Arjuna Turns on the Five Great Chariot-Warriors

Verse 1 (4.64.1)

भीष्मं विजित्य संग्रामे कुरूणां मिषतां रणे । ततो युद्धमनाः प्रायात्पार्थः पञ्च महारथान् ॥

bhīṣmaṃ vijitya saṃgrāme kurūṇāṃ miṣatāṃ raṇe | tato yuddhamanāḥ prāyātpārthaḥ pañca mahārathān

Having overcome Bhishma in battle as the Kurus looked on, Partha, eager to fight, went on against the five great chariot-warriors.

Note on the text: Speaker heading वैशंपायन उवाच printed above this verse; normalised to वैशम्पायन. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 1–2; the appendix reads "having won back the cattle" (gās tā vijitya) where Wikisource has "having overcome Bhishma".

Verse 2 (4.64.2)

आददानश्च नाराचान्विमृशन्निषुधी अपि । संस्पृशानश्च गाण्डीवं भूयः कर्णं समभ्यगात् ॥

ādadānaśca nārācānvimṛśanniṣudhī api | saṃspṛśānaśca gāṇḍīvaṃ bhūyaḥ karṇaṃ samabhyagāt

Drawing out iron shafts, feeling his two quivers, and touching Gandiva, he went once more against Karna.

Note on the text: Corrected समभ्यगाम् → समभ्यगात् (misprint in Wikisource; the first-person form cannot stand with Partha as subject; the appendix has the third person, samabhyayāt). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 3–4.

Verse 3 (4.64.3)

कर्ण यत्तत्सभामध्ये बह्वबद्धं प्रभाषसे । न मे युधि समोऽस्तीति तदिदं प्रत्युपस्थितम् ॥

karṇa yattatsabhāmadhye bahvabaddhaṃ prabhāṣase | na me yudhi samo'stīti tadidaṃ pratyupasthitam

"Karna, what you used to proclaim so wildly in the assembly — that no one is your equal in battle — here it stands before you now.

Note on the text: Speaker heading द्रौणिरुवाच printed above this verse (द्रौणि, "Drona's son", is Ashvatthama). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 5–6.

Verse 4 (4.64.4)

एषोऽन्तक इव क्रुद्धः सर्वभूतावमर्दनः । अदूरात्प्रत्युपस्थाय जृम्भते केसरी यथा । न पलायस्व शूरश्चेत्स्थित्वा युध्यस्व फल्गुनम् ॥

eṣo'ntaka iva kruddhaḥ sarvabhūtāvamardanaḥ | adūrātpratyupasthāya jṛmbhate kesarī yathā | na palāyasva śūraścetsthitvā yudhyasva phalgunam

Here he is, like Death in his wrath, the crusher of all beings, come up close and stretching himself like a lion. If you are a hero, do not run; stand and fight Phalguna."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 7–8. The third line ("If you are a hero…") appears nowhere in the critical edition. Ashvatthama's speech continues.

Verse 5 (4.64.5)

नाहं बिभेमि बीभत्सोः कृष्णाद्वा देवकीसुतात् । पाण्डवेभ्योऽपि सर्वेभ्यः क्षत्रधर्ममनुव्रतः ॥

nāhaṃ bibhemi bībhatsoḥ kṛṣṇādvā devakīsutāt | pāṇḍavebhyo'pi sarvebhyaḥ kṣatradharmamanuvrataḥ

"I do not fear Bibhatsu, nor Krishna son of Devaki, nor all the Pandavas together, for I hold to the warrior's duty.

Note on the text: Corrected पाण्डवेभ्योपि → पाण्डवेभ्योऽपि (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha). Speaker heading कर्ण उवाच printed above this verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 9–10.

Verse 6 (4.64.6)

सत्त्वाधिकानां शूराणां धनुर्वेदोपजीविनाम् । दर्शनाज्जायते दर्पः स्वरश्च न विषीदति ॥

sattvādhikānāṃ śūrāṇāṃ dhanurvedopajīvinām | darśanājjāyate darpaḥ svaraśca na viṣīdati

In heroes of surpassing courage who live by the science of the bow, the sight of a foe breeds pride, and their voice does not falter.

Note on the text: Corrected सत्वाधिकानां → सत्त्वाधिकानां (misprint in Wikisource; dropped त्; the appendix has sattvādhikānāṃ) and दर्शनाञ्जायते → दर्शनाज्जायते (misprint; त् before ज becomes ज्, not ञ्). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 11–12. Karna's speech continues.

Verse 7 (4.64.7)

पश्यत्वाचार्यपुत्रो मामर्जुनेन समं युधि । युध्यमानं सुसंयुक्तं दैवं तु दुरतिक्रमम् ॥

paśyatvācāryaputro māmarjunena samaṃ yudhi | yudhyamānaṃ susaṃyuktaṃ daivaṃ tu duratikramam

Let the teacher's son watch me fighting Arjuna in battle, fully armed — though fate is hard to overcome."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 13–14. Karna's speech continues.

Verse 8 (4.64.8)

को दोषः कर्ण शूराणां वाचा साकं हि पौरुषम् । विद्यते यदि तल्लोके गुणोत्तरमिहोच्यते ॥

ko doṣaḥ karṇa śūrāṇāṃ vācā sākaṃ hi pauruṣam | vidyate yadi talloke guṇottaramihocyate

"What fault is there in heroes, Karna, if manly deeds go together with their words? Where that is found in the world, it is called the highest merit.

Note on the text: Speaker heading अश्वत्थामोवाच printed above this verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears nowhere in the critical edition, neither in the text nor in its apparatus or Appendix I No. 52, which otherwise carries this adhyaya.

Verse 9 (4.64.9)

युध्यस्व त्वमभीः पार्थं प्रपलायस्व मा रणात् । उक्तं वचः स्मरन्कर्ण नाहमित्यादि संयुगे ॥

yudhyasva tvamabhīḥ pārthaṃ prapalāyasva mā raṇāt | uktaṃ vacaḥ smarankarṇa nāhamityādi saṃyuge

Fight Partha without fear and do not flee the battle, Karna, remembering the words you spoke — "I do not fear…" and the rest — now that you are in the fight."

Note on the text: Corrected युव्यस्व → युध्यस्व (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears nowhere in the critical edition, neither in the text nor in its apparatus or Appendix I No. 52, which otherwise carries this adhyaya. Ashvatthama's speech continues.

Verse 10 (4.64.10)

तं समन्ताद्रथाः पञ्च परिवार्य धनञ्जयम् । त इषून्सम्यगस्यन्तो मुमुक्षन्तोऽपि जीवितात् ॥

taṃ samantādrathāḥ pañca parivārya dhanañjayam | ta iṣūnsamyagasyanto mumukṣanto'pi jīvitāt

Then the five chariot-warriors surrounded Dhananjaya on every side, shooting their arrows true and bent on taking his life.

Note on the text: Corrected मुमुक्षन्तोपि → मुमुक्षन्तोऽपि (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha). Speaker heading वैशंपायन उवाच printed above this verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 15–16.

Verse 11 (4.64.11)

ते लाभमिव मन्वानाः क्षिप्रमार्च्छन्धनञ्जयम् । शरौघान्सम्यगस्यन्तो जीमूता इव वार्षिकाः ॥

te lābhamiva manvānāḥ kṣipramārcchandhanañjayam | śaraughānsamyagasyanto jīmūtā iva vārṣikāḥ

Thinking him a prize within reach, they quickly closed on Dhananjaya, pouring out floods of arrows like the clouds of the rainy season.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 17–18.

Verse 12 (4.64.12)

बहुभिर्निशितैर्बाणैर्विविधैर्लोमवापिभिः । आद्रवन्प्रत्यवस्थाय प्रत्यविध्यन्धनञ्जयम् ॥

bahubhirniśitairbāṇairvividhairlomavāpibhiḥ | ādravanpratyavasthāya pratyavidhyandhanañjayam

Rushing in and taking their stand, they pierced Dhananjaya with many sharp arrows of every kind, keen enough to shave a hair.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 19–20.

Verse 13 (4.64.13)

ततः प्रहस्य बीभत्सुः सर्वशस्त्रभृतांवरः । दिव्यमस्त्रं विकुर्वाणः प्रत्ययाद्रथसत्तमान् ॥

tataḥ prahasya bībhatsuḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃvaraḥ | divyamastraṃ vikurvāṇaḥ pratyayādrathasattamān

Then Bibhatsu, best of all who bear arms, laughed and, bringing a divine weapon into play, went against those finest of chariot-warriors.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 21–22.

Verse 14 (4.64.14)

यथा रश्मिभिरादित्यः प्रच्छादयति मेदिनीम् । एवं गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तैः शरैः प्राच्छादयद्दिशः ॥

yathā raśmibhirādityaḥ pracchādayati medinīm | evaṃ gāṇḍīvanirmuktaiḥ śaraiḥ prācchādayaddiśaḥ

As the sun covers the earth with its rays, so he covered the quarters with arrows loosed from Gandiva.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 23–24.

Verse 15 (4.64.15)

न रथानां न नागानां न ध्वजानां न वाजिनाम् । अविद्धं निशितैर्बाणैरासीद्द्व्यङ्गुलमन्तरम् ॥

na rathānāṃ na nāgānāṃ na dhvajānāṃ na vājinām | aviddhaṃ niśitairbāṇairāsīddvyaṅgulamantaram

On chariots, elephants, banners and horses there was not a space two fingers wide left unpierced by his sharp arrows.

Note on the text: Corrected नगानां → नागानां (misprint in Wikisource; dropped ा — "of elephants", as the appendix has it, not "of mountains") and आसीद्द्यूङ्गुलम् → आसीद्द्व्यङ्गुलम् (misprint; "two fingers' breadth", appendix dvyaṅgulam). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 25–26.

Verse 16 (4.64.16)

सर्वे शान्तिपरा योधाः स्वचित्तं नाभिजज्ञिरे । हस्तिनोऽश्वाश्च वित्रस्ता व्यवलीयन्त भारत ॥

sarve śāntiparā yodhāḥ svacittaṃ nābhijajñire | hastino'śvāśca vitrastā vyavalīyanta bhārata

All the warriors gave up the fight and could not collect their wits; the elephants and horses, terrified, cowered, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Corrected नाभिजझिरे → नाभिजज्ञिरे (misprint in Wikisource; झ for ज्ञ). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 27–28.

Verse 17 (4.64.17)

यथा नलवनं नागः प्रभिन्नः षाष्टिहायनः । एवं सर्वानपामृद्नादर्जुनः शस्त्रतेजसा ॥

yathā nalavanaṃ nāgaḥ prabhinnaḥ ṣāṣṭihāyanaḥ | evaṃ sarvānapāmṛdnādarjunaḥ śastratejasā

As a sixty-year-old elephant in rut tramples a bed of reeds, so Arjuna crushed them all with the might of his weapons.

Note on the text: Corrected अपामृद्गात् → अपामृद्नात् (misprint in Wikisource; ग for न; appendix apāmṛdnād). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 29–30.

Verse 18 (4.64.18)

गाण्डीवस्य तु घोषेण पृथिवी समकम्पत । मनांसि धार्तराष्ट्राणामप्यकृन्तद्धनञ्जयः ॥

gāṇḍīvasya tu ghoṣeṇa pṛthivī samakampata | manāṃsi dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāmapyakṛntaddhanañjayaḥ

At the twang of Gandiva the earth shook, and Dhananjaya cut deep into the hearts of Dhritarashtra's men.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 31–32.

Verse 19 (4.64.19)

ततो विगाह्य सैन्यानां मध्यं शस्त्रभृतांवरः । सारथिं समरे शूरस्त्वभ्यभाषत वीर्यवान् ॥

tato vigāhya sainyānāṃ madhyaṃ śastrabhṛtāṃvaraḥ | sārathiṃ samare śūrastvabhyabhāṣata vīryavān

Then, plunging into the midst of the armies, the mighty hero, best of all who bear arms, spoke to his charioteer in the battle:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 33–34.

Verse 20 (4.64.20)

संनियम्य हयानेतान्मन्दं वाहय सारथे । आचार्यपुत्रं समरे योधयिष्येऽपराजितम् ॥

saṃniyamya hayānetānmandaṃ vāhaya sārathe | ācāryaputraṃ samare yodhayiṣye'parājitam

"Rein in these horses and drive slowly, charioteer. I shall fight the teacher's son, who has never been defeated in battle.

Note on the text: No speaker heading in Wikisource (the input carried वैशंपायन); Arjuna's words to Uttara, introduced in verse 19, so they are assigned to him. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 35–36.

Verse 21 (4.64.21)

पुरा ह्येष मया युक्तः स मे भवति पृष्ठतः ॥

purā hyeṣa mayā yuktaḥ sa me bhavati pṛṣṭhataḥ

I engaged him once before, and now he stands behind me."

Note on the text: Divided by the page's own verse-end marks: Wikisource closes this line with ॥ and numbers the next line 21b, so the input's verses 21–22 are re-divided here and in the next verse. This line ends Arjuna's speech. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), line 37, which reads muktaḥ ("I let him go") where Wikisource has युक्तः.

Verse 22 (4.64.22)

एवमुक्तेऽर्जुनेनासावश्वत्थामरथं प्रति । विराटपुत्रो जवनान्भृशमश्वानचोदयत् ॥

evamukte'rjunenāsāvaśvatthāmarathaṃ prati | virāṭaputro javanānbhṛśamaśvānacodayat

When Arjuna had spoken so, Virata's son drove the swift horses hard toward Ashvatthama's chariot.

Note on the text: Joined from the second line of the input's verse 21 (page row 21b) and the first line of its verse 22 (row 22a), which the page closes with ॥; narration. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 38–39.

Verse 23 (4.64.23)

एषोपयाति बीभत्सुर्व्यथितो गाढवेदनः । तं तु तत्रैव यास्यामि नासौ मुच्येत जीवितात् ॥

eṣopayāti bībhatsurvyathito gāḍhavedanaḥ | taṃ tu tatraiva yāsyāmi nāsau mucyeta jīvitāt

"Here comes Bibhatsu, shaken and badly hurt. I shall go at him right there; he will not escape with his life."

Note on the text: Joined from the second line of the input's verse 22 (row 22b) and its verse 23 (row 23a, closed with ॥). The page prints the heading कर्ण उवाच above row 22b, so this whole verse is Karna's (the input had given its first line to वैशंपायन). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 40–41.

Verse 24 (4.64.24)

नासौ भयेन निर्यातो महात्मा पाकशासनिः । नैवं भीता निवर्तन्ते न पुनर्गाढवेदनाः ॥

nāsau bhayena niryāto mahātmā pākaśāsaniḥ | naivaṃ bhītā nivartante na punargāḍhavedanāḥ

"He has not come out through fear, that great-souled son of Indra. Men who are frightened and badly hurt do not turn back like this.

Note on the text: Speaker heading द्रोण उवाच printed above this verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 42–43.

Verse 25 (4.64.25)

यद्येनमभिसंरब्धं पुनरेवाभियास्यसि । बहून्यस्त्राणि जानीते न पुनर्मोक्ष्यते भवान् ॥

yadyenamabhisaṃrabdhaṃ punarevābhiyāsyasi | bahūnyastrāṇi jānīte na punarmokṣyate bhavān

If you go at him again in his fury — and he knows many weapons — you will not get away a second time.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 44–45. Drona's speech continues.

Verse 26 (4.64.26)

दिष्ट्या दुर्योधनो मुक्तो दिष्ट्या गावः पलायिताः । मुक्तो दिष्ट्या च संग्रामे किं रणेन करिष्यसि ॥

diṣṭyā duryodhano mukto diṣṭyā gāvaḥ palāyitāḥ | mukto diṣṭyā ca saṃgrāme kiṃ raṇena kariṣyasi

By good fortune Duryodhana is freed, by good fortune the cattle have run off, and by good fortune you came off free in the fight. What will you gain by fighting on?

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 46–47. Drona's speech continues.

Verse 27 (4.64.27)

क्रोशमात्रमपाक्रम्य बलमन्वानयामहे । अन्वागतबलाः पार्थं पुनरेवाभियास्यथ ॥

krośamātramapākramya balamanvānayāmahe | anvāgatabalāḥ pārthaṃ punarevābhiyāsyatha

Let us fall back a krosha and bring up the army; then, with the army behind you, you may all attack Partha again."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition prints it only in Appendix I, No. 52 (inserted after 4.59.44d), lines 48–49. Drona's speech ends.