Shloka 22
Saṃśaptaka-Varūthinī Saṅgrāma — Binding and Counter-Binding (संशप्तक-वरूथिनी-संग्रामः)
एता वाच: सुबहुश: कर्ण उच्चारयन् युधि । दध्मौ सागरसम्भूतं सुस्वरं शड्खमुत्तमम्,इन सब बातोंको बारंबार कहते हुए कर्णने युद्धस्थलमें समुद्रसे उत्पन्न हुए अपने उत्तम शंखको उच्च स्वरसे बजाया
etā vācaḥ subahuśaḥ karṇa uccārayan yudhi | dadhmau sāgarasambhūtaṃ susvaraṃ śaṅkham uttamam ||
Sañjaya said: Repeating those words again and again, Karna, in the midst of battle, blew his excellent conch—born of the ocean—raising a clear, powerful sound. The act signals renewed resolve and a public declaration of intent, using the ritual language of war to steady allies and challenge opponents.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how speech and symbolic action function in dharmic warfare: repeated declarations and the sounding of the conch are meant to consolidate one’s own courage, rally followers, and openly announce one’s stance. It underscores the ethical dimension of public accountability in battle—intent is declared, not hidden.
Sanjaya reports that Karna, after repeatedly voicing his statements, blows his ocean-born conch with a strong, clear sound on the battlefield—an audible signal of readiness and challenge as the combat intensifies.