महाभारतम् — ८.२३

संजय उवाच ।

पुत्रस्तव महाराज मद्रराजमिदं वचः ।
विनयेनोपसंगम्य प्रणयाद्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

M N Dutt Sanjaya said O great king, your son, approaching the prince of Madras, that very powerful carwarrior, with enough of humility, spoke these words to him out of affection.

८.२३.२

सत्यव्रत महाभाग द्विषतामघवर्धन ।
मद्रेश्वर रणे शूर परसैन्यभयंकर ॥

M N Dutt O you of truthful vows, O greatly fortunate one, O you who increase the sorrows of the antagonists, O lord of the Madras, O hero in battle, O you who instill terror in the hostile forces.

८.२३.३

श्रुतवानसि कर्णस्य ब्रुवतो वदतां वर ।
यथा नृपतिसिंहानां मध्ये त्वां वरयत्ययम् ॥

M N Dutt O best of speakers, you have heard what Karna had said, namely that this hero (Karna) chooses you amongst all the foremost of princes.

८.२३.४

तस्मात्पार्थविनाशार्थं हितार्थं मम चैव हि ।
सारथ्यं रथिनां श्रेष्ठ सुमनाः कर्तुमर्हसि ॥

M N Dutt In consequence thereof, O best of carwarriors, it is necessary that you should serve me, out of affection, as my charioteer in order to bring about the death of the sun of Pritha, as also to render me a real good.

८.२३.५

अस्याभीशुग्रहो लोके नान्योऽस्ति भवता समः ।
स पातु सर्वतः कर्णं भवान्ब्रह्मेव शंकरम् ॥

८.२३.६

पार्थस्य सचिवः कृष्णो यथाभीशुग्रहो वरः ।
तथा त्वमपि राधेयं सर्वतः परिपालय ॥

M N Dutt There does none exist in the whole world, who can act as the best holder of the reins of Karna's horses; even as Krishna makes the foremost holder of reins of Partha's horses in the field of battle, so, O monarch, should you be the holder of reins of the car belonging to Karna.

८.२३.७

भीष्मो द्रोणः कृपः कर्णो भवान्भोजश्च वीर्यवान् ।
शकुनिः सौबलो द्रौणिरहमेव च नो बलम् ।
एषामेव कृतो भागो नवधा पृतनापते ॥

M N Dutt Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, yourself and the most energetic king of the Bhojas as well as Shakuni, the son of Subala, the son of Drona and myself too, all had formed our army.

८.२३.८

नैव भागोऽत्र भीष्मस्य द्रोणस्य च महात्मनः ।
ताभ्यामतीत्य तौ भागौ निहता मम शत्रवः ॥

८.२३.९

वृद्धौ हि तौ नरव्याघ्रौ छलेन निहतौ च तौ ।
कृत्वा नसुकरं कर्म गतौ स्वर्गमितोऽनघ ॥

८.२३.१०

तथान्ये पुरुषव्याघ्राः परैर्विनिहता युधि ।
अस्मदीयाश्च बहवः स्वर्गायोपगता रणे ।
त्यक्त्वा प्राणान्यथाशक्ति चेष्टाः कृत्वा च पुष्कलाः ॥

M N Dutt So again numerous other heroes, all belonging to our army, after having achieved the most difficult attempts to the best of their prowess and as also other having abandoned their lives in the battle, at last departed to heaven.

८.२३.११

कर्णो ह्येको महाबाहुरस्मत्प्रियहिते रतः ।
भवांश्च पुरुषव्याघ्र सर्वलोकमहारथः ।
तस्मिञ्जयाशा विपुला मम मद्रजनाधिप ॥

८.२३.१२

पार्थस्य समरे कृष्णो यथाभीशुवरग्रहः ।
तेन युक्तो रणे पार्थो रक्ष्यमाणश्च पार्थिव ।
यानि कर्माणि कुरुते प्रत्यक्षाणि तथैव ते ॥

M N Dutt O sire, having been attended by him (Krishna) and also well guarded in battle, whatever deeds that the son of Pritha performs, will all be consequently done before your eyes.

८.२३.१३

पूर्वं न समरे ह्येवमवधीदर्जुनो रिपून् ।
अहन्यहनि मद्रेश द्रावयन्दृश्यते युधि ॥

८.२३.१४

भागोऽवशिष्टः कर्णस्य तव चैव महाद्युते ।
तं भागं सह कर्णेन युगपन्नाशयाहवे ॥

M N Dutt O most resplendent one, the rest of the share given to Karna as well as to yourself still remains. Being accompanied by Karna, do you at once proceed to the field of battle.

८.२३.१५

सूर्यारुणौ यथा दृष्ट्वा तमो नश्यति मारिष ।
तथा नश्यन्तु कौन्तेयाः सपाञ्चालाः ससृञ्जयाः ॥

M N Dutt As, O sire, the thick gloom is destroyed at the very view of both the Sun and Arjuna, even so let all the descendants of Kunti along with the Panchalas and the Srinjayas be destroyed (at the sight of Karna and Shalya in the battle).

८.२३.१६

रथानां प्रवरः कर्णो यन्तॄणां प्रवरो भवान् ।
संनिपातः समो लोके भवतोर्नास्ति कश्चन ॥

M N Dutt Karna is superior to all the car-warriors, as also you are the foremost of all the charioteers; and there exists no one in the whole world, who is your peer in the field of battle.

८.२३.१७

यथा सर्वास्ववस्थासु वार्ष्णेयः पाति पाण्डवम् ।
तथा भवान्परित्रातु कर्णं वैकर्तनं रणे ॥

M N Dutt Even as that descendant of the Vrishni race protects the son of Pandu in all his vicissitudes, so do you guard Karna the son of Vikartana, in the battle.

८.२३.१८

त्वया सारथिना ह्येष अप्रधृष्यो भविष्यति ।
देवतानामपि रणे सशक्राणां महीपते ।
किं पुनः पाण्डवेयानां मातिशङ्कीर्वचो मम ॥

M N Dutt O ruler of earth, when you are his charioteer, this hero (Karna) will surely be invincible even in the war with all the celestials, headed by Shakra (Indra); and what again, need be said with all the Pandavas. O, do not doubt my sayings!

८.२३.१९

दुर्योधनवचः श्रुत्वा शल्यः क्रोधसमन्वितः ।
त्रिशिखां भ्रुकुटीं कृत्वा धुन्वन्हस्तौ पुनः पुनः ॥

M N Dutt Sanjaya said Having heard the words of Duryodhana, Shalya, who became highly enraged and who was stretching his bow to its extent and who, again, was waving his two arms often and often,

८.२३.२०

क्रोधरक्ते महानेत्रे परिवर्त्य महाभुजः ।
कुलैश्वर्यश्रुतिबलैर्दृप्तः शल्योऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥

M N Dutt And who, moreover, was rolling his two expensive eyes reddened with great rage and who himself was endued with the mighty arms and who also was greatly proud of the possession of his high-birth, properties, vast learning and physical capability, Shalya uttered these words.

८.२३.२१

अवमन्यसे मां गान्धारे ध्रुवं मां परिशङ्कसे ।
यन्मां ब्रवीषि विस्रब्धं सारथ्यं क्रियतामिति ॥

M N Dutt Shalya said O son of Gandhari, you are offending me; and also surely you are suspecting my conduct, when you ask me without hesitation by saying-Do you act as my charioteer.

८.२३.२२

अस्मत्तोऽभ्यधिकं कर्णं मन्यमानः प्रशंससि ।
न चाहं युधि राधेयं गणये तुल्यमात्मना ॥

M N Dutt You praise Karna by considering that he is superior to ourselves. But I never reckon the son of Radha to be equal to myself in the field of battle.

८.२३.२३

आदिश्यतामभ्यधिको ममांशः पृथिवीपते ।
तमहं समरे हत्वा गमिष्यामि यथागतम् ॥

M N Dutt O ruler of earth, let a much greater share be permitted to me in the battle. Having slaughtered him in the field, who has come to contend with me, I will repair to the place where from I came.

८.२३.२४

अथ वाप्येक एवाहं योत्स्यामि कुरुनन्दन ।
पश्य वीर्यं ममाद्य त्वं संग्रामे दहतो रिपून् ॥

M N Dutt O descendant of the Kuru race, if it be desirable, I will fight alone. Do you witness today my energy in the field of battle, whilst I will engage in scorching the enemies.

८.२३.२५

न चाभिकामान्कौरव्य विधाय हृदये पुमान् ।
अस्मद्विधः प्रवर्तेत मा मा त्वमतिशङ्किथाः ॥

M N Dutt O descendant of the Kuru race, no person, who is like ourselves, ever engages himself in the execution of my duties, after having reflected in the heart such an insult. Do not doubt me (my prowess). In the battle, you should not at all attach such a great insult to me.

८.२३.२६

युधि चाप्यवमानो मे न कर्तव्यः कथंचन ।
पश्य हीमौ मम भुजौ वज्रसंहननोपमौ ॥

M N Dutt See these two my mascular arms, that can smite down like thunder; as also do you behold my bow that is variegated with the excellent colors, as well as my shafts that are like snakes possessing virulent poison.

८.२३.२७

धनुः पश्य च मे चित्रं शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान् ।
रथं पश्य च मे कॢप्तं सदश्वैर्वातवेगितैः ।
गदां च पश्य गान्धारे हेमपट्टविभूषिताम् ॥

M N Dutt See again, my car, to which are yoked the most beautiful horses endued with the swiftness of the wind. And O son of Gandhari, see my mace, that is ornamented with gold and threads of hemp.

८.२३.२८

दारयेयं महीं क्रुद्धो विकिरेयं च पर्वतान् ।
शोषयेयं समुद्रांश्च तेजसा स्वेन पार्थिव ॥

M N Dutt O lord of earth, when I am angry I can split up the very earth; and I can break as under the mountains, as also I can soak up even all the oceans by means of my own energy.

८.२३.२९

तन्मामेवंविधं जानन्समर्थमरिनिग्रहे ।
कस्माद्युनक्षि सारथ्ये न्यूनस्याधिरथेर्नृप ॥

M N Dutt Why do you, O king, being conscious of the fact that I am thus capable of striking down the enemies, employ me to the office of the charioteer in the field of battle to the son of Adhiratha, who is born of such low parentage.

८.२३.३०

न नाम धुरि राजेन्द्र प्रयोक्तुं त्वमिहार्हसि ।
न हि पापीयसः श्रेयान्भूत्वा प्रेष्यत्वमुत्सहे ॥

M N Dutt O lord of kings, you should not appoint me to this menial service. Having been indeed, thus superior to him, I cannot dare obey the commands of that sinful person.

८.२३.३१

यो ह्यभ्युपगतं प्रीत्या गरीयांसं वशे स्थितम् ।
वशे पापीयसो धत्ते तत्पापमधरोत्तरम् ॥

M N Dutt That person, who makes one, who is a guest out of love and who is most supreme and who, again, is already very obedient, submissive to a very sinful man, surely becomes subject to that sort of crime which is similar to one of confusing the superior with the inferior.

८.२३.३२

ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मणा सृष्टा मुखात्क्षत्रमथोरसः ।
ऊरुभ्यामसृजद्वैश्याञ्शूद्रान्पद्भ्यामिति श्रुतिः ।
तेभ्यो वर्णविशेषाश्च प्रतिलोमानुलोमजाः ॥

M N Dutt This is a truth that Brahma created the twice-born persons from his mouth; and the Kshatriyas (or the people of the warrior class) from his arms, and also he created the Vaisyas (or the merchant class) from his thighs; and the Sudras (or the people of the servile class) from his feet.

८.२३.३३

अथान्योन्यस्य संयोगाच्चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य भारत ।
गोप्तारः संग्रहीतारो दातारः क्षत्रियाः स्मृताः ॥

८.२३.३४

याजनाध्यापनैर्विप्रा विशुद्धैश्च प्रतिग्रहैः ।
लोकस्यानुग्रहार्थाय स्थापिता ब्रह्मणा भुवि ॥

M N Dutt It has often been told that the Kshatriyas are the protectors of the rest of the classes, as also they are the possessors and givers of wealth. The Brahmana, or the regenerate persons, are characterised as presiding at sacrifices, teaching and also by the acceptance of pure gifts and again, the Brahmanas, that is, the twice-born persons, were established upon the earth in order that they would shower forth blessings upon all the people.

८.२३.३५

कृषिश्च पाशुपाल्यं च विशां दानं च सर्वशः ।
ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशां शूद्रा विहिताः परिचारकाः ॥

M N Dutt According to the Dharma-Shastras the occupations of the Vaisyas are agriculture, the rearing of cattle and gift; whereas the Sudras are ordained to be the servants of the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas.

८.२३.३६

ब्रह्मक्षत्रस्य विहिताः सूता वै परिचारकाः ।
न विट्शूद्रस्य तत्रैव शृणु वाक्यं ममानघ ॥

M N Dutt Then, again, the charioteers, indeed are servants to the Kshatriyas; but never the Kshatriyas, O sinless one, are servants to the charioteer class. Do you, therefore, listen to these my words.

८.२३.३७

सोऽहं मूर्धावसिक्तः सन्राजर्षिकुलसंभवः ।
महारथः समाख्यातः सेव्यः स्तव्यश्च बन्दिनाम् ॥

M N Dutt I am that person, who have his head (or hairs) washed off with sanctity and I am born of a high family of royal sage and I am a mighty car-warriors and I am person of great note; as, again, I am worshipped and praised by the eulogists.

८.२३.३८

सोऽहमेतादृशो भूत्वा नेहारिकुलमर्दन ।
सूतपुत्रस्य संग्रामे सारथ्यं कर्तुमुत्सहे ॥

M N Dutt O slayer of the hostile force, when I am such a person as described, I cannot dare act as the charioteer of the son of Suta in the field.

८.२३.३९

अवमानमहं प्राप्य न योत्स्यामि कथंचन ।
आपृच्छ्य त्वाद्य गान्धारे गमिष्यामि यथागतम् ॥

M N Dutt Thus having obtained this insult I will never battle in the field, O son of Gandhari, today. I ask your permission, as I am really willing to return home.

८.२३.४०

एवमुक्त्वा नरव्याघ्रः शल्यः समितिशोभनः ।
उत्थाय प्रययौ तूर्णं राजमध्यादमर्षितः ॥

M N Dutt Sanjaya said Having thus addressed, that foremost of persons, Shalya, who was the ornament of assemblies and who also became highly enraged, immediately went away from the midst of the kings, after having stood up.

८.२३.४१

प्रणयाद्बहुमानाच्च तं निगृह्य सुतस्तव ।
अब्रवीन्मधुरं वाक्यं साम सर्वार्थसाधकम् ॥

M N Dutt Then your son, having received him (Shalya) with great affection and high respect, addressed him in a friendly manner these sweet expressions, pregnant with very grave ideas.

८.२३.४२

यथा शल्य त्वमात्थेदमेवमेतदसंशयम् ।
अभिप्रायस्तु मे कश्चित्तं निबोध जनेश्वर ॥

M N Dutt O Shalya, this what you utter is doubtlessly true. In this, I have some object in sight. Be you, therefore, O lord of men, acquainted with this,

८.२३.४३

न कर्णोऽभ्यधिकस्त्वत्तः शङ्के नैव कथंचन ।
न हि मद्रेश्वरो राजा कुर्याद्यदनृतं भवेत् ॥

M N Dutt O lord of earth, Karna is in no way higher than what you are; nor that I doubt your conduct. It is sure also that the royal chief of the Madras will not achieve what should be unreal.

८.२३.४४

ऋतमेव हि पूर्वास्ते वहन्ति पुरुषोत्तमाः ।
तस्मादार्तायनिः प्रोक्तो भवानिति मतिर्मम ॥

M N Dutt Indeed, your ancestors, who were the best of persons, always told the truth; and hence it is my opinion that yourself is said to be the descendant of the truthful persons.

८.२३.४५

शल्यभूतश्च शत्रूणां यस्मात्त्वं भुवि मानद ।
तस्माच्छल्येति ते नाम कथ्यते पृथिवीपते ॥

M N Dutt O you who confer honors, you are like a barbed shaft to your enemies upon this earth. In consequence thereof you are called by the name of Shalya on the surface of the world.

८.२३.४६

यदेव व्याहृतं पूर्वं भवता भूरिदक्षिण ।
तदेव कुरु धर्मज्ञ मदर्थं यद्यदुच्यसे ॥

M N Dutt O you who award ample gifts (to the regenerate persons). O you who are acquainted with virtue, you now achieve for my sake what was told by you before, saying that you would achieve.

८.२३.४७

न च त्वत्तो हि राधेयो न चाहमपि वीर्यवान् ।
वृणीमस्त्वां हयाग्र्याणां यन्तारमिति संयुगे ॥

M N Dutt Really neither the son of Radha, nor I am more powerful than you. Hence I solicit you to be the driver of these horses of the best species (yoked to the car of Karna) in this dreadful battle.

८.२३.४८

यथा ह्यभ्यधिकं कर्णं गुणैस्तात धनंजयात् ।
वासुदेवादपि त्वां च लोकोऽयमिति मन्यते ॥

M N Dutt O sire, even as Karna is reckoned to be superior to Dhananjaya regarding innumerable qualities, so this whole world is of opinion that you are superior to even Vasudeva.

८.२३.४९

कर्णो ह्यभ्यधिकः पार्थादस्त्रैरेव नरर्षभ ।
भवानप्यधिकः कृष्णादश्वयाने बले तथा ॥

M N Dutt O foremost of persons, Karna is, indeed, far superior to the son of Pritha respecting the management of weapons; and you, too, are superior to Krishna both in the horse-lore and physical power.

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