Karna Reads the Omens of the Kauravas' Ruin

Verse 1 (5.143.1)

केशवस्य तु तद्वाक्यं कर्णः श्रुत्वा हितं शुभम् । अब्रवीदभिसंपूज्य कृष्णं तं मधुसूदनम् ॥

keśavasya tu tadvākyaṃ karṇaḥ śrutvā hitaṃ śubham | abravīdabhisaṃpūjya kṛṣṇaṃ taṃ madhusūdanam

Having heard Keshava's words, beneficial and auspicious, Karna paid honour to Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, and said:

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 5.141.1ab–cd (there spoken by Sanjaya; Wikisource heads the adhyaya वैशंपायन उवाच). The critical edition prints 5.141.1–2 as two three-line verses, which Wikisource divides into three couplets (verses 1–3).

Verse 2 (5.143.2)

जानन्मां किं महाबाहो संमोहयितुमिच्छसि । योऽयं पृथिव्याः कार्त्स्न्येन विनाशः समुपस्थितः ॥

jānanmāṃ kiṃ mahābāho saṃmohayitumicchasi | yo'yaṃ pṛthivyāḥ kārtsnyena vināśaḥ samupasthitaḥ

"Though you know it all, O mighty-armed one, why do you wish to bewilder me? Of this destruction of the whole earth that is now at hand—

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.141.1ef; line 2 is 5.141.2ab. Corrected योयं → योऽयं (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha, critical edition yo 'yaṃ).

Verse 3 (5.143.3)

निमित्तं तत्र शकुनिरहं दुःशासनस्तथा । दुर्योधनश्च नृपतिर्धृतराष्ट्रसुतोऽभवत् ॥

nimittaṃ tatra śakunirahaṃ duḥśāsanastathā | duryodhanaśca nṛpatirdhṛtarāṣṭrasuto'bhavat

—the cause is Shakuni, myself, Duhshasana, and King Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra.

Note on the text: The critical edition's 5.141.2cd–ef.

Verse 4 (5.143.4)

असंशयमिदं कृष्ण महद्युद्धमुपस्थितम् । पाण्डवानां कुरूणां च घोरं रुधिरकर्दमम् ॥

asaṃśayamidaṃ kṛṣṇa mahadyuddhamupasthitam | pāṇḍavānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca ghoraṃ rudhirakardamam

Without doubt, Krishna, a great war is at hand between the Pandavas and the Kurus, a terrible one, with a mire of blood.

Verse 5 (5.143.5)

राजानो राजपुत्राश्च दुर्योधनवशानुगाः । रणे शस्त्राग्निना दग्धाः प्राप्स्यन्ति यमसादनम् ॥

rājāno rājaputrāśca duryodhanavaśānugāḥ | raṇe śastrāgninā dagdhāḥ prāpsyanti yamasādanam

The kings and princes who follow Duryodhana's will shall be burned in battle by the fire of weapons and go to the abode of Yama.

Verse 6 (5.143.6)

स्वप्ना हि बहवो घोरा दृश्यन्ते मधुसूदन । निमित्तानि च घोराणि तथोत्पाताः सुदारुणाः ॥

svapnā hi bahavo ghorā dṛśyante madhusūdana | nimittāni ca ghorāṇi tathotpātāḥ sudāruṇāḥ

Many terrible dreams are being seen, Madhusudana, and terrible omens and most dreadful portents,

Verse 7 (5.143.7)

पराजयं धार्तराष्ट्रे विजयं च युधिष्ठिरे । शंसन्त इव वार्ष्णेय विविधा रोमहर्षणाः ॥

parājayaṃ dhārtarāṣṭre vijayaṃ ca yudhiṣṭhire | śaṃsanta iva vārṣṇeya vividhā romaharṣaṇāḥ

of many kinds, making the hair stand on end, as if proclaiming, O Varshneya, defeat for the son of Dhritarashtra and victory for Yudhishthira.

Note on the text: Corrected संसन्त → शंसन्त (misprint in Wikisource; स for श, "proclaiming", critical edition śaṃsanta).

Verse 8 (5.143.8)

प्राजापत्यं हि नक्षत्रं ग्रहस्तीक्ष्णो महाद्युतिः । शनैश्चरः पीडयति पीडयन्प्राणिनोऽधिकम् ॥

prājāpatyaṃ hi nakṣatraṃ grahastīkṣṇo mahādyutiḥ | śanaiścaraḥ pīḍayati pīḍayanprāṇino'dhikam

The fierce and brilliant planet Saturn is afflicting the constellation of Prajapati (Rohini), and afflicting living beings all the more.

Verse 9 (5.143.9)

कृत्वा चाङ्गारको वक्रं ज्येष्ठायां मधुसूदन । अनुराधां प्रार्थयते मैत्रं संगमयन्निव ॥

kṛtvā cāṅgārako vakraṃ jyeṣṭhāyāṃ madhusūdana | anurādhāṃ prārthayate maitraṃ saṃgamayanniva

Mars, turning retrograde in Jyeshtha, Madhusudana, is pressing towards Anuradha, as if to join itself to the constellation of Mitra.

Verse 10 (5.143.10)

नूनं महद्भयं कृष्ण कुरूणां समुपस्थितम् । विशेषेण हि वार्ष्णेय चित्रां पीडयते ग्रहः ॥

nūnaṃ mahadbhayaṃ kṛṣṇa kurūṇāṃ samupasthitam | viśeṣeṇa hi vārṣṇeya citrāṃ pīḍayate grahaḥ

Surely a great danger has come upon the Kurus, Krishna, for, O Varshneya, a planet is afflicting Chitra in particular.

Verse 11 (5.143.11)

सोमस्य लक्ष्म व्यावृत्तं राहुरर्कमुपैति च । दिवश्चोल्काः पतन्त्येताः सनिर्घाताः सकंपनाः ॥

somasya lakṣma vyāvṛttaṃ rāhurarkamupaiti ca | divaścolkāḥ patantyetāḥ sanirghātāḥ sakaṃpanāḥ

The mark on the moon has turned aside, and Rahu is approaching the sun; meteors fall from the sky with thunderclaps and tremors.

Verse 12 (5.143.12)

निष्टनन्ति च मातङ्गा मुञ्चन्त्यश्रूणि वाजिनः । पानीयं यवसं चापि नाभिनन्दन्ति माधव ॥

niṣṭananti ca mātaṅgā muñcantyaśrūṇi vājinaḥ | pānīyaṃ yavasaṃ cāpi nābhinandanti mādhava

The elephants groan and the horses shed tears; they take no pleasure in water or fodder, Madhava.

Verse 13 (5.143.13)

प्रादुर्भूतेषु चैतेषु भयमाहुरुपस्थितम् । निमित्तेषु महाबाहो दारुणं प्राणिनाशनम् ॥

prādurbhūteṣu caiteṣu bhayamāhurupasthitam | nimitteṣu mahābāho dāruṇaṃ prāṇināśanam

When these omens appear, O mighty-armed one, they say that a dreadful danger has arrived, one that destroys living beings.

Note on the text: Corrected भयमाहुरुपास्थितम् → भयमाहुरुपस्थितम् (misprint in Wikisource; stray long vowel, critical edition upasthitam).

Verse 14 (5.143.14)

अल्पे भुक्ते पुरीषं च प्रभूतमिह दृश्यते । वाजिनां वारणानां च मनुष्याणां च केशव ॥

alpe bhukte purīṣaṃ ca prabhūtamiha dṛśyate | vājināṃ vāraṇānāṃ ca manuṣyāṇāṃ ca keśava

Though little is eaten, a great quantity of dung is seen here, Keshava, from horses, elephants and men

Verse 15 (5.143.15)

धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैन्येषु सर्वेषु मधुसूदन । पराभवस्य तल्लिङ्गमिति प्राहुर्मनीषिणः ॥

dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu sarveṣu madhusūdana | parābhavasya talliṅgamiti prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

in all the armies of Dhritarashtra's son, Madhusudana; the wise say that this is the sign of defeat.

Verse 16 (5.143.16)

प्रहृष्टं वाहनं कृष्ण पाण्डवानां प्रचक्षते । प्रदक्षिणा मृगाश्चैव तत्तेषां जयलक्षणम् ॥

prahṛṣṭaṃ vāhanaṃ kṛṣṇa pāṇḍavānāṃ pracakṣate | pradakṣiṇā mṛgāścaiva tatteṣāṃ jayalakṣaṇam

The Pandavas' mounts, Krishna, are said to be in high spirits, and the wild animals pass them on the right; that is their sign of victory.

Verse 17 (5.143.17)

अपसव्या मृगाः सर्वे धार्तराष्ट्रस्य केशव । वाचश्चाप्यशरीरिण्यस्तत्पराभवलक्षणम् ॥

apasavyā mṛgāḥ sarve dhārtarāṣṭrasya keśava | vācaścāpyaśarīriṇyastatparābhavalakṣaṇam

All the animals pass Dhritarashtra's son on the left, Keshava, and bodiless voices are heard; that is the sign of his defeat.

Note on the text: Corrected अशरीरिण्यस्तकत्पराभव° → अशरीरिण्यस्तत्पराभव° (misprint in Wikisource; stray akshara क, critical edition aśarīriṇyas tat parābhava-).

Verse 18 (5.143.18)

मयूराः पुण्यशकुना हंससारसचातकाः । जीवञ्जीवकसङ्घाश्चाप्यनुगच्छन्ति पाण्डवान् ॥

mayūrāḥ puṇyaśakunā haṃsasārasacātakāḥ | jīvañjīvakasaṅghāścāpyanugacchanti pāṇḍavān

Peacocks and other birds of good omen — swans, cranes and chataka birds — and flocks of jivanjivaka birds follow the Pandavas.

Verse 19 (5.143.19)

गृध्राः कङ्का बकाः श्येना यातुधानास्तथा वृकाः । मक्षिकाणां च सङ्घाता अनुधावन्ति कौरवान् ॥

gṛdhrāḥ kaṅkā bakāḥ śyenā yātudhānāstathā vṛkāḥ | makṣikāṇāṃ ca saṅghātā anudhāvanti kauravān

Vultures, kankas, herons, hawks, rakshasas and wolves, and swarms of flies chase after the Kauravas.

Verse 20 (5.143.20)

धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैन्येषु भेरीणां नास्ति निःस्वनः । अनाहताः पाण्डवानां नदन्ति पटहाः किल ॥

dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu bherīṇāṃ nāsti niḥsvanaḥ | anāhatāḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ nadanti paṭahāḥ kila

In the armies of Dhritarashtra's son there is no sound of kettledrums, while the drums of the Pandavas, it is said, resound without being struck.

Verse 21 (5.143.21)

उदपानाश्च नर्दन्ति यथा गोवृषभास्तथा । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैन्येषु तत्पराभवलक्षणम् ॥

udapānāśca nardanti yathā govṛṣabhāstathā | dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu tatparābhavalakṣaṇam

In the armies of Dhritarashtra's son the wells roar like bulls; that is the sign of his defeat.

Verse 22 (5.143.22)

मांसशोणितवर्षं च वृष्टं देवेन माधव । तथा गन्धर्वनगरं भानुमत्समुपस्थितम् ॥

māṃsaśoṇitavarṣaṃ ca vṛṣṭaṃ devena mādhava | tathā gandharvanagaraṃ bhānumatsamupasthitam

The god has rained down a shower of flesh and blood, Madhava, and a city of the gandharvas has appeared in the sky, together with the sun,

Note on the text: The critical edition's 5.141.21ab–cd (reading bhānumantam upasthitam).

Verse 23 (5.143.23)

सप्राकारं सपरिखं सवप्रं चारुतोरणम् । कृष्णश्च परिघस्तत्र भानुमावृत्य तिष्ठति ॥

saprākāraṃ saparikhaṃ savapraṃ cārutoraṇam | kṛṣṇaśca parighastatra bhānumāvṛtya tiṣṭhati

with ramparts, moats and walls and handsome gateways; and a dark halo stands there, encircling the sun.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.141.21ef; line 2 is 5.141.22ab.

Verse 24 (5.143.24)

उदयास्तमने संध्ये वेदयन्ती महद्भयम् । शिवा च वाशते घोरं तत्पराभवलक्षणम् ॥

udayāstamane saṃdhye vedayantī mahadbhayam | śivā ca vāśate ghoraṃ tatparābhavalakṣaṇam

At both twilights, at sunrise and at sunset, a jackal howls terribly, announcing a great danger; that is the sign of defeat.

Note on the text: The critical edition's 5.141.22cd and 22ef (reading ekā sṛg for शिवा च).

Verse 25 (5.143.25)

एकपक्षाक्षिचरणाः पक्षिणो मधुसूदन । उत्सृजन्ति महद्घोरं तत्पराभवलक्षणम् ॥

ekapakṣākṣicaraṇāḥ pakṣiṇo madhusūdana | utsṛjanti mahadghoraṃ tatparābhavalakṣaṇam

Birds with one wing, one eye and one foot, Madhusudana, give out a great and terrible cry; that is the sign of defeat.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records a similar couplet in its apparatus as the star passage 5.141.22d*0529 (ekapakṣākṣicaraṇā nartakā ghoradarśanāḥ / pakṣiṇo vyasṛjan ghoraṃ tat parābhavalakṣaṇam). Corrected महद्धोरं → महद्घोरं (misprint in Wikisource; ध for घ in महत् + घोरम्).

Verse 26 (5.143.26)

कृष्णग्रीवाश्च शकुना रक्तपादा भयानकाः । सन्ध्यामभिमुखा यान्ति तत्पराभवलक्षणम् ॥

kṛṣṇagrīvāśca śakunā raktapādā bhayānakāḥ | sandhyāmabhimukhā yānti tatparābhavalakṣaṇam

Black-necked birds with red feet, fearsome to see, fly towards the evening twilight; that is the sign of defeat.

Note on the text: Corrected सन्ध्यामिमुखा → सन्ध्यामभिमुखा (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara भ, critical edition saṃdhyām abhimukhā).

Verse 27 (5.143.27)

ब्राह्मणान्प्रथमं द्वेष्टि गुरूंश्च मधुसूदन । भृत्यान्भक्तिमतश्चापि तत्पराभवलक्षणम् ॥

brāhmaṇānprathamaṃ dveṣṭi gurūṃśca madhusūdana | bhṛtyānbhaktimataścāpi tatparābhavalakṣaṇam

He hates the brahmins first, Madhusudana, then his elders, and even his devoted servants; that is the sign of defeat.

Verse 28 (5.143.28)

पूर्वा दिग्लोहिताकारा शस्त्रवर्णा च दक्षिणा । आमपात्रप्रतीकाशा पश्चिमा मधुसूदन । उत्तरा शङ्खवर्णाभा दिशां वर्णा उदाहृताः ॥

pūrvā diglohitākārā śastravarṇā ca dakṣiṇā | āmapātrapratīkāśā paścimā madhusūdana | uttarā śaṅkhavarṇābhā diśāṃ varṇā udāhṛtāḥ

The eastern quarter looks the colour of blood, the southern the colour of weapons; the western, Madhusudana, looks like an unbaked clay pot, and the northern has the hue of a conch. Such are the colours the quarters are said to show.

Note on the text: Re-divided at Wikisource's own verse-end marks: Wikisource 28a, 28b and 29a form this verse (CE 5.141.25, whose third line is the star passage 5.141.25d*0530_01). From here to verse 34 Wikisource's rows each join the second line of one verse to the first line of the next; the page's own ॥ marks fall mid-row and agree with the critical edition's division.

Verse 29 (5.143.29)

प्रदीप्ताश्च दिशः सर्वा धार्तराष्ट्रस्य माधव । महद्भयं वेदयन्ति तस्मिन्नुत्पातदर्शने ॥

pradīptāśca diśaḥ sarvā dhārtarāṣṭrasya mādhava | mahadbhayaṃ vedayanti tasminnutpātadarśane

All the quarters around Dhritarashtra's son seem ablaze, Madhava; in this display of portents they announce a great danger.

Note on the text: Re-divided at Wikisource's own verse-end marks: Wikisource 29b and 30a form this verse (CE 5.141.26).

Verse 30 (5.143.30)

सहस्रपादं प्रासादं स्वप्नान्ते स्म युधिष्ठिरः । अधिरोहन्मया दृष्टः सह भ्रातृभिरच्युत ॥

sahasrapādaṃ prāsādaṃ svapnānte sma yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | adhirohanmayā dṛṣṭaḥ saha bhrātṛbhiracyuta

At the end of a dream, Achyuta, I saw Yudhishthira with his brothers climbing a palace of a thousand pillars.

Note on the text: Re-divided at Wikisource's own verse-end marks: Wikisource 30b and 31a form this verse (CE 5.141.27).

Verse 31 (5.143.31)

श्वेतोष्णीषाश्च दृश्यन्ते सर्वे वै शुक्लवाससः । आसनानि च शुभ्राणि सर्वेषामुपलक्षये ॥

śvetoṣṇīṣāśca dṛśyante sarve vai śuklavāsasaḥ | āsanāni ca śubhrāṇi sarveṣāmupalakṣaye

All of them were seen wearing white turbans and white garments, and I noticed that the seats of all of them were white.

Note on the text: Re-divided at Wikisource's own verse-end marks: Wikisource 31b and 32a form this verse (CE 5.141.28).

Verse 32 (5.143.32)

तव चापि मया कृष्ण स्वप्नान्ते रुधिराविला । आन्त्रेण पृथिवी दृष्टा परिक्षिप्ता जनार्दन ॥

tava cāpi mayā kṛṣṇa svapnānte rudhirāvilā | āntreṇa pṛthivī dṛṣṭā parikṣiptā janārdana

At the end of the dream, Krishna, I also saw your earth, Janardana, foul with blood and wound about with entrails.

Note on the text: Re-divided at Wikisource's own verse-end marks: Wikisource 32b and 33a form this verse (CE 5.141.29).

Verse 33 (5.143.33)

अस्थिसञ्चयमारूढश्चामितौजा युधिष्ठिरः । सुवर्णपात्र्यां संहृष्टो भुक्तवान्घृतपायसम् ॥

asthisañcayamārūḍhaścāmitaujā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | suvarṇapātryāṃ saṃhṛṣṭo bhuktavānghṛtapāyasam

Yudhishthira of boundless might had climbed a heap of bones and was joyfully eating rice cooked in milk with ghee from a golden bowl.

Note on the text: Re-divided at Wikisource's own verse-end marks: Wikisource 33b and 34a form this verse (CE 5.141.30). Corrected यधिष्ठिरः → युधिष्ठिरः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped vowel sign, critical edition yudhiṣṭhiraḥ).

Verse 34 (5.143.34)

युधिष्ठिरो मया दृष्टो ग्रसमानो वसुन्धराम् । त्वया दत्तामिमां व्यक्तं भोक्ष्यते स वसुंधराम् ॥

yudhiṣṭhiro mayā dṛṣṭo grasamāno vasundharām | tvayā dattāmimāṃ vyaktaṃ bhokṣyate sa vasuṃdharām

I saw Yudhishthira swallowing the earth; clearly he will enjoy this earth, given to him by you.

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (5.141.31cd): Wikisource prints only this verse's first line (34b, युधिष्ठिरो मया दृष्टो ग्रसमानो वसुन्धराम्), standing alone before the next verse; the lost second line, tvayā dattām imāṃ vyaktaṃ bhokṣyate sa vasuṃdharām, is supplied from the critical edition.

Verse 35 (5.143.35)

उच्चं पर्वतमारूढो भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः । गदापाणिर्नरव्याघ्रो ग्रसन्निव महीमिमाम् ॥

uccaṃ parvatamārūḍho bhīmakarmā vṛkodaraḥ | gadāpāṇirnaravyāghro grasanniva mahīmimām

Vrikodara of fearsome deeds, that tiger among men, mace in hand, had climbed a high mountain and seemed to be swallowing this earth.

Verse 36 (5.143.36)

क्षपयिष्यति नः सर्वान्स सुव्यक्तं महारणे । विदितं मे हृषीकेश यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः ॥

kṣapayiṣyati naḥ sarvānsa suvyaktaṃ mahāraṇe | viditaṃ me hṛṣīkeśa yato dharmastato jayaḥ

Clearly he will destroy all of us in the great battle. I know, Hrishikesha, that where dharma is, there is victory.

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (5.141.33d): in Wikisource the last quarter reads श्रिया परमया ज्वलन्, a repeat of the next verse's last quarter; the critical edition's yato dharmas tato jayaḥ is supplied.

Verse 37 (5.143.37)

पाण्डुरं गजमारूढो गाण्डीवी स धनञ्जयः । त्वया सार्धं हृषीकेश श्रिया परमया ज्वलन् ॥

pāṇḍuraṃ gajamārūḍho gāṇḍīvī sa dhanañjayaḥ | tvayā sārdhaṃ hṛṣīkeśa śriyā paramayā jvalan

Dhananjaya, wielder of the Gandiva, had mounted a white elephant together with you, Hrishikesha, blazing with supreme splendour.

Verse 38 (5.143.38)

यूयं सर्वे वधिष्यध्वं तत्र मे नास्ति संशयः । पार्थिवान्समरे कृष्ण दुर्योधनपुरोगमान् ॥

yūyaṃ sarve vadhiṣyadhvaṃ tatra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ | pārthivānsamare kṛṣṇa duryodhanapurogamān

All of you will slay the kings in battle, Krishna, with Duryodhana at their head; of that I have no doubt.

Verse 39 (5.143.39)

नकुलः सहदेवश्च सात्यकिश्च महारथः । शुक्लकेयूरकण्ठत्राः शुक्लमाल्याम्बरावृताः ॥

nakulaḥ sahadevaśca sātyakiśca mahārathaḥ | śuklakeyūrakaṇṭhatrāḥ śuklamālyāmbarāvṛtāḥ

Nakula, Sahadeva and the great chariot-warrior Satyaki, wearing white armlets and neck-guards, clad in white garlands and garments —

Verse 40 (5.143.40)

अधिरूढा नरव्याघ्रा नरवाहनमुत्तमम् । त्रय एते मया दृष्टाः पाण्डुरच्छत्रवाससः ॥

adhirūḍhā naravyāghrā naravāhanamuttamam | traya ete mayā dṛṣṭāḥ pāṇḍuracchatravāsasaḥ

these tigers among men had mounted a splendid palanquin borne by men; these three I saw with white umbrellas and garments.

Verse 41 (5.143.41)

श्वेतोष्णीषाश्च दृश्यन्ते त्रय एते जनार्दन । धार्तराष्ट्रेषु सैन्येषु तान्विजानीहि केशव ॥

śvetoṣṇīṣāśca dṛśyante traya ete janārdana | dhārtarāṣṭreṣu sainyeṣu tānvijānīhi keśava

In the armies of Dhritarashtra's sons too, Janardana, three are seen in white turbans; know who they are, Keshava:

Verse 42 (5.143.42)

अश्वत्थामा कृपश्चैव कृतवर्मा च सात्वतः । रक्तोष्णीषाश्च दृश्यन्ते सर्वे माधव पार्थिवाः ॥

aśvatthāmā kṛpaścaiva kṛtavarmā ca sātvataḥ | raktoṣṇīṣāśca dṛśyante sarve mādhava pārthivāḥ

Ashvatthama, Kripa, and Kritavarman of the Satvatas. All the other kings, Madhava, are seen in red turbans.

Verse 43 (5.143.43)

उष्ट्रप्रयुक्तमारूढौ भीष्मद्रोणौ महारथौ । मया सार्धं महाबाहो धार्तराष्ट्रेण वा विभो ॥

uṣṭraprayuktamārūḍhau bhīṣmadroṇau mahārathau | mayā sārdhaṃ mahābāho dhārtarāṣṭreṇa vā vibho

Bhishma and Drona, the great chariot-warriors, mounted on a carriage yoked with camels, together with me and the son of Dhritarashtra, O mighty-armed lord,

Verse 44 (5.143.44)

अगस्त्यशास्तां च दिशं प्रयाताः स्म जनार्दन । अचिरेणैव कालेन प्राप्स्यामो यमसादनम् ॥

agastyaśāstāṃ ca diśaṃ prayātāḥ sma janārdana | acireṇaiva kālena prāpsyāmo yamasādanam

were travelling towards the quarter ruled by Agastya, Janardana. Before long we shall reach the abode of Yama.

Verse 45 (5.143.45)

अहं चान्ये च राजानो यच्च तत्क्षत्रमण्डलम् । गाण्डिवाग्निं प्रवेक्ष्याम इति मे नास्ति संशयः ॥

ahaṃ cānye ca rājāno yacca tatkṣatramaṇḍalam | gāṇḍivāgniṃ pravekṣyāma iti me nāsti saṃśayaḥ

I and the other kings and that whole circle of kshatriyas will enter the fire of the Gandiva; of this I have no doubt."

Verse 46 (5.143.46)

उपस्थितविनाशेयं नूनमद्य वसुंधरा । यथा हि मे वचः कर्ण नोपैति हृदयं तव ॥

upasthitavināśeyaṃ nūnamadya vasuṃdharā | yathā hi me vacaḥ karṇa nopaiti hṛdayaṃ tava

"Surely the destruction of this earth is now at hand, since my words do not reach your heart, Karna.

Note on the text: Corrected अपस्थितविनाशेयं → उपस्थितविनाशेयं (misprint in Wikisource; अ for उ, critical edition upasthitavināśeyaṃ).

Verse 47 (5.143.47)

सर्वेषां तात भूतानां विनाशे प्रत्युपस्थिते । अनयो नयसङ्काशो हृदयान्नापसर्पति ॥

sarveṣāṃ tāta bhūtānāṃ vināśe pratyupasthite | anayo nayasaṅkāśo hṛdayānnāpasarpati

When the destruction of all beings is at hand, my friend, wrong policy that looks like right policy will not leave the heart."

Verse 48 (5.143.48)

अपि त्वां कृष्ण पश्यामो जीवन्तोऽस्मान्महारणात् । समुत्तीर्णा महाबाहो वीरक्षत्रविनाशनात् ॥

api tvāṃ kṛṣṇa paśyāmo jīvanto'smānmahāraṇāt | samuttīrṇā mahābāho vīrakṣatravināśanāt

"Perhaps we shall see you again, Krishna, if we come out alive from this great battle, O mighty-armed one, this destruction of heroic kshatriyas.

Verse 49 (5.143.49)

अथवा सङ्गमः कृष्ण स्वर्गे नो भविता ध्रुवम् । तत्रेदानीं समेष्यामः पुनः सार्धं त्वयानघ ॥

athavā saṅgamaḥ kṛṣṇa svarge no bhavitā dhruvam | tatredānīṃ sameṣyāmaḥ punaḥ sārdhaṃ tvayānagha

Or else, Krishna, we shall surely meet in heaven; there, sinless one, we shall meet with you once more."

Verse 50 (5.143.50)

इत्युक्त्वा माधवं कर्णः परिष्वज्य च पीडितम् । विसर्जितः केशवेन रथोपस्थादवातरत् ॥

ityuktvā mādhavaṃ karṇaḥ pariṣvajya ca pīḍitam | visarjitaḥ keśavena rathopasthādavātarat

Having said this to Madhava, Karna embraced him tightly and, given leave by Keshava, stepped down from the chariot.

Verse 51 (5.143.51)

ततः स्वरथमास्थाय जाम्बूनदविभूषितम् । महात्मा वै निववृते राधेयो दीनमानसः ॥

tataḥ svarathamāsthāya jāmbūnadavibhūṣitam | mahātmā vai nivavṛte rādheyo dīnamānasaḥ

Then, mounting his own chariot adorned with gold, the great-souled son of Radha turned back, sad at heart.

Note on the text: Corrected स्वरथामस्थाय → स्वरथमास्थाय (misprint in Wikisource; misplaced vowel sign, critical edition svaratham āsthāya).

Verse 52 (5.143.52)

ततः शीघ्रतरं प्रायात्केशवः सहसात्यकिः । पुनरुच्चारयन्वाणीं याहि याहीति सारथिम् ॥

tataḥ śīghrataraṃ prāyātkeśavaḥ sahasātyakiḥ | punaruccārayanvāṇīṃ yāhi yāhīti sārathim

Then Keshava, with Satyaki, drove on more swiftly, calling again and again to his charioteer, "Go on, go on!"