Shloka 37
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
त्वत्कृते चैव कर्णोडपि न्यस्तशस्त्रो विशाम्पते | न युध्यति रणे पार्थ हितकाम: सदा मम
tvatkṛte caiva karṇo 'pi nyastaśastro viśāmpate | na yudhyati raṇe pārtha hitakāmaḥ sadā mama ||
Sanjaya said: “For your sake alone, O lord of the people, even Karna has laid down his weapons. In the battle he does not fight Partha (Arjuna), ever intent on my welfare.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of loyalty and welfare-intent (hitakāma): even a formidable warrior may restrain himself and lay down arms when higher obligations—personal allegiance and concern for another’s good—are felt to override immediate martial impulse.
Sañjaya reports that, because of the addressee’s sake, Karṇa has chosen not to fight in the battle and has set aside his weapons, presenting his non-participation as motivated by a desire for the speaker’s welfare.