Shloka 52
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय १) — भीष्मनिधनानन्तरं धृतराष्ट्रस्य शोकः, सेनायाः स्थितिः, कर्णस्मरणं च
Droṇa Parva, Chapter 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief after Bhīṣma’s fall and the army’s reorientation toward Karṇa
तत् खण्डं पूरयन् कर्ण: परेषामादधद् भयम् । स हि वै पुरुषव्याप्रो लोके संजय कथ्यते,क्या उस खण्डित अंशकी पूर्ति करके कर्णने शत्रुओंके मनमें भय उत्पन्न किया? संजय! जगतमें कर्णको 'पुरुषसिंह” कहा जाता है
tat khaṇḍaṃ pūrayan karṇaḥ pareṣām ādadad bhayam | sa hi vai puruṣavyāghro loke sañjaya kathyate |
Filling up that broken gap, Karṇa struck fear into the hearts of the opposing warriors. For indeed, O Sañjaya, in the world Karṇa is spoken of as a ‘tiger among men’—one whose prowess restores a faltering line and intimidates foes in the very midst of battle.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-ethic ideal: a capable leader restores a broken formation and, through steadfast courage and competence, changes the morale of both sides—strengthening allies and instilling fear in opponents.
In the opening of Droṇa Parva, a breach has appeared in the battle-array. Karṇa moves to fill and stabilize that gap, and his presence and action intimidate the enemy; the narrator emphasizes his renown as a foremost hero (puruṣavyāghra).