Shloka 63
रश्मीन् योक्त्राणि चाश्रानां क्रुद्ध: कर्णो5च्छिनन्मृधे । तस्याश्चांश्व पुनर्हत्वा सूतं विव्याध पठचभि:,क्रोधमें भरे हुए सूतपुत्र कर्णने अपने अस्त्रोंकी मायासे तथा झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंद्वारा युद्धपरायण भीमसेनके दो तरकसों, धनुषकी प्रत्यंचा, बागडोर तथा घोड़े जोतनेकी रस्सियोंको भी युद्धस्थलमें काट डाला। फिर घोड़ोंको भी मारकर सारथिको पाँच बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
raśmīn yoktrāṇi cāśrāṇāṃ kruddhaḥ karṇo 'cchinan mṛdhe |
tasyāś cāśvān punar hatvā sūtaṃ vivyādha pañcabhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Enraged in the midst of battle, Karṇa cut down the reins and the harness-ropes of the horses. Then, after killing those horses, he pierced the charioteer with five arrows. Thus the harsh logic of war is seen: by crippling an enemy’s mobility and support, a warrior seeks decisive advantage.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, victory is often pursued by dismantling an opponent’s support structure (mobility and crew), revealing the grim ethical pressure of battlefield necessity where strategic efficiency can override compassion.
Sañjaya narrates that Karṇa, furious in combat, severs the horses’ reins and yoking-ropes; then he kills the horses and wounds the charioteer with five arrows, effectively crippling the enemy chariot’s functioning.