Shloka 56
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णप्रार्थना — कृपकर्णसंवादः
Duryodhana’s Appeal to Karna — The Kripa–Karna Dialogue
जघान चतुरश्नाश्वान् सूतं च त्वरित: शरै: । नाराचैरर्करश्म्याभै: कर्ण विव्याध चोरसि,फिर शीघ्रतापूर्वक बाणोंका प्रहार करके उसके चारों घोड़ों और सारथिको भी मार डाला। साथ ही सूर्यकी किरणोंके समान तेजस्वी नाराचोंसे कर्णकी छातीमें भारी आघात किया
jaghāna caturaśnāśvān sūtaṃ ca tvaritaḥ śaraiḥ | nārācair arkaraśmyābhaiḥ karṇaṃ vivyādha corasi ||
فأسرع يضرب بالسهام، فقتل الخيول الأربعة وسائق العربة. ثمّ بنصالِ ناراجا المتلألئة كأشعة الشمس، طعن صدرَ كارنا طعنةً ثقيلةً حاسمة.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim logic of kṣatriya warfare: decisive action, tactical targeting (horses and charioteer), and the prioritization of victory over compassion. It invites reflection on how dharma in war can demand harsh deeds, even when ethically troubling.
In the midst of battle, an opponent rapidly shoots down Karṇa’s chariot team—killing the four horses and the charioteer—and then drives sun-bright nārāca arrows into Karṇa’s chest, inflicting a severe wound.