Shloka 19
रात्रौ युद्धप्रवृत्तिः — Night Battle Begins; Duryodhana’s Protective Orders for Droṇa
Droṇa-parva 139
पुरा निध्नन्ति राधेयं भीमचापच्युता: शरा: । ते यतथध्वं महेष्वासा: सूतपुत्रस्य रक्षणे,“कहीं ऐसा न हो कि भीमसेनके धनुषसे छूटे हुए बाण राधानन्दन कर्णको पहले ही मार डालें। अतः महाधनुर्धर वीरो! तुम सब लोग सूतपुत्रकी रक्षाका प्रयत्न करो”
sañjaya uvāca | purā nidhna nti rādhēyaṃ bhīmacāpacyutāḥ śarāḥ | te yathādhvaṃ maheṣvāsāḥ sūtaputrasya rakṣaṇe |
Sañjaya said: “It may be that the arrows loosed from Bhīma’s bow will strike down Rādheya (Karna) beforehand. Therefore, O great bowmen, exert yourselves to protect the charioteer’s son.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war, safeguarding a pivotal ally becomes a collective obligation; vigilance and coordinated protection are presented as a practical form of duty (dharma) when a single loss could bring catastrophic consequences.
Sañjaya reports an urgent warning: Bhīma’s arrows may kill Karṇa quickly, so the assembled great archers are instructed to intensify their efforts to protect Karṇa on the battlefield.