Shloka 143
धनुर्विस्फारयन् घोरं परिवेषीव भास्कर: । शल्यने घोड़ोंकी बागडोर हाथमें ले ली। उस रथपर बैठा हुआ कर्ण अपने भयंकर धनुषको फैलाकर उसी प्रकार सुशोभित हो रहा था, मानो सूर्यमण्डलपर घेरा पड़ा हो
sañjaya uvāca | dhanurvisphārayan ghoraṃ pariveṣīva bhāskaraḥ | śalyas tu hayānāṃ raśmīn hastena jagrāha | tasmin rathe niṣaṇṇaḥ karṇo bhīmaṃ dhanurvisphārya śuśubhe, yathā sūryamaṇḍale pariveṣaḥ |
Sanjaya said: Karna, seated upon that chariot, stretched and twanged his dreadful bow and shone forth like the sun encircled by a halo. Meanwhile Shalya took the reins of the horses into his own hand. The scene underscores the grim splendor of war: martial brilliance and ominous portents appear together, as human will and skill are yoked to a chariot moving toward fated violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of war: outward brilliance and prowess can coincide with ominous signs and impending destruction. It invites reflection on kṣatriya duty and the moral weight of actions performed in a fated, ethically fraught conflict.
Sanjaya describes Karna seated on his chariot, drawing and sounding his fearsome bow, appearing radiant like the sun with a halo. At the same time, Shalya takes the reins, assuming active control as Karna’s charioteer as the battle action intensifies.