Shloka 75
Śalya’s Objection to Sārathya and Duryodhana’s Conciliation (शल्यमन्यु-प्रशमनम् / Sārathyāṅgīkāra)
ते वध्यमाना: समरे सूतपुत्रेण सृज्जया: । तमेवाभिमुखं यान्ति पतड़ा इव पावकम्
te vadhyamānāḥ samare sūtaputreṇa sṛñjayāḥ | tamevābhimukhaṃ yānti pataṅgā iva pāvakam ||
Sañjaya said: “Though being cut down in the thick of battle by the charioteer’s son (Karna), the Sṛñjayas kept advancing straight toward him—like moths rushing into a blazing fire.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights unwavering resolve in the face of certain death: in war, collective duty and momentum can compel fighters to press forward even when the ethical cost is tragic and the outcome appears foreknown.
During the battle, Karna’s arrows are killing the Sṛñjaya warriors, yet they continue to surge directly toward Karna, compared to moths rushing into fire.