Karna Parva — Krishana and Arjuna meeting in dual battle

Sanjaya said Seeing his son Vrishasena thrus killed the energetic Karna shed tears with grief and wrath, his eyes red as copper and advanced to meet his enemy having defied Dhananjaya is fight.

Then those two cars covered with tiger skins and shinning with lustre looked like two suns facing each other.

Those scorchers of their enemies, the mighty warriors, with white steeds attached to their cars, looked like the sun and moon of the skies in brilliancy.

When those two warriors, like Indra and the Bali (son of Birochan) prepared for fight as if to conquer the three words, all the creatures were struck with wonder.

All the rulers of earth were filled with admiration as those two warriors faced each other with their car wheels rattling their bows twanging and their arrows flying, with whizz, Partha with his ape banner flying and Karna with his banner marked with an elephant and roaring like a lion.

O Bharata, all the kings began to give vent to lion-like roars (with excitement) seeing those two car warriors engaged with each other and praised them greatly.

Thousands of fighters, seeing them thus engaged in duel fight, began to sound their arm-pits with the palm of their hands and shook their garments (in excitement).

The Kauravas struck up their martial music and sounded their conchs to excite and please Karna.

The Pandavas also for rousing Dhananjaya caused all the sides to resound with the sound of their drums and conchs.

In that contest between Karna and Arjuna fearful noise arose on account of the shouts and lion-like roars of warriors and for the striking of their palms over their arm-pits.

All the persons gazed eagerly on those two best of car warriors and most powerful of men as they faced each other adorned with arrows and darts. Both of them were cased in armour and had sword hanging in their belts; they had grey steeds yoked to their cars and both of them had beautiful conchs; both of them were mighty car warriors, one had Shalya for his driver, the other had Krishna. Both had long arms and necks powerful like that of the lion; their eyes looked red with rage and they were decked with golden garlands; their bows seemed to send forth lightning flashes and they were possessed of choicest of weapons. They were being fanned with chowries and white umbrellas were held over their heads; and they were masters of best arrows and looked most beautiful. Both of them were like furious bulls; and they were both broad chested and had short necks like lion and were exceedingly strong. O monarch, summoning each other to coinbat they precipitated upon one another like two powerful bulls in a cowshed with the intention of slaying one another. As they fought they resembled two furious elephants, or angry mountains, or the little snakes of deadly poison or Yama the destroyer of the creation. Roused against each other like Indra and Vritra (Asura) they resembled the sun and the moon in brilliancy and looked like two planets approaching each other in order to burning the world to its end. They were both handsome as the gods and were of godlike prowess having sprung from heavenly fathers. O king, your army were filled with delight seeing those two brave warriors of tiger-like ferocity engaged in battle.

Beholding those foremost of men Karna and Dhananjaya engaged in combat, it could not be said as to who would be victorious in the end.

They were both skilful in war and possessed of select weapons and they made the skies ring back with the noise of sounding their arm-pits.

Both of them were famous for their courage and strength and they were skilful like the (Asura) and the king of gods in war.

Both resembled Kartavirya or Dasaratha's son (Rama) in battle and looked like the god Vishnu himself in prowess or Bhava himself.

In that fight, O monarch, both of them had white horses and select chariots and the best of drivers.

Those two warriors looked beautiful and brilliant on their cars and they were admired by all the Siddhas and Charanas that were present.

O best of Bharata race, the Dhritarashtras, without losing time, surrounded the noble Karna, who was the best of warriors.

So Dhristadyumna, with all the Pandavas surrounded the noble Partha matchless in war.

Your troops, O monarch, began to fight for Karna and the Pandavas in favor of Partha.

The troops of both the sides were eager witnesses of that great Yama of battle and defeat and victory of either party depended on them (Karna and Arjuna).

To decide the fate of the war they began that duel fight and our men and the Pandavas stood in front of the field see that fight.

O king, in that battle those two brave warriors well skilled in warfare, determined to kill each other.

O master, they looked like two fearful comets when they engaged in that deadly fight.

O most powerful of the Bharata race, the inhabitants of the skies different in opinion and angry disputes were going on amongst them as to whether Karna or Arjuna would be victorious.

Also the whole world was uncertain as to the issue of that fight. The gods, Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Pichachas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas differed in their opinions.

The heavens with all the stars sided Karna and the earth backed Partha as mother wishes her son well.

O foremost of men, all the mountains, rivers, seas, with trees, herbs and plants were for crowned Arjuna.

O smiter of enemies, the Asuras, the Yatudhanas, the Guhyakas and ravens and other birds who roam the skies also favoured Arjuna.

All the valuable jewels, the four Vedas, the Mahabharata, the Upavedas, the Upanishads with all their mysterious contents, the Vasuki and Chitrasena, the Takshaka and Upatakshaka, the mountains and the and all the descendants of the Kadru and their children with all the poisonous great snakes and Nagas were on Arjuna's side. Airavata with his children, the descendants of Saurabhai and Vaikati and the Bhojins all favoured Arjuna the smaller snakes sided Karna.

The wolves and deer of the wild and other animals and birds of good omen all sided Partha.

The Vasus, the Maruts, the Siddhas, the Rudras, the Visvadevas, the Asvins, the Agni, the Soma Indra, the Pavana and the ten sides were in favor of Dhananjaya but the Aditya sided Karna. O monarch, the Vaisyas, the Sudras, the Sutas and other half caste people were in favour of Radha's son.

The Pitris and the heavenly bodies with all their followers and staff, Yama and Vaicravam and Varuna were for Arjuna. The Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, the gifts (Dakshinas), the sacred sacrifices were in favor of Arjuna.

The Pretas, the Pichaches, animals and birds of prey, the Rakshasas, the sea monsters, the dogs and jackals were on Karna's side.

The different sets of Rajarshis were for the son of Pandu. O monarch, all the Gandharvas with Tumburu as their head were in Arjuna's favor.

The different tribes of Gandharvas and Apsaras and the descendants of Pradha and Mauni and many sages riding on wolves, deers, elephants, horses and cars and others on foot or riding on the clouds and the wind came to see that combat between Karna and Arjuna.

O monarch, the Gods, Danavas Yakshas, Nagas, the birds, the learned Rishis well versed in the Vedas, the Pitris who live upon Swadha, the Sciences and asceticism and herbs of heavenly qualities all came and with great noise took their position in the sky.

Brahma together with Bhava (Mahadeva) with all the Bramharishis and Monsters of creation driving in excellent cars also came to that place.

As those two noble warriors engaged in fight Shakra (Indra) himself wished that Arjuna might conquer Karna.

Surya wished that Karna might conquer Arjuna. One said my son Karna will gain victory and the other said my son Arjuna will be victorious.

Thus they of lion like-prowess disputed for each other taking different sides. Seeing those two noble warriors face each other in fight the Asuras took one side and the gods the other.

The gods, the Rishis and all the creations of the three worlds began to shake with fear sceing that fight.

All the Gods favoured Partha and the Asuras Karna and all the creations felt an interest either for the Pandava warrior or the Kuru warrior.

Seeing (Brahma) the master of creation who had no father (self born) all the Gods requested him to make the issue of that fight between those two foremost of men to be equal,

The whole creation will be destroyed if Karna and Arjuna continued this fight O, self born one; only speak the word that these two will be equally successful.

O sovereign! The entire universe fell in the trap of illusion when Karna and Arjuna fought against cach other. O Svayambhu! Tell us facts regarding their victory. Speak in a manner so as their equal victory is indicated.

Hearing this Brahma and Ishana said to the king of the celestials the noble Vijaya (Arjuna) will surely gain victory.

O sacred one, you have said before that the two Krishnas are sure to gain victory, he then pleased and let that be the case now.

Then Brahma and Mahadev told Indra-Arjuna will surely gain victory. O Shakra, Savyasachin has pleased the eater of sacrifices (Agni) in Khandava forest and also helped him when he came to Heaven.

Karna takes part with the Danavas and he deserves to be defeated so the intentions of the gods will be fulfilled. One should always he careful about his business

O king of Heaven, as the noble minded Phalgun is truthful and virtuous undoubtedly he must always be the conqueror.

O you with hundred eyes, why will not he be victorious, who both pleased the noble and sacred God who has the bull marked on his banner.

Partha has the master of the world Vishnu himself as his driver besides he is a hero, is very powerful and is virtuous at the same time.

He is of active body, master of the science of weapons and has all qualities, and he should conquer because the Gods wish it to be so.

Arjuna is always religion abiding and truthful. He will therefore, acquire victory definitely. Nothing like doubt can be raised in it.

By his great prowess Partha can overrule destiny itself whether it be in his favour or not; when he means he can destroy all creatures.

When those two Krishnas are roused, they care not for anything and those two foremost of men are creators of real and unreal matters.

They are the ancient and good Rishis Nara and Narayana; they have no fear and they are smiters of all enemies and cannot be ruled by any one; they rule over all.

Either in Heaven or earth there is none to equal them; they are above all the Heavenly Rishis and Charanas of the three worlds, all the Gods and creatures come after them; they are properly speaking the main stay of the whole world.

Let Karna, the son of Vikartan, who is foremost of men and who is a brave warrior, attain the best region and let him be like the Vasus or Maruts; let him be adored in heaven with Bhishma and Drona, but let the two Krishnas be victorious.

When those two greatest of Gods (Brahma and Ishana) said so the God with thousand eyes respectfully bowed to their words and himself said to other creatures.

You hear what the two Gods say for the good of the whole world and it must surely be so and no otherwise; so rest assured.

O my lord king, hearing Indra say these words all creatures admired and praised that deity. The inhabitants of heaven then sounded their horns and showered many sorts of sweet scented flowers.

And actually all the Gods, Danavas and Gandharvas waited anxiously to see that unrivaled duel between those two men of leonine prowess.

O monarch, both the cars, ridden by Karna and Arjuna, had gray steeds loudly as they careered with beautiful banners on their tops.

Many brave warriors came near Vasudeva and Arjuna and also near Shalya and Karna and sounded their conchs.

Then began that fight which struck terror into the hearts of cowards and like Sakra and Samvara the warriors rushed fiercely against each other.

Like the planets Rahu and Ketu appearing in the sky at the time of the destruction of the whole world the banners of those two heroes looked very brilliant and beautiful.

The elephant's rope of Karna's standard which was very strong and decked with jewels and precious stones resembled a poisonous snake and the bow of Indra in beauty (as it fluttered).

The great ape of Partha, opening its fearful and broad jaws, struck terror in to the hearts of all and became difficult to look at like the son.

The ape, on the banner of Gandiva, being willing to fight all on sudden, left his place, lept upon Karna's banner, like Gadura swooping down upon a snake and began to tear the elephant rope standard fiercely with its nails and teeth.

The elephant's rope, which was strong as iron and adorned with strings of small bells, which resembled the fatal noose (of Yama), becoming wrathful pressed against the ape.

Thus in that terrible duel between those two great warriors and which was the result of their match game in dice, their banners first fought with each other and the horses of the one neighed at the horses of the other, Keshava, whose eyes were like lotuses, looked towards Shalya with piercing glances who returned them in the like manner.

Similarly, Shalya look at Sri Krishna lotus eyed but victory, there was acquired by Sri Krishna. He defeated Shalya by a shot of eye as acute as arrow.

Dhananjaya the son of Kunti conquered Karna. Then Suta's son with a smile asked Shalya-"O friend, tell me the truth what would you do if I am killed today by Partha".

Shalya said The king of Madras said-"O Karna, if you are today killed by this grey-horsed Arjuna I alone on a single car will put both Madhava and Phalguna to death."

Sanjaya said Arjuna also asked Govinda the same question and Krishna spoke to Partha these words having deep meaning.

O Dhananjaya, the sun may come down and be displaced, the earth itself may be crushed with a thousand pieces, the fire may become cold but Karna will never kill you.

But if it so happens you must know that revolution of the word is near and as for myself I will send both Shalya and Kama to the Pluto's den with my army:

Arjuna, who was ape-bannered, hearing these words smiled and told Krishna whose prowess was inexhaustible.

O Janardana, Shalya and Karna both together is no match to me and today O Krishna, you will see how I destroy Karna with Shalya, his banners, car, horses, his umbrella, his armour, his bows and arrows all together with my shafts in the battle.

As the elephant, with his tusks, rends into pieces a tree in a forest so I will this day crush him with armour, his car, horses, arrows and other weapons into atoms.

O Madhava, the day of widowhood for the wives of Radha's son is very near and surely they must have dreamt of the coming evil last night.

Surely you will today see Karna's wives will become widows. I cannot check my rage when I think of evils done to us by this (thoughtless) fool when Krishna was taken forcibly before the assembly and he used abusive language to us and laughed.

As the furious elephant destroys a tree with all its blossoms and flowers in anger so O Govinda, I will knock him down today.

Today after Karna is no more, O Slayer of Madhu, you will hear those pleasant words, i.e. by good fortune, O you of Vrishni's race, you have conquered.

Today you shall be able to console the mother of Abhimanyu with a free conscience by pay back the debt of the enemies in their own coin and also joyfully soothe your maternal aunt Kunti.

O Madhava, today you shall be able to comfort Krishna, on whose faced drops to tears and always trickling down and to speak pleasant sweet words to King Yudhishthira the just.