Karna Parva — Karna's car swallowed up by earth

Sanjaya said The broken Kaurava army, when melting away out of fear as wrathful Arjuna began his shots but halted and looked back from a distance at Arjuna's blazing weapon which resembled lightning and was coursing on all sides with increasing energy.

Then Karna swallowed up (destroyed) that weapon when it was flying on the sky and which Arjuna had sped with great force for the purpose of putting an end to his enemy in that fearful contest with a downpour of his own fearful arrows.

Drawing his loud-twanging bow the string of which was very strong, Karna, by gold winged arrows, destroyed Arjuna's weapon of increasing energy which was killing the Kurus and shot many other shafts.

He then, with that mighty weapon he had received from Rama, which was vested with the Atharvan rite, worsted that firy weapon of Arjuna and also struck Partha with many other sharp arrows.

O king, then the fight between Arjuna and the son of Adhiratha assumed attacking each other with their tusks, they went on hitting each other with shafts.

Then Partha and Karna shot such incessant showers of arrows that all the sides, became dark and even Sun could not be seen; the whole sky was spread over with them and there was no loop hole to be seen.

The Kauravas and Somakas only, 'saw a broad net-work of arrows and nothing could be seen through the great darkness caused by them.

O monarch, those two best of men well versed in the use of weapons, when continually A aiming and shooting hosts of arrows showed may beautiful feats and stratagems.

In that fight between them sometimes the Suta's son excelled over his foe and sometimes the crown-adorned Partha excelled over his antagonist in mighty, weapons and lighthandedness.

The other warriors were struck with wonder in seeing that fearful combat between those great warriors who were always trying to take advantage of each other's failings (weak points).

The creatures of heaven, O monarch, praised Karna and Arjuna and being satisfied called out loudly “Bravo Karna, Bravo Arjuna.

At that time when this awful fight was raging and the earth was oppressed by the heavy pressure of car-wheels and tread of elephants and horses, the snake Ashvasena, who was Arjuna's enemy, was residing in the subterranean region. O king, that brave snake, who escaped when the Khandava was burnt and who entered the subterranean region, now remembering the death of his mother and the hostile feelings he cherished towards Arjuna, came up with great force to the sky being pable of flying into the sky to see the fight between Karna and Arjuna.

And believing, O monarch, this to be the just time for avenging himself upon the wicked (in his opinion) Partha he summed the shape of an arrows and entered quickly into Karna's quiver.

Karna and Partha now covered the whole sky with showers of arrows; not even a little space was left and it looked like a brilliant and thick net-work of shafts.

All the Kauravas and Somakas were filled with fear seeing that great net-work of arrows; and nothing could be seen through the darkness made by the net, on account of the dropping of arrows.

Beholding those two heroes the foremost of men and greatest of archers tired in war. The handsome Apsaras in Heaven fanned them with new and fine fans and sprinkled sweet scented sandal water upon them; the Shakra and Surya with their own hands cleansed the faces of those two brave warriors.

Then when he found that he could not excel Partha in fight but was rather badly pained and wounded instead, Karna thought of the snakes weapon that was only left in his quiver.

He put on string that fearful, burning, snake-mounted, sharp, well-polished and death-dealing weapon which he had long kept concealed for the purpose of killing Partha. Karna, drawing his bow-string to the full stretch, put on it and aimed at Partha that fiery and mighty shaft that was lying in a quiver of gold filled with sandal dust and which was always worshipped.

The arrows belonging to the Airavata race and the sky and all the ten sides became lighted; and fearful meteors and lightning strokes fell as he aimed that arrow for the purpose of striking Phalguna's head.

The son of Suta was not aware that the snake (Ashvasena) had entered his arrow by means of Yoga, but as he aimed that arrow, Shakra and other regents of the sides gave vent to lamentations.

Indra The holder of one thousand eyes, lost courage and became anxious presuming the death of his son when he saw a snake gripped arrow forwarding to Arjuna. Brahma, the louts born, modest and celibate consoled Indra, the king of god with these words-"O god of gods! Don't be anxious in the matter as Arjuna will at last enjoy the fruit of victory.

The noble ruler of Madras, seeing Vaikatana aim that shaft, spoke to Karna and said-"O Karna, think well before you shoot this arrow; it will not reach Arjuna's neck."

The energetic son of Suta, with wrathful look, told the king of Madra, "O Shalya, Karna never takes his aim twice; with warriors like us it must always be fair play in fight.”

O monarch, speaking the words, "You are killed, O Phalguna,” he, desirous of victory, with care let go that arrow which for many years he had cherished with regard.

That fiery arrow, of awful sound and shinning like the sun, shot off from Karna's bow, lighted up and divided the sky as a woman divides her crown when combing her hairs.

Madhava, the slayer of Kansa, seeing that fiery weapon rise in the sky, with his foot quickly pressed down that beautiful car one cubit deep in the earth. The horses, white as silvery moon beams, adorned with gold trappings, with bent knees fell flat to the ground. That mighty and best of men bringing his strength into action put down the car and the horses with bent knees stretched themsclves to the earth and the car sunk into it. The heavenly creatures greatly praised Vasudeva; they gave vent to lion-like shouts and dropped flowery showers upon Krishna when the slayer of Madhu thus pressed the car into the earth by his might.

By dint of that arrow, on account of its snaky nature and energy and wrath with which it was discharged the charioteer's son struck down from Arjuna's head the beautiful diadem know all over the earth, heaven and the watery region.

The powerful Brahma had made this headdress for the king of gods himself, with gold and pearls, endued with the effulgence by Indra himself to Parthas. It was given by Indra himself to Partha when the latter killed his enemies.

It was so strong that even Rudra, the king of waters, Shakra and Kubera could not smash it by their respective weapons, Pinaka, noose, thunder or other mighty shafts; the very gods could not bear it but it was now taken away by that snaky weapon. That fearful false wicked, but energetic snake, of awful shape, attacked that beautiful crown adorned with stones and diamonds and took it away from Arjuna's head.

As the sun, in setting, goes down from the Asta Hills with all the lustre so that handsome, brilliant, adorned diadem of Partha came down to the earth smashed to pieces and burning with that snake's poison.

O monarch, the snake, by its own prowess, snatched from Partha's head that beautiful ornament of good shape set with precious stones and diamonds, very brilliant to look at and crushed it to pieces as the thunder breaks down mountain tops adorned with fine trees and flowers.

O Bharata, as during a storm a great noise is heard through out the earth, sky, heaven and the waters, so was the sound heard throughout the world at that time and all the people, though they tried to remain steady, became greatly afraid and stumbled.

The dark young man, Dhananjaya, bereft of his crown, looked beautiful like a mountain without top and being not at all afraid stood his ground after binding his hairs with a white cloth.

Arjuna, dark complexioned and in his youth looked as Nilagiri with high ridges when his crown dropped down in course of battle. He did not feel even a little pain. He tied his hair with a white cloth and continued fighting. As he had tied his hair with white piece of cloth, he looked as if Udayacala is glowing with sun beams.

Crushing down his crown that precious arrows, effulgent like the sun or fire, shot by Karna, the great serpent, who was rendered by Arjuna his enemy, went away.

Having burnt the effulgent and variegated crown shinning on Arjuna's (head) the arrow wanted to enter again into its quiver; but accosted by Karna it said-

O Karna, you discharged me without seeing me and hence I could not cut-off his head. Shoot me again immediately in battle after seeing me and I shall slay your enemies as well as mine.

Thus addressed in the battle-field Suta's son said-"who are you of such a terrific form?” The Naga said-"Know me as one whom Partha, has made his enemy by killing my mother. Even if the wielder of thunder-bolt (Indra) protects him, he will go to the kingdom of the Pitris. Do not disregard me. Do what I say and I will kill your enemy. Shoot soon."

Karna said “Karna does not wish victory today in battle depending on another's strength. I shall not discharge, O Naga, a shaft twice even if I am to kill a hundred Arjunas.”

Addressing again that Naga in the battlefield that best of Sun's sons said-"By the help of my other weapons and by dint of my energy and wrath I shall kill Partha. Go you away at ease.

Thus addressed by Karna in the battle-field and unable to bear his words in anger that fierce Naga king, proceeded himself for the destruction of Partha, assuming the form of an arrow.

Thereupon Krishna said to Partha in the battle-field “kill the great snake whom you have made an enemy.” Thus spoken to by the slayer of Madhu, the holder of Gandiva bow, ever holding this Naga who, of his own accord, comes against me as if into the mouth of Garuda.

Krishna, said While armed with a bow were gratifying the fire-god in Khandava forest-this snake, having his body covered by his mother's, was in the sky. You killed his mother taking her for a single snake.

Remembering that hostility, O Partha, he has come today for slaying you. O grinder of enemies, see he is coursing like a burning firebrand droops from the sky.

Sanjaya said Thereupon covering the snake with six sharpened arrows Jishnu cut him off while he was moving in the sky. His body cut-off he dropped down on earth.

After that serpent had been cut-off by Kiritin, the Purusothama himself, O King, of huge arms, raised that car from the earth with his own hands.

In that very moment, Karna, looking askance on Dananjaya, struck that foremost of men with ten arrows whetted on stone and adorned with peacock feathers.

Then Dhananjaya struck Karna with twelve keen and boar-eared arrows and a powerful Naracha like a virulent snake shot off his fulldrawn bow. Those arrows went though Karna's armour, as if drinking his blood and killing him and entered into the earth with their wings soaked with blood.

Then Vrisha, angered at the stroke of arrow like a scotched snake, discharged most powerful and quick-coursing shafts like a serpent vomiting poison. He struck Janardana with twelve and Arjuna with ninty nine arrows. And striking the latter again with a dreadful arrow Karna laughed.

Pandu's son could bear his joy. Then that one, of Indra's power, acquainted with all the vitals parts, cut him to the quick with a hundred winged arrows as did Indra would Bala with great force.

Then Arjuna shot ninety arrows each resembling Yama's rod at Karna. Wounded greatly Karna trembled like a a mountain clapped by a thunder-bolt.

Karna's head dress, set with costly, gems, his most excellent other ornaments and ear rings were struck down on earth by Arjuna's winged arrows.

Pandu's son cut-off in no time into pieces the costly and shinning arınour of Karna that had been prepared with great care by clever artists working for a long time.

Then he again, in anger, struck Karna with four sharp and strong arrows who was devested of his armour. He trembled, thereat, like a person suffering from bile, wind, phlegm and fever.

Arjuna again cut Karna to the quick with many excellent and keen arrows shot off his circling bow with force, care and skill.

Thus wounded by Partha with many keen and powerful arrows Karna looked like a red chalk mountain with streams of red water pouring down.

Then with straight-going, strong, goldfeathered steel arrows resembling the rod of death, Arjuna struck Karna on the breast like Agni's son striking the mount Krouncha.

Then throwing off his bow that resembled Indra's bow and quiver Karna stood inactive and stupefied, suffering great pain and losing his grasp.

The honorable Arjuna, always following the duties of a hero, did not like to kill him in that plight. Then Indra's younger brother respectfully said "why do you make a mistake, OPandu's son?

The wise never spare their enemies even for a moment, however weak they may be. A learned man always acquires merit and glory by destroying his distressed enemies.

Lose no time in discomfiting your enemy Karna immediately who is the foremost of heroes. When all right he will again proceed against you. Kill him therefore like Indra destroying the Asura Namuchi.”

In pursuance of Krishna's order and i worshipping him the Kuru hero Arjuna again struck Karna with many powerful arrows like Indra striking the Asura Shamvara.

Then Kiritin, O descendant of Bharata, covered Karna, his car and horses with calftoothed arrows and the ten quarters with gold winged ones.

Wounded with those calf-toothed arrows the broad-chested son of Adiratha shone like a blossoming Asoka, Palasa or Salmali tree or a mountain leaden with sandal tree or a mountain laden with sandal trees.

His body covered with numberless arrows Karna shone like the mountain-chief covered with trees or adorned with blossoming Karnikaras.

Discharging numberless arrows Karna, having shafts for his rays, looked like the crimson-coloured sun coursing towards the setting hill.

Meeting in the sky the shining and snakelike arrows discharged by Karna, these keen ones, shot by Arjuna, destroyed them.

Recovering equanimity of mind and discharging arrows like a serpent Karna struck Arjuna with ten and Krishna with six all resembling angry snakes.

Then in that great battle Dhananjaya wished to discharge a dreadful, great steel arrow, like a serpent or fire in force and sending forth a sound like that of Indra's thunderbolt.

Then on the arrival of the hour of Karna's death Kala invisibly appeared on his car and reminding him of the Brahmana's course said-“The earth is devouring the wheel of your car."

Really, O King, when the hour of Karna's death approached he forgot the great Brahma weapon which Bhargava had given him. And the Earth was about to devour the left wheel of his car.

Having gone deep into the earth and been clogged there like a holy tree with flowers standing on a high land, Karna's car, on account of the great Brahmana's imprecation reeled.

When his car began to reel, when the great weapon given by Rama did not shine, when his serpent-faced shaft was broken by Partha, Karna was filled with sadness, Unable to bear those misfortunes he shook his arms and vilified virtue saying.

“The virtuous always say that virtue protects the virtuous. We, however, always practice virtue to the best of our knowledge and power. But virtue, instead of protecting us, is now destroying us who are its votaries."

While he gave vent to these words he was greatly assailed by Arjuna's shafts. His horses and charioteer were dislodged. He was cut to the quick and became careless about his doings. He again and again spoke ill of virtue in the battle-field.

He struck Krishna's arm with three dreadful arrows and Arjuna with seven. Arjuna then discharged seventeen dreadful, straightcoursing and forcible arrows effulgent like fire and resembling Indra's thunder-bolt in impetuosity.

Those powerful and dreadful arrows went through Karna's body and dropped on the surface of the earth. Trembling threat Karna showed his activity to the very best of his power.

Controlling himself with great exertion he brought the Brahma weapon into requisition beholding which Arjuna invoked the weapon given him by Indra with becoming mantras.

Then inspiring his Gandiva, its strings and arrows with mantras that repressor of enemies discharged arrows like Indra pouring down torrents of rain.

Coming out of Arjuna's car those powerful and terrific arrows appeared near Karna's.

That great car-warrior baffled those arrows which appeared before him. Seeing the arrows

Discharge more powerful weapons, O Partha, Karna makes these your arrows powerless." Then duly invoking it with mantras Arjuna set the Brahma weapon on his string.

Then covering all the directions with arrows he struck Karna with many. Then with a number of whetted arrows of great power Karna sundered the string of Arjuna's bow.

Karna cut-off his string for the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth times.

Similarly his string was cut-off by Vrishna for the ninth, tenth and eleventh times. Although capable of discharging hundreds of arrow Karna knew that Arjuna had a century of strings.

Then setting another string to his bow and shooting innumerable shafts, Arjuna covered Karna with arrows resembly fiery-mouthed serpents.

So quickly did Arjuna replace his strings that Karna could not perceive when one was broken and another replaced. The feat was highly wonderful to him.

Radha's son, however, nullified all the arrows of Savyasachin. With his power he got better of Arjuna for the time being.

Seeing Arjuna thus assailed with Karna's arrows Krishna said to him "Go nearer to Karna and strike him with more powerful weapons."

Worked up with anger Arjuna invoked the aid of another celestial weapon with mantras which was effulgent like fire, dreadful like venom and hard like adamant. Then uniting it with Raudra weapon he was about to hurl it at his enemy when the earth swallowed up one of the wheels of Karna's car.

Then getting down in no time from his car he caught the sunken wheel with two hands and set forth a mighty exertion to extricate it.

Drawn up forcibly by Karna, the Earth, that had swallowed up his wheel, rose up with her seven insular continents, mountains, rivers and forests to a height of four cubits.

Seeing his wheel thus sunk, Karna wept in anger. And seeing Arjuna before him, he, worked up with

O Partha, wait for a moment till I extricate anger said-my wheel.

Seeing my wheel thus accidentally sunken you should give up your idea which is cherished by a coward only.

Brave and pious heroes never shoot their arrows at persons with disheveled hairs, at those who fly away from the battle-field, at a Brahmana, at him who clasps his hands, at him who surrenders, at him who prays for quarter, at one who throws off his weapon, at one whose arrows are all gone, or at one whose weapon has fallen off or been broken. Your are the brave and pious of all in the world. You know all the rules at warfare.

Pray, excuse me for a moment till I go out my wheel from the earth, O Dhananjaya. You are stationed on your car and I am standing helplessly weak on the earth. You should not kill me now.

Neither Krishna, nor you fear me the least. You are a Kshatriya and the scion of an illustrious family. Remembering the dictates of virtue, excuse me for a moment, O son of Pandu.