Shloka 53
स कर्ण पज्चविंशत्या नाराचानां समार्पयत् | महीधरमिव श्वैतं गूढपादैर्विषोल्बणै:,उन्होंने कर्णपर पचीस नाराच चलाये; उनके लगनेसे कर्ण छिपे हुए पैरोंवाले विषैले सर्पोसे युक्त श्वेत पर्वतके समान जान पड़ता था
sa karṇa pañcaviṃśatyā nārācānāṃ samārpayat | mahīdharam iva śvaitaṃ gūḍhapādair viṣolbaṇaiḥ ||
He struck Karṇa with twenty‑five nārāca arrows. With those shafts embedded in him, Karṇa looked like a white mountain bristling with venomous serpents whose feet are hidden.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya endurance in war: even when pierced by many weapons, a warrior is expected to remain steadfast. Ethically, it also exposes the harsh cost of conflict—valor is praised, yet the imagery reminds the listener of the suffering inherent in battle.
An unnamed combatant strikes Karṇa with twenty-five nārāca arrows. The poet describes Karṇa’s appearance after being hit: the arrows protruding from his body make him resemble a white mountain covered with venomous, hidden-footed serpents.