Chapter 1217
Om. Let us honor Narayana. Let us honor Him, the most honorable Nara. Let us honor Her, the goddess called Saraswati. Jayatu Bhava!
“Vaisampayana said,
‘Once Drona had been slain, O king, the royal Kauravan warriors, their hearts quite anxious, all went to Drona’s son. Grieving for Drona, utterly weakened due to misery, they surrounded Saradwata’s daughter, troublingly grievous. Reflecting upon scripture, using such reflection to be soothed a bit, the world leaders, at night, headed for their individual tents. Those world leaders however, O Kuru, felt no happiness at home. Considering the immense slaughter, they were restless. The Suta (Karna), King Suyodhana, Dusasana, and Sakuni were especially restless. The four spent the night with Duryodhana, considering the woes they’d given the mahatmas, the Pandavas. In the past, they’d drowned Draupadi in a woe-sea at a dice-game during an assembly. Recalling this, they felt powerful remorse, hearts anxious. Considering how the Pandavas had been harmed as a result of the gamble, the night of sorrow, O king, felt like a century. When morning came, they all, keeping to the law, performed the usual rituals. Having performed the usual rituals and felt somewhat soothed, O Bharata tribesman, they asked their men to arrange themselves. Then, they went out for battle, making Karna generalissimo by giving him a belt of auspicious thread, ensuring the top Brahmins prayed for their victory by offering them containers full of curds, ghee, akshatas, gold coins, cows, jewels, gems, and expensive robes, and making messengers, musicians, and eulogists show their love for them by singing hymns for victory. The Pandavas, O king, having performed their morning-rituals, left camp, set on fighting. Then, a brutal battle began that was hair-raising between the Kurus and the Pandavas, each side wishing to annihilate the other. When Karna was the commander, the battle between the Kuru and the Pandavan troops was exceedingly brutal and lasted two days. Vrisha (Karna), having created an immense slaughter for his enemies in battle, was finally slain before the Dhritarashtras by Arjuna. Sanjaya, going to Hastinapura, told Dhritarashtra everything that’d happened at Kurujangala.’
Janamejaya said,
‘Having heard about Bhishma’s fall and the fall of the second, mighty chariot-warrior (Drona), old King Dhritarashtra, Ambika’s son, was troublingly quite grievous. How, top Brahmin, could he, sunken in grief, stay alive once he heard about the death of Karna, Duryodhana’s well-wisher? How could Kuru’s descendant have truly kept on living if Drona, one in whom that king rested all hope of his sons’ victory, fell? If the king did not commit suicide upon hearing of Karna’s death, methinks it’s quite difficult for men to commit suicide, even in times of powerful grief! O Brahmin, if the king did not commit suicide upon hearing about the death of the esteemed son of Santanu, the death of Balika, the death of Drona, the death of Somadata, the death of Bhurisrava, and the deaths of other allies, sons, and grandsons, methinks, O reborn one, committing suicide must be exceedingly difficult to accomplish. Tell me everything in detail, event by event. I am dissatisfied with the telling of the lofty successes of my ancestors.’”
Chapter 1218
“Vaisampayana said,
‘When Karna fell, O king, Gavalgana’s son, his heart miserable, departed that night for Nagapura, riding horses that rivaled wind-speed. Upon arrival at Hastinapura, his heart filled with powerful anxiety, he headed for Dhritarashtra’s home, one no longer crowded with kinsmen and friends. Seeing the king utterly weakened due to grief, he, putting his palms together, hung his head at the king’s feet. Having worshipped King Dhritarashtra, he gave a cry of woe and then said: I, O Lord of the World, am Sanjaya! Why aren’t you happy? I hope you’re not stunned, my problems putting you in dire straits. Advice has been given to do you some good by Vidura, Ganga’s son, and Kesava. I hope you’re not in pain at present – recall how you rejected advice. Rama, Narada, Kanwa, and some others also advised at an assembly to do you some good. I hope you feel no pain now, recalling how you passed them by. I hope you feel no pain, recalling how the enemy slew Bhishma, Drona, and other friends who always focused on doing you some good.’ To the Suta who, palms joined, spoke thusly, the king, troublingly grievous and sighing deeply and zealously, Dhritarashtra, replied: ‘Hearing, O Sanjaya, about the fall of the heroic son of Ganga, the warrior who owned all divine weapons, and about the fall of the top archer (Drona), my heart is in great pain. The hero naturally quite powerful who was a Vasu – the one who, each day, slew ten-thousand mail-wearing chariot-warriors – the mahatma to whom Bhrigu’s son gave the loftiest weapons – the warrior who, as a child, was trained in archery-science by Rama – alas! He was slain by Yajnasena’s son Sikhandin, one guarded by the Pandavas. This truly pains my heart. Due to the hero’s grace, mighty chariot-warriors – the royal sons of Kunti – and many other world leaders became able to take on ten-thousand warriors. Alas, when I hear of the slaughter of the great archer with true aim, Drona, by Dhrishtadyumna, my heart feels extremely pained. On Earth, none equaled them in wisdom and weapons-knowledge. Alas, when I hear of the slaughter of those two, Bhishma and Drona, in battle, my heart feels extremely pained. The warrior with none the three worlds over equal to him in knowledge of weapons – alas! Upon hearing of the hero’s slaughter (Drona), what did mine allies do? Once the mahatma and adopted son of Pandu, Dhananjaya, making use of his power, sent to Yama’s home the powerful Samsaptakas’ regiment – once Narayana, upon being used by the wise son of Drona, had been ruined – once the Kauravan regiments had begun dispersing – what did mine allies truly do? Methinks, upon Drona’s death, my men, fleeing and drowning in a grief-sea, were like ship-wrecked sailors struggling to keep afloat upon the front of the vast sea. What, O Sanjaya, were the colors of the faces of Duryodhana, Karna, Kritavarman, the Bhojan chief, Salya (the Madras’ ruler), my remaining sons, and the rest, when the Kuru regiments fled from battle? Tell me and be honest; event by event when it comes to that battle, O son of Gavalgana. Describe how powerful the Pandavas were and how powerful my men were.’
Sanjaya said: ‘O sire, when you hear about everything that’s happened to the Kauravas because of you, you should feel no anguish. Anything Fate brings never brings a wise man pain. Since Fate is unstoppable, nothing a man wishes to achieve will surely or won’t surely occur. So, a wise man is never pained by getting or not getting something he truly wants.’
Dhritarashtra said: ‘I am not in great pain, Sanjaya. To me, this is all because of Fate. Tell me anything you wish.’
Chapter 1219
Sanjaya said: ‘When the great archer named Drona fell, your sons, mighty chariot-warriors, turned pallid and senseless. Armed, all, O king, hung their heads. Troublingly grievous and not eyeing one another, all were utterly silent. Seeing them look so troubled, your men, O Bharata tribesman, troublingly grievous, blankly looked up. Seeing that Drona’d been slain in battle, many of their weapons, O king, dyed crimson, fell. Countless weapons, O Bharata tribesman, still gripped by men, seemed to hang like descending meteors. King Duryodhana, O king, seeing your army standing there, seemingly frozen and lifeless, said: Trusting in your army’s power, I summoned the Pandavas to fight and began this battle. When Drona fell, however, things looked miserable. Warriors focused on fighting will die in battle. Focused on fighting, a warrior will win or die. So, what’s so strange about Drona dying? Fight, keeping your eyes peeled. See Mahatma Karna, Vikartana’s son, a great archer with powerful strength, rushing into battle with divine weapons? Fearful of the warrior in battle, that cowardly man, Dhananjaya, Kunti’s son, always turns tail like a small deer when it sees a lion. Dhananjaya, fighting like human warriors do, put mighty Bhimasena, one as naturally strong as ten-thousand elephants, in dire straits. Dhananjaya, giving a loud cry, slew, using his invincible arrow, brave Ghatotkacha, one who played a thousand tricks and knew divine weapons by heart. See, today, the unstoppable weapons-power of the wise warrior with a sure aim and unstoppable energy? Let the adopted sons of Pandu see, today, how powerful both Aswatthaman and Karna, like Vishnu and Vasava respectively, are. Each of you could, alone, slay the adopted sons of Pandu along with their troops in battle. So, if you were united, how much more capable would you be? Naturally quite powerful and skilled in weaponry, today, you will see one another focusing on doing mighty things.
Having said these words, innocent one, your son Duryodhana and his brothers made Karna the generalissimo of the Kuru army. Now that he was in command, the mighty chariot-warrior named Karna, a quite brutal warrior, gave loud roars and fought the enemy. O sire, he created great carnage for the Srinjayas, Panchalas, Kekayas, and the Videhas. From his bow flew countless lines of arrows, each just behind the wings of another like bees in a swarm. Having troubled the Panchalas and Pandavas who were naturally quite active and slain thousands of warriors, Karna was finally slain by Arjuna.’”
Chapter 1220
“Vaisampayana said,
‘Hearing this piece of news, O king, Dhritarashtra, Ambika’s son, feeling the utmost grief, considered Suyodhana dead. Exceedingly shaken, the king hit the ground like an elephant that’d lost its senses. When the top king who was quite shaken hit the ground, loud wails came from, top Bharata tribesman, the ladies of the royal household. The sound was so powerful it seemed to fill the entire world. Drowning in a deep woe-sea, the female Bharatas, hearts exceedingly shaken, burnt by grief, wailed aloud. Nearing the king, Gandhari, taurine Bharata tribesman, as well as other household-ladies all hit the ground, senseless. Sanjaya, O king, began soothing the grief-stricken ladies awash with tears and unconscious. When soothed by Sanjaya, the ladies began shaking ceaselessly like a grove of plantains shaken by the wind. Vidura, sprinkling Kuru’s descendant with water, began soothing the mighty king whose sense of sight was equivalent to knowledge itself. Slowly coming to and realizing the household-ladies were present, the king, O king, kept utterly silent for some time as if he were thoughtless. Having reflected for some time and inhaled deeply repeatedly, the king scolded his sons and praised the Pandavas. Blaming his spies and the spies of Sakuni, the son of Suvala, the king, having reflected for some time, began shaking repeatedly. When he took control of his mind once more, the king, with goodly power, questioned his charioteer (Sanjaya, Gavalgana’s son): I’ve heard, O Sanjaya, everything you’ve told me. Has Duryodhana, O Suta, one who always wants to win, already gone to Yama’s home, hopeless he would win? Be honest with me, Sanjaya, even if you must tell me again.
At the king’s words, O Janamejaya, the Suta told him: The mighty chariot-warrior named Vaikartana, O king, was slain, along with his sons, brothers, and the other Suta warriors (each man a mighty archer ready to die in battle). Dusasana was slain by the famous adopted son of Pandu. Yes, the furious Bhimasena drank blood in battle.’”
Chapter 1221
“Vaisampayana said,
‘Hearing these words, O king, Ambika’s son Dhritarashtra, heart shaken by grief, told his charioteer: Due to my son’s wicked laws, sire, he having hardly any foresight, Vikartana’s son was slain. This news cuts my heart to the core. I want to cross this grief-sea, so, quell my doubts by telling me who’s still alive and who, of all the Kurus and Pandavas, are dead.’
Sanjaya said: ‘Naturally quite powerful and invincible in battle, Bhishma, Santanu’s son, O king, having slain great numbers of Srinjayas and Panchalas, was slain after ten days had passed. The mighty, invincible archer named Drona, the one with the golden chariot, having slain Panchalan regiments in battle, was slain. Having slain half the men who survived Bhishma’s and noteworthy Drona’s slaughter, Vikartana’s son Karna was slain. Naturally quite strong, O king, Prince Vivingsati, having slain hundreds of Anartan men in battle, was slain. Your brave son Vikarna, having lost horses and weapons, stood before his enemy, knowing his Kshatriya duties. Recalling the many nasty things Duryodhana had done to him, recalling the promise he made, Bhimasena slew him. Naturally quite mighty, Prince Vinda and Prince Anuvinda of Avanti, upon doing utterly difficult things, went to Yama’s home. The hero who ruled ten realms with Sindhu for a chief – the one who always obeyed you – the mightily energized one, O king, named Jayadratha – was, O king, slain by Arjuna after he wiped out eleven aksIhauhinis of troops with sharp arrows. Naturally quite active, unable to be easily defeated in battle, Duryodhana’s son, one ever obedient to his father, was slain by Subhadra’s son. The brave son of Dusasana, possessive of powerful arms, brutal in battle, was sent to Yama’s home by Draupadi’s son, who made great use of himself. The Kiratas’ ruler and other dwellers of the lowlands on the coast – the truly respected and dear friend of the divinities’ chief – virtuous King Bhagadata, one always devoted to his Kshatriya duties, was sent to Yama’s home by Dhananjaya, who made great use of himself. The Kauravas’ kinsmen, the son of Somadata, and brave, famous Bhurisrava, O king, were slain by Satyaki in battle. The Amvashthan king – Srutayus – the top Kshatriya who would rush into battle utterly fearlessly – was slain by Arjuna. Your son Dusasana, skilled in weaponry, invincible in battle, one always infuriated, was slain, O king, by Bhimasena. Sudakshina, O king, one with thousands of wondrous elephants, was slain in battle by Arjuna. The Kosalas’ ruler, having slain hundreds upon hundreds of enemies, was sent to Yama’s home by Subhadra’s son, who made great use of himself. Having fought thousands upon thousands of enemies and fought the mighty chariot-warrior named Bhimasena, your son Chitrasena was slain by Bhimasena. The brave younger brother of the King of the Madras, one who made his enemies more fearful, a handsome warrior armed with a sword and a shield, was slain by Subhadra’s son. The one equivalent to Karna in battle – Karna’s son Vrishasena – one skilled in weaponry – one with mighty energy and steadfast power – was, in plain sight of Karna, sent to Yama’s home by Dhananjaya, who made great use of his power, recalled the slaughter of his own son Abhimanyu, and recalled the promise he’d made. The world leader, Srutayus, one always sincerely hostile towards the Pandavas, was slain by Partha, Partha speaking of that hostility before slaying him. Salya’s quite powerful son, sire, Rukmaratha, was, O king, slain in battle by Sahadeva, though the two were like brothers (cousins on Sahadeva’s mother’s side). Old king Bhagiratha and Vrihatkshatra, the Kaikeyas’ ruler, each quite powerful, mighty, and energetic, were slain. Bhagadata’s son, O king, naturally quite wise and strong, was slain by Nakula, Nakula always rushing in battle like a hawk. Your paternal grandfather, Balika, naturally quite mighty and powerful, was, along with his devotees, slain by Bhimasena. Mighty Jayatsena, Jarasandha’s son, the Magadhas’ prince, O king, was slain in battle by Subhadra’s mahatma and son. Your son Durmukha, O king, as well as your son Dusaha, a mighty chariot-warrior, both Durmukha and Dusaha considered heroes, were slain by Bhimasena by way of a mace. Durmarsana, Durvisaha, and the mighty chariot-warrior named Durjaya, having done utterly difficult things, went to Yama’s home. Two brothers, Kalinga and Vrisaka, two invincible in battle who did utterly difficult things, went to Yama’s home. Your advisor, Vrisavarman, a Suta with naturally great energy, was sent to Yama’s home by Bhimasena, who made great use of himself. King Paurava, naturally as mighty as ten-thousand elephants, was, along with all his devotees, slain by Pandu’s adopted son Arjuna. The Vasatis, O king, two-thousand in number, each one a goodly slicer, and the Surasenas, naturally powerful, were all slain in battle. The Abhishahas, donning mail, able to slice well, brutal in battle, the Sivis, top chariot-warriors, and the Kalingas were all slain. The Narayanan Gopas who were born and raised in Gokula, exceedingly furious in battle, never fleeing anyone, were slain by Savyasachin. Thousands upon thousands of Srenis and Samsaptakas, rushing at Arjuna, were sent to Yama’s home. Your two brothers-in-law, Prince Vrisaka and Prince Achala, each naturally quite powerful, were, because of you, slain by Savyasachin. King Salva, one with mighty weapons who did brutal things, a famous and skilled archer, was slain by Bhimasena. Oghavat, O king, and Vrishanta, fighting together in battle and making great use of themselves for their allies, were both sent to Yama’s home. The top chariot-warrior, Kshemadhurti, O king, was slain in battle by Bhimasena by way of his mace. The great archer, mighty King Jalasandha, though he created immense carnage, was slain by Satyaki in battle. The RaksIhasa prince, Alayudha, one whose chariot monstrous jackasses were hitched to, was sent to Yama’s home by Ghatotkacha, who made great use of himself. The Suta, Radha’s son, those mighty chariot-warriors (his brothers), and the Kaikeyas, Malavas, Madrakas, brutally powerful Dravidas, Yaudheyas, Lalityas, Kshudrakas, Usinaras, Tundikeras, Savitriputras, Easterners, Northerners, Westerners, and the Southerners, sire, were annihilated by Savyasachin. Great bands of foot-soldiers, myriads upon myriads of horses, great numbers of chariot-warriors, and many large elephants were slain. Many heroes, along with flags, weapons, armor, and decorations, naturally perseverant, blue-blooded, and well-mannered, were slain in battle by Partha, one never exhausted. Others, naturally immeasurably mighty, wishing to slay their enemies, met similar fates. These and many other kings, thousands upon thousands, along with their devotees, have, O king, been slain in battle. I am thusly answering your question. That’s the havoc Arjuna and Karna caused when they fought – like Mahendra slaying Vritra, Rama slaying Ravana, Krishna slaying Naraka or Mura in battle, the mighty Bhrigu named Rama slaying Kartavirya, one invincible in battle, along with his kinsmen and friends upon fighting an awful battle famous the three worlds over, Skanda slaying the Asura named Mahisha, or Rudra slaying the Asura named Andhaka, Arjuna, O king, fighting alone, slew, along with all his devotees, the top slicer named Karna, Karna being invincible in battle, one upon whom the Dhritarashtras had set their hopes for victory, and one who was the powerful crux of the battle with the Pandavas. At this point, Pandu’s adopted son had done something none believed him capable of doing, however, O king, good friends have told you all about it. The calamity chock-full of powerful destruction is here. You, O king, blessing them, heaped culpability upon your greedy sons. Now, the consequences are manifesting.’”
Chapter 1222
"Dhritarashtra said,
‘O son, you’ve named the ones on my side the Pandavas slew in battle. Now, O Sanjaya, name the Pandavas slain by the ones on my side.’
And Sanjaya said: ‘The naturally quite powerful in battle Kuntis, naturally quite energetic and mighty, were slain in battle by Bhishma, along with their kinsmen and advisors. The Narayanas, Valabhadras, and hundreds of other heroes, all devoted to the Pandavas, were slain in battle by heroic Bhishma. Satyajit, one equal to crown-decorated Arjuna when it came to power and might, was slain in battle by the sure-aiming Drona. Many mighty Panchalan archers with battle-skills, upon meeting Drona, were sent to Yama’s home. The two kings, Virata and Drupada, each respected for their age, though they proved great power was on their side, were, along with their sons, slain in battle by Drona. The invincible hero, the child named Abhimanyu, one equal in battle to Arjuna, Kesava, or Baladeva, Lord, a warrior quite skilled in battle, created immense slaughter for the enemy but was finally surrounded by six top chariot-warriors and slain by them. Unable to challenge Arjuna, they slew his son instead. Having lost his chariot, the heroic son of Subhadra remained in battle nonetheless, recalling his Kshatriya duties. Finally, O king, Dusasana’s son slew him in battle. Patachchatras, Amvashtha’s handsome son, surrounded by a large regiment, proved all of his power for his allies. Having created great slaughter for his enemy, he was met by Duryodhana’s son, brave Lakshmana, in battle and sent to Yama’s home. The mighty archer named Vrihanta, skilled in weaponry and invincible in battle, was sent to Yama’s home by Dusasana, who made great use of himself. The two kings, Manimat and Dandadhara, each invincible in battle, two who’d proved their power for allies, were slain by Drona. Ansumat, the Bhojas’ ruler, a mighty chariot-warrior who’d led regiments, was sent to Yama’s home by Drona, who made use of his great power. Chitrasena, the coastal ruler, along with his son, O Bharata tribesman, were murdered by Samudrasena and sent to Yama’s home. Another coastal ruler, Nila, and the quite powerful Vyaghradata were sent to Yama’s home by Aswatthaman. Chitrayudha and Chitrayodhin, upon creating a powerful slaughter, were slain in battle by Vikarna, one making great use of his power and proving he knew various chariot-moves. The Kaikeyas’ chief, equal to Vrikodara in battle, surrounded by Kaikeyan warriors, was slain by Kaikeya – fratricide. Janamejaya, one from the hilly lands naturally quite powerful and skilled with a mace, O king, was slain by your son Durmukha. The two top men, the Rochamanan brothers, ones like two glowing planets, were sent to Heaven by Drona by way of spears. Many other kings, O king, naturally quite powerful ones, fought for the Pandavas. Having done utterly difficult things, all went to Yama’s home. Purujit and Kuntibhoja, Savyasachin’s two maternal uncles, were sent by Drona by way of spears to worlds earnable by dying in battle. Abhibhu, a Kasi, leading many devotees, let himself be killed in battle at Vasudana’s son’s request. The immeasurably powerful Yudhamanyu and the quite powerful Utamaujas, upon slaying hundreds of heroic warriors, were slain by our men. The Panchalan prince and Mitravarman, O Bharata tribesman, two top archers, were sent to Yama’s home by Drona. Sikhandin’s son Kshatradeva, the top warrior naturally quite brave, was, O king, slain by your grandson Lakshmana, sire. The two heroes, Suchitra and Chitavarman, father and son, naturally quite mighty, a fearless pair who rushed into battle, were slain by Drona. Vardhakshemi, O king, like an ocean at high-tide, losing all weapons and utterly weakening in battle, earned immortal rest at last. The top Suta, Senavindhu, having swallowed many enemies in battle, finally, O king, was slain by Balika. Dhrishtaketu, O king, the top Chedi chariot-warrior, doing utterly difficult things in battle, went to Yama’s world. Similarly, heroic Satyadhriti, naturally quite powerful, having created powerful carnage for the Pandavas’ sake, was sent to Yama’s world. The world leader, Suketu, Sisupala’s son, having slain many enemies, was finally slain by Drona in battle. Virata’s son Sankha and the quite strong Uttara, having done utterly difficult things, went to Yama’s home. Similarly, the Matsya named Satyadhriti, the quite energetic Madiraswa, and the quite powerful Suryadata were slain by Drona by way of his spears. Srenimat also, O king, having fought quite powerfully and done utterly difficult things, went to Yama’s home. The Magadhas’ chief, the slayer of unfriendly heroes, naturally quite powerful and knowledgeable of the loftiest weapons, now sleeps on the battleground, slain by Bhishma. Vasudana, having created immense carnage in battle, was sent to Yama’s home by Bharadwaja’s son, who made great use of his power. These and many other mighty Pandavan chariot-warriors were slain by Drona, who made use of his great power. Now, I’ve answered your questions to the letter.’”
Chapter 1223
"Dhritarashtra said,
‘If all my top men, O Sanjaya, are dead, methinks the survivors in my army will continue to survive. If those two heroes – those two mighty archers – those two top Kurus – Bhishma and Drona – are dead, why stay alive? I find the death of Radha’s son intolerable – he was a battle-decoration and his arm-strength was equal to ten-thousand elephants. O top speaker – O Suta – tell me who’s survived the great slaughter of top heroes on my side. Now that you’ve told me who’s dead, methinks the survivors are nearly dead, too.’
And Sanjaya said: ‘The heroic one, O king, Drona, the top Brahmin, gave many fiery, divine, and mighty weapons falling into one of four categories – the mighty chariot-warrior possessive of skill and agility – the hero who gripped firmly – the one with strong weapons and powerful spears – the mahatma and son of Drona able to shoot afar – is still on the battlefield, wishing to fight for me. The Anartan, Hridika’s son, the mighty chariot-warrior, the top Satwatan, the Bhojan chief, Kritavarman, one skilled in weaponry, is still on the battlefield, wishing to fight. Artayana’s son, fearless in battle, the best warrior, the best, the one on your side, the one who abandoned his own nephews (the Pandavas) to remain honest, the hero naturally quite active who swore before Yudhishthira he’d, in battle, weaken the powerful spirit of Karna, invincible Salya, one equal to Sakra in energy, is still on the battlefield, wishing to fight for you. Along with his regiment of Ajaneyas, Saindhavas, Mountaineers, those from areas near rivers, Kambojas, and Vanayus, the Gandharas’ ruler is still on the battlefield, wishing to fight for you. Saradwata’s son, Gautama, O king, naturally mighty-armed and able to fight using various weapons various and lovely ways, picking up a lovely, large bow able to take much tension, is still on the battlefield, wishing to fight. The mighty chariot-warrior, the son of the Kaikeyas’ ruler, riding in a goodly chariot, given a flag and goodly horses, is still on the battlefield, Kuru chief, fighting for you. Your son, the top Kuru hero, O king, riding in a chariot that shines like fire or the sun, is still on the battlefield, shining brilliantly like the sun in a cloudless sky. Duryodhana, naturally quite mighty, amidst an elephant-army, along with many top warriors, is still in his gold-decorated chariot, wishing to fight. Amidst many kings, that top man, naturally as splendid as a lotus, shines due to his lovely golden armor like a fire with not much smoke or like the sun coming out from some clouds. Your sons, Susena (armed with a sword and shield) and heroic Satyasena, are with Chitrasena, hearts full of joy and wishing to fight. Naturally humble, the six Bharata tribal princes, Chitrayudha, Srutavarman, Jaya, Dala, Satyavrata, and Dusala, each one naturally quite mighty, are still on the battlefield, wishing to fight. The Kaitavyas’ ruler, a prince proud of his courage, one able to rush into battle without fear, slaying enemies, he possessive of foot-soldiers, cavalry, elephants, and chariots, is still on the battlefield, wishing to fight for you. Heroic Srutayu, Srutayudha, Chitrangada, Chitravarman, four top men, proud warriors able to slice well, each possessive of a sure aim, are still on the battlefield, wishing to fight. Mahatma Satyasandha, Karna’s son, is still on the battlefield, wishing to fight. Two other sons of Karna, possessive of the knowledge of lofty weapons and great agility, both remain, O king, before their respective regiments, regiments that’re large and impenetrable to weak warriors; both want to fight for you. Along with those heroes and many other top men, O king, possessive of boundless might, the Kuru king (Duryodhana) stands there like another Indra amidst an elephant-regiment, expecting victory.’
Dhritarashtra said: ‘You’ve truly told me which of mine enemies and allies are dead and which still live. So, it’s obvious who will win. Yes, it is inferable.'
Vaisampayana continued,
'As he said so, Dhritarashtra, Ambika’s son, having learnt that most of his regiment was gone, his best men having been slain, felt his heart exceedingly quake due to grief. The king swooned. Somewhat coming to, he told Sanjaya to remain. Then, the king said: 'O son, when I hear of this terrible calamity, my heart is truly shaken. My senses are stunned and my limbs are about to freeze.' Having said this, Dhritarashtra, Ambika’s son, a world leader, lost his senses and hit the ground.'"
Chapter 1224
"Janamejaya said,
‘Having heard that Karna had fallen and that his sons were wiped out, what, O best of the reborn, did the king say once he’d been soothed a little? Yes, he felt heartwrenching grief due to the calamity that had befallen his sons. Tell me, for I am asking you, everything the king said then.’
And Vaisampayana said: 'Hearing about the incredible, astonishing news of Karna’s slaughter, dreadful and able to freeze the senses of any creature, the situation like a crumbling of Meru, a confusion of wise Sukra, the defeat of Indra at the hands of enemies, the crumbling of the world, the sun falling from the sky, the drying up of the sea (the receptacle of never-absent water), the utterly astounding annihilation of the world, sky, compass-directions, and waters, or an absence of rewards or punishments for deeds, King Dhritarashtra, having truly reflected upon the matter for some time, considered his army annihilated. Considering all creatures as seemingly invincible as Karna slain too, King Dhritarashtra, Ambika’s son, burnt by grief and sighing like a snake, limbs nearly frozen, began lamenting, saying: Oh! and Alas!; he added:
'O Sanjaya, Adhiratha’s heroic son was naturally as powerful as a lion or an elephant. His neck was as thick as a bull’s and he looked around, walked, and sounded like one, too. Parts as tough as a thunderbolt, the young man never turned tail like a bull refusing to fight. He’d never turn tail in battle, even if his opponent were the great Indra. When his bow-string sounded, his palms sounded, and whizzing arrows-showers were present, men, horses, chariots, and elephants fled from battle. Trusting in the mighty-armed one, the slayer of great crowds of enemies, the warrior with immortal glory, Duryodhana had created the hostility between the mighty chariot-warriors (the adopted sons of Pandu) and themselves. How could Karna, the top chariot-warrior, the tigrine man, the unstoppable hero, have been murdered by Partha in battle? Trusting in his arm-power, he always disrespected the eternally glorious Kesava, Dhananjaya, the Vrishnis, and all other enemies. Often, he told the foolish, greedy, dejected, kingdom-coveting, and troubled Duryodhana: Alone, I shall, in battle, toss off top chariots those two united, invincible warriors, one wielding Sarnga and one wielding Gandiva. He tamed many invincible, mighty enemies – Gandharas, Madrakas, Matsyas, Trigartas, Tanganas, Khasas, Panchalas, Videhas, Kulindas, Kasikosalas, Sumas, Angas, Nishadhas, Pundras, Kichakas, Vatsas, Kalingas, Taralas, Asmakas, and Rishakas. Taming those brave members of said lines using sharp, sharpened arrows given heron-feathers, the top chariot-warrior, Radha’s son, made them honor us for exaggerating about Duryodhana. Alas, how could the warrior who knew divine weapons, the army-guardian, Karna, Vikartana’s son, one called Vrisha, a mightily powerful one, be slain in battle by enemies (the heroic, mighty adopted sons of Pandu)? Indra is the top god and Karna was the top man. The three worlds over, none were like Indra and Karna. Uchaisravas is the best horse, Vaisravana is the best Yaksha, Indra is the top divinity, and Karna was the best slicer. Invincible to even the most heroic and mighty kings, Duryodhana exaggerated and said he controlled the world. Magadha’s ruler, having earned Karna for a friend using reconciling and honor, challenged the world’s Kshatriyas to a fight save the Kauravas and Yadavas. But, hearing that Karna was slain by Savyasachin in a one-on-one battle makes me drown in a sea of woe like a ship sinking in the vast deep. Yes, hearing that the top man, the top chariot-warrior, was slain in a one-on-one battle makes me sink into a grief-sea like a raft-less man in the sea. O Sanjaya, I haven’t died of grief, so my heart, methinks, is unbreakable and tougher than a thunderbolt. If he heard about the loss and humiliation of his kinsmen, relatives, and allies, what man wouldn’t, O Suta, commit suicide? Let me be poisoned, thrown into a fire, or fall off a mountain – I cannot, O Sanjaya, bear this heavy burden of grief.’”
Chapter 1225
"Sanjaya said,
‘The world considers you equal to Yayati, Nahusha’s son, when it comes to beauty, line, fame, asceticism, and education. Yes, when it comes to education, you, O king, are like a great rishi – quite accomplished and crowned by Success. Muster your strength and do not give into grief.
Dhritarashtra said: ‘Methinks Fate is supreme and making use of oneself pointless if Karna, one like a resin sal, was slain in battle. Having annihilated Yudhishthira’s army and the great crowds of Panchalan chariot-warriors, having burnt the compass-directions with arrow-showers, and having stunned the Parthas in battle like the thunderbolt-wielder stunning Asuras, how could the mighty chariot-warrior, slain by the enemy, hit the ground like an uprooted tree in a storm? Yes, like a drowning man unable to hit bottom, I see no end to my sorrows. I’m becoming more and more worried and want to die – Karna is dead and Phalguna has won! Yes, O Sanjaya, I consider Karna’s slaughter quite incredible. Surely my hard heart is essentially adamant – it didn’t smash into a thousand pieces when I heard of Karna’s fall. Surely the gods’ve planned for me to live a very long life – I’m truly troubled over Karna’s death but have not died. Curses, Sanjaya! Curse my wretched, friend-less life. Put in dire straits today, Sanjaya, I must lead a miserable life from now on; I understand nothing and everyone pities me. Having been honored by all on Earth in the past, how can I, O Suta, stay alive, overpowered by enemies? Since Bhishma’s, Drona’s, and Mahatma Karna’s fall, O Sanjaya, I’ve gone from pain to more pain to calamity. How, if the Suta’s son was slain in battle, can anyone in my army survive? He was a great raft, O Sanjaya, for my sons. The hero, having shot countless arrows, has been slain in battle. Why live without that taurine man? Surely Adhiratha’s son, troubled by arrows, fell off his chariot like a mountaintop thunder split. Surely, bathed in blood, he lies there, decorating the world like an elephant slain by a furious prince among elephants. The fortress for the Dhritarashtras – something the adopted sons of Pandu feared – alas! Karna, the archers’ pride, was slain by Arjuna. He was a hero, a mighty archer, and one who quelled my sons’ fears. Alas, that hero is now dead and lying on the ground like a mountain stricken by Indra. Duryodhana’s wishes coming true is like movement for a crippled man, a poor man getting what he wants, or water from the bottom of a glass for a thirsty man. We make plans but things never go the way we want them to. Alas, Fate is omnipotent and Time cannot be overpowered. Was my son Dusasana, O Suta, slain as he fled from battle, hitting the dust with a miserable soul, utterly emasculated? O son – O Sanjaya – did he do some shameful thing then? Did the hero die like a Kshatriya? Foolish Duryodhana rejected Yudhishthira’s advice time and time again – as flawless as medicine was that advice; it advised against war. Naturally quite famous, Partha, when Bhishma begged him for water as he lay on an arrow-bed, dug a hole in the ground. When a stream of water came from that hole due to Pandu’s adopted son, mighty-armed Bhishma told Duryodhana: Oh sire, make peace with the Pandavas – put aside your hostility and find peace. Stop fighting your cousins when I am gone. Enjoy the world with the adopted sons of Pandu with brotherly love. My child rejected that advice but surely he wishes he hadn’t now. Bhishma, one with powerful foresight, predicted this would happen. As for me, O Sanjaya, I have neither advisors nor sons now. Because of a gamble, I’ve sunken into powerful misery like a bird that’s lost its wings. Playful children, O Sanjaya, capture a bird and rip off its wings – they’re happy to let it go thereafter but the creature will never move again. I am like a newly wingless bird – I have no resources, kinsmen, relatives, or friends now; I’m miserable and my enemies are overtaking me. Where shall I go now? The mighty one who defeated the Kambojas, Amvashthas, and Kaikeyas, the one who planned to and did defeat the Gandharas and Videhas in battle, tamed the entire world to exaggerate about Duryodhana. Alas, that tamer was defeated by the heroic, strong Pandavas blessed with mighty arms. Tell me, Sanjaya, when, in battle, the mighty archer named Karna was killed by crown-decorated Arjuna, which heroes remained? I hope he wasn’t alone, abandoned by friends, when the Pandavas slew him in battle! O sire, you’ve told me before now how our brave men fell. Using powerful spears, Sikhandin felled, in battle, the top weapons-wielder named Bhishma who did not defend himself. Similarly, Sanjaya, Drupada’s son Dhrishtadyumna, upon raising his scimitar, slew that mighty archer, Drona, one already hit by many arrows, one who’d put down his weapons in battle, one meditating at the time. Yes, Bhishma and Drona were slain unfairly and truly tricked. That’s what I’ve heard about the deaths of Bhishma and Drona. Yes, Bhishma and Drona, when they fought, could not have been slain by even the thunderbolt-wielder fairly. I speak the truth. As for Karna, how could he have died? That hero was equal to Indra when he focused on hurling so many divine weapons. When he gave Purandara his earrings, Purandara gave an enemy-slaying, gold-decorated, and divine arrow with the shine of a lightning-bolt to him – he had, in his quiver, amongst henna, a snake-mouthed, divine arrow decorated with gold given goodly wings that could slay all enemies – he, ignoring heroic, mighty chariot-warriors led by Bhishma and Drona, earned from Jamadagni’s son awful Brahmastra – he, a mighty-armed one, seeing the warriors led by Drona troubled by arrows and turning tail in battle, broke, using sharp spears, Subhadra’s son’s bow – he, momentarily, took away from invincible Bhimasena (one as naturally mighty as ten-thousand elephants and as swift as the wind) his chariot, laughing at him – he, having defeated Sahadeva with straight spears and deprived him of his chariot, refused to slay him out of compassion and the goodness of his heart – he who, using Sakra’s arrow, slew the Rakshasa prince, Ghatotkacha (who’d performed a thousand tricks because he wished to win) – he whose battle-feats, making Dhananjaya fearful, had made Dhananjaya avoid a battle with him for so long – alas, how could that hero have been slain in battle? How could he have been slain by enemies lest one of them destroyed his chariot, broke his bow, or made him weapon-less? Who could have defeated that tigrine man, one like a real tiger and naturally powerfully bold? Karna, as he shook his alarming bow, hurled from it awful spears and divine weapons in battle! Surely his bow broke, his chariot sank underground, or his store of weapons was no more – you say he was slain. How else could it have happened? The mahatma made a terrible promise to never wash his feet ‘til Phalguna was dead – fearful of that warrior, the taurine man, righteous King Yudhishthira, did not, whilst exiled, sleep a wink those thirteen years – that mahatma, the quite powerful hero, had enough courage for my son to trust in him when forcibly dragging the Pandavas’ wife before the assembly and, amidst the assembly, in plain sight of the Pandavas, in hearing-range of the Kurus, he told the Panchalan princess she was the wife of slaves – the Suta hero, amidst the assembly, told Krishna: Your husbands, O Krishna, are sesame seeds without kernels – they’re dead – go find some other man to marry, O one with the loveliest of complexions – furious, he made her hear things just as harsh and rude – how could that hero have been slain by the enemy? He told Duryodhana: Bhishma boasts of his battle-power and Drona is invincible in battle, so do not, for you have a grudge with them, slay the sons of Kunti. No, Duryodhana, I shall annihilate them. Ease the fever in your heart. What can Gandiva and those two never-empty quivers do when my spear, smeared with cool henna, soars through the heavens? –alas, how could the warrior with shoulders as broad as a bull’s have been slain by Arjuna? He ignored the brutal touch of the arrows that flew from Gandiva and told Krishna: Now you have no husbands – he glared at the Pandavas – he, O Sanjaya, trusting in the power of his own arms, never feared, not even for a moment, the Parthas, their sons, nor Janardana – even if the gods, led by Vasava, furious, rushed at him, methinks he’d survive, so, what do you think I think about his fighting the Pandavas, sire? None could stand before Adhiratha’s son whilst he put on his gloves and tested his bow-string! The Earth can lose sunshine, moonshine, or the splendor of fire but that top man, never turning tail in battle, dying? Impossible! My foolish child who comprehends wickedly who had Karna and his brother Dusasana for allies had decided to reject Vasudeva’s advice—surely that creature, seeing that bull-shouldered Karna and Dusasana have been slain, now gives into lamentations. Seeing that Vikartana’s son had been slain in one-on-one combat by Savyasachin and seeing that the Pandavas had won, what did Duryodhana actually say? Seeing that Durmarshana and Vrishasena had been slain in battle – seeing that his regiment had dispersed when mighty chariot-warriors had annihilated it – seeing that the kings of his army had turned, meaning to flee – seeing that his chariot-warriors had already fled – methinks my son began giving into lamentations. Seeing that his army was now disenheartened, what did the unruly, arrogant, and foolish Duryodhana, his passions uncontrolled, say? Having created the brutal hostility though his friends tried to help him avoid such feelings, what did Duryodhana actually, one who’s actually lost friends and devotees in battle, say? Seeing, in battle, Bhimasena kill his brother – seeing that his brother’s blood was swallowed – what did Duryodhana actually say? My son, in the presence of the Gandharvas’ ruler, said that Karna would slay Arjuna in battle. When he saw that Karna had been slain, what did he actually say? What, sire, did Sakuni, Suvala’s son, one once joyful at the dice-game when he cheated Pandu’s adopted son, say when he saw Karna die? What did the mighty Satwatan chariot-warrior, that great archer, Hridika’s son Kritavarman, say when he saw Vaikartana die? Naturally youthful, naturally handsome, pleasant to look upon, world famous, what did Aswatthaman say as the wise son of Drona when he saw Karna die? Aswatthaman was served by Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vasyas who wanted to know weaponry. What did Saradwata’s son Kripa, sire, that Gautaman, that top chariot-warrior, that weaponry-teacher, say when he saw Karna die? What did the mighty Madras’ warriors’ leader, the ruler of the Madras, the great archer named Salya from the Sauviran line, the decoration of assemblies, the top chariot-warrior temporarily focused on charioteering, say when he saw Karna die? What did the other warriors difficult to be defeated in battle, the world leaders, say, Sanjaya, when they saw Vaikartana die? When heroic Drona, a tigrine chariot-warrior, a taurine man, fell, who, Sanjaya, led each regiment from then on? Tell me, O Sanjaya, how the top chariot-warrior, Salya, the Madras’ ruler, began focusing on charioteering for Vaikartana. Who protected the right wheel of the Suta as the Suta focused on fighting? Who protected his left wheel? Who guarded the rear of that hero? Which heroes did not abandon Karna? Which lowly men fled? How could that mighty chariot-warrior named Karna, one amongst you united ones, have been slain? How could those mighty chariot-warriors, those brave Pandavas, have rushed at him, hurling spear-showers like clouds doling out heavy showers? Tell me how, Sanjaya, that mighty, divine, and top spear with a serpentine head was made useless. I don’t know how, Sanjaya, my miserable, dwindling army could be saved – its leaders have been crushed – no, not in the least. Hearing about the slaughter of the two heroes, those two mighty archers, Bhishma and Drona, ones always ready to die in battle for me, I wonder why I should live. I am repeatedly unable to tolerate the fact that Karna, one as mighty as ten-thousand elephants, was slain by the Pandavas. Tell me, O Sanjaya, everything that happened once Drona had died and the brave Kauravan warriors fought their enemies. Tell me how the sons of Kunti fought Karna; tell me how the enemy-slayer died in battle.’”
Chapter 1226
"Sanjaya said,
‘Once the mighty archer named Drona had fallen, O Bharata tribesman, once the plans of the mighty chariot-warrior (Drona’s son) had been ruined, and once the vast army, O king, of the Kauravas had fled, Partha, upon formatting his men, remained on the battlefield with his brothers. Seeing that he was remaining in battle, your son, taurine Bharata tribesman, seeing that his men were fleeing, quite courageously regrouped them. Having forced his men to take a stand, your son, O Bharata tribesman, trusting in his weapon-power, fought his enemies (the Pandavas) for some time. The Pandavas, now successful, were joyful; they’d been fighting for hours. When dusk fell, he withdrew the troops. Having withdrawn and returned to camp, the Kauravas consulted about their livelihood, sitting like divinities upon expensive couches covered with luxurious blankets and sitting on excellent seats and luxurious beds. King Duryodhana said to the mighty archers, speaking to them pleasantly and quite sweetly suitable for the occasion: O best of the wise, let me know what you think. O kings, what should be done and what should especially be done in these times?
When that Prince of Men had spoken, the leonine men, sitting upon their thrones, gestured that they wished to continue fighting. Noting those wishing to offer their lives in battle like sacrifice-offerings fed to a fire, seeing that king shine like the morning-sun, the teacher’s son, naturally wise and eloquent, said: The educated have said that anything can be done if one is enthusiastic, seizes his chance, is skillful, and is law-abiding. But, it all has to do with Fate. The top men, our allies, ones equal to divinities, each one a mighty chariot-warrior naturally righteous, devoted, skilled, and loyal, have died. But, we should not lose hope. If we are enthusiastic, seize opportunities, are skillful, and are law-abiding, Fate will favor us. So, O Bharata tribesman, we shall all force Karna, the top man who can naturally do it all, to lead us. If Karna leads us, we can crush our enemies. He is naturally quite mighty, heroic, skilled in weaponry, and invincible. As unstoppable as Yama, he could easily defeat our enemies. Hearing this from the teacher’s son then, O king, Karna became quite hopeful. Cherishing that hope in his heart when Bhishma and Drona fell, Karna planned to defeat the Pandavas. Soothed, Duryodhana had a joyful heart when he listened to Aswatthaman, calming his mind and trusting in his weapon-power. He told Radha’s son, O king, things truly loving, truly respectful, honest, delightful, and truly beneficial: O Karna, I know your power and the great alliance we have. So, mighty-armed one, let me say things to do me some good. When you hear them, hero, please yourself the way you see fit. You’re naturally quite wise and my top shelter. The two men who could take on sixty-thousand men each – General Bhishma and General Drona – have been slain. So, command me, for, you’re mightier than they ever were. Plus, those archers had a soft spot for Dhananjaya and were old. Still, I respected them, O son of Radha, just as you wished. Seeing that he was their grandfather, Bhishma spared the adopted sons of Pandu, sire, during the awful battle daily for ten days. When you put down your weapons, brave Bhishma was slain in the great battle, Sikhandin present, by Phalguna. Once the great archer had fallen and lay on an arrow-bed, you made, O tigrine man, Drona our leader. He also spared the sons of Pritha; I think it was because he was their teacher. Old Drona was slain by Dhrishtadyumna even more quickly than his peer had slain Bhishma. Upon reflection, I know of no other warrior equal to you in battle – your power is immeasurable to even the two top warriors slain in battle. Surely you and you alone could bring us victory. Long ago, a short while ago, and afterwards you’ve done things for our own good. So, be a leader and, in battle, suitably take on this burden. Make yourself a general. As the divine generalissimo, Lord Skanda, one with immortal power, supports the divine army, support the Dhritarashtras. Destroy our crowds of enemies like Mahendra destroying the Danavas. When they see you in battle, the Pandavas, those mighty chariot-warriors, will, along with the Panchalas, flee from battle like the Danavas did upon spotting Vishnu. So, lead our vast army. When you stand steadfastly on the battlefield, the wicked-hearted Pandavas, the Panchalas, and the Srinjayas will flee along with their allies. Like the risen sun burning all by way of its energy and ruining heavy gloom, I ask that you destroy the enemy.
The hope, O king, in your son’s heart turned powerful – if Bhishma and Drona had been killed,, Karna would destroy the Pandavas. Cherishing that hope within his heart, he told Karna: O Suta, Partha would never stand before you and fight. And Karna replied: O son of Gandhari, I, in your presence, have asked you to defeat the Pandavas, their sons, and Janardana, too. I will be the new general – do not doubt this in the least. Calm down, O king – I consider the Pandavas already defeated.
At this, O king, King Duryodhana arose along with all the kings as if he were the holy one of the one-hundred sacrifices arising with the gods to honor Karna for being the new army-captain and it was as if the divinities were honoring Skanda. Then, O king, all the kings, led by Duryodhana, wishing to win, made Karna the new commander, performing rituals having to do with this sort of thing lawfully. Using golden clay jars filled to the brim with water mantras had sanctified, using elephant-tusks, rhino-horns, and mighty bull-horns, using other containers decorated with jewels and gems, using perfumey herbs and plants, and using other things that were numerous, Karna, sitting comfortably upon a seat made of fig-tree wood covered with silk, was made commander by way of properly performed scriptural rituals. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and respectable Sudras honored the mahatma once he’d been bathed from the excellent seat. Thusly made commander, O king, the enemy-slayer, Radha’s son, offered gold-coins, cows, and other riches to top Brahmins so they would bless him. Eulogists and Brahmins said things like, O taurine man: Defeat the Parthas, including Govinda and all their devotees and Slay the Parthas and Panchalas, son of Radha, so we can win, like the risen sun destroying the dark with its brutal beams. The adopted son of Pandu and Kesava cannot look directly at your spears like owls unable to look directly at the sun’s burning rays. The Parthas and the Panchalas cannot face you when you’re armed like the Danavas unable to stand before an armed Indra in battle. Made commander, Radha’s splendid-beyond-compare son shone due to loveliness and radiance as if he were a clone of the sun. Having made Radha’s son commander thusly, your son, driven by Death, considered himself successful. The enemy-criticizer, Karna, having been commanded, ordered the troops to be formatted by dawn. Surrounded by your sons, O Bharata tribesman, Karna shone as if he were Skanda surrounded by the divinities in the battle whose evil source was Saraka.’”
Chapter 1227
"Dhritarashtra said,
‘Once he’d earned the right to command the army, once he’d been spoken to by the king sweetly and like a brother, and once he’d ordered the men to be formatted by sunrise, tell me, Sanjaya, what Vikartana’s son Karna did.’
And Sanjaya said: ‘Having gleaned what Karna wanted, your sons, O taurine Bharata tribesman, asked the troops to be formatted as happy music was played. Though it was long before dawn, a loud cry calling for formation came from the troops, O king, out of the blue. The din turned immense and rose to the heavens – the sound of top elephants and armored chariots being equipped or harnessed and the sound of active men shouting to one another. Then, the Suta, wielding a golden-backed bow, appeared in a chariot that had the natural splendor of the brilliant sun, was topped with many flags, had a white flag, had crane-white horses, had a mace and wooden screen, and carried sataghnis, lines of bells, arrows, lances, spears, and many bows. The Suta appeared, blasting his conch, O king. Bedecked with a golden web, he shook his alarming bow that was decorated with pure gold. Seeing the mighty archer named Karna, the best chariot-warrior, riding in his chariot, one difficult to near that was like the risen sun ruining gloom, not one Kaurava, O tigrine man, acted as if Bhishma, Drona, or any other man had been slain. Asking his men to rush forth with blasts of his conch, sire, Karna made the vast Kauravan army emerge. Having formatted the men in the shape of a crocodile, the mighty archer, an enemy-scorcher, one named Karna, headed for the Pandavas, wishing to win. The tip of the crocodile’s mouth was Karna, the left and right eye were brave Sakuni and the mighty chariot-warrior named Uluka, the head was Drona’s son, the neck was the biological brothers, the center was King Duryodhana along with a large regiment, the top-left foot, O king, was Kritavarman along with the Narayanas and the invincible Gopalas, the top-right foot was, O king, the son of Gautama whose power was unstoppable surrounded by mighty archers (the Trigartas and the Southerners), the bottom-left foot was Salya with a large regiment of the countrymen of Madras, the bottom-right foot, O king, was Susena, one who kept to his vows, with a thousand chariots and three-hundred elephants around him, and the tail was the two mightily energized royal brothers (Chitra and Chitrasena) with a large regiment around them.
When, great king, the top man, Karna, emerged, righteous King Yudhishthira, eyeing Arjuna, said: See, O Partha, the Dhritarashtran army, O hero, in battle, one guarded by heroes and mighty chariot-warriors and one Karna has formatted? The large Dhritarashtran army has already lost its best men. The remaining men, mighty-armed one, are, to me, as worthless as straw. There’s only one radiating being – the great archer, the Suta. That top chariot-warrior cannot be defeated the three worlds over, including their moving and still creatures, the gods, Asuras, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and powerful snakes. If you slew him today, mighty-armed one, victory would be yours, Phalguna. Then, the thorn that’s been in my heart those twelve years would be removed. Know this, mighty-armed one, and arrange the men as you please. Hearing his half-brother’s words, the Pandavan with white horses formatted his men in a counter-formation, a half-moon shape. The left side would be Bhimasena, the right would be the great archer named Dhrishtadyumna, the center would be the king and Dhananjaya, Pandu’s adopted son, and Nakula and Sahadeva would be behind righteous King Yudhishthira. The two Panchalan princes, Yudhamanyu and Utamaujas, would guard Arjuna’s chariot-wheels. Guarded by crown-decorated Arjuna, they never left him. The remaining kings, naturally quite courageous and donning mail, were arranged accordingly, by way of drive and determination, O Bharata tribesman. A powerful counter-formation thusly created, the Pandavas and the mighty archers in your army set their hearts on fighting. Seeing your army formatted by the Suta in battle, Duryodhana and his brethren considered the Pandavas annihilated. Similarly, Yudhishthira, O king, seeing the Pandavan formation, considered the Dhritarashtras and Karna dead. The sound of conchs, kettle-drums, tambours, large drums, cymbals, dindimas, and jharjharas being sounded loudly came from all sides. Yes, the loud instruments were either blown or beaten, O king, from within the armies. Leonine roars were heard too, made by brave warriors who wanted to win. Also, O king, the sound of neighing horses, grunting elephants, and powerfully clattering chariot-wheels were heard. None, O Bharata tribesman, in the Kauravan army then felt like Drona had died, seeing the powerful archer named Karna donning mail, stationed before his formation. Both armies, O king, teeming with joyous men, stood there, eager for battle and ready to destroy without delay. The two heroes, Karna and Pandu’s adopted son, each infuriated by the other’s sight, each, solidly determined, either stood there or drove, O king, through their army. The two armies, sallying forth to meet, seemed to dance due to joy. From each side of each army emerged men wishing to fight. Then, a battle began, O king, involving men, elephants, horses, and chariots focused on destroying the enemy.’”
Chapter 1228
"Sanjaya said,
‘Then, those two vast armies, teeming with rejoicing men, horses, and elephants, ones like glowing, divine or Asura armies, met and began cutting each other down. Men, chariots, horses, elephants, and quite powerful foot-soldiers truly chopped up bodies and truly forced away sin. Leonine men bestrewed the ground with leonine human heads, each one like the full-moon or the sun when it came to shine and like a lotus in scent. Warriors beheaded warriors with crescent-shaped spears, wide-headed spears, razor-headed axes, common axes, and battle-axes. Severed human arms, long and massive, when hitting the ground, shone, bedecked with weapons and bracelets. When the still-moving severed arms decorated with red hands fell, the ground shone as if bestrewn with five-headed snakes Garuda had slain. Elephants, chariots, horses, and brave men fell, stricken by enemies, like the citizens of Heaven falling from divine chariots when their store of merit had been all used up. Other brave warriors fell in the hundreds, crushed in battle by brave warriors with heavy maces, spiked clubs, and short bludgeons. Chariots, in that chaotic battle, were crushed by other chariots; furious elephants were crushed by furious peers; horsemen crushed horsemen. Men were destroyed by chariots, chariots were destroyed by elephants, horsemen were destroyed by foot-soldiers, and foot-soldiers were destroyed by horsemen; they fell to the ground. Chariots, horses, and foot-soldiers were destroyed by elephants, chariots, horses, and elephants were destroyed by foot-soldiers, chariots, foot-soldiers, and elephants were destroyed by horses, and elephants were destroyed by chariots. Immense was the carnage made by chariot-warriors, horses, and elephants and the carnage made by men against men, horses, elephants, and chariot-warriors by way of either hands, feet, weapons, or chariots. When the army was thusly stricken and wiped out by heroic warriors, the Parthas, led by Vrikodara, headed for us. There were Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandin, the five sons of Draupadi, the Prabhadrakas, Satyaki, Chekitana, the Dravidas, the Pandyas, the Cholas, and the Keralas; a powerful formation was around them; each had a broad chest, long arms, a great height, and large eyes. Decorated with decorations, possessive of red teeth, naturally as powerful as furious elephants, donning robes of various hues, bodies smeared with perfumey powders, wielding swords and nooses, and possessing the ability to control mighty elephants with them, they being friends who would do or die together ‘til the end, never abandoning one another, carrying quivers and bows decorated with long tresses, they speaking pleasantly – that’s what the lines of infantrymen, Andhras all, led by Satyaki, were like; they were naturally brutal-looking and quite powerful. Other brave men – Chedis, Panchalas, Kaikeyas, Karushas, Kosalas, Kanchis, and Maghadhas – also sallied forth. Chariots, horses, and elephants, all supreme, as well as brutal foot-soldiers, gladdened by the sounds of various instruments, seemed to laugh and dance. Amidst the vast army marched Vrikodara, riding an elephant, many top elephant-soldiers around him, heading for your men. The brutal, top elephant, equipped, shone like the stony mansion atop Mount Udaya crowned by the risen sun. The elephant’s iron armor, supreme, was studded with expensive gems and shone like the autumnal night-sky bespangled with stars. A lance in Vrikodara’s outstretched hand, head decorated with a beautiful crown, he possessing the shine of the noon day sun of Autumn, Bhima began scorching enemies. Seeing the elephant coming from afar, Kshemadhurti, riding an elephant, chose to challenge Bhima, rushing at him with cheer, Bhima even more cheerful. Then, a battle began between the two brutal-looking elephants that was like two large tree-topped hills fighting as they pleased. Those two heroes whose elephants fought struck each other powerfully with lances that shone like sunbeams, crying loudly. Then, separating, they rushed in circles using their elephants, each picking up a bow and striking the other. Gladdening the surrounding people with loud roars, slapped arm-pits, and whizzing arrows, they kept giving leonine cries. Naturally quite strong, each, skilled in weaponry, fought, using elephants that had erect trunks and were decked out like banners waving in the breeze. Each one broke the other’s bow and roared at his opponent, showering him with arrows and lances like a cloud-bank in the monsoon season doling out heavy showers. Kshemadhurti hit Bhimasena in the center of his chest with one quite bold lance and then six more, crying loudly. Lances stuck in his body, Bhimasena, whose shape flared due to fury then, shone like the cloud-covered sun when its beams penetrate the small gaps of that veil. Bhima carefully hurled at his opponent a pure iron lance as bright as sunbeams that flew perfectly straight. So, the Kulutas’ ruler then, drawing back his bow, broke the lance with ten spears and then hit Pandu’s adopted son with sixty spears. Bhima, Pandu’s adopted son, picking up a bow whose twang was like the roar of clouds, gave a loud cry and, using his spears, deeply troubled his opponent’s elephants. Thusly troubled in battle by Bhimasena and his arrows, that elephant, though Kshmadhurti tried to control it, fled like a wind-driven cloud. The brutal, princely elephant Bhima owned chased that fleeing peer like a wind-driven cloud-bank chasing another driven by a storm. Controlling his elephant, brave Kshemadhurti hit, using spears, the pursuing elephant of Bhimasena. Using a well-shot, razor-headed arrow that flew perfectly straight, Kshmadhurti broke his opponent’s bow and then troubled that unfriendly elephant. Furious, Kshmadhurti then, in battle, hit Bhima and struck his elephant with many long spears, every vital part. Bhima’s large elephant fell, O Bharata tribesman – Bhima, however, had leapt off that elephant and, before it had fallen, crushed his opponent with his mace. So, Vrikodara hit Kshmadhurti, one who’d leapt off his crushed elephant and was heading for him, weapon hoisted. Kshmadhurti, thusly stricken, fell dead, sword still in hand, next to his elephant like a lion stricken by thunder falling beside a thunder-split hill. Seeing that the famous Kulutas’ king had been slain, your men, O taurine Bharata tribesman, exceedingly troubled, fled.’”
Chapter 1229
"Sanjaya continued,
‘Then, the mighty, heroic archer named Karna began cutting down the Pandavan army in battle using straight spears. Similarly, the great chariot-warriors, the Pandavas, O king, furious, began cutting down your son’s army in plain sight of Karna. Karna, O king, in battle, slew the Pandavan army using cloth-yard spears as bright as sunbeams polished by a blacksmith. There, O Bharata tribesman, the elephants, stricken by Karna and his spears, gave loud cries, lost strength, weakened, and wandered aimlessly. As the army was being annihilated by the Suta, Nakula quickly rushed at the mighty chariot-warrior. Bhimasena rushed at Drona’s son, one focused on doing utterly difficult things. Satyaki stopped the Kaikeyan princes, Vinda and Anuvinda. King Chitrasena rushed to meet Srutakarman and Prativindhya rushed at Chitra, one who had a beautiful flag and bow. Duryodhana rushed at King Yudhishthira (Dharma’s son) and Dhananjaya rushed at the angry crowds of Samsaptakas. During the great slaughter of powerful heroes, Dhrishtadyumna headed for Kripa. The invincible Sikhandin fought Kritavarman, Srutakirti fought Salya, and Madri’s son, brave Sahadeva, O king, met your son, Dusasana. Two Kaikeyan princes, in battle, clouded Satyaki with a shower of fiery arrows and Satyaki clouded the two Kaikeyan brothers, O Bharata tribesman. Those two heroic brothers deeply wounded Satyaki in the chest like two elephants hitting, with their tusks, an unfriendly peer in the forest. Yes, O king, the two brothers, in battle, their vital-parts wounded by spears, hit Satyaki, one whose deeds were pure, with spears. But Satyaki, great king, coated the compass-directions with an arrow-shower, smiling all the while; yes, he stopped the two brothers, O Bharata tribesman. Stopped by those arrow-showers hurled by Sini’s grandson, the two brothers quickly cloaked the chariot of Sini’s grandson with spears. Breaking their beautiful bows, the quite famous Saurin stopped the pair with sharp arrows in battle. Picking two new, beautiful bows and a number of powerful spears, the two began coating Satyaki and rushed quite powerfully and skillfully. Hurled by the two brothers, the mighty spears given heron- and peacock-feathers and decorated with gold began landing, brightening all compass-directions. During their awful fight, O king, the arrows shot created gloom. Yes, those mighty chariot-warriors broke each other’s bows. The invincible Satwatan, O king, enraged, picked up another bow in battle, strung it, and beheaded Anuvinda with a sharp, razor-headed spear. Bedecked with earrings, the great head, O king, fell like Samvara’s head had fallen in the great, ancient battle. It hit the ground in no time, making all Kaikeyas grievous. Seeing that the brave warrior had been slain, his brother, the mighty chariot-warrior named Vinda, stringing another bow, began challenging Sini’s grandson from all angles. Striking with sixty arrows that had golden wings and were stone-sharpened, he cried loudly for his opponent to remain. Then, the mighty Kaikeyan chariot-warrior quickly hit Satyaki with thousands upon thousands of spears that hit his two arms and chest. His parts wounded by arrows, Satyaki, one whose power was unstoppable in battle, O king, shone like a butea gum in bloom. Hit by the mahatma Kaikeyan in battle, Satyaki, with the greatest of ease, hit the Kaikeyan in return with twenty-five arrows. Then, the two top chariot-warriors, having broken each other’s lovely bow in battle and quickly slain each other’s charioteer and horses, met on the ground for a sword-fight. Both naturally massive-armed, both shone in that vast arena; both had picked up a shield decorated with a hundred moons, both had picked up an excellent sword, and both were acting like Jambha and Sakra (two naturally quite mighty) in battle long ago when the gods and Asuras fought. Both, during the great battle, began rushing in circular patterns. They quickly met in battle, each closing in on the other. Each made great use of himself to destroy the other. Then, the Satwatan broke the Kaikeyan’s shield in two. The Kaikeyan, O king, then broke Satyaki’s shield in two. Having broken his opponent’s shield, one covered with hundreds of stars, the Kaikeyan began rushing in circles, moving forwards and backwards. The grandson of Sini, naturally quite active, slicing diagonally, cut the Kaikeyan prince rushing in the vast arena armed with an excellent sword. Donning armor, the great archer, the Kaikeyan prince, O king, thusly sliced in half in the great battle, fell like a thunder-split hill. Having slain him in battle, the top chariot-warrior, the enemy-scorcher, Sini’s grandson, quickly mounted Yudhamanyu’s chariot. Thusly riding in another chariot equipped with everything, Satyaki began slaying, using spears, the great Kaikeyan regiment. The vast Kaikeyan regiment, thusly annihilated, abandoned their enemy and fled in all directions.’”
Chapter 1230
"Sanjaya said,
‘Srutakarman then, O king, furious, struck the world leader, Chitrasena, in battle, with fifty spears. The Abhisars’ ruler, in return, hit Srutakarman, O king, with nine straight arrows, hitting his charioteer with five. Srutakarman then, enraged, hit Chitrasena,
Impressum
Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG
Lektorat: Mantra Caitanya
Korrektorat: J.B. Hare
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 01.08.2021
ISBN: 978-3-7487-9058-7
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