Shloka 9
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
तस्मिन् हते महेष्वासे भ्रातरस्तस्य मानद । तव वश्या भविष्यन्ति वनं यास्यन्ति वा पुन:,मानद! महाधनुर्धर अर्जुनके मारे जानेपर उनके सभी भाई तुम्हारे वशमें हो जायाँगे अथवा पुनः वनमें चले जायँगे
tasmin hate maheṣvāse bhrātaras tasya mānada | tava vaśyā bhaviṣyanti vanaṃ yāsyanti vā punaḥ ||
Karna sprach: „Wenn jener große Bogenschütze gefallen ist, o Spender der Ehre, werden seine Brüder unter deine Gewalt kommen — oder sie werden abermals in den Wald ziehen.“
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a hard political logic of war: removing a central protector (Arjuna) is expected to break the opposing side’s morale and agency, forcing them into either submission or withdrawal. Ethically, it reflects how power calculations can eclipse dharmic considerations, reducing human choices to coercion or exile.
Karna addresses an ally (likely Duryodhana) and argues that if Arjuna—the great archer—is killed, the remaining Pandava brothers will no longer be able to resist effectively. He predicts they will either become subordinate to the Kauravas or retreat again to the forest.