Shloka 25
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
एको ह्वात्र महेष्वास: सूतपुत्रो विराजते । सदेवासुरगन्धर्वै: सकिन्नरमहोरगै:,“इस सेनामें एकमात्र महाधनुर्धर सूतपुत्र कर्ण विराजमान है, जो रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ है तथा जिसे देवता, असुर, गन्धर्व, किन्नर, बड़े-बड़े नाग एवं चराचर प्राणियोंसहित तीनों लोकोंके लोग मिलकर भी नहीं जीत सकते। महाबाहु फाल्गुन! आज उसी कर्णको मारकर तुम्हारी विजय होगी और मेरे हृदयमें बारह वर्षोंसे जो सेल कसक रहा है, वह निकल जायगा। महाबाहो! ऐसा जानकर तुम्हारी जैसी इच्छा हो, वैसे व्यूहकी रचना करो”
eko hvātra maheṣvāsaḥ sūtaputro virājate | sadevāsuragandharvaiḥ sakinnarimahoragaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Here stands a single great archer—the charioteer’s son, Karṇa—radiant in this host. Even if the gods and demons, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras, and the mighty serpents were to unite, they could not overcome him.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how martial reputation and perceived invincibility can dominate the moral and psychological landscape of war: a single celebrated warrior can appear unconquerable even against cosmic alliances, reminding readers how fame, fear, and narrative framing shape ethical choices on the battlefield.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa’s commanding presence in the army, portraying him as a peerless archer whom even gods, demons, celestial musicians, and serpent-beings together could not defeat—setting the tone for the looming confrontation centered on Karṇa’s prowess.