Shloka 50
Aśvatthāman’s Arrow-Screen and the Confrontation with Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रौणि–युधिष्ठिर-संग्रामः)
तेषां त्राणार्थमुद्यन्तं वधार्थ द्विषघतामपि
teṣāṃ trāṇārtham udyantaṃ vadhārthaṃ dviṣaghatām api
Selbst wenn sie sich erheben — sei es, um die Ihren zu schützen, sei es, um die Feinde zu töten — stelle ich mich ihnen entgegen; denn im Krieg richtet sich ihr Entschluss auf Rettung oder auf Vernichtung, und beidem muss mit entschlossener Tat begegnet werden.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts two wartime intentions—protecting one’s side and killing the enemy—highlighting that in battle both motives operate, and a warrior’s response is shaped by the harsh ethical reality of combat where protection and violence are intertwined.
Karna, speaking amid the Kurukṣetra conflict, refers to opponents who advance either to defend their allies or to destroy enemies, framing their movement as purposeful and implying his readiness to counter them regardless of which aim drives them.