Shloka 4
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
स कुण्डलं महच्चारु कर्णस्यापातयद् भुवि | तपनीयं महाराज दीप्तं ज्योतिरिवाम्बरात्,महाराज! भीमने कर्णके सोनेके बने हुए विशाल एवं सुन्दर कुण्डलको आकाशसे चमकते हुए तारेके समान पृथ्वीपर काट गिराया
sa kuṇḍalaṁ mahac cāru karṇasyāpātayad bhuvi | tapanīyaṁ mahārāja dīptaṁ jyotir ivāmbarāt ||
Sanjaya said: O King, he struck down to the earth Karna’s large and beautiful earring, made of pure gold, shining like a bright star fallen from the sky.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the impermanence of external splendor and the sudden reversal of fortune in war: ornaments that symbolize prestige can be severed instantly, reminding the listener that worldly glory is fragile when violence and rivalry dominate.
In the midst of battle, a warrior strikes off Karṇa’s large, beautiful golden earring, and it falls to the ground, gleaming like a star dropping from the sky, as Sañjaya reports the event to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra.