कर्ण पर्व — घोर संग्राम

Sanjaya said Then on that best of cars drawn by white horses and driven by Narayana himself the beautiful Arjuna arrived there.

As the wind agitates a great ocean so Vijaya overpowered your army, O foremost of kings, abounding in horse-men.

While (Arjuna) the rider of white horses was a little careless your son Duryodhana, worked up with anger and surrounded by his soldiers, came there all on sudden and encompassed the revengeful Yudhishthira. He then struck Yudhishthira with seventy-three razor-shaped arrows.

At that Kunti's son Yudhishthira was greatly worked up with anger. He quickly struck your son with thirty darts.

Then the Kuru soldiers rushed against Yudhishthira for seized him. Then apprised of the evil intention of the enemies the great carwarriors came there in a body for rescuing Kunti's son Yudhishthira.

Encircled by an Akshauhini of soldiers Nakula, Sahadeva, Dhristadyumna and Parshata advanced towards Yudhishthira.

Grinding the great car-warriors your army Bhimasena too went where Yudhishthira was surrounded by his enemies.

Making a downpour of arrows, O king, Vikartana's son Karna obstructed alone all those great bowmen.

Although making a downpour of arrows, discharging Tomaras and exerting their very best they could not look at the son of Radha.

With a huge downpour of arrows the son of Radha who had mastered all sorts of weapons withstood all those great bow men.

Taking up speedily his bow the nobleminded Sahadeva soon approached Duryodhana and struck him with twenty arrows.

Struck by Sahadeva Duryodhana, huge like a mountain, covered with blood, appeared like a maimed elephant.

Seeing you son sorely wounded with many powerful shafts Karna, the best of car-warriors, worth proceeded there.

Beholding Duryodhana in that condition and quickly getting ready his weapon he soon struck the sons of Yudhishthira and Prishata.

Assailed with arrows by the great son of the charioteer Yudhishthira's soldiers all on a sudden fled away.

Various sorts of arrows fell there touching one another. Those, shot off the bow of Karna, touched the wings of others with their blades.

The arrows coming in contact with one another a conflagration was caused in the sky.

With arrows capable of piercing the bodies of the enemies and advancing quickly Karna covered the ten quarters as if with a swarm of locusts.

Beautiful bows shone in the arms of Karna of the colour of crimson sandal and adorned with gold and jewels.

Then all the quarters were shrouded with arrows. And Karna greatly assailed the righteous king Yudhishthira.

Then worked up with anger Kunti's son king Yudhishthira struck Karna with fifty sharpened arrows.

Darkened with arrows that army looked exceedingly dreadful. And your soldiers, O king, sent up piteous wails of pain.

While they were being slain by Dharma's son with various sharp Kanka-feathered arrows whetted on stone, Bhallas, Saktis and clubs. Wherever the virtuous king extended his looks all the soldiers of your party were shattered.

Then Karna, greatly worked up with anger, struck Yudhishthira with winged and calf-tooth shaped arrows. Revengeful, wrathful and having his lips trembling in anger the highly energetic Karna struck Yudhishthira with arrows.

Yudhishthira too struck him with gold feathered and sharpened arrows. Karna, as if smiling, struck the Pandava king on the breast with three winged darts.

Thus greatly assailed by him the pious king Yudhishthira sat down on his car and ordered his charioteer to go.

Then all the soldiers of your army with their king sent up a loud war-cry saying-"seize him" and then they rushed towards the king.

Then seventeen hundred Kekaya warriors with Panchalas obstructed the soldiers of Duryodhana.

When that dreadful and destructive battle raged on the highly powerful Duryodhana and Bhima fought with each other.