Shloka 30
त्वं चापि न यथापूर्व प्रकृतिस्थो नराधिप । कर्णप्रभृतयश्चेमे नावतिष्ठन्ति पार्थिव,“नरेश्वर! तुम भी पहलेके समान स्वस्थ नहीं दिखायी देते। भूपाल! ये कर्ण आदि वीर भी रणभूमिमें खड़े नहीं हो रहे हैं। इसका क्या कारण है?
tvaṃ cāpi na yathāpūrvaṃ prakṛtistho narādhipa | karṇaprabhṛtayaś ceme nāvatiṣṭhanti pārthiva ||
Sañjaya said: “O king, you too do not appear as composed and steady as before. And these warriors, beginning with Karna, are not holding their ground on the battlefield. What is the reason for this?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical burden of kingship in war: a ruler’s inner steadiness directly affects the army’s resolve. Loss of composure in leadership signals a deeper crisis—fear, doubt, or recognition of impending adharma—and can cause even great warriors to falter.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the king seems unusually unsettled, and that Karna and other prominent fighters are not maintaining their positions in battle. He asks what has caused this sudden hesitation and instability.