Shloka 30
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
रथानां द्रवते वृन्दमेतच्चैव समन्ततः । द्राव्यमाणं रणे पार्थ कर्णेनामित्रकर्षिणा
rathānāṁ dravate vṛndam etac caiva samantataḥ | drāvyamāṇaṁ raṇe pārtha karṇenāmitrakarṣiṇā ||
Sañjaya said: “O Pārtha, this entire mass of chariots is in flight on every side, being driven back in the battle by Karṇa, the subduer of foes.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield reality that prowess and momentum can cause even large formations to break and flee; it implicitly underscores the kṣatriya ethic of steadfastness under pressure and the moral weight of leadership in war, where a single formidable warrior can alter the fate of many.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, in the ongoing fight, Karṇa is pressing so powerfully that a whole host of chariots is scattering and retreating in all directions; he addresses Arjuna as “Pārtha,” situating the report within the Pandava-centered battle account.