Shloka 80
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
यत्नाद् रक्षत राधेयं नाहत्वा समरेअ<र्जुनम् । निवर्तिष्यति राधेय इति मामुक्तवान् वृष:,राजन! तदनन्तर दुर्योधनने आपके सैनिकोंसे कहा--“वीरो! तुम यत्नपूर्वक राधापुत्र कर्णकी रक्षा करो। वह युद्धस्थलमें अर्जुनका वध किये बिना नहीं लौटेगा; क्योंकि उसने मुझसे यही बात कही है!
sañjaya uvāca | yatnād rakṣata rādhēyaṃ nāhatvā samare 'rjunam | nivartiṣyati rādhēya iti mām uktavān vṛṣaḥ, rājan |
Sañjaya said: “O King, ‘Protect Rādheya (Karna) with utmost effort. Rādheya will not withdraw from the battlefield without slaying Arjuna.’ Thus did Vṛṣa (Karna) speak to me.” After this, Duryodhana addressed his troops, urging them to guard Karna, for Karna’s vow-bound resolve to kill Arjuna would not allow him to turn back.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how vows and loyalty can become binding moral forces in war: a warrior’s self-imposed resolve (Karna’s determination to kill Arjuna) compels action beyond prudential retreat, while leaders (Duryodhana) must respond by protecting key champions—showing how personal commitments shape collective strategy and escalate conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karna declared he would not withdraw from battle without killing Arjuna. In response, Duryodhana instructs his soldiers to protect Karna with great effort, anticipating a decisive confrontation centered on Karna’s pledge.