pari-kulkarni/itihasa-sanskrit-en-filtered huggingface dataset:
Sanskrit: सुहृदां चापि धर्मज्ञाः प्रचक्रुः सलिलक्रियाः। उदके क्रियमाणे तु वीराणां वीरपत्निभिः॥ सूपतीर्था भवद्गङ्गा भूयो विप्रससार च।
English: While those wives of heroes were performing this rite in honour of their heroic husband, the access to the stream became easy, although the paths (carved out by feet) disappeared afterwards.
Sanskrit: तन्महोदधिसंकाशं निरानन्दमनुत्सवम्॥ वीरपत्नीभिराकीर्णं गङ्गातीरमशोभत।
English: The shores of their river though crowded with those wives of heroes, looked as broad as the ocean and presented a sorrow of sorrow and cheerlessness.
Sanskrit: ततः कुन्ती महाराज सहसा शोककर्शिता॥ रुदती मन्दया वाचा पुत्रान् वंचनमब्रवीत्।
English: Then Kunti, O king, laden with grief, weepingly addressed her sons in these soft words.
Sanskrit: यः स वीरो महेष्वासो रथयूथपयूथपः॥ अर्जुनेनं जित: संख्ये वीरलक्षणलक्षितः। यं सूतपुत्रं मन्यध्वं राधेयमिति पाण्डवाः॥ यो व्यराजच भूमध्ये दिवाकर इव प्रभुः। प्रत्ययुध्यत वः सर्वान् पुरा यः सपदानुगान्॥ दुर्योधनबलं सर्वं यः प्रकर्षन् व्यरोचत। यस्य नास्ति समो वीर्ये पृथिव्यामपि पार्थिवः॥ योऽवृणीत यशः शूरः प्राणैरपि सदा भुवि। कर्णस्य सत्यसंधस्य संग्रामेष्वपलायिनः॥ कुरुध्वमुदकं तस्य भ्रातुरकिष्टकर्मणः। स हि वः पूर्वजो भ्राता भास्करान्मय्यजायत॥ कुण्डली कवची शूरो दिवाकरसमप्रभः।
English: That hero and great bowman, that chief of many car-divisions, that heroic warrior who has been killed by Arjuna in battle, that warrior whom, ye sons of Pandu, you knew as the son of the charioteer Radha, that hero who shone in the midst of his army like the Sun himself, who fought with all of you and your followers, who shone as he commanded the vast army of Duryodhana, who had no equal on Earth in energy, that hero who preferred glory to life, that brave warrior firm in truth and never fatigued with exertion, was your eldest brother! Offer oblations of water to that eldest brother of yours who was born of me by the Sun! That hero was born with a pair of earrings and clad in armour, and took after the Sun-God himself in effulgence.
Sanskrit: श्रुत्वा तु पाण्डवाः सर्वे मातुर्वचनमप्रियम्॥ कर्णमेवानुशोचन्तो भूयः क्लान्ततराभवन्।
English: Hearing these painful words of their mother, the Pandavas began to grieve for Karna. Indeed, they became more afflicted then ever.
Sanskrit: ततः स पुरुषव्याघ्रः कुलीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः॥ उवाच मातरं वीरो निःश्वसन्निव पन्नगः। यः शरोमिर्ध्वजावर्तो महाभुजमहाग्रहः॥ तलशब्दानुनदितो महारथमहाह्रदः। यस्येषुपातमासाद्य नान्यस्तिष्ठेद् धनंजयात्॥ कथं पुत्रो भवत्याः स देवगर्भः पुराभवत्।
English: Then that foremost of men, viz., the heroic Yudhishthira, sighing like a snake asked his mother,-'Were you the mother of that Karna who was like a sea having arrows for his billows, his tall standard for his vortex, his own mighty arms for a couple of huge alligators, his large car for his deep lake, and the sound of his palms or his tempestuous roar, and whose force none could withstand except Dlananjaya? How was that son resembling a very god born of you in former days?
Sanskrit: यस्य बाहुप्रतापेन तापिताः सर्वतो वयम्॥ तमग्निमिव वस्त्रेण कथं छादितवत्यसि।
English: The power of his arms scorched all of us! How, O mother, could you conceal him like a person concealing a fire within the folds of his cloth?
Sanskrit: यस्य बाहुबलं नित्यं धार्तराष्ट्ररुपासितम्॥ उपासितं यथास्माभिर्बलं गाण्डीवधन्वनः।
English: His might of arms was always adored by the Dhritarashtras even as we always worship the might of the wilder of Gandiva.
Sanskrit: भूमिपानां च सर्वेषां बलं बलवतां वरः॥ नान्यः कुन्तीसुतात् कर्णादगृह्णाद् रथिनां रथी।
English: How was that foremost of powerful men, that first of car-warriors, who fought the united force of all the kings in battle, how was he a son of yours?
Sanskrit: स नः प्रथमजो भ्राता सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः॥ असूत तं भवत्यग्रे कथमद्भुतविक्रमम्।
English: Was that foremost of all holders of weapons our eldest brother? How did you give birth to that child of wonderful prowess?
Sanskrit: अहो भवत्या मन्त्रस्य गृहनेन वयं हताः॥ निधनेन हि कर्णस्य पीडितास्तु सबान्धवाः।
English: Alas, for your concealing this fact we have been undone! By the death of Karna, ourselves with all our friends have been greatly sorry.
Sanskrit: अभिमन्योर्विनाशेन द्रौपदेयवधेन च॥ पञ्चालानां विनाशेन कुरूणां पतनेन च। ततः शतगुणं दुःखमिदं मामस्पृशद् मशम्॥
English: The grief I fell at Karna's death is a hundred times great than that felt for the death of Abhimanyu and the sons of Draupadi, and the destruction of the Panchalas and the Kurus! Thinking of Karna, I am burning with grief, like a person thrown into a burning fire.
Sanskrit: कर्णमेवानुशोचामि दह्याम्यग्नाविवाहितः। नेह स्म किंचिदप्राप्यं भवेदपि दिवि स्थितम्॥ न चेदं वैशसं घोरं कौरवान्तकरं भवेत्।
English: Nothing could have been unattainable by us, not excepting things belonging to the celestial region. Alas, this terrible carnage, so destructive of the Kurus, would not have taken place.
Sanskrit: एवं विलप्य बहुलं धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः॥ व्यरुदच्छनकै राजंश्चकारास्योदकं प्रभुः।
English: Thus bewailing, king Yudhishthira the just uttered loud wails of woe. The powerful king then offered oblations of water to his deceased elder brother.
Sanskrit: ततो विनेदुः सहसा स्त्रियस्ताः खलु सर्वशः॥ अभितो याः स्थितास्तत्र तस्मिन्नुदककर्मणि।
English: Then all the ladies that crowded the shores of the river suddenly cried aloud.
Sanskrit: तत आनाययामास कर्णस्य सपरिच्छदाः॥ स्त्रियः कुरुपति/मान् भ्रातुः प्रेम्णा युधिष्ठिरः।
English: The intelligent king of the Kurus, viz., Yudhishthira, had the wives and members of Karna's family brought before him.
Sanskrit: स ताभिः सह धर्मात्मा प्रेतकृत्यमनन्तरम्॥ चकार विधिवद् धीमान् धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। पापेनासौ मया श्रेष्ठो भ्राता ज्ञातिनिपातितः। अतो मनसि यद् गुह्यं स्त्रीणां तन्न भविष्यति॥ इत्युक्त्वा स तु गङ्गाया उत्तताराकुलेन्द्रियः। भ्रातृभिः सहितः सर्वैर्गङ्गातीरमुपेयिवान्॥
English: The righteous-souled king performed, with them the water-rite in honor of his eldest brother. Having finished the ceremony, the king, with his mind greatly agitated, rose from the waters of Ganga."
Sanskrit: नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्। देवी सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयमदीरयेत्।।
English: Having saluted the Supreme Deity (Narayana), and the highest of all male beings (Nara), and also the Goddess of Learning (Sarasvati) let us cry success.
Sanskrit: वैशम्पायन उवाच कृतोदकास्ते सुहृदां सर्वेषां पाण्डुनन्दनाः। विदुरो धृतराष्ट्रश्च सर्वाश्च भरतस्त्रियः॥ तत्र ते सुमहात्मानो न्यवसन् पाण्डुनन्दनाः। शौचं निवर्तयिष्यन्तो मासमानं बहिः पुरात्॥
English: “Having offered oblations of water to all their friends and kinsmen, the sons of Pandu, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, and all the Bharata ladies, continued to live on the banks of the sacred river. The noble sons of Pandu wished to pass the period of mourning, which lasted for a month, outside the Kuru city.
Sanskrit: कृतोदकं तु राजानं धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्। अभिजग्मुर्महात्मानः सिद्धा ब्रह्मर्षिसत्तमाः॥
English: After king Yudhishthira had performed the water-rites, many great sages endued with ascetic success and many sainted Rishis came there to see the king.
Sanskrit: द्वैपायनो नारदश्च देवलश्च महानृषिः। देवस्थानश्च कण्वश्च तेषां शिष्याश्च सत्तमाः॥
English: Among them were the Dvaipayana Vyasa, Narada, the great Rishi Devala, Devasthana, and Kanva. They had in their company the best of their pupils.
Sanskrit: अन्ये च वेदविद्वांसः कृतप्रज्ञा द्विजातयः। गृहस्थाः स्नातकाः सन्तो ददृशुः कुरुसत्तमम्॥
English: Many other Rishis, of great wisdom and well versed in the Vedic in the Vedic Lore. living as householders or belonging to the Snataka class, came to see the Kuru king.
Sanskrit: तेऽभिगम्य महात्मानः पूजिताश्च यथाविधि। आसनेषु महार्हेषु विविशुस्ते महर्षयः॥ प्रतिगृह्य ततः पूजां तत्कालसदृशीं तदा। पर्युपासन् यथान्यायं परिवार्य युधिष्ठिरम्॥
English: Those high-souled ones, as they came, were duly adored by Yudhishthira. The great Rishis then took their seats on rich carpets. Accepting the adoration suited to the period of mourning, they sat in due order around the king.
Sanskrit: पुण्ये भागीरथीतीरे शोकव्याकुलचेतसम्। आश्वासयन्तो राजानं विप्राः शतसहस्रशः॥
English: Thousands of Brahmanas consoled and comforted that king of kings living on the sacred banks of the Bhagirathi with heart exceedingly shaken by sorrow.
Sanskrit: नारदस्त्वब्रवीत् काले धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्। सम्भाष्य मुनिभिः सार्धं कृष्णद्वैपायनादिभिः॥ भवता बाहुवीर्येण प्रसादान्माधवस्य च। जितेयमवनिः कृत्स्ना धर्मेण च युधिष्ठि॥
English: Having accosted first the Rishis headed by Vyasa, Narada addressed Yudhishthira the son of Dharma, saying, “Through the strength of your arms and the kindness of Krishna, the whole Earth, O Yudhishthira, has been righteously acquired by you.
Sanskrit: दिष्ट्या मुक्तस्तु संग्रामादस्माल्लोकभयंकरात्। क्षत्रधर्मरतश्चापि कच्चिन्मोदसि पाण्डव॥
English: By dint of good fortune, you have escaped alive from this dreadful battle. Ever abiding by the duties of a Kshatriya, why do you not rejoice, O son of Pandu?
Sanskrit: कच्चिच्च निहतामित्रः प्रीणासि सुहृदो नृप। कच्चिच्छ्रियमिमां प्राप्य न त्वां शोकः प्रबाधते॥
English: Having killed all you foes, will you not please your friends, O King? Having secured this prosperity, I hope, you have nothing to be sorry of now.'."
Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर उवाच विजितेयं मही कृत्स्ना कृष्णबाहुबलाश्रयात्। ब्राह्मणानां प्रसादेन भीमार्जुनबलेन च॥
English: Yudhishthira said Indeed, I have conquered the whole Earth through my reliance on the might of Krishna's arms, through the favour of the Brahmanas, and through the strength of Bhima and Arjuna.
Sanskrit: इदं मम महद् दुःखं वर्तते हृदि नित्यदा। कृत्वा ज्ञातिक्षयमिमं महान्तं लोभकारितम्॥ सौभद्रं द्रौपदेयांश्च घातयित्वा सुतान् प्रियान्। जयोऽयमजयाकारो भगवन् प्रतिभाति मे॥
English: But his heavy grief, is always preying on my mind, that through covetousness I have brought about this dreadful destruction of kinsmen. Having caused the death of the darling son of Subhadra, and of the sons of Draupadi, this victory, O Holy one, appears to me as being tantamount to defeat.
Sanskrit: किं नु वक्ष्यति वार्ष्णेयी वधूर्मे मधुसूदनम्। द्वारकावासिनी कृष्णमितः प्रतिगतं हरिम्॥
English: What will Subhadra of Vrishni's race, that sister-in-law of mine, say to me? what also will the inhabitants of Dwaraka say to the destroyer of Madhu when he goes there from this place?
Sanskrit: द्रौपदी हतपुत्रेयं कृपणा हतबान्धवा। अस्मत्प्रियहिते युक्ता भूयः पीडयतीव माम्॥
English: This Draupadi, again, who is eve busy with pleasing us, bereaved of son and kinsmen, is causing me great pain.
Sanskrit: इदमन्यत् तु भगवन् यत् त्वां वक्ष्यामि नारद। मन्त्रसंवरणेनास्मि कुन्त्या दुःखेन योजितः॥
English: There is another subject, O holy Narada, about which I will speak to you. For Kunti having hidden a very important matter, great has been my grief.
Sanskrit: यः स नागायुतबलो लोकेऽप्रतिरथो रणे। सिंहखेलगतिर्धीमान् घृणी दाता यतव्रतः॥ आश्रयो धार्तराष्ट्राणां मानी तीक्ष्णपराक्रमः। अमर्षी नित्यसंरम्भी क्षेप्तास्माकं रणे रणे।॥ शीघ्रास्त्रश्चित्रयोधी च कृती चाद्भुतविक्रमः। गूढोत्पन्नः सुतः कुन्त्या भ्रातास्माकमसौ किल॥
English: That hero who had the strength of ten thousand elephants, who in this world was peerless car-warrior, who was endued with the pride and gait of a lion, who was gifted with great intelligence and compassion, whose liberality was unbounded, who practised many high vows, who was the refuge of the Dhartarashtras, who was sensitive about his honour, whose prowess was irresistible, who was ready to repay all injuries and was always wrathful [in battle], who defeated us in various encounters, who was quick in the use of arms, conversant with every mode of battle, skilful and endued with wonderful courage, that Karna was a son of Kunti, given birth to by her .secretly, and, therefore, a uterine brother of ours.
Sanskrit: तोयकर्मणि तं कुन्ती कथयामास सूर्यजम्। पुत्रं सर्वगुणोपेतमवकीर्णं जले पुरा॥
English: Whilst we were offering oblations of water to the dead, Kunti described him as the son of Surya (Sun-God). Possessed of every accomplishment, that child had been thrown into the water.
Sanskrit: मञ्जूषायां समाधाय गङ्गास्रोतस्यमज्जयत्। यं सूतपुत्रं लोकोऽयं राधेयं चाभ्यमन्यत॥ स ज्येष्ठपुत्रः कुन्त्या वै भ्रातास्माकं च मातृजः। अजानता मया भ्रात्रा राज्यलुब्धेन घातितः॥ तन्मे दहति गात्राणि तूलराशिमिवानलः।
English: Having placed him in a basket made of grass, Kunti Floated it in the water of Ganga. He who was known to the world as the son of the charioteer Radha, was really the eldest son of Kunti, and, therefore, our uterine brother! Hankering after kingdom, alas, I have unknowingly brought about the death of that brother of mine. It is this that is burning my body, like a fire consuming a heap of cotton.
Sanskrit: न हि तं वेद पार्थोऽपि भ्रातरं श्वेतवाहनः॥ नाहं न भीमो न यमौ स त्वस्मान् वेद सुव्रतः।
English: Arjuna having white horses knew him not for a brother! Neither I, Nor Bhima, Nor the twins, knew him as such! He, however, a great bowman knew us (for his brothers).
Sanskrit: गता किल पृथा तस्य सकाशमिति नः श्रुतम्॥ अस्माकं शमकामा वै त्वं च पुत्रो ममेत्यथ।
English: We have heard that once Pritha went to him for seeking our well-being and addressed him, saying, You are my son.
Sanskrit: पृथाया न कृतः कामस्तेन चापि महात्मना॥ अपि पश्चादिदं मातर्यवोचदिति नः श्रुतम्।
English: That illustrious hero, however, refused to satisfy Pritha's desire. Subsequently, we are informed, he said to his mother these words:न हि शक्ष्याम्यहं त्यत्वें नृपं दुर्योधनं रणे॥
Sanskrit: अनार्यत्वं नृशंसत्वं कृतघ्नत्वं च मे भवेत्।
English: I am unable to leave Duryodhana's side in battle! If I do so, it would be a dishonourable, crucl, and ungrateful act.
Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिरेण संधिं हि यदि कुर्या मते तव॥ भीतो रणे श्वेतवाहादिति मां मंस्यते जनः।
English: If, in pursuance of your wishes, I make peace with Yudhishthira, people will say that I ani afraid of Arjuna having white horses.
Sanskrit: सोऽहं निर्जित्य समरे विजयं सहकेशवम्॥ संधास्ये धर्मपुत्रेण पश्चादिति च सोऽब्रवीत्।
English: Having defeated Arjuna with Keshava, therefore, in battle, I will afterwards make peace with Dharma's son! These were his words as we have heard.
Sanskrit: तमुवाच किल पृथा पुनः पृथुलवक्षसम्॥ चतुर्णामभयं देहि कामं युध्यस्व फाल्गुनम्।
English: Thus answered, Pritha once more addressed her son having broad chest and said,-'Fight with Phalguna then, but spare my four other sons.
Sanskrit: सोऽब्रवीन्मातरं धीमान् वेपमानां कृताञ्जलिः॥ प्राप्तान् विषह्यांश्चतुरो न हनिष्यामि ते सुतान्।
English: The intelligent Karna, with joined palms then replied to his trembling mother, saying,-'If I get your four other sons even under my power, I will not kill them.
Sanskrit: पञ्चैव हि सुता देवि भविष्यन्ति तव ध्रुवाः॥ सार्जुना वा हते कर्णे सकर्णा वा हतेऽर्जुने।
English: Forsooth, O goddess, you will always have five sons! If Karna be killed with Arjuna, You will have five! If, on the other hand, Arjuna be killed, You will have five, with me.'
Sanskrit: तं पुत्रगृद्धिनी भूयो माता पुत्रमथाब्रवीत्॥ भ्रातृणां स्वस्ति कुर्वीथा येषां स्वस्ति चिकीर्षसि।
English: Seeking the well-being of her children, his mother once more said to him,-'Go, O Karna, do good to those brothers of yours whose good you always seek.'
Sanskrit: एवमुक्त्वा किल पृथा विसृज्योपययौ गृहान्॥ सोऽर्जुनेन हतो वीरो भ्रात्रा भ्राता सहोदरः।
English: Having said these words, Pritha took his leave and returned to her residence. That hero has been killed by Arjuna,-the uterine brother by the brother.
Sanskrit: न चैव विवृतो मन्त्रः पृथायास्तस्य वा विभो॥ अथ शूरो महेष्वासः पार्थेनाजौ निपातितः।
English: Neither Pritha, nor he, had ever divulged the secret, O Sir! That hero and great bowman, was therefore killed by Arjuna in battle.
Sanskrit: अहं त्वज्ञासिषं पश्चात् स्वसोदर्यं द्विजोत्तम॥ पूर्वजं भ्रातरं कर्णं पृथाया वचनात् प्रभो।
English: Afterwards I have come to know, O best of Rishis, that he was my uterine brother! Indeed, according to Pritha's words, I am informed that Karna was our eldest-born.
Sanskrit: तेन मे दूयते तीव्र हृदयं भ्रातृघातिनः॥ कर्णार्जुनसहायोऽहं जयेयमपि वासवम्।
English: Having caused my brother to be killed, my heart is burning greatly. If I had both Karna and Arjuna for helping me, I could have defeated Vasudeva himself.
Sanskrit: सभायां क्लिश्यमानस्य धार्तराष्ट्रैर्दुरात्मभिः॥ सहसोत्पतितः क्रोधः कर्णं दृष्ट्वा प्रशाम्यति।
English: Whilst I was tormented in the court by the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, my anger suddenly excited, became cooled on seeing Karma.
Sanskrit: यदा ह्यस्य गिरो रूक्षाः शृणोमि कटुकोदयाः॥ सभायां गदतो द्यूते दुर्योधनहितैषिणः। तदा नश्यति मे रोषः पादौ तस्य निरीक्ष्य ह॥ कुन्त्या हि सदृशौ पादौ कर्णस्येति मतिर्ममा
English: Even while hearing the harsh and bitter words of Karna himself on the occasion of our match at dice, which he uttered for pleasing Duryodhana, my wrath became cooled on seeing Karna's feet. It appeared to me that Karna's feet resembled the feet of our mother Kunti.
Sanskrit: सादृश्यहेतुमन्विच्छन् पृथायास्तस्य चैव ह॥ कारणं नाधिगच्छामि कथंचिदपि चिन्तयन्।
English: To make out the reason of that resemblance between him and our mother, I thought for a long time. Even trying my level best I could not find the cause.
Sanskrit: कथं नु तस्य संग्रामे पृथिवी चक्रमग्रसत्॥ कथं नु शप्तो भ्राता मे तत्त्वं वक्तुमिहार्हसि।
English: Why, indeed, did the Earth swallow up the wheels of his car at the time of battle? Why was my brother cursed? You should relate all this to me.
Sanskrit: श्रोतुमिच्छामि भगवंस्त्वत्तः सर्वं यथातथम्। भवान् हि सर्वविद् विद्वान् लोके वेद कृताकृतम्।।४४।
English: I wish to hear everything from you, O Rishi. You know everything of this world, as also of both the past and the future.
Sanskrit: वैशम्पायन उवाच स एवमुक्तस्तु मुनि रदो वदतां वरः। कथयामास तत् सर्वं यथा शप्तः स सूतजः॥
English: Thus accosted that best of orators, viz., the sage Narada, described everything about the manner in which he who was known as a charioteers' son had been cursed.
Sanskrit: नारद उवाच एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि भारत। न कर्णार्जुनयोः किंचिदविषह्यं भवेद् रणे॥
English: Narada said "What you say, O mighty-armed one, is true O Bharata! Nothing could resist Karna and Arjuna in battle.
Sanskrit: गुह्यमेतत् तु देवानां कथयिष्यामि तेऽनघ। तन्निबोध महाबाहो यथा वृत्तमिदं पुरा॥
English: This, O sinless one, that I am about to tell you is unknown to the very celestials. Listen to me, O mighty-armed one, as it happened formerly.
Sanskrit: क्षत्रं स्वर्ग कथं गच्छेच्छस्त्रपूतमिति प्रभो। संघर्षजननस्तस्मात् कन्यागर्भो विनिर्मितः॥
English: The question was mooted, how all the Kshatriyas, purified by weapons, should attain to blissful regions. For this, a child was conceived by Kunti while she was a maid, capable of creating a general war.
Sanskrit: स बालस्तेजसा युक्तः सूतपुत्रत्वमागतः। चकाराङ्गिरसां श्रेष्ठाद् धनुर्वेदं गुरोस्तदा॥
English: Highly energetic that child became known as a Suta. He subsequently learnt the science of arms from the preceptor (Drona), that foremost of Angirasa's race.
Sanskrit: स बलं भीमसेनस्य फाल्गुनस्य च लाघवम्। बुद्धिं च तव राजेन्द्र यमयोर्विनयं तदा॥ सख्यं च वासुदेवेन बाल्ये गाण्डीवधन्वनः। प्रजानामनुरागं च चिन्तयानो व्यदह्यत॥
English: Thinking of the prowess of Bhimasena, the quickness of Arjuna in the use of arms, your intelligence, O King, the humility of the twins, the friendship, from earliest years, between Vasudeva and the holder of Gandiva, and the love of the people for you all, that young man was burnt with envy.
Sanskrit: स सख्यमकरोद् बाल्ये राज्ञा दुर्योधनेन च। युष्माभिनित्यसंद्विष्टो दैवाच्चापि स्वभावतः॥
English: In early age he contracted friendship with king Duryodhana, led by accident and his own nature and the hate he cherished against you all.
Sanskrit: वीर्याधिकमथालक्ष्य धनुर्वेदे धनंजयम्। द्रोणं रहस्युपागम्य कर्णो वचनमब्रवीत्॥ ब्रह्मास्त्रं वेत्तुमिच्छामि सरहस्यनिवर्तनम्। अर्जुनेन समं चाहं युध्येयमिति मे मतिः॥
English: Making that Dhananjaya was superior to every one in the science of arms, Karna one day approached Drona privately and said these words to him,-I desire to master the Brahma weapon, with all its Mantras and the power of withdrawing it, for I wish to fight Arjuna.
Sanskrit: समः शिष्येषु वः स्नेहः पुत्रे चैव तथा ध्रुवम्। त्वत्प्रसादान्न मां ब्रूयुरकृतास्त्रं विचक्षणाः॥
English: Forsooth, the love you bear for every one of your pupils is equal to what you cherish for your own son! I pray that all masters of the science of arms may, by your favour consider me as one accomplished in weapons.
Sanskrit: द्रोणस्तथोक्तः कर्णेन सापेक्षः फाल्गुनं प्रति। दौरात्म्यं चैव कर्णस्य विदित्वा तमुवाच ह॥ ब्रह्मास्त्रं ब्राह्मणो विद्याद् यथावच्चरितव्रतः। क्षत्रियो वा तपस्वी यो नान्यो विद्यात् कथंचन।॥
English: Thus accosted by him, Drona, on account of partial love for Phalguna, as also from his knowledge of the wickedness of Karna, told him,-None save a Brahmana, who has duly practised all vows, should master the Brahma weapon, or a Kshatriya who has practised austere penances, and no other.
Sanskrit: इत्युक्तोऽङ्गिरसां श्रेष्ठमामन्त्र्य प्रतिपूज्य च। जगाम सहसा रामं महेन्द्रं पर्वतं प्रति॥
English: When Drona had answered thus, Karna, having adored him, took his permission and proceeded forthwith to Rama then living on the Mahendra mountains.
Sanskrit: स तु राममुपागम्य शिरसाऽभिप्रणम्य च। ब्राह्मणो भार्गवोऽस्मीति गौरवेणाभ्यगच्छत॥
English: Approaching Rama, hc bowed to him and said,-I am a Brahmana of Bhrigu's race!-This secured honour for him.
Sanskrit: समस्तं प्रतिजग्राह पृष्ट्वा गोत्रादि सर्वशः। उष्यतां स्वागतं चेति प्रीतिमांश्चाभवद् भृशम्॥
English: With this knowledge about his birth and family, Rama received him kindly and said, You are welcome!-at which Karna became highly pleased.
Sanskrit: तत्र कर्णस्य वसतो महेन्द्रे स्वर्गसंनिभे। गन्धर्व राक्षसैर्यक्षैर्देवैश्चासीत् समागमः॥
English: While living on the Mahendra mountains resembling heaven itself, Karna met and mixed with many Gandharvas, and Yakshas, and gods.
Sanskrit: स तत्रेष्वस्त्रमकरोद् भृगुश्रेष्ठाद् यथाविधि। प्रियश्चाभवदत्यर्थं देवदानवरक्षसाम्॥
English: While living there, he learnt the use of all the weapons duly, and became a great favourite of the gods, the Gandharvas, and the Rakshasas.
Sanskrit: स कदाचित् समुद्रान्ते विचरन्नाश्रमान्तिके। एकः खड्गधनुष्पाणिः परिचक्राम सूर्यजः॥
English: One day he walked on the sea shore by the side of that hermitage. Armed with bow and sword, Surya's son wandered alone.
Sanskrit: सोऽग्निहोत्रप्रसक्तस्य कस्यचिद् ब्रह्मवादिनः। जघानाज्ञानतः पार्थ होमधेनुं यदृच्छया।॥
English: While thus walking, O Partha, he inadvertently and unwittingly killed the Homa Cow of a certain Brahmavadin who daily performed his Agnihotra rite.
Sanskrit: तदज्ञानकृतं मत्वा ब्राह्मणाय न्यवेदयत्। कर्णः प्रसादयंश्चैनमिदमित्यब्रवीद् वचः॥ अबुद्धिपूर्वं भगवन् धेनुरेषा हता तव। मया तत्र प्रसादं च कुरुष्वेति पुनः पुनः॥ तं स विप्रोऽब्रवीत्क्रुद्धो वाचा निर्भर्त्सयन्निव। दुराचार वधार्हस्त्वं फलं प्रात्नुहि दुर्मते॥
English: Knowing that he had perpetrated that crime from carelessness, he informed the Brahmana of it. For pleasing the owner, Karna repeatedly said,-O Rishi, I have killed this your cow against my will. Forgive the act! Filled with anger the Brahmana, rebuking him, said, O wicked wight, you should be killed! May you suffer the fruit of this act, O you of wicked soul!
Sanskrit: येन विस्पर्धसे नित्यं यदर्थं घटसेऽनिशम्। युध्यतस्तेन ते पाप भूमिश्चक्रं गृसिष्यति॥
English: While fighting him, O wretch, whom you always challenge, and for whom you are trying so much every day, the Earth shall swallow the wheel of your car.
Sanskrit: ततश्चक्रे महीग्रस्ते मूर्धानं ते विचेतसः। पातयिष्यति विक्रम्य शत्रुर्गच्छ नराधम॥
English: And while the wheel of your car shall thus be swallowed up by the Earth, your enemy displaying his prowess, will cut off your head, you being stupefied then. Leave me, O vile man!
Sanskrit: यथेयं गौर्हता मूढ प्रमत्तेन त्वया मम। प्रमत्तस्य तथारातिः शिरस्ते पातयिष्यति॥ शप्तः प्रसादयामास कर्णस्तं द्विजसत्तमम्। गोभिर्घनैश्च रत्नैश्च स चैनं पुनरब्रवीत्॥ न हि मेऽव्याहृतं कुर्यात् सर्वलोकोऽपि केवलम्। गच्छ वा तिष्ठ वा यद् वा कार्यं ते तत् समाच।।२८। इत्युक्तो ब्राह्मणेनाथ कर्णो दैन्यादधोमुखः। राममभ्यगमद् भीतस्तदेव मनसा स्मरन्।॥
English: As you have carelessly killed this my cow, so will your enemy cut off your head while you will be careless!-Though cursed, Karna still tried to gratify that foremost of Brahmanas by offering him kine and wealth and gems. The latter, however, once more answered him,-All the worlds will not falsify the words of mine. Go hence or remain, do what you like.-Thus addressed by the Brahmana, Karna, Handing down his head in depression, returned timidly to Rama."