Bhishma-Vadha Parva — Meeting of Bhishma and Karna

Sanjaya said After Bhishma the son of Shantanu had ceased speaking, O mighty monarch, all the rulers of earth that had come there, went back to their respective quarters.

Hearing of the slaughter of Bhishma, that best of men, Vikarna's terrified to a certain extent, quickly to the spot where Bhishma lay.

There he saw the illustrious hero lying on his arrowy bed, like the heroic lord Kartikeya lying after his birth on his bed of reeds.

Then the highly effulgent Vrisha (Karna), with voice with tears of grief, approaching that hero lying with his eyes shut, fell at his two feet.

"I am Radha's son, O foremost of the Kurus, who whenever he became the object of your sight, looked upon with enmity by ." These were the words he then addressed to Bhishma.

Hearing those words of his, the venerable Kuru grandsire, viz., the son of Ganga, slowly loO king at him with his eyes covered with film, and dismissing his guards and embracing Karna with one arm like a father embracing his son, thus affectionately addressed him saying.

Come, come you were ever my opponent, and ever tried to outvote me. Every think would not surely have well with you, had you not come here.

You are the son of Kunti, and not that of Radha; Adhiratha is not you father; all this, O mighty-armed one, regarding you, I have heard from Narada,

As also from Vyasa. All this therefore can not but be true. I tell you, O son, forsooth, that I entertain no malice against you.

I used to apply words to you only for reducing your prowess. O you of excellent vows, you abuse the Pandavas without any reason whatsoever.

Your very birth attended with transgression of virtue. Therefore is your intellect thus (perverted). In consequence of your arrogance and also association with the mean, your heart harbors malice against even the meritorious.

For this reason did I use harsh language against you in the assembly of the Kurus. I know your prowess in battle incapable of being borne by the foe, was

Your devotion to the Brahman, your bravery, and your great love for deeds of benevolence. Among men there is none capable of rivaling you, O you resembling an immortal.

Apprehending intestine quarrels, I always applied harsh words to you. In archery, in fixing the arrows on the string, in lightness of hands, in the force of your weapons,

You are equal to Phalguna or the illustrious Krishna. In the city of the Kashis, O Karna, holding the bow single-headed.

You humiliated in battle all the other kings, for securing the bride for the king of the Kurus. Even the invincible king Jarasandha endued with might,

Ever boastful in battle, could never cope with you in fight. You are devoted to the Brahmanas, you always love fair fight. In prowess and in might,

You certainly are equal to a celestial child, and are far-superior to men. I relinquish today the wrath I formerly harbored against you.

Human effort can never overcome Destiny. O slayer of your foes, the Pandavas are your uterine brothers.

O mighty-armed hero, if you desire to do what is agreeable to me, then be reconciled to them. O son of the Sun, let hostilities see their end at my fall. Let all kings of the earth be relieved of their burden of anxiety and dangers.

Karna said I know all this, O mighty-armed her; there is nothing to be doubted in what you have spoken. You speak truly, O Bhishma. I am Kunti's son, and not that of a charioteer.

I was however disowned by Kunti, and I have been brought up by a charioteer. Having enjoyed the wealth of Duryodhana so long, I can not venture to disappoint his hopes.

Like the son of Vasudeva who is firmly resolved to do good to the Pandavas, I also, have set at naught, you that bestow profuse gifts to the Brahmanas, my wealth, my sons, my wife and even my own body and honour. Death resulting from disease is not, indeed, a meet end for a Kshatriya, O you of Kuru's race.

For the interests of Duryodhana, I have hitherto always incited the Pandavas against me; the result is inevitable and none possibly can prevent it.

What person ever ventures to overcome Destiny by human endeavor? Numerous protects, O grandsire, indicating the destruction of the earth,

Were seen and declared in the assembly by you. I perfectly know that the Pandavas and the son of Vasudeva.

Are invincible by other men. Even with them do I propose to fight. I have firmly set my heart upon vanquishing the sons of Pandu on battle.

I can not, on the other hand, renounce this fierce hostility that I cherish for the Pandavas. With a joyful heart performing the duties of my order, I will fight with Dhananjaya.

Determined as I am to fight, it behaves you, O sire, to accord me your permission. With your permission, O hero, I intend to fight.

It also befits you, to forgive me any cruel word I might have uttered against you at any time, as also any act injurious to you, that I might have done, through malice or fickleness.

Bhishma said If indeed you can not cast off the fierce hostility you have imbibed against the Pandavas, then O Karna, I accord you my permission. Fight, actuated by a desire for attaining paradise.

Free from wrath and malice, do you carry out the commissions of the king, to the best of your abilities and energies, and observant of the conduct of the righteous.

I do accord you my unqualified permission; attain what you desire to attain. Through the instrumentality of Dhananjaya, you shall attain to those (posthumous) regions that are secured by the observance of a Kshatriya's duties.

Casting off arrogance and depending on your own prowess and strength, engage yourself in the fight; for what is there more desirable to a Kshatriya than a righteous battle?

For long and strenuously, did I strive to bring about peace. But I failed to accomplish the task; this, O Karna, I tell you forsooth.

Sanjaya said When Ganga's son had thus spoken, the son of Radha, having saluted and propitiated the former, mounted his chariot and drove towards the pavilion of your son.