Shloka 336
प्राद्रवज्जवनैरश्वे रणं हित्वा महाभयात् । महाराज! भीमके बाणोंसे आहत होकर कर्ण विह्नल हो उठा और महान् भयके कारण युद्ध छोड़कर शीघ्रगामी घोड़ोंकी सहायतासे भाग निकला
prādravat javanaiḥ aśvaiḥ raṇaṁ hitvā mahābhayāt | mahārāja! bhīmaka-bāṇair āhataḥ karṇaḥ vihvalaḥ samabhavat, mahābhayāt yuddhaṁ parityajya śīghragāmibhir aśvaiḥ apākrāmat ||
Sañjaya said: O King, struck by Bhīma’s arrows, Karṇa was shaken and, seized by great fear, abandoned the battle. Relying on his swift horses, he fled the field—showing how even famed valor can falter when resolve is pierced and the mind loses steadiness amid war’s violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of human composure in war: physical injury and psychological shock can overpower even celebrated warriors. Ethically, it underscores that valor is not merely reputation but sustained steadiness under duress, and that fear can drive actions contrary to a warrior’s expected resolve.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa, wounded by Bhīma’s arrows, becomes disoriented and, overwhelmed by fear, abandons the fight and flees using his swift horses.