Shloka 22
द्रौणि-पार्षतयोर्युद्धम् | The Duel of Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Pārṣata
शक्ति विसृज्य राधेय: पुरंदर इवाशनिम्,इन्द्रके वज़्की भाँति उस शक्तिको छोड़कर बलवान सूतनन्दन कर्णने बड़े जोरसे गर्जना की। उस समय उस सिंहनादको सुनकर आपके पुत्र बड़े प्रसन्न हुए
śaktiṃ visṛjya rādheyaḥ purandara ivāśanim | indrasya vajrīva śaktyā taṃ tyaktvā balavān sūtanandanaḥ karṇo mahānādaṃ cakāra | taṃ siṃhanādaṃ śrutvā tava putrāḥ prahṛṣṭā babhūvuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Having hurled the Śakti, Rādheya (Karna) roared mightily—like Purandara (Indra) after casting his thunderbolt. Hearing that lion-like roar, your sons were filled with delight, taking it as a sign of advantage in the battle’s grim moral contest where confidence and fear sway armies as much as weapons do.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how actions in war carry moral and psychological weight: the release of a decisive weapon is paired with a triumphant roar that shapes collective morale. It suggests that confidence, symbolism, and perceived divine favor can influence ethical resolve and battlefield behavior alongside physical force.
Karna has just hurled the Śakti weapon and then roars loudly like Indra after casting the thunderbolt. Hearing this lion-like cry, the Kauravas (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons) become pleased and encouraged, interpreting it as a favorable turn.