Shloka 16
रक्षसा विप्रमुक्तस्तु कर्णोडपि रथिनां वर: । अभ्यद्रवद् भीमसेनं रथेनादित्यवर्चसा,राक्षससे छूटनेपर रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ कर्णने भी सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी रथके द्वारा भीमसेनपर धावा किया
sañjaya uvāca |
rakṣasā vipramuktas tu karṇo 'pi rathināṃ varaḥ |
abhyadravad bhīmasenaṃ rathenādityavarcāsā ||
Sañjaya sprach: Kaum dem Angriff des Rākṣasa entronnen, stürmte auch Karṇa—der Vortrefflichste unter den Wagenkämpfern—geradewegs auf Bhīmasena zu, in einem Wagen, der wie die Sonne strahlte.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in one’s role amid crisis: a warrior, once freed from immediate danger, returns to his chosen duty with renewed force. It also reflects the Mahābhārata’s ethical tension—courage and excellence in battle can coexist with the tragedy of fratricidal war.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa, having been released from a rākṣasa’s attack/entanglement, immediately charges Bhīmasena in a sun-bright chariot, signaling a fresh and forceful engagement between the two fighters.