on a bed of arrows. Fie on the practices of Kshatriya!
Fie on my might and prowess! Who else like me
would fight with a Brahmana that is, besides his preceptor?
Kripa is the son of a Rishi; he is, again, my preceptor;
he is also the dear friend of Drona. Alas, he
lieth stretched on the terrace of his car, afflicted
with my arrows. Though not wishing it, I have
still been the means of crushing him with my shafts.
Lying senseless on the terrace of his car, he paineth
my heart exceedingly. Even though he afflicted
me with shafts, I should still have only looked at
that warrior of dazzling splendour (without striking
him in return). Struck with numerous shafts of
mine, he hath gone the way of all creatures.
By that he hath pained me more than even the slaughter
of my own son. Behold, O Krishna, to what plight
he hath been reduced, thus lying miserably and in
a senseless state on his own car. Those bulls
among men that give desirable objects unto their preceptors
after obtaining knowledge from them, attain to godhead.
Those lowest of mortals on the other hand, who, after
obtaining knowledge from their preceptors strike the
latter, those wicked men, go to hell. Without
doubt, this act that I have done will lead me to hell.
I have deeply pierced my preceptor on his car with
showers of arrows. While studying the science
of arms at his feet, Kripa told me in those days,
’Do not, O thou of Kuru’s race, ever strike
thy preceptor. That command of my righteous and
high-souled preceptor I have not obeyed, for I have
struck, the very Kripa himself with my shafts.
I bow to that worshipful son of Gotama, to that unretreating
hero. Fie on me, O thou of Vrishni’s race,
since I have struck even him.’ While Savyasachin
was thus lamenting for Kripa, the son of Radha, beholding
the ruler of the Sindhu slain, rushed towards him.
Seeing the son of Radha thus rushing towards Arjuna
the two Panchala princes and Satyaki suddenly rushed
towards him. The mighty car-warrior, Partha,
beholding the son of Radha advancing, smilingly addressed
the son of Devaki and said, ’Yonder cometh the
son of Adhiratha against the car of Satyaki.
Without doubt, he is unable to bear the slaughter of
Bhurisravas in battle. Urge my steeds, O Janardana,
towards the spot whither Karna cometh. Let not
Vrisha (Karna) cause the Satwata hero to follow in
the wake of Bhurisravas.’ Thus addressed
by Savyasachin, the mighty-armed Kesava, endued with
great energy, replied in these opportune words, ’The
mighty-armed Satyaki is singly a match for Karna, O
son of Pandu! How much superior then will this
bull among the Satwatas be when he is united with
the two sons of Drupada! For the present, O Partha,
it is not proper for thee to fight with Karna.
The latter hath with him the blazing dart, like a
fierce meteor, that Vasava gave him. O slayer
of hostile heroes, he hath kept it for thy sake, worshipping
it with reverence. Let Karna then freely proceed
against the Satwata hero. I know, O son of Kunti,
this wicked wight’s hour, when, indeed, thou
wilt, with keen shafts, throw him down from his car.’