Shloka 23
कर्णेन व्यूहविधानम् — Karṇa’s Battle Formation and the Pāṇḍava Counter-Plan
Adhyāya 31
भागो<वशिष्ट: कर्णस्य तव चैव महाद्ुते । तं भागं सह कर्णेन युगपन्नाशयाद्य हि
bhāgo ’vaśiṣṭaḥ karṇasya tava caiva mahādyute | taṁ bhāgaṁ saha karṇena yugapannāśayādya hi ||
Sañjaya said: “O great and radiant one, a share of the outcome still remains for both Karṇa and you. Therefore, destroy that remaining share at once—together with Karṇa—so that it is ended simultaneously.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames war-counsel in terms of “remaining share” (bhāga) of destiny or advantage: when a decisive moment arrives, hesitation allows the opponent’s portion to persist. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s tension between human effort (puruṣakāra) and allotted fate (bhāga), urging timely action to prevent further harm and prolongation of conflict.
Sañjaya reports counsel addressed to a “greatly radiant” figure, stating that a remaining portion of success or opportunity still exists for both that person and Karṇa. He urges immediate, simultaneous destruction of that remaining advantage by striking down Karṇa, indicating a push toward a decisive resolution in the ongoing battle.