Shloka 76
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
अदृश्यौ च शरौघैस्तौ निघ्नन्तावितरेतरम् | कर्ण पार्थोडस्मि तिष्ठ त्वं कर्णो5हं तिष्ठ फाल्गुन,वे दोनों एक-दूसरेपर चोट करते हुए स्वयं बाण-समूहोंसे ढककर अदृश्य हो गये थे और एक-दूसरेको पुकारकर इस प्रकार कहते थे--'कर्ण! तू खड़ा रह, मैं अर्जुन हूँ; “अर्जुन! खड़ा रह, मैं कर्ण हूँ!
adṛśyau ca śaraughais tau nighnantāv itaretaram | karṇa pārtho’smi tiṣṭha tvaṁ karṇo’ham tiṣṭha phālguna ||
Sañjaya said: Hidden from sight as they were, each covered by torrents of arrows while striking the other, Karṇa and Arjuna challenged one another aloud: “Karṇa, stand your ground—I am Arjuna!” and “Arjuna, stand your ground—I am Karṇa!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: even in overwhelming violence, the ideal warrior seeks direct, acknowledged confrontation—calling the opponent by name, demanding steadfastness, and meeting force with force without concealment of intent.
Karna and Arjuna are exchanging such dense volleys of arrows that both become visually obscured. Despite being ‘invisible’ behind arrow-storms, they continue to strike each other and loudly challenge one another—each declaring his identity and ordering the other to stand firm.