Shloka 45
ते हित्वा समरे कर्ण वध्यमानाश्न सायकै: । प्रदुद्रवुर्दिशो भीताश्लुक्रुशुश्नापि सूतजम्
te hitvā samare karṇa vadhyamānāś ca sāyakaiḥ | pradudruvur diśo bhītāḥ krūśuś cāpi sūtajam ||
সঞ্জয়ে ক’লে—বাণে বিদ্ধ হৈ ভয়াক্ৰান্ত তেওঁলোকে সমৰত কৰ্ণক এৰি সকলো দিশলৈ পলাই গ’ল। তথাপি নিজৰ প্ৰাণৰক্ষাৰ বাবে দৌৰি থাকোঁতেই তেওঁলোকে সূতপুত্ৰ কৰ্ণকেই ৰক্ষকৰূপে চিঞৰি মাতি থাকিল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical inconsistency: people may abandon duty and loyalty under fear, yet still expect protection from the very leader they desert. It implicitly critiques opportunistic dependence and underscores the dharmic ideal of steadfastness in crisis.
During the battle, Karna’s side—wounded and terrified by a shower of arrows—breaks formation and flees, leaving Karna alone. Even while fleeing, they continue to call out to Karna (sūtaja) for protection.