Stories of the Great Bharata - A Retelling

Arc 7 - Draupadi-Satyabhama Samvada and Ghosa Yatra Parva Chapter 4 - Karṇa goes on a Conquest

Vaiśampāyana said:

Then Yudhiṣṭhira the just, ever virtuous, restrained his brothers and commanded them to liberate us. Those bulls among men overtook the Gandharvas and at first entreated them in soft words for our release, though they were fully able to win it by force. When refused, Arjuna and Bhīma and the twins rained arrows upon the Gandharvas.

Then we saw a wonder: a net of arrows spread all around by Dhanañjaya, hemming the foe on every side. Seeing the horizons filled with his shafts, the Gandharva king revealed himself, and he and Arjuna embraced like friends. The other sons of Pāṇḍu too embraced Chitrasena, exchanging courtesies. Weapons were cast aside, armor loosened, and the Gandharvas mingled in friendship with the Pāṇḍavas.

Alas! what greater sorrow could be mine than to be thus delivered, bound and in misery, into the hands of Yudhiṣṭhira, in the sight of the women of my household? Those whom I persecuted, those whom I have ever treated as foes, released me from captivity. Wretch that I am, I am indebted to them for my life.

If death had been mine in that battle, far better would it have been. Slain by the Gandharvas, my fame would have spread across the earth and I should have attained the heaven of Indra. But to owe my life to those I hate—what man of spirit can endure such shame?

Therefore hear my resolve, O Karṇa. I will stay here, forgoing food. Let all my brothers return to Hastināpura. Let my friends, Karṇa and Śakuni, return with Duḥśāsana. I will not enter the city. Once I had wrested respect from my foes; now I am a source of sorrow to my friends and of joy to my enemies.

What shall I say to Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and the elders? Having hitherto stood over the heads of my enemies, I have fallen low. Insolent men, puffed up with vanity, are seldom blessed for long. Led by folly, I have done a wicked act and fallen into distress. Therefore will I perish by starving. Life has become insupportable to me.”

Vaiśampāyana said:

Thus speaking, Duryodhana turned to Duḥśāsana and said:

“Accept this installation that I offer thee, O brother. Be thou king in my place. Rule the wide earth protected by Karṇa and Suvala’s sons. Cherish our brothers as Indra cherishes the Maruts. Bestow pensions on the Brahmanas. Be a refuge to our friends and elders as Viṣṇu is to the gods. Go, rule the earth gladdening thy friends and reproving thy foes.”

Clasping his brother’s neck, Duryodhana bade him go. But Duḥśāsana, overwhelmed with sorrow, his voice choked with tears, fell at his feet and cried:

“The earth may split, the skies may fall,

The sun grow dark, the ocean pall,

Yet never will I reign without thee,

Nor leave my king though lost he be!”

And he wept, clutching his brother’s feet.

Then Karṇa, afflicted with grief, approached them both and said:

“O princes of the Kuru race, why yield to sorrow like ordinary men? Weeping can never ease a man’s grief. Summon patience to your aid; gladden not the foe by such conduct. The Pāṇḍavas did only their duty in liberating you, as subjects in your dominion. Rise up, O king! Return to your city and console your brothers. Do not, like a commoner, throw away your life!”

Vaiśampāyana said:

Then Karṇa, son of Rādhā, bending like a bow of iron, addressed Duryodhana with words edged like steel but meant to rouse him from despair:

“O king, this mood of thine to-day appeareth childish. O slayer of foes, what wonder is there in this—that the Pāṇḍavas freed thee when thou wert vanquished?

They that dwell within a king’s dominion—above all those whose trade is war—must ever do what is pleasing to the king, whether known or unknown to him. Many a foremost hero, crushing the ranks of the foe, is himself at times vanquished and rescued by his own troops.

Those who wield arms under a sovereign’s banner are bound to combine their strength for him to the uttermost. If, therefore, the Pāṇḍavas, who live in thy realm, have liberated thee, what cause for regret?

Rather is their conduct blameworthy in this—that, though once made thy captives, though feeding on thy bounty, they marched not at thy side to battle, as is the soldier’s duty. Endued with courage and might and incapable of turning from the field, they were bound to aid thee.

Thou art enjoying all the rich possessions of the Pāṇḍavas. Behold them yet alive, O king! They have not resolved to die, forgoing all food. Blessed be thou! Rise up! It behoveth thee not to indulge long in grief.

The duty of those who dwell in a king’s realm is to do what is agreeable to the king—where then is the shame? If thou dost not act according to my words, I shall stay here, reverentially serving thy feet. I desire not to live deprived of thy company.

But, O king, if thou resolvest to slay thyself by forgoing food, thou wilt simply become a jest among other monarchs!”

Vaiśampāyana continued:

Thus addressed by Karṇa, that firm-hearted king, scorched by the fire of his own humiliation, still resolved to abandon life, desired not to rise from where he sat.

Vaiśampāyana said:

When Duryodhana lay sunk in despair, refusing food and shunning the light, strange and mighty beings—Daityas and Danavas—appeared before him as if the very darkness of fate had sent its ministers. These Asuras, moved by that strange kinship which links destiny to deed, drew near and spake unto the Kuru prince with voices like thunder tempered by counsel.

The Danavas counselled him:

“Rise, Suyodhana, son of Bharata’s line,

Thy frame is wrought by gods, thy birth divine;

Thy breast of Vajra, formed by Maheshwara’s hand,

Thy feet of blossoms—shalt thou thus disband?

Despise not life—thy war is not yet run;

The hosts of Asura and Daitya shall come;

When Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kama swell with Night,

They shall cast off pity and renew the fight.

In Karṇa’s breast the soul of Naraka burns,

With wrath remembered—Arjuna’s fate he turns;

Samsaptaka bands of Rakshas shall rise,

And under their sway thy triumph lies.”

Vaiśampāyana said:

Thus soothed by portent and promise, the king’s mind, storm-tossed, was steadied. The Daityas embraced him and, calling him son, foretold a harvest of dreadful allies and uncanny means whereby Arjuna might be assailed in days to come. At their departing the goddess who had given him being stood forth, placed him gently where he had sat, and vanished; and the hero, half-waking from a fevered vision, took their words for omen and hoped again.

Karna, faithful and stern, then drew near at dawn and urged him with plain speech and fierce consolation. He rebuked and rallied:

“Dead men do not conquer; life alone sees gain;

Grief is a barren field—rise, break not thy chain.

I swear upon my bow—when the years are done,

I’ll bring those sons of Pṛthā low beneath thy sun.”

Vaiśampāyana said:

Remembering the bold words of Daityas and Karṇa’s own oath—an oath sharpened by the soul of Naraka who, the Asuras said, had taken up the fate of Karṇa—Duryodhana’s despair was turned to grim resolve. He rose, arrayed himself, and marshalled a host as stupendous as the surge of a river released: elephants like hills, chariots bright with white umbrellas and pennons, cavalry and foot-soldiers in such numbers that the plain seemed to wear their banners as the sky wears clouds.

“White chamaras fluttered like a dawn of spears,

Elephants rolled forth, the drum of iron-leers;

Karna at his shoulder, Šakuni in his train,

Banners like autumn—Hastinapura’s pride again.”

Vaiśampāyana said:

Eulogized by Brahmanas and greeted with joined palms, Suyodhana went forth in awful splendour, his shame for a time masked by the glitter of might. With Karṇa and Suvala’s son at his side, Duḥśāsana leading his brothers, and veterans such as Bhūriśrava and Somadatta following, the Kuru host returned, and in a short while those perpetuators of the Kuru line entered Hastināpura.

Thus came to pass the sequel of humiliation turned to stubborn hope: a king chastened by his fall, yet girded anew by oracular promises and the vow of a friend. The wheel of fate had turned once more—pride humbled, pride preparing again.

Janamejaya said,

“When the high-souled sons of Pṛthā abode in the forest, what then did the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Karṇa and Śakuni, and the grandsires Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Kṛpa undertake? Relate it fully, O Vaiśampāyana.”

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Vaiśampāyana said:

When Suyodhana—having been rescued, humbled and shorn of pride—returned to Hastināpura, the elders and the warriors gathered about him. Bhīṣma, whose sight was clear though his heart sickened, addressed the son of Gandharī with words that were both rebuke and counsel. He reminded the prince that he had warned him against this rash journey to the hermitage; that warning unheeded, Duryodhana had been taken and only by the virtue and strength of the Pāṇḍavas had been saved.

Bhīṣma spoke with sorrow: the Sūta’s son had fled in panic; the Pandavas’ prowess had shone; and in matters of both śastra and āchāra Karṇa—brave though he was—was but a fraction of the five brothers. For the welfare of the Kuru line, Bhīṣma counseled peace with the high-souled Pāṇḍavas.

Hearing this, the proud heart of Duryodhana laughed aloud—then, as if the sound startled him, he rode out with Suvala’s son. When Bhīṣma saw them go, his head drooped in shame and he withdrew to his quarters.

Left with the counsellors and the hot embers of wounded pride, Duryodhana turned to Karṇa. The son of the Sūta, stung by Bhīṣma’s praise of the cousins and the elder’s censure of his patron, answered with fierce resolve. In measured verse he proclaimed his vow before the king and the court:

“In might and steel I stand alone,

This earth I’ll bind beneath my throne;

Let Bhīṣma see, let doubt be shamed,

My arms shall make thy sceptre famed.

Command, O king—my bow shall swear

To win for thee the world’s wide share.”

Vaiśampāyana said:

Karna’s words fell like fire on the damp ashes of the court. Duryodhana, delighted and inflamed by such assurance, blessed him: the king felt himself advantaged, as one who had been given a mighty instrument. He bade Karṇa prepare—arm and priest, auspicious baths and rites, the honours of twice-born men—and the bowman obeyed.

On an auspicious day, under favourable stars and after rites and worship, Karṇa, adored by Brahmanas and girded with weapons, set forth. His chariot’s rattle filled the air; his purpose was plain and terrible—to conquer the world for Duryodhana, to compel Bhīṣma’s misgiving into reproach. Thus, arrayed and oiled for war, Karṇa departed, the promise of a new storm upon the horizon of the Kuru house.

Vaiśampāyana said:

Then, O bull among the Bharatas, the mighty bowman Karṇa, eager to display his might, set forth with a vast army. He moved like a blazing comet across the quarters of the earth, shaking kingdoms with the thunder of his bowstring.

First he marched against the city of Drupada, fair and fortified. After fierce conflict he subdued the old king, forcing him to render tribute of gold, silver, and gems, and compelling his vassal princes likewise.

Turning northward, he pierced the Himalayan passes. There, Radheya fought Bhagadatta, lord of Pragjyotiṣa, and after many contests subdued him. He roamed the slopes of Himavat, defeating tribes and mountain-kings, and compelling them to bow before Hastināpura.

From there, the Sūta’s son swept eastward. He smote the Angas and Vaṅgas, the Kalingas and Magadhas, and the peoples of Yodhya and Ahikṣatra. He brought low the cities of Batsabhūmi, Kevali, Mṛttikāvatī, Mohana, Patrana, Tripura, and Kosala, binding them all to tribute.

Thence to the south he turned, conquering mighty kings. At Dakṣiṇātya he met Rukmī of Bhojakaṭa, and after a fierce fight Rukmī, pleased with Karṇa’s prowess, offered him gold, saying: “I war only to fulfil my Kṣatriya vow.” Karṇa accepted tribute and passed on. He subdued the Pāṇḍya king, Karāla, Nīla, Venudāri’s son, and many others dwelling beneath the mountain Śrī.

He then turned west, clashing with Śiśupāla’s son and the Avantis, reducing them also to obedience. Entering the regions of Varuṇa, he smote the Yavanas and Varvaras, forcing them to pay dues. Across the earth he ranged, from the Mleccha tribes to the Bhadras, Rohitakas, Āgneya clans, Malavas, and Nagnajitas, even the Śakas and Yavanas—all bowed before him.

Thus, O king, without ally save his own bow, Karṇa brought the four quarters of the earth beneath Duryodhana’s sway, and returned laden with tribute and treasures incalculable.

When he entered Hastināpura, Duryodhana, with his father Dhṛtarāṣṭra, his brothers, and counsellors, went forth to honour him. The king, his heart swelling with pride, proclaimed aloud:

“What I have not obtained from Bhīṣma, or Droṇa, or Kripa, or Vāhlika—this I have obtained from thee! O mighty-armed Karṇa, thou art my refuge. Neither the sons of Pāṇḍu nor all the kings together come to a sixteenth part of thee!”

With those words, he embraced Radheya as a brother. Karṇa entered the palace, bowed to Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Gandhārī, and was embraced by the blind king with affection.

From that day onward, O Bhārata, Duryodhana and Śakuni believed in their hearts that the sons of Pṛthā were already defeated by Karṇa, even before the war had begun.

And in Hastināpura, a clamour rose—some praised Karṇa as a lion among men, others censured him as proud and cruel, and yet others remained silent. But the earth, subdued beneath his bow, bore witness to the might of Radheya, who had, for a time, made Duryodhana appear as the overlord of the world.

Vaiśampāyana said:

Then, O king, Karṇa the mighty bowman, flushed with the glory of conquest, spoke unto Duryodhana, saying:

“O son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lay well to heart the words I speak. The earth, rid of rival kings, now bows to thy will. Rule her even as Śakra, the lord of the celestials, ruling heaven after subduing the asuras. The four quarters are thine, the wealth of monarchs is thine, thy enemies are humbled—what else remains but to seat thyself upon the throne of universal sovereignty?”

Hearing those words, the son of Gandhārī, his pride rekindled, replied with joy to Radheya:

“O bull among men, what task is beyond reach for him who hath thee for refuge? With thee for my armour and my strength, nothing is unattainable. Yet, O friend, there is one desire that gnaws at my heart. I have seen the mighty Rājasūya performed by the sons of Pṛthā; that splendour hath stirred in me the wish to celebrate the same sacrifice. Do thou, O Karṇa, fulfil this desire of mine.”

Then the son of a charioteer, ever ready to please, spoke again:

“O king, all the earth’s rulers now pay thee tribute. Call forth the learned Ṛtvijas, versed in the four Vedas, and procure all the requisites. Let the rites be begun duly, according to ordinance, with gifts and feasts abundant. Let thy sacrifice, like Yudhiṣṭhira’s, dazzle the worlds.”

But when the sacrificial priest was summoned and asked to commence the Rājasūya, he spoke with truth and restraint:

“O foremost of the Kurus, while Yudhiṣṭhira the son of Dharma yet liveth, the Rājasūya cannot be performed by thee. Moreover, thy father Dhṛtarāṣṭra, of long life, still reigns. While he endures, thou canst not rightly perform that rite. Yet there is another great sacrifice, O king, dear to Viṣṇu himself, known as the Vaiṣṇava yajña. No one save the Ancient One hath performed it before. It equals in splendour the Rājasūya, and brings unbroken welfare. All kings have brought thee tribute in gold—pure and impure alike. Of that gold, fashion the sacrificial plough, and till the sacred ground. There let the Vaishnava sacrifice be performed with mantras, with abundance of food, without obstacle or envy. Let this be thy path, O son of the Kurus; by it shall thy wish be fulfilled.”

Hearing the priest’s counsel, Duryodhana looked to Karṇa, to his brothers, and to Suvala’s son. “Do these words please you?” he asked. They answered with one voice, “So be it!”

Then the king, delighted, set his ministers and craftsmen to their tasks. Artisans were appointed to shape the plough of gold; treasurers to summon tribute; and Brahmanas to prepare the rites. And all that was commanded by the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra was carried out step by step, the ground prepared for that great sacrifice by which he hoped to rival the glory of his cousins.

Vaiśampāyana said:

Then all the artisans, the chief counsellors, and Vidura of great wisdom came before Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son and said, “O king, the auspicious time has come. The preparations for the mighty rite are complete. The golden plough, fashioned with skill, is ready.”

Hearing these words, Suyodhana, son of Gandhārī, commanded that the sacrifice be commenced. Then began that prime of rites, sanctified by mantras, abundant with offerings and edibles, solemnly performed by priests versed in the Vedas. The king, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son, was duly initiated in accordance with sacred ordinance.

Dhṛtarāṣṭra the old monarch, Vidura the wise, Bhīṣma the grandsire, Droṇa the preceptor, Kripa the Kula-guru, Karṇa the mighty bowman, and Gandhārī the queen, all rejoiced exceedingly at the splendour of the rite.

Then Duryodhana despatched swift messengers to all quarters, bidding them invite princes and Brahmanas of renown. Fleet steeds bore those envoys to distant lands. To one of them, on the point of setting out, Duḥśāsana said: “Go thou quickly to the forest of Dvaita. There invite the Brahmanas, and those hateful ones, the sons of Pāṇḍu.”

The messenger came to that hermitage, and bowing to the sons of Pāṇḍu, spoke humbly: “By his own prowess hath King Suyodhana acquired immense wealth. That foremost of the Kurus now celebrates the great sacrifice. From all directions come kings and Brahmanas to behold it. I am sent by the monarch himself to invite you. It behoveth you, O lords of men, to grace his rite.”

Hearing these words, Dharma’s son Yudhiṣṭhira answered gently:

“Blessed indeed is Suyodhana, who thus enhances the glory of the Kurus by celebrating sacrifice. Yet, bound as we are by the vow of exile till the thirteenth year is fulfilled, we cannot go thither now.”

But Bhīma, tiger among men, with wrathful eyes, spake words heavy with fire:

“When the thirteenth year is ended, then shall Yudhiṣṭhira indeed go to his sacrifice. But it shall be no rite of peace—he will hurl Suyodhana into the fire kindled by weapons. Tell the Kaurava this: when the clarified butter of wrath is poured upon the blazing pyre of battle, then shall the sons of Pāṇḍu attend his sacrifice!”

The other brothers, O king, spoke no harsh words, but remained silent. The messenger, returning, told all this faithfully to Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son.

Thereafter many kings from far lands arrived at Hastināpura, lords of diverse countries, and virtuous Brahmanas in thousands. Received with honour according to the ordinance, they rejoiced greatly. Dhṛtarāṣṭra, surrounded by the Kauravas, felt his heart overflow with joy. Turning to Vidura, he said:

“O Kṣatta, let every man who comes to the sacrificial compound be satisfied. Let them be refreshed with food and drink, with fragrant garlands and rich garments. See to this without delay.”

Then Vidura, versed in dharma, obediently acted as commanded. With cheerful heart he arranged for meat and beverages, fruits and dainties, garlands and robes, distributing them to all in proper measure. Pavilions were raised, princes and Brahmanas by thousands were lodged and honoured, wealth of many kinds bestowed, and then each was dismissed with due courtesy.

And when all was concluded, the lord of men, Suyodhana, re-entered Hastināpura surrounded by his brothers, accompanied by Karṇa and the son of Suvala, his pride swollen like a river in flood.

Vaiśampāyana said:

When Duryodhana entered Hastināpura after the completion of his sacrifice, the panegyrists chanted his glory, extolling the prince of unfailing prowess. Citizens sprinkled fried paddy and sandal paste upon him, crying out: “Blessed be this day, O king! By good fortune thy sacrifice hath ended without obstruction.”

Yet among the multitude were some who spoke recklessly, saying: “This rite of thine cannot equal Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya; indeed, it doth not amount to even a sixteenth part of that supreme sacrifice.”

Such words pierced Duryodhana like shafts, though his friends quickly soothed him, declaring: “This rite surpasseth all others. Even Yayāti, Nahusha, Mandhātṛ, and Bharata, sanctified by such sacrifices, ascended heaven. Surely thou too shalt join them.”

Hearing the words of friendship, the Kaurava prince was pleased, and entered the city well-content. Reaching the palace, he bowed to the feet of his father and mother, and to Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kripa, and Vidura the wise. Worshipped in turn by his brothers, he seated himself upon an excellent throne.

Then Karṇa, the Sūta’s son, rose and said:

“By good fortune thy sacrifice hath ended in splendour. Yet when the sons of Pṛthā have been slain in battle, and thou hast performed the true Rājasūya, then again shall I honour thee, O king.”

Duryodhana replied with fierce delight:

“So shall it be. When those wicked-minded sons of Kuntī are slain, when the Rājasūya is mine, then shalt thou again rejoice with me.”

So speaking, he embraced Karṇa, and in his heart fixed his desire upon that supreme sacrifice. He turned to the assembled Kurus, saying:

“When shall I, having slain the sons of Pāṇḍu, celebrate the Rājasūya, foremost of all rites, costly and resplendent?”

Then Karṇa, with blazing eyes, proclaimed his vow before all:

“Hear me, O king! So long as Arjuna liveth, I shall not wash my feet, nor taste meat. I shall keep the Asura vow: whosoever asketh me for aught, never shall I say, ‘I have it not.’ Until I have slain Phālguna in battle, this shall be my rule!”

At these words, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra shouted with joy, imagining the Pāṇḍavas already defeated. Duryodhana, their leader, radiant as a lion, withdrew into his apartments like Kubera entering Chitraratha’s garden. The princes too returned to their quarters.

Meanwhile, in the forest of Dvaita, the sons of Pāṇḍu grew anxious at the tidings brought by the messenger, and still more upon hearing from spies the vow of Karṇa—to slay Vijaya.

Troubled, Yudhiṣṭhira pondered: Karṇa, clad in impenetrable mail, was a warrior of dreadful might. Recalling all their past sorrows, the son of Dharma knew no peace, and resolved within himself to abandon the forest of Dvaita, rich in ferocious beasts, and seek a safer dwelling.

But Duryodhana, ruling in Hastināpura, reigned with Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Kripa at his side, and Karṇa ever steadfast in his service. That delighter in war remained intent on securing the loyalty of earth’s rulers, and worshipped Brahmanas with abundant sacrifices and lavish gifts.

Thus did Suyodhana, imagining wealth to be for giving and enjoying alone, rule the earth, thinking himself unconquerable, while destiny silently prepared its course.