Shloka 77
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
हत्वा जित्वा च गन्धर्वाश्षित्रसेनमुखान् रणे । कर्ण दुर्योधनं पार्थ: सभार्य सममोक्षयत्
hatvā jitvā ca gandharvān citrasenamukhān raṇe | karṇa duryodhanaṁ pārthaḥ sabhāryaḥ samamokṣayat |
Nachdem Pārtha (Arjuna) die Gandharvas—angeführt von Citraratha (Citraseṇa)—in der Schlacht erschlagen und in die Flucht geschlagen hatte, ließ er Karṇa und Duryodhana samt ihren Gemahlinnen frei. Diese Begebenheit hebt das Dharma des Kriegers hervor: selbst in Feindschaft wahrt man die Ehre, indem man die Schutzlosen rettet und freigibt und nicht zulässt, dass persönliche Rivalität die Rechtschaffenheit überragt.
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma and ethical restraint: even after defeating opponents, a noble warrior acts with honor—rescuing and releasing rivals rather than exploiting their humiliation, placing righteousness above personal animosity.
Arjuna defeats the Gandharvas led by Citraseṇa/Citraratha in battle and then frees Duryodhana and Karna, who are in captivity, releasing them along with their wives.