Shloka 78
Śalya’s Objection to Sārathya and Duryodhana’s Conciliation (शल्यमन्यु-प्रशमनम् / Sārathyāṅgīkāra)
अभ्यधावत तेजस्वी विशीर्णकवचध्वजान् । तापयामास तान् बाणै: सूतपुत्रो महाबल: । मध्यंदिनमनुप्राप्तो भूतानीव तमोनुद:
abhyadhāvat tejasvī viśīrṇakavacadhvajān | tāpayāmāsa tān bāṇaiḥ sūtaputro mahābalaḥ | madhyaṁdinam anuprāpto bhūtānīva tamonudaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The radiant, mighty son of the charioteer (Karna) charged at those whose armour and banners had been shattered, and scorched them with volleys of arrows. Having reached the height of midday, he drove away their darkness like the sun dispelling the gloom from living beings.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the intoxicating power of tejas (brilliance/force) in war: strength can rapidly dominate those already weakened. Ethically, it invites reflection on how martial success may resemble the sun’s clarity—yet in a dharma-war it also raises the question of restraint and compassion toward the broken, even when victory is possible.
Sañjaya describes Karna surging forward against opponents whose armour and banners are already shattered, striking them with intense arrow-fire. The scene is set at midday, and Karna’s onslaught is compared to the sun driving away darkness from living beings.