Shloka 11
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा राधेयं त्वरितो<ब्रवीत् । अर्जुन प्रेक्ष्य संयातं जयद्रथवर्ध॑ प्रति,तब राजा दुर्योधनने अर्जुनको जयद्रथको मारनेके लिये उसकी ओर जाते देख तुरंत ही राधापुत्र कर्णसे कहा--
tato duryodhano rājā rādheyaṁ tvarito 'bravīt | arjunaṁ prekṣya saṁyātaṁ jayadrathavardhaṁ prati ||
قال سنجيا: عندئذٍ أسرع الملك دُريودَهنَةُ فخاطب رادْهَيَةَ (كَرْنَةَ). إذ رأى أرجونا يتقدّم نحو جَيَدْرَثَ ليقتله، قال لكَرْنَةَ في الحال.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leadership in war responds to perceived threats: Duryodhana urgently mobilizes Karna upon seeing Arjuna’s advance. Ethically, it frames the tension between personal vows and collective duty—Arjuna’s resolve to reach Jayadratha versus the Kauravas’ obligation to protect an ally—showing how dharma in battle often appears as competing duties rather than a single simple rule.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, noticing Arjuna moving forward with intent toward Jayadratha (or those supporting him), quickly speaks to Karna to respond. It is a tactical moment: Arjuna’s advance triggers immediate counter-coordination among the Kaurava leaders.