Shloka 37
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 2: Karṇa’s lament, vow, and battle preparation after Bhīṣma’s fall
हुताशनाभ: स हुताशनप्रभे शुभ: शुभे वै स्वरथे धनुर्धर: । स्थितो रराजाधिरथिर्महारथ: स्वयं विमाने सुरराडिवास्थित:,अग्निके समान तेजस्वी अपने सुन्दर रथपर बैठा हुआ अग्निसदृश कान्तिमान्, सुन्दर एवं धनुर्धर महारथी अधिरथपुत्र कर्ण विमानमें विराजमान देवराज इन्द्रके समान सुशोभित हुआ
hutāśanābhaḥ sa hutāśanaprabhe śubhaḥ śubhe vai svarathe dhanurdharaḥ | sthito rarājādhirathir mahārathaḥ svayaṃ vimāne surarāḍ ivāsthitaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Karṇa, the great chariot-warrior, son of Adhiratha, stood upon his splendid chariot—auspicious and radiant like the blazing fire itself. A bowman of noble presence, he shone there as if the king of the gods were seated in his own celestial car.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how outward splendor, power, and heroic capability can be morally ambiguous in war: brilliance (tejas) and martial excellence are not, by themselves, guarantees of righteousness. They intensify the ethical stakes by showing how formidable forces are aligned through loyalty and choice, leading to grave consequences.
Sañjaya is describing Karṇa’s appearance on the battlefield: the great archer stands on his magnificent chariot, glowing like fire, and is compared to Indra seated in a celestial vehicle—an image meant to convey Karṇa’s awe-inspiring presence as the conflict escalates in Droṇa Parva.