Vaishampayana said: -
1. O descendant of the Bharata, seeing the sons of Dhritarastra and Pandu expert in arms, O king, Drona thus spoke to the king Dhritarastra.
2. In the presence of Kripa, Somadatta, Balhika, the wise son of Ganga (Bhisma). Vyasa and Vidura.
3. “O king, O best of the Kurus, your sons have completed their education. Let them with your permission show their proficiency.” Thereupon the great king replied with a delightful heart.
Dhritarastra said: -
4. O best of Brahmanas, you have accomplished a great deed. O son of Bharadvaja, command me yourself as to the place and time, where and when and the manner in which, the trial may be held.
5. Grief for my blindness makes me envy those men who are blessed with sight and who will see my children’s prowess in arms.
6. O Khattwa (Vidura), do all that the respected preceptor says. O lover of virtue, I think nothing can be more agreeable to me than this.
Vaishampayana said: -
7. Thereupon Vidura, giving the necessary assurance to the king, went out to do what he was bidden. The greatly learned son of Bharadvaja (Drona) measured a piece of (ground).
8-9. Which was void of trees and thickets and which was furnished with wells thickets and which was furnished with wells and springs. On this piece of land, that first of eloquent men, that hero (Drona), gave offerings to the gods according to the precepts of the Shastras, when all the people were assembled by proclamation on an auspicious day with an auspicious star in ascendance.
10. O best of men, the artisans built a great auditorium by the order of the king; (they built) another for the (royal) ladies also according to the proper form.
11. The citizens built many platforms and the wealthy men many spacious and high Sibikas.
12. When the (fixed) day came, the king accompanied by his ministers, with Bhisma and Kripa, the excellent preceptor, walking at the head (of the procession).
13. Came to the auditorium of celestial beauty, made of pure gold and decked with strings of pearls and stones of Vaidurya gems.
14-16. The great fortunate Gandhari and Kunti and the other ladies of the royal household, dressed in gorgeous attire and accompanied by their maids in waiting, joyfully ascended the platforms as celestial ladies ascended the Sumeru mountain. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and the others of the four orders of caste hurriedly left the city and came running there with the desire of seeing the princes skill in arms and they were so anger that they assembled all there in a moment.
17. That vast crowd with the noise of blowing trumpets and beating drums and the sounds of many voices became like an agitated ocean.
18-19. Then the preceptor, clad in white attire, with white sacred thread, white locks, white bread, white garlands and white sandal-paste besmeared over his body, entered the arena with his son. It appeared as if the moon accompanied (the planet) Mars appeared in an unclouded sky.
20. The best of strong men, the hero (Drona), entering at the proper time, caused Brahmanas versed in Mantras to celebrate the auspicious rites.
21. After auspicious and sweet-sounding musical instruments had struck up as a propitiatory ceremony, men equipped with various weapons entered the arena.
22. Then the best of the Bharata race, (the princes), those mighty car-warriors, having girt up their lions, entered (the arena) equipped with bows, quivers and finger protectors.
23. With Yudhisthira, at their head, the greatly heroic princes, in the order of their age, began to show wonderful skill in their arms.
24. Some (spectators) lowered their heads out of fear of the falling arrows, while others not being afraid, looked on with wonder and astonishment.
25. Riding swift horses and managing them dextrously, the princess hit marks with arrows engraved with their respective names.
26. On seeing the prowess of the princes in using bows and arrows, the spectators thought they were seeing the city of Gandharva. They were all filled with amazement.
27. O descendant of Bharata, some hundreds and thousands of men, their eyes expanded with wonder, all at once cried out “Well done! Well done!”
28. After repeatedly displaying their skill and dexterity in the use of bow and arrows, in the management of cars, in the fight on horseback and on the back of elephants.
29. They took up their swords and buckles and began to attack one another and to walk around the arena displaying various modes of sword’s Play.
30. They all saw their (great) agility, the beauty of the symmetry of their bodies, their grace, their calmness, the firmness of their grasp and the skill in the use of their swords and buckles.
31. Then Vrikodara (Bhima) and Suyodhana (Duryodhana) entered the (arena)with secret mental delight like two single peaked mountains.
32. Those mighty-armed heroes girt their lions and summoned all their strength; they roared like two infuriated elephants contending (for a female elephant).
33. Those two greatly strong (heroes) circled round the arena with faultless clubs and careered right and left in all the proper form.
34. Vidura described to Dhri tarash tra and the mother of the Pandavas (Kunti) to Gandhari all the feats of the princes.
Thus ends the hundred and thirty sixth chapter, the tournament, in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.
Vaishampayana said: -
1. On the appearance of the Kuru prince (Duryodhana) and the foremost of all strong men Bhima, the spectators were divided into two parties by their partiality swayed by the love (towards each of the contending heroes).
2. Some cried, “Behold the heroic Kuru prince; some cried, “Behold the heroic Bhima.” Thus from these cries of the people rose a great uproar (in the arena).
3. On seeing the place become like a troubled ocean, the intelligent son of Bharadvaja, (Drona) spoke to his dear son Ashwathama.
Drona said: -
4. “Stop these two mighty heroes, so expert in arms. Let not the anger of the assembled people be excited by this encounter between Bhima and Duryodhana.
Vaishampayana said: -
5. Thereupon the two combatants, with uplifted clubs, resembling two swollen oceans agitated by the winds that blow at the time of the world’s dissolution, were stopped by the son of the preceptor.
6. Then Drona entered the arena and sopping the musicians spoke thus in a voice deep as the roars of the clouds.
7. “Behold all of you now that Partha who is dearer to me then my own son, who is the master of all arms, who is the son of Indra himself and who is like the younger brother of Indra.”
8-9. At the command of the preceptor, the youthful Falguni (Aryuna), equipped with finger protector, his quiver full of arrows, with his bow in hand and with a golden armour on, after having performed the propitiatory rites, appeared in the arena like an evening cold reflecting the rays of the setting son and illumined by the hues of the rainbow and the flashes of lighting.
10. On this a great cry of joy rose from all parts of the arena and musical instruments were played and conches were blown.
11. All cried, “This is the handsome son of Kunti, the middle (third) son of Pandu. This is the son of Indra. This the protector of the Kuru race.
12. This is the best of the all name learned in arms. This is the best of all cherisher of virtue. This is the foremost of all well conducted persons. This is their great repository of the knowledge of all (good) manners.”
13. Hearing these loud cries of the spectators, the tears of Kunti, mixing with the milk of her breast, drenched her bosom.
14. Having his ears filled with the uproar, the best of men, Dhritarastra, asked Vidura with delight.
15. “O Khattwa, what is this great uproar, like that of the troubled sea, that rises in the arena all of sudden echoing the very heavens?”
Vidura said: -
16. O great king, the son of Pritha and Pandu, Falguni (Aryuna), clad in armour; has entered, the arena; and therefore is this uproar.
Dhritarastra said: -
17. O high-souled man, I have indeed been blessed, favoured and protected by the three fire (sons) of Pritha (Kunti) who is like the sacred fuel.
Vaishampayana said: -
18. When the spectators some what regained their equanimity, Vivatsa (Aryuna) displayed before his preceptor his lightness in the use of arms.
19. He created fire by the Agneya weapon, by the Varuna weapon he created water. He created winds by the Vayavya weapon and by the Parjanya weapon, he created the clouds.
20. He created land by the Bhima weapon and by the Parvata weapon he created the mountains. He made all this to disappear by the Antardhana weapon.
21. In a moment he appeared tall and in a moment short. He was now yoked in his car; he was in the next moment on the car itself; he was then again on the ground.
22. The favourite (pupil) of the preceptor (Aryuna) shot by his arrows various marks, some tender, some fine and some of thick composition.
23. He let fly at one time five arrows from his bow stung into the mouth of a moving iron boar as if they were but one arrow.
24. That greatly effulgent hero sent twenty one arrows into the hollow of a cow’s horn hang upon a rope which was swinging to and fro.
25. O sinless one, in this manner he (Aryuna), walking round the arena, displayed his profound skill in the use of the sword, bow and club.
26. O descendant of the Bharata race, when the tournament was almost ended, when the excitement of the spectators cooled down and the sound of music stopped.
27. There was heard at the gate the slapping of arms, betokening power and strength, like the roars of thunder.
28. “Are the mountains splitting? Is the earth going to be rent asunder? Is the sky resounding with the roar of gathering clouds?”
29. O king, all the spectators in the arena thought thus and turned their eyes towards the gate.
30. Drona was surrounded by the five brothers, the sons of Pritha and looked like the moon surrounded by the five constellations.
31. That chastiser of foes, Duryodhana, with his one hundred haughty brothers and with Ashvathama, stood up in haste.
32. That prince (Duryodhana) with his club in his hand, surrounded by his one hundred brothers with uplifted weapons, looked like Indra in the days of yore when he stood surrounded by the celestial at the time of the battle with the Davavas.
Thus ends the hundred and thirty seventh chapter, the trial of arms, in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.
Vaishampayana said: -
1. When the spectators, with eyes expended with wonder, made way for that subjugator of hostile cities; Karna, he entered the spacious arena.
2. He was armed in his natural coat of armour, his face was brightened with his earrings, his bow was in his hand and his sword in his lions, he entered like a walking cliff.
3. The illustrious destroyer of enemies, the large eyed Karna was born of Pritha (Kunti) in her maidenhood. He was a portion of the hot beamed sun.
4. His power and energy were like those of lions, the bulls or the best of elephants. He was like the sun in splendour, moon in loveliness and fire in effulgence.
5. Being born of the sun, he was tall like a golden palm; he was a youth who could slay lions. He was handsome and possessed countless accomplishments.
6. The mighty armed (hero) looked all around the arena and bowed rather with indifference to Drona and Kripa.
7. The entire assembly of people remain emotionless and stared in steadfast gaze. They were filled with great curiously and asked one another, “Who is he?”
8. That foremost of eloquent men, the son of the sun, (Karna) in a voice deep as the roars of clouds, addressed his unknown brother thus.
9. “O Partha, I shall perform feats before this assembly excelling all that you have done. Behold them and will be amazed.”
10. O best of all eloquent men, when he had hardly finished his words, the spectators stood up all at once as if uplifted by some instrument.
11. O best of men, Duryodhana was delighted, while Bibhatsa (Aryuna) was filled with abashment and anger.
12. The greatly powerful Karna, ever fond of battle, displayed with the permission of Drona all that Partha had displayed before.
13. O descendant of Bharata, Duryodhana with his brothers thereupon embraced Karna with delight and spoke to him thus.
Duryodhana said: -
14. “O mighty armed hero welcome to you! O man deserving of politeness, I have got you by good fortune. Command me and the Kuru kingdom at your pleasure.
Karna said: -
15. When you have said this, I consider it as already accomplished. I only desire your friendship. O lord, I long for a single combat with Aryuna.
Duryodhana said: -
16. Enjoy with me the good things of life. Be the benefactor of your friends. O oppressor of enemies place your feet on the heads of all foes.
Vaishampayana said: -
17. Thereupon Partha considered himself disgraced and spoke to Karna who stood amidst the (Kuru) brothers like a hill.
Aryuna said: -
18. O Karna, the path which the unwelcome intruder and the uninvited talker comes to shall be yours.
Karna said: -
19. This arena is meant for all; it is not for you alone. O Falguni, they are kings who are superior in power; Kshatriya Dharma depends on prowess alone.
20. O descendant of Bharata, what need is their of altercation which is the habit of the weak! Speak in arrows, until I cut off your head today in the presence of the preceptor.
Vaishampayana said: -
21. The subduer of hostile cities, Partha, was embraced by his brothers and with the permission of Drona he advanced for the combat.
22. Thereupon, Karna was embraced by Duryodhana with his brothers. Taking up his bow and arrows he stood ready for fight.
23. The sky was covered in clouds emitting flashes of lightning and the coloured bow of Indra appeared shedding its effulgent rays. The clouds seemed to be laughing on account of the presence of white cranes that were then flying.
24. Seeing that Indra was thus showing his affection (towards Aryuna), the sun dispersed the clouds over his son.
25. Falguni (Aryuna) was invisible under cover of the clouds, but Karna was visible on account of the clouds being dispersed from him by the sun.
26. The sons of Dhritarastra stood by Karna and the son of Bharadvaja, (Drona) Kripa and Bhisma stood by Partha.
27. The assembly was also divided into two parties, so were the ladies also. And on learning the affair the daughter of Bhoja, Kunti fainted away.
28. The learned in all the precepts of virtue, Vidura, revived the insensible Kunti by sprinkling over (her face) water mixed with sandal-paste.
29. O being revived she was seized with fear on seeing her two sons clad in armour, but she could do nothing.
30. When the two (heroes) were ready with their great bows raised up, the son of Sharadvana, Kripa, well versed in all the precepts of virtue and expert in the rales of duels, said.
Kripa said: -
31. “This son of Pandu is the youngest child of Kunti. He is a Kuru and he will fight a duel with you.
32. O mighty armed hero, you should also tell us the lineage of your father and mother and the royal line in which you are an ornament.
33. Knowing this, Partha will fight with you, or he will not fight (as he will think proper.) The sons of kings never fight a duel with men of inferior lineage.
Vaishampayana said: -
34. Thus addressed, Karna’s face was flushed with the blushes of shame and it looked like the pale lotus torn and disfigured by the showers of rains.
Duryodhana said: -
35. O preceptor, it is said in the Shastras that three classes of men cam claim royalty, namely persons of noble birth, heroes and those that lead soldiers.
36. But if Falguni is unwilling to fight with one who is not a king, I install him (Karna) as the king of Anga.
Vaishampayana said: -
37-38. When the cheers cease at that very moment the greatly powerful car-warrior Karna, seated on a golden seat, the (royal) umbrella over his head and yak tails waved by his side, was installed king of Anga by the Brahmanas, learned in the Mantras, in the proper form, with paddy, flowers, Ghata (water pots) and much gold.
39. O king, (Karna) said to the Kaurava (Duryodhana), “What shall I give you compared,” your gift of a kingdom!
40. O king, O best of men, I shall do all you will command” Suyodhana (Duryodhana) replied, “I long for your friendship.”
41. Having been thus addressed, Karna replied. “Be it so.” They thereupon embraced each other in joy and felt great happiness.
Thus ends the hundred and thirty eighth chapter, the tournament, in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.