Shloka 23
अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
पितरं तु परीप्सन्त: कर्णपुत्रा: प्रहारिण: । त्वदीयाश्चापरे राजन् वीरा वीरानवारयन्
pitaraṁ tu parīpsantaḥ karṇaputrāḥ prahāriṇaḥ | tvadīyāś cāpare rājan vīrā vīrān avārayan ||
Sañjaya said: Seeking to protect their father, Karṇa’s sons—skilled in striking—together with other valiant warriors of your army, O King, began to check and hold back the previously mentioned heroes of the Pāṇḍavas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of steadfast loyalty and filial responsibility in a kṣatriya context: Karṇa’s sons and allied warriors prioritize protecting their leader/father, accepting the moral weight and danger of confronting formidable opponents.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa’s sons, along with other warriors from Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s side, move to block and restrain the advancing Pāṇḍava champions previously described, forming a defensive counter to protect Karṇa.