Shloka 23
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
स त्वं कर्ण मया सार्थ शूरैश्नान्यैर्महारथै: । द्रौणिना त्वं हि सहितो मद्रेशेन कृपेण च
sa tvaṁ karṇa mayā sārthaṁ śūraiś cānyair mahārathaiḥ | drauṇinā tvaṁ hi sahito madreśena kṛpeṇa ca ||
Sañjaya said: “O Karṇa, you—together with me and with other heroic great chariot-warriors—were indeed accompanied by Aśvatthāmā, Droṇa’s son, by the king of Madra, and by Kṛpa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of association in war: when eminent leaders unite for a cause, they share not only strength and strategy but also accountability for the results of their collective choices.
Sañjaya addresses Karṇa and notes that Karṇa is accompanied by key Kaurava-side commanders—Aśvatthāmā, Śalya (king of Madra), and Kṛpa—along with other heroic mahārathas, situating Karṇa within a formidable coalition.