponds to CE 8.63.42a. The sentence runs on into the next verse.

Verse 52 (8.91.52)

सहाप्सरोभिः शुभ्राभिर्देवदूताश्च गुह्यकाः । किरीटिनं संश्रिताः स्म पुण्यगन्धा मनोरमाः ॥

sahāpsarobhiḥ śubhrābhirdevadūtāśca guhyakāḥ | kirīṭinaṃ saṃśritāḥ sma puṇyagandhā manoramāḥ

together with the radiant Apsarases, the divine messengers and the Guhyakas, and all sweet and pleasing fragrances took refuge with Kiritin.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37 (printed after 8.63.42b), lines 0001–0002 (8.63.42b@037_0001–0002).

Verse 53 (8.91.53)

अमनोज्ञाश्च ये गन्धास्ते सर्वे कर्णमाश्रिताः । विपरीतान्यनिष्टानि भवन्ति विनशिष्यताम् ॥

amanojñāśca ye gandhāste sarve karṇamāśritāḥ | viparītānyaniṣṭāni bhavanti vinaśiṣyatām

But all the foul odours went to Karna; for those about to perish, contrary and inauspicious things come to pass.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37 (printed after 8.63.42b), lines 0003–0004 (8.63.42b@037_0003–0004).

Verse 54 (8.91.54)

ये त्वन्तकाले पुरुषं विपरीतमुपाश्रितम् । प्रविशन्ति नरं क्षिप्रं मृत्युकालेऽभ्युपागते । ते भावाः सहिताः कर्णं प्रविष्टाः सूतनन्दनम् ॥

ye tvantakāle puruṣaṃ viparītamupāśritam | praviśanti naraṃ kṣipraṃ mṛtyukāle'bhyupāgate | te bhāvāḥ sahitāḥ karṇaṃ praviṣṭāḥ sūtanandanam

Those contrary states that enter a man at the hour of death, when the time of dying has come, all entered Karna, the charioteer's son, together.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37, lines 0005–0007 (8.63.42b@037_0005–0007; line 1 there reads yāny antakāle … upadrutam).

Verse 55 (8.91.55)

ओजस्तेजश्च सिद्धिश्च प्रहर्षः सत्यविक्रमौ । मनस्तुष्टिर्जयश्चापि तथाऽऽनन्दो नृपोत्तम ॥

ojastejaśca siddhiśca praharṣaḥ satyavikramau | manastuṣṭirjayaścāpi tathā''nando nṛpottama

Vigour, brilliance, success, exultation, true prowess, contentment of mind, victory and joy, O best of kings,

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37, lines 0008–0009 (8.63.42b@037_0008–0009). The sentence runs on into the next verse.

Verse 56 (8.91.56)

ईदृशानि नरव्याघ्र तस्मिन्सङ्ग्रामसागरे । निमित्तानि च शुभ्राणि विविशुर्जिष्णुमाहवे ॥

īdṛśāni naravyāghra tasminsaṅgrāmasāgare | nimittāni ca śubhrāṇi viviśurjiṣṇumāhave

and such auspicious omens, O tiger among men, entered Jishnu in that ocean of battle.

Note on the text: Corrected ईदृशार्नि नरव्याघ् → ईदृशानि नरव्याघ्र (misprint in Wikisource; र् for न and a dropped र; the critical edition reads īdṛśāś ca naravyāghra, and the sense needs īdṛśāni naravyāghra). Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37, lines 0010–0011 (8.63.42b@037_0010–0011; line 1 there reads īdṛśāś ca naravyāghra).

Verse 57 (8.91.57)

ऋषयो ब्राह्मणैः सार्धमभजन्त किरीटिनम् ॥

ṛṣayo brāhmaṇaiḥ sārdhamabhajanta kirīṭinam

Sages, together with brahmins, attended Kiritin.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37, line 0012 (8.63.42b@037_0012). A single-line verse as printed (8-91-57a).

Verse 58 (8.91.58)

ततो देवगणैः सार्धं सिद्धाश्च सह चारणैः । द्विधा भूता महाराज व्याश्रयन्त नरोत्तमौ ॥

tato devagaṇaiḥ sārdhaṃ siddhāśca saha cāraṇaiḥ | dvidhā bhūtā mahārāja vyāśrayanta narottamau

Then, O great king, the Siddhas with the Charanas, along with the hosts of gods, divided in two and took the side of the two best of men.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37, lines 0013–0014 (8.63.42b@037_0013–0014).

Verse 59 (8.91.59)

विमानानि विचित्राणि गुणवन्ति च सर्वशः । समारुह्य समाजग्मुर्द्वैरथं कर्णपार्थयोः । अन्तरिक्षे महाराज देवगन्धर्वराक्षसाः ॥

vimānāni vicitrāṇi guṇavanti ca sarvaśaḥ | samāruhya samājagmurdvairathaṃ karṇapārthayoḥ | antarikṣe mahārāja devagandharvarākṣasāḥ

Mounting wondrous, excellent, well-appointed celestial cars from every side, gods, Gandharvas and Rakshasas came to the chariot-duel of Karna and Partha, O great king, in the sky.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37, lines 0015, 0016 and 0018 (8.63.42b@037_0015, 0016, 0018).

Verse 60 (8.91.60)

एवं सर्वेषु भूतेषु द्विधा भूतेषु भारत । आशंसमानेषु जयं राधेयस्यार्जुनस्य च । विमानायुतसम्बाधमाकाशमभवत्तदा ॥

evaṃ sarveṣu bhūteṣu dvidhā bhūteṣu bhārata | āśaṃsamāneṣu jayaṃ rādheyasyārjunasya ca | vimānāyutasambādhamākāśamabhavattadā

Thus, O Bharata, with all beings divided in two and hoping for the victory of Radheya or of Arjuna, the sky was crowded with ten thousand celestial cars.

Note on the text: Not in the CE's constituted text; Appendix I No. 37, lines 0019–0021 (8.63.42b@037_0019–0021).

Verse 61 (8.91.61)

ईहामृगव्यालमृगैर्द्विपाश्वरथपङ्क्तिभिः । ऊह्यमानाः परे मेघैर्वायुना च मनीषिणः । दिदृक्षवः समाजग्मुः कर्णार्जुनसमागमम् ॥

īhāmṛgavyālamṛgairdvipāśvarathapaṅktibhiḥ | ūhyamānāḥ pare meghairvāyunā ca manīṣiṇaḥ | didṛkṣavaḥ samājagmuḥ karṇārjunasamāgamam

Borne on wolves and beasts of prey, on rows of elephants, horses and chariots, and others carried by clouds and the wind, the wise came eager to see the meeting of Karna and Arjuna.

Note on the text: Corrected दिपाश्वरथ → द्विपाश्वरथ (misprint in Wikisource; ि for ्वि; the critical edition reads dvipāś ca rathapattibhiḥ). Corresponds to CE 8.63.42c, 43a and 43c (the same last line is Appendix I No. 37, line 0017).

Verse 62 (8.91.62)

देवदानवगन्धर्वा नागयक्षपतत्रिणः । महर्षयो देवगणाः पितरश्च स्वधाभुजः ॥

devadānavagandharvā nāgayakṣapatatriṇaḥ | maharṣayo devagaṇāḥ pitaraśca svadhābhujaḥ

Gods, Danavas and Gandharvas, Nagas, Yakshas and birds, great sages, hosts of gods and the ancestors who feed on the svadha offering,

Verse 63 (8.91.63)

तपोविद्यौषधीसिद्धा नानारूपाम्बरत्विषः । अन्तरिक्षे महाराज विवदन्तोऽवतस्थिरे ॥

tapovidyauṣadhīsiddhā nānārūpāmbaratviṣaḥ | antarikṣe mahārāja vivadanto'vatasthire

those perfected by austerity, lore and herbs, bright in many forms and garments, stood disputing in the sky, O great king.

Note on the text: Corrected तपोविद्यौषधीसिदधा → तपोविद्यौषधीसिद्धा (misprint in Wikisource; a broken conjunct; सिदध is not a word, the critical edition reads tapo vidyās tathauṣadhyaḥ and the sense is "perfected through austerity, lore and herbs").

Verse 64 (8.91.64)

ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मर्षिभिः सार्धं प्रजापतिभिरेव च । आस्थितो यानमाकाशे दिव्यं तेजः समागताः ॥

brahmā brahmarṣibhiḥ sārdhaṃ prajāpatibhireva ca | āsthito yānamākāśe divyaṃ tejaḥ samāgatāḥ

Brahma, together with the brahmarshis and the Prajapatis, rode in a divine conveyance in the sky; with divine splendour they had come together.

Note on the text: Line 2 differs from CE 8.63.46c (bhavenāvasthito yānaṃ divyaṃ taṃ deśam abhyayāt).

Verse 65 (8.91.65)

ततः प्रजापतिस्तूर्णमाजगाम महामते । द्वैरथं युधि तं द्रष्टुं कर्णपाण्डवयोस्तदा ॥

tataḥ prajāpatistūrṇamājagāma mahāmate | dvairathaṃ yudhi taṃ draṣṭuṃ karṇapāṇḍavayostadā

Then Prajapati came swiftly, O wise king, to see the chariot-duel between Karna and the Pandava.

Note on the text: Corrected द्रुष्टं → द्रष्टुं (misprint in Wikisource; a wrong vowel; the critical edition reads draṣṭuṃ). Not in the CE's constituted text; it is the star passage 8.63.46d*0993_01–02 (with mahāmate for mahīpate).

Verse 66 (8.91.66)

विजित्य कर्णः स्विदिमां वसुन्धराम् । अथार्जुनः स्वित्प्रतिपद्यतेऽखिलाम् । इतीश्वरस्यापि बभूव संशयः । प्रजापतेः प्रेक्ष्य तयोर्महद्बलम् ॥

vijitya karṇaḥ svidimāṃ vasundharām | athārjunaḥ svitpratipadyate'khilām | itīśvarasyāpi babhūva saṃśayaḥ | prajāpateḥ prekṣya tayormahadbalam

"Will Karna conquer this whole earth, or will Arjuna gain it entire?" Thus even the lord Prajapati fell into doubt, seeing the great strength of the two.

Note on the text: Corrected वसुन्धरा-- । / मथार्जुनः → वसुन्धराम् । / अथार्जुनः (misprint in Wikisource; the word was cut across the line break and printed with stray dashes; the critical edition reads vasuṃdharām / athārjunaḥ). Not in the CE's constituted text; it is the star passage 8.63.46d*0993_03–06 (the CE prints the speaker saṃjayaḥ before its last line).