Shloka 653
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
जीवितार्थमभिप्रेप्सु: कृपस्य रथमारुहत् । अर्जुनके बाणसमूहोंसे पीड़ित और व्याप्त होकर वह काँटोंसे भरे हुए साहीके समान जान पड़ता था। अपने प्राण बचानेके लिये कर्ण कृपाचार्यके रथपर जा बैठा था
sañjaya uvāca | jīvitārtham abhiprepsuḥ kṛpasya ratham āruhat |
Sañjaya said: Seeking only to preserve his life, Karṇa mounted Kṛpa’s chariot. Pierced and covered by Arjuna’s dense volleys of arrows, he looked like a porcupine bristling with thorns. To save his breath, Karṇa took his seat upon Kṛpācārya’s chariot.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even renowned warriors can be reduced to seeking mere survival when overwhelmed; the passage highlights the fragility of pride in war and the ethical tension between kṣatriya ideals of steadfastness and the human impulse to preserve life.
Under intense attack from Arjuna’s arrows, Karṇa becomes badly pierced and covered with shafts; to save himself he leaves his own position and climbs onto Kṛpa’s chariot, appearing like a porcupine bristling with spikes.