Shanti Parva

[वैषम्पायन] कृतॊदकास ते सुहृदं सर्वेषां पाण्डुनन्दनाः विदुरॊ धृतराष्ट्रश च सर्वाश च भरत सत्रियः

[Vaishampayana speaks] The sons of Pandu, having performed the water-rites for the fallen, were joined by Vidura, Dhritarashtra, and all the Bharata women.

तत्र ते सुमहात्मानॊ नयवसन कुरुनन्दनाः शौचं निवर्तयिष्यन्तॊ मासम एकं बहिः पुरात

There those great-souled sons of Kuru dwelt outside the city for one month, completing their period of purification.

कृतॊदकं तु राजानं धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम अभिजग्मुर महात्मानः सिद्धा बरह्मर्षिसत्तमाः

After righteous King Yudhishthira had performed the water-rite, great perfected sages and eminent Brahmarshis came to see him.

दवैपायनॊ नारदश च देवलश च महान ऋषिः देवस्थानश च कण्वश च तेषां शिष्याश च सत्तमाः

Dvaipayana (Vyasa), Narada, the great sage Devala, Devasthana, Kanva, and their eminent disciples were among them.

अन्ये च वेद विद्वांसः कृतप्रज्ञा दविजातयः गृहस्थाः सनातकाः सर्वे ददृशुः कुरुसत्तमम

Other Brahmins learned in the Vedas, of accomplished wisdom, householders and those who had completed their Vedic studenthood, all came to see the best of the Kurus.

अभिगम्य महात्मानः पूजिताश च यथाविधि आसनेषु महार्हेषु विविशुस ते महर्षयः

Those great souls arrived and were duly honored, and the great sages seated themselves on precious seats.

परतिगृह्य ततः पूजां तत कालसदृशीं तदा पर्युपासन यथान्यायं परिवार्य युधिष्ठिरम

Having accepted worship fitting the occasion, they then sat around Yudhishthira as was proper.

पुण्ये भागीरथी तीरे शॊकव्याकुल चेतसम आश्वासयन्तॊ राजानं विप्राः शतसहस्रशः

On the sacred bank of the Bhagirathi, hundreds of thousands of Brahmins consoled the king whose heart was tormented with grief.

नारदस तव अब्रवीत काले धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम विचार्य मुनिभिः सार्धं तत कालसदृशं वचः

Then Narada, after deliberating with the sages, spoke words fitting the occasion to the righteous Yudhishthira.

भवतॊ बाहुवीर्येण परसादान माधवस्य च जितेयम अवनिः कृत्स्ना धर्मेण च युधिष्ठिरः

"By the strength of your arm, by Madhava's grace, and through righteousness, O Yudhishthira, this entire earth has been won."

दिष्ट्या मुक्ताः सम संग्रामाद अस्माल लॊकभयंकरात कषत्रधर्मरतश चापि कच चिन मॊदसि पाण्डव

"By good fortune you have been freed from this terrifying war; devoted to the duty of a kshatriya, are you happy, O Pandava?"

कच चिच च निहतामित्रः परीणासि सुहृदॊ नृप कच चिच छरियम इमां पराप्य न तवां शॊकः परबाधते

"Having slain your enemies, O king, do you now gladden your friends? Having gained this royal fortune, does grief not oppress you?"

[युधिस्ठिर] विजितेयं महीकृत्स्ना कृष्ण बाहुबलाश्रयात बराह्मणानां परसादेन भीमार्जुनबलेन च

[Yudhishthira replies] "This whole earth has been conquered through Krishna's arm-strength, by the grace of the Brahmins, and by the might of Bhima and Arjuna."

इदं तु मे महद दुःखं वर्तते हृदि नित्यदा कृत्वा जञातिक्षयम इमं महान्तं लॊभकारितम

"But this great sorrow ever dwells in my heart, that out of greed I brought about this vast destruction of my kinsmen."

सौभद्रं दरौपदेयांश च घातयित्वा परियान सुतान जयॊ ऽयम अजयाकारॊ भगवन परतिभाति मे

"Having caused the death of Saubhadra (Abhimanyu) and Draupadi's beloved sons, this victory, O venerable one, seems to me like a defeat."

किं नु वक्ष्यति वार्ष्णेयी वधूर मे मधुसूदनम दवारकावासिनी कृष्णम इतः परतिगतं हरिम

"What indeed will Subhadra, the Vrishni princess, say to Madhusudana when Krishna returns to Dvaraka where she dwells?"

दरौपदी हतपुत्रेयं कृपणा हतबान्धवा अस्मत्प्रियहिते युक्ता भूयॊ पीडयतीव माम

"This Draupadi, bereft of her sons, wretched and stripped of her kin, yet devoted to our welfare — she pains me all the more."

इदम अन्यच च भगवन यत तवां वक्ष्यामि नारद मन्त्रसंवरणेनास्मि कुन्त्या दुःखेन यॊजितः

"There is one more thing, venerable Narada, I must tell you: I have been struck with sorrow because of a secret Kunti kept hidden."

यॊ ऽसौ नागायुत बलॊ लॊके ऽपरतिरथॊ रणे सिंहखेल गतिर धीमान घृणी दान्तॊ यतव्रतः

"He who had the strength of ten thousand elephants, unrivalled in war, moving with a lion's gait, wise, compassionate, self-restrained and firm in his vows,"

आश्रमॊ धार्तराष्ट्राणां मानी तीक्ष्णपराक्रमः अमर्षी नित्यसंरम्भी कषेप्तास्माकं रणे रणे

"the refuge of Dhritarashtra's sons, proud and fiercely valorous, quick to anger, ever wrathful, who would hurl us down in battle after battle,"

शीघ्रास्त्रश चित्रयॊधी च कृती चाद्भुतविक्रमः गूढॊत्पन्नः सुतः कुन्त्या भरातास्माकं च सॊदरः

"swift with weapons, a marvel in battle, skilled and of astonishing valor — that son secretly born to Kunti was in truth our own brother."

तॊयकर्मणि यं कुन्ती कथयाम आस सूर्यजम पुत्रं सर्वगुणॊपेतम अवकीर्णं जले पुरा

"He whom Kunti once, in speaking of the water-offering rite, called 'son of the Sun,' a child endowed with every virtue whom she had long ago set afloat on the water,"

यं सूतपुत्रं लॊकॊ ऽयं राधेयं चाप्य अमन्यत स जयेष्ठपुत्रः कुन्त्या वै भरातास्माकं च मातृजः

"whom the world took to be the charioteer's son and called Radheya — he was in truth Kunti's eldest son, our own brother born of the same mother."

अजानता मया संख्ये राज्यलुब्धेन घातितः तन मे दहति गात्राणि तूलराशिम इवानलः

"Unknowingly, in my greed for the kingdom, I caused him to be slain in battle; that thought burns my limbs as fire burns a heap of cotton."

न हि तं वेद पार्थॊ ऽपि भरातरं शवेतवाहनः नाहं न भीमॊ न यमौ स तव अस्मान वेद सुव्रतः

"Neither Arjuna of the white horses, nor I, nor Bhima, nor the twins knew he was our brother — and that virtuous one did not know us either."

गता किल पृथा तस्य सकाशम इति नः शरुतम अस्माकं शम कामा वै तवं च पुत्रॊ ममेत्य अथ

"We have heard that Pritha (Kunti) indeed went to him, saying it was for our peace, and that he was her son."

पृथाया न कृतः कामस तेन चापि महात्मना अति पश्चाद इदं मातर्य अवॊचद इति नः शरुतम

"But that great soul did not grant Pritha's wish; it is said he later spoke thus to his mother."

न हि शक्ष्याम्य अहं तयक्तुं नृपं दुर्यॊधनं रणे अनार्यं च नृशंसं च कृतघ्नं च हि मे भवेत

"'I cannot abandon King Duryodhana in battle; that would make me ignoble, cruel, and ungrateful.'"

युधिष्ठिरेण संधिं चयदि कुर्यां मते तव भीतॊ रणे शवेतवाहाद इति मां मंस्यते जनः

"'If, on your counsel, I make peace with Yudhishthira, people will think I feared Arjuna of the white horses in battle.'"

सॊ ऽहं निर्जित्य समरे विजयं सह केशवम संधास्ये धर्मपुत्रेण पश्चाद इति च सॊ ऽबरवीत

"'Having defeated Arjuna along with Keshava in battle, I shall afterward make peace with the son of Dharma' — thus he said."

तम अवॊचत किल पृथा पुनः पृथुल वक्षसम चतुर्णाम अभयं देहि कामं युध्यस्व फल्गुनम

"It is said Pritha spoke again to that broad-chested son: 'Grant safety to the four others; fight Phalguna as you will.'"

सॊ ऽबरवीन मातरं धीमान वेपमानः कृताञ्जलिः पराप्तान विषह्यांश चतुरॊ न हनिष्यामि ते सुतान

"The wise one, trembling, with joined palms, said to his mother: 'I shall not kill your four sons, even should I have the power — except Arjuna.'"

पञ्चैव हि सुता मातर भविष्यन्ति हि ते धरुवम स कर्णा वा हते पार्थे सार्जुना वा हते मयि

"'For, O mother, you shall still surely have five sons — either with Karna if Arjuna is slain, or with Arjuna if I am slain.'"

तं पुत्रगृद्धिनी भूयॊ मातापुत्रम अथाब्रवीत भरातॄणां सवस्ति कुर्वीथा येषां सवस्ति चिकीर्षसि

"Then that mother, still yearning for all her sons, said again to that son: 'May you bring well-being to the brothers whose welfare you wish.'"

तम एवम उक्त्वा तु पृथा विसृज्यॊपययौ गृहान सॊ ऽरजुनेन हतॊ वीरॊ भराता भरात्रा सहॊदरः

"Having said this, Pritha took leave and returned home, and that hero was slain by his own brother Arjuna."

न चैव विवृतॊ मन्त्रः पृथायास तस्य वा मुने अथ शूरॊ महेष्वासः पार्थेनासौ निपातितः

"Yet that secret was never disclosed, neither by Pritha nor by him, O sage, until that brave great archer was struck down by Partha."

अहं तव अज्ञासिषं पश्चात सवसॊदर्यं दविजॊत्तम पूर्वजं भरातरं कर्णं पृथाया वचनात परभॊ

"I came to know only afterward, best of the twice-born, from Pritha's own words, that Karna, my brother by the same mother, was our eldest."

तेन मे दूयते ऽतीव हृदयं भरातृघातिनः कर्णार्जुन सहायॊ ऽहं जयेयम अपि वासवम

"For this my heart grieves exceedingly, being the slayer of my own brother; with Karna as ally I could have conquered even Indra."

सभायां कलिश्यमानस्य धार्तराष्ट्रैर दुरात्मभिः सहसॊत्पतितः करॊधः कर्णं दृष्ट्वा परशाम्यति

"When I was tormented in the assembly by the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, sudden anger would rise in me on seeing Karna, yet it would subside."

यदाय हय अस्य गिरॊ रूक्षाः शृणॊमि कटुकॊदयाः सभायां गदतॊ दयूते दुर्यॊधनहितैषिणः

"For whenever I heard his harsh, bitter words spoken in the assembly during the dice game, wishing well for Duryodhana,"

तदा नश्यति मे करॊधः पादौ तस्य निरीक्ष्य ह कुन्त्या हि सदृशौ पादौ कर्णस्येति मतिर मम

"then my anger would vanish the moment I looked at his feet, for I always felt Karna's feet resembled Kunti's."

सादृश्य हेतुम अन्विच्छन पृथायास तव चैव ह कारणं नाधिगच्छामि कथं चिद अपि चिन्तयन

"Seeking the reason for this resemblance to Pritha, however much I pondered, I could never find the cause."

कथं नु तस्य संग्रामे पृथिवी चक्रम अग्रसत कथं च शप्तॊ भराता मे तत तवं वक्तुम इहार्हसि

"How indeed did the earth swallow his chariot-wheel in battle, and how was my brother cursed — this you should tell me now."

शरॊतुम इच्छामि भगवंस तवत्तः सर्वं यथातथम भवान हि सर्वविद विद्वाँल लॊके वेद कृताकृतम

"I wish to hear the whole truth of this from you, venerable one; for you, all-knowing, understand all that has happened and not happened in this world."

[वैषम्पायन] स एवम उक्तस तु मुनिर नारदॊ वदतां वरः कथयाम आस तत सर्वं यथा शप्तः ससूतजः

[Vaishampayana] Thus addressed, the sage Narada, best among speakers, related the entire account of how the charioteer's son had been cursed.

एवम एतन महाबाहॊ यथा वदसि भारत न कर्णार्जुनयॊः किं चिद अविषह्यं भवेद रणे

[Narada] "It is exactly as you say, O mighty-armed Bharata; in battle nothing would have been beyond the power of Karna and Arjuna together."

गुह्यम एतत तु देवानां कथयिष्यामि ते नृप तन निबॊध महाराज यथावृत्तम इदं पुरा

"This is a secret of the gods that I shall now reveal to you, O king; hear it, great king, as it happened long ago."

कषत्रं सवर्गं कथं गच्छेच छस्त्र पूतम इति परभॊ संघर्षजननस तस्मात कन्या गर्भॊ विनिर्मितः

"[The gods pondered] how the kshatriya order, purified through weapons, might attain heaven; for that purpose of generating strife, a child was providentially conceived in a maiden's womb."

स बालस तेजसा युक्तः सूतपुत्रत्वम आगतः चकाराङ्गिरसां शरेष्ठे धनुर्वेदं गुरौ तव

"That boy, radiant with splendor, having grown up known as a charioteer's son, learned the science of archery under the best of the Angirasas, Drona."

सबलं भीमसेनस्य फल्गुनस्य च लाघवम बुद्धिं च तव राजेन्द्र यमयॊर विनयं तथा

"He observed Bhimasena's strength, Arjuna's swiftness, your wisdom, O king, and the discipline of the twins,"

सख्यं च वासुदेवेन बाल्ये गाण्डिवधन्वनः परजानाम अनुरागं च चिन्तयानॊ वयदह्यत

"and the friendship, from boyhood, of Vasudeva with the wielder of the Gandiva bow — and pondering the people's love for them, he burned with envy."

स सख्यम अगमद बाल्ये राज्ञा दुर्यॊधनेन वै युष्माभिर नित्यसंद्विष्टॊ दैवाच चापि सवभावतः

"In boyhood he formed a friendship with King Duryodhana, who by fate and by nature was ever hostile to you Pandavas."

विद्याधिकम अथालक्ष्य धनुर्वेदे धनंजयम दरॊणं रहस्य उपागम्य कर्णॊ वचनम अब्रवीत

"Seeing Arjuna surpass him in the science of archery, Karna approached Drona in private and spoke these words."

बरह्मास्तं वेत्तुम इच्छामि स रहस्यनिवर्तनम अर्जुनेन समॊ युद्धे भवेयम इति मे मतिः

"'I wish to learn the Brahmastra along with the means of withdrawing it; my intent is to become equal to Arjuna in battle.'"

समः पुत्रेषु च सनेहः शिष्येषु च तव धरुवम तवत्प्रसादान न मां बरूयुर अकृतास्त्रं विचक्षणाः

"'Your affection is surely equal toward all your sons and pupils; by your grace may the wise never call me one lacking in weapons-mastery.'"

दरॊणस तथॊक्तः कर्णेन सापेक्षः फल्गुनं परति दौरात्म्यं चापि कर्णस्य विदित्वा तम उवाच ह

"Thus addressed by Karna, Drona, who favored Arjuna and knew Karna's ill nature, spoke to him thus."

बरह्मास्तं बराह्मणॊ विद्याद यथावच चरितव्रतः कषत्रियॊ वा तपस्वी यॊ नान्यॊ विद्यात कथं चन

"'Only a Brahmin who has duly observed his vows, or an ascetic kshatriya, may learn the Brahmastra — no one else can ever learn it.'"

इत्य उक्तॊ ऽङगिरसां शरेष्ठम आमन्त्र्य परतिपूज्य च जगाम सहसा रामं महेन्द्रं पर्वतं परति

"Thus told, Karna, having honorably taken leave of the best of the Angirasas, went at once toward the great mountain Mahendra, to Rama (Parashurama)."

स तु रामम उपागम्य शिरसाभिप्रणम्य च बराह्मणॊ भार्गवॊ ऽसमीति गौरवेणाभ्यगच्छत

"Approaching Rama and bowing his head, he said with reverence, 'I am a Brahmin of the Bhrigu lineage.'"

रामस तं परतिजग्राह पृष्ट्वा गॊत्रादि सर्वशः उष्यतां सवागतं चेति परीतिमांश चाभवद भृशम

"Rama received him, having asked fully about his lineage and other matters, and said, 'Dwell here, welcome' — and became greatly pleased."

तत्र कर्णस्य वसतॊ महेन्द्रे पर्वतॊत्तमे गन्धर्वै राक्षसैर यक्षैर देवैश चासीत समागमः

"There, while Karna dwelt on that best of mountains, Mahendra, there was gathering of Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Yakshas, and gods."

स तत्रेष्व अस्त्रम अकरॊद भृगुश्रेष्ठाद यथाविधि परियश चाभवद अत्यर्थं देवगन्धर्वरक्षसाम

"There he duly acquired weapons from the best of the Bhrigus, and became exceedingly dear to gods, Gandharvas, and Rakshasas."

स कदा चित समुद्रान्ते विचरन्न आश्रमान्तिके एकः खड्गधनुः पाणिः परिचक्राम सूत जः

"One day, wandering near the hermitage by the seashore, the charioteer's son roamed alone, sword and bow in hand."

सॊ ऽगनिहॊत्रप्रसक्तस्य कस्य चिद बरह्मवादिनः जघानाज्ञानतः पार्थ हॊमधेनुं यदृच्छया

"Unknowingly, by chance, he killed the sacrificial cow of a certain Brahmin devoted to the fire-rite, O king."

तद अज्ञानकृतं मत्वा बराह्मणाय नयवेदयत कर्णः परसादयंश चैनम इदम इत्य अब्रवीद वचः

"Realizing this was done unknowingly, he told the Brahmin, and Karna, seeking to appease him, spoke these words."

अबुद्धि पूर्वं भगवन धेनुर एषा हता तव मया तत्र परसादं मे कुरुष्वेति पुनः पुनः

"'O venerable one, this cow of yours was killed unintentionally by me; forgive me, I ask again and again.'"

तं स विप्रॊ ऽबरवीत करुद्धॊ वाचा निर्भर्त्सयन्न इव दुराचार वधार्हस तवं फलं पराप्नुहि दुर्मते

"That Brahmin, enraged, rebuked him harshly: 'You are of evil conduct and deserve death — receive the fruit of your deed, O fool!'"

येन विस्पर्धसे नित्यं यदर्थं घटसे ऽनिशम युध्यतस तेन ते पापभूमिश चक्रं गरसिष्यति

"'For that very weapon you constantly strive for, for whose sake you ever labor — while wielding it in battle, the wicked earth shall swallow your chariot-wheel.'"

ततश चक्रे मही गरस्ते मूर्धानं ते विचेतसः पातयिष्यति विक्रम्य शत्रुर गच्छ नराधम

"'Then, when the wheel is swallowed by the earth, your bewildered head will be struck off by an enemy who gains the advantage — go, vilest of men!'"

यथेयं गौर हता मूढ परमत्तेन तवया मम परमत्तस्यैवम एवान्यः शिरस ते पातयिष्यति

"'Just as this cow was killed by you through carelessness, O fool, so too, when you are careless, another shall likewise strike off your head.'"

ततः परसादयाम आस पुनस तं दविजसत्तमम गॊभिर धनैश च रत्नैश च स चैनं पुनर अब्रवीत

"Then he again tried to appease that best of Brahmins with cattle, wealth, and jewels, and the Brahmin spoke to him again."

नेदं मद वयाहृतं कुर्यात सर्वलॊकॊ ऽपि वै मृषा गच्छ वा तिष्ठ वा यद वा कार्यं ते तत समाचर

"'Even if the whole world tried, my words cannot be made false; go, or stay, or do whatever you must do.'"

इत्य उक्तॊ बराह्मणेनाथ कर्णॊ दैन्याद अधॊमुखः रामम अभ्यागमद भीतस तद एव मनसा समरन

"Thus told by the Brahmin, Karna, downcast with shame, his face bowed low, went back to Rama in fear, his mind still fixed on that curse."

[नारद] कर्णस्य बाहुवीर्येण परश्रयेण दमेन च तुतॊष भृगुशार्दूलॊ गुरुशुश्रूषया तथा

[Narada continues] "By Karna's strength of arm, humility, self-restraint, and devoted service to his teacher, that tiger among the Bhrigus (Parashurama) was pleased."

तस्मै स विधिवत कृत्स्नं बरह्मास्त्रं स निवर्तनम परॊवाचाखिलम अव्यग्रं तपस्वी सुतपस्विने

"To him, that ascetic taught in full, duly and without reservation, the entire Brahmastra together with its means of withdrawal."

विदितास्त्रस ततः कर्णॊ रममाणॊ ऽऽशरमे भृगॊः चकार वै धनुर्वेदे यत्नम अद्भुतविक्रमः

"Having mastered the weapon, Karna, of astonishing valor, dwelt happily in Bhrigu's hermitage and worked hard at the science of archery."

ततः कदा चिद रामस तु चरन्न आश्रमम अन्तिकात कर्णेन सहितॊ धीमान उपवासेन कर्शितः

"Then one day, Rama, wandering near the hermitage together with Karna, grew weary from fasting."

सुष्वाप जामदग्न्यॊ वै विस्रम्भॊत्पन्न सौहृदः कर्णस्यॊत्सङ्ग आधाय शिरॊ कलान्तमना गुरुः

"The wise descendant of Jamadagni, having formed a trusting bond of friendship, laid his weary head upon Karna's lap and fell asleep."

अथ कृमिः शलेष्म मयॊ मांसशॊणितभॊजनः दारुणॊ दारुणस्पर्शः कर्णस्याभ्याशम आगमत

"Then a dreadful, phlegm-formed creature, feeding on flesh and blood, dreadful to the touch, came near Karna."

स तस्यॊरुम अथासाद्य बिभेद रुधिराशनः न चैनम अशकत कषेप्तुं हन्तुं वापि गुरॊर भयात

"That blood-feeding creature, reaching his thigh, bored into it; yet, fearing to wake his guru, Karna could neither throw it off nor kill it."

संदश्यमानॊ ऽपि तथा कृमिणा तेन भारत गुरु परबॊध शङ्की च तम उपैक्षत सूत जः

O Bharata, though being bitten by that worm, the son of the Suta (Karna) endured it silently, fearing to wake his guru who was in meditation.

कर्णस तु वेदनां धैर्याद असह्यां विनिगृह्य ताम अकम्पन्न अव्यथंश चैव धारयाम आस भार्गवम

Karna restrained that unbearable pain with fortitude, and without trembling or showing distress, kept holding Parashurama steady.

यदा तु रिधिरेणाङ्गे परिस्पृष्टॊ भृगूद्वहः तदाबुध्यत तेजस्वी संतप्तश चेदम अब्रवीत

When the blood touched the body of that descendant of Bhrigu, the radiant sage awoke and, distressed, spoke these words.

अहॊ ऽसम्य अशुचितां पराप्तः किम इदं करियते तवया कथयस्व भयं तयक्त्वा याथातथ्यम इदं मम

"Alas, I have become impure! What is this you have done? Speak the truth to me, casting aside your fear."

तस्य कर्णस तदाचष्ट कृमिणा परिभक्षणम ददर्श रामस तं चापि कृमिं सूकर संनिभम

Karna then told him about being devoured by the worm; and Rama saw that worm, which resembled a boar.

अष्ट पादं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं सूचीभिर इव संवृतम रॊमभिः संनिरुद्धाङ्गम अलर्कं नाम नामतः

It had eight legs and sharp fangs, seemed covered with needles, and its body was bristling with hair — its name was Alarka.

स दृष्टमात्रॊ रामेण कृमिः पराणान अवासृजत तस्मिन्न एवासृक संक्लिन्ने तद अद्भुतम इवाभवत

The moment Rama saw it, the worm gave up its life; and where its blood had touched the ground, something wondrous appeared.

ततॊ ऽनतरिक्षे ददृशे विश्वरूपः करालवान राक्षसॊ लॊहितग्रीवः कृष्णाङ्गॊ मेघवाहनः

Then in the sky appeared a terrible, many-formed being — a rakshasa with a red neck, a dark body, riding upon a cloud.

स राम पराञ्जलिर भूत्वा बभाषे पूर्णमानसः सवस्ति ते भृगुशार्दूल गमिष्यामि यथागतम

With folded hands and a heart full of joy, he said to Rama, "Blessings to you, O bull among the Bhrigus! I shall now go as I had come."

मॊक्षितॊ नरकाद अस्मि भवता मुनिसत्तम भद्रं च ते ऽसु नन्दिश च परियं मे भवता कृतम

"I have been freed from hell by you, O best of sages; may you be blessed — you have done me a great kindness."

तम उवाचं महाबाहुर जामदग्न्यः परतापवान कस तवं कस्माच च नरकं परतिपन्नॊ बरवीहि तत

The mighty and powerful son of Jamadagni asked him, "Who are you, and for what reason did you fall into hell? Tell me that."

सॊ ऽबरवीद अहम आसं पराग गृत्सॊ नाम महासुरः पुरा देवयुगे तात भृगॊस तुल्यवया इव

He said, "I was formerly a great asura named Gritsa, in the age of the gods, O revered one, of the same age as Bhrigu."

सॊ ऽहं भृगॊर सुदयितां भार्याम अपहरं बलात महर्षेर अभिशापेन कृमिभूतॊ ऽपतं भुवि

"I forcibly abducted Bhrigu's beloved wife; by the great sage's curse I fell to earth, turned into a worm."

अब्रवीत तु स मां करॊधात तव पूर्वपितामहः मूत्र शलेष्माशनः पापनिरयं परतिपत्स्यसे

"In anger, your forefather said to me, 'You shall attain a sinful hell, feeding on urine and phlegm.'"

शापस्यान्तॊ भवेद बरह्मन्न इत्य एवं तम अथाब्रुवम भविता भार्गवे राम इति माम अब्रवीद भृगुः

"'May this curse have an end, O Brahmin,' I said to him. Bhrigu replied, 'It will end through Rama, a descendant of Bhrigu.'"

सॊ ऽहम एतां गतिं पराप्तॊ यथा न कुशलं तथा तवया साधॊ समागम्य विमुक्तः पापयॊनितः

"So I fell into this wretched state; now, having met you, O virtuous one, I am freed from that sinful birth."

एवम उक्त्वा नमस्कृत्य ययौ रामं महासुरः रामः कर्णं तु स करॊदम इदं वचनम अब्रवीत

Having said this and bowed to him, the great asura departed; then Rama spoke these angry words to Karna.

अति दुःखम इदं मूढ न जातु बराह्मणः सहेत कषत्रियस्यैव ते धैर्यं कामया सत्यम उच्यताम

"This pain was so terrible, O fool, that no Brahmin could ever have endured it. Yours is surely a Kshatriya's fortitude — tell me the truth."

तम उवाच ततः कर्णः शापभीतः परसादयन बरह्मक्षत्रान्तरे सूतं जातं मां विद्धि भार्गव

Then, fearing the curse, Karna spoke to appease him: "Know me, O Bhargava, to be a Suta born between a Brahmin and a Kshatriya."

राधेयः कर्ण इति मां परवदन्ति जना भुवि परसादं कुरु मे बरह्मन्न अस्त्रलुब्धस्य भार्गव

"People on earth call me Karna, son of Radha. Forgive me, O Brahmin — I who was so greedy for weapons."