Shloka 29
अध्याय २९: कर्णस्य शल्यं प्रति शापस्मरणं च युद्धनिश्चयः | Chapter 29: Karṇa recalls curses to Śalya and declares resolve for battle
परिवार्य रणे कर्ण नानाशस्त्रैरवाकिरन् | भाषन्तो वाम्भिरुग्राभि: सर्वे कर्णवधे धृता:
sañjaya uvāca |
parivārya raṇe karṇa nānāśastrair avākiran |
bhāṣanto vāgbhir ugrābhiḥ sarve karṇavadhe dhṛtāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, surrounding Karṇa on every side, they showered him with weapons of many kinds. Speaking harsh and terrifying words, all of them were resolved upon Karṇa’s death.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, collective anger and determination can override restraint: speech becomes weapon-like (ugrā vācaḥ), and intent crystallizes into a fixed resolve to kill. Ethically, it points to the erosion of dharmic moderation under the pressure of vengeance and strategic necessity.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa is encircled on the battlefield and attacked from all sides with a rain of diverse weapons, while the attackers hurl fierce words and are firmly set on bringing about Karṇa’s death.