Shloka 8
Jayadrathasya varaprāptiḥ (जयद्रथस्य वरप्राप्तिः) — Jayadratha’s boon and the restraint of the Pāṇḍava advance
कर्णस्तु बहुभिर्बाणैर््यमानो5$भिमन्युना । अपायाज्जवनैरश्वैस्ततो $नीकम भज्यत,अभिमन्युके चलाये हुए बहुसंख्यक बाणोंसे पीड़ित हुआ कर्ण अपने वेगशाली घोड़ोंकी सहायतासे शीघ्र ही रणभूमिसे भाग गया। इससे सारी सेनामें भगदड़ मच गयी
karṇas tu bahubhir bāṇair viddho ’bhimanyunā | apāyāj javanaiḥ aśvais tato ’nīkaṃ bhajyata ||
Sañjaya said: Struck and harassed by Abhimanyu’s many arrows, Karṇa withdrew swiftly with his fast horses. Seeing him turn away, the battle-formation broke and confusion spread through the host—showing how, in war, the wavering of a prominent warrior can unsettle an entire army and intensify the moral chaos of the field.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical weight of leadership in war: when a renowned warrior falters or withdraws, the morale and cohesion of the wider force can collapse, amplifying disorder and suffering. It also underscores Abhimanyu’s prowess and the fragile stability of battlefield ‘dharma’ under pressure.
Abhimanyu showers Karṇa with many arrows. Karṇa, pained and pressured, withdraws quickly using his swift horses. This withdrawal triggers disruption in the Kaurava battle-array, leading to panic and a breakdown of formation.