Shloka 356

कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा

Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying

Devanagari script

आकर्णमूलं विव्याध दृढमायम्य कार्मुकम्‌ । महाराज! उस समय कर्णने अपने सुदृढ़ धनुषको कानके पासतक खींचकर तीन बाणोंसे भीमसेनको क्षत-विक्षत कर दिया

Transliteration

ākarṇamūlaṃ vivyādha dṛḍham āyamya kārmukam |

Translation

Sañjaya said: Drawing his sturdy bow to the very root of his ear in a full, disciplined pull, Karṇa struck—piercing with force—so that Bhīmasena was torn and wounded. The scene underscores the grim ethic of the battlefield: mastery of weapons and unwavering resolve are turned toward lethal ends, where valor and skill operate within the harsh duties of war.

Word by Word

• आकर्णमूलम्: up to the root of the ear (ear-base)
• आकर्णमूलम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकर्णमूल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• विव्याध: pierced, wounded
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यध्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• दृढम्: firm, strong
• दृढम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• आयम्य: having stretched (having drawn)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यम्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada, having stretched/drawn

• कार्मुकम्: bow
• कार्मुकम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्मुक
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Karṇa
• Bhīmasena
• bow (kārmuka)
• arrows