Shloka 753

Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana

Devanagari script

लयमास्थाय राधेयो भीमसेनमवज्चयत्‌ । संग्राममें विजय चाहनेवाले भीमसेनका वह चरित्र देख राधापुत्र कर्णने अपना अंग सिकोड़कर भीमसेनके आक्रमणको विफल कर दिया

Transliteration

layam āsthāya rādheyo bhīmasenam avajayat | saṅgrāme vijaya-cāhanavāle bhīmasenasya tat caritraṃ dṛṣṭvā rādhāputraḥ karṇaḥ svāṅgaṃ saṅkocya bhīmasenasyākramaṇaṃ viphalam akarot |

Translation

Sañjaya said: Assuming a guarded, yielding posture, Radheya (Karna) checked Bhimasena and gained the upper hand. Seeing Bhima’s fierce conduct—driven by the desire for victory in battle—Karna, son of Radha, drew in his body with disciplined restraint and rendered Bhima’s assault ineffective.

Word by Word

• लयम्: a posture/attitude of withdrawal (lit. dissolution, absorption)
• लयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: लय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• आस्थाय: having assumed/taken up
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-स्था
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• राधेयः: Rādheya (Karna)
• राधेयः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राधेय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भीमसेनम्: Bhīmasena
• भीमसेनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमसेन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अवजयत्: defeated/overcame
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-जी
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Radheya (Karna)
• Bhimasena (Bhima)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that disciplined self-control and tactical composure can overcome sheer aggression; in dharmic warfare, mastery over one’s body and impulses is a decisive strength.

What is happening in the narrative?

During the battle, Karna adopts a guarded, yielding strategy, observes Bhima’s victory-driven ferocity, and by contracting/withdrawing his body at the right moment neutralizes Bhima’s attack and gains advantage.