Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
स कुण्डलं महच्चारु कर्णस्यापातयद् भुवि | तपनीयं महाराज दीप्तं ज्योतिरिवाम्बरात्,महाराज! भीमने कर्णके सोनेके बने हुए विशाल एवं सुन्दर कुण्डलको आकाशसे चमकते हुए तारेके समान पृथ्वीपर काट गिराया
sa kuṇḍalaṁ mahac cāru karṇasyāpātayad bhuvi | tapanīyaṁ mahārāja dīptaṁ jyotir ivāmbarāt ||
قال سنجيا: أيها الملك، أسقط إلى الأرض قرطَ كارنا الكبيرَ الجميلَ المصنوعَ من الذهب الخالص، متلألئًا كنجمةٍ ساطعةٍ هوت من السماء.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the impermanence of external splendor and the sudden reversal of fortune in war: ornaments that symbolize prestige can be severed instantly, reminding the listener that worldly glory is fragile when violence and rivalry dominate.
In the midst of battle, a warrior strikes off Karṇa’s large, beautiful golden earring, and it falls to the ground, gleaming like a star dropping from the sky, as Sañjaya reports the event to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra.