Shloka 33
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
चिच्छेद बहुधा कर्ण: शरैराशीविषोपमै: । वज्र और बिजलीके समान गड़गड़ाहट पैदा करनेवाले उस परिघको अपने ऊपर आते देख कर्णने विषधर सर्पके समान भयंकर बाणोंद्वारा उसके बहुत-से टुकड़े कर डाले ।। ३२ हे ततः कार्मुकमादाय भीमो दृढतरं तदा
ciccheda bahudhā karṇaḥ śarair āśīviṣopamaiḥ | vajra-vidyut-sama-garjitaṃ taṃ pariṅghaṃ svopari āpatantaṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇo viṣadhara-sarpa-samaṃ bhīṣaṇair bāṇais tasya bahūn khaṇḍān vyadhāt || tataḥ kārmukam ādāya bhīmo dṛḍhataraṃ tadā ||
Sañjaya said: Karṇa, with arrows like venomous serpents, cut that iron club into many pieces. Seeing the mace—thundering like a thunderbolt and lightning—hurtling down upon him, Karṇa shattered it with dreadful, serpent-like shafts. Then Bhīma, taking up his bow, made himself even more resolute for the fight. The passage highlights how, in the fury of war, prowess and presence of mind decide survival, even as the combatants remain bound to their chosen loyalties and vows.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya alertness and presence of mind: even a seemingly decisive blow can be neutralized by skill and composure. Ethically, it reflects how warriors, bound by allegiance and vow, pursue victory through sanctioned martial means, while inner resolve (dṛḍhataraṃ) remains crucial.
Bhima hurls or brings down a roaring iron club (parigha) toward Karna. Karna, seeing it coming, shoots fierce arrows that cut the weapon into many fragments. Immediately after, Bhima takes up his bow and steels himself to continue the duel.