Mahabharata 7.136.336 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 136, Shloka 336
Chapter 136: Pandava Counter-Encirclement and the Vāyavya-Astra Disruption
प्राद्रवज्जवनैरश्वे रणं हित्वा महाभयात् । महाराज! भीमके बाणोंसे आहत होकर कर्ण विह्नल हो उठा और महान् भयके कारण युद्ध छोड़कर शीघ्रगामी घोड़ोंकी सहायतासे भाग निकला
prādravat javanaiḥ aśvaiḥ raṇaṁ hitvā mahābhayāt | mahārāja! bhīmaka-bāṇair āhataḥ karṇaḥ vihvalaḥ samabhavat, mahābhayāt yuddhaṁ parityajya śīghragāmibhir aśvaiḥ apākrāmat ||
সঞ্জয় বললেন—মহারাজ! ভীমের বাণে আঘাত পেয়ে কর্ণ বিচলিত হয়ে উঠল; মহাভয়ে যুদ্ধ ত্যাগ করে দ্রুতগামী অশ্বের ভরসায় সে রণক্ষেত্র থেকে পালিয়ে গেল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of human composure in war: physical injury and psychological shock can overpower even celebrated warriors. Ethically, it underscores that valor is not merely reputation but sustained steadiness under duress, and that fear can drive actions contrary to a warrior’s expected resolve.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa, wounded by Bhīma’s arrows, becomes disoriented and, overwhelmed by fear, abandons the fight and flees using his swift horses.
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