Shloka 7
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
सहदेवमथायान्तं द्रोणप्रेप्सु महारथम् । कर्णो वैकर्तनो राजन् वारयामास पाण्डवम्,राजन! द्रोणाचार्यको पकड़नेके लिये आते हुए महारथी पाण्डुपुत्र सहदेवको वैकर्तन कर्णने रोका
sahadevam athāyāntaṃ droṇa-prepsu mahāratham | karṇo vaikartano rājan vārayāmāsa pāṇḍavam ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, as Sahadeva, the son of Pāṇḍu—a great chariot-warrior—advanced with the aim of seizing Droṇa, Karṇa, known as Vaikartana, checked him.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: even a legitimate strategic objective (capturing the opposing commander-teacher) meets resistance from those whose duty is loyalty and protection. Dharma here appears as role-based obligation—each warrior acts according to his allegiance and responsibility.
Sahadeva advances with the intention of seizing Droṇa. Karṇa, called Vaikartana, intercepts and restrains Sahadeva, preventing him from reaching Droṇa.