Shloka 41

कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९

Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces

Devanagari script

पूर्णचन्द्रनिकाशेन मूर्श्निच्छत्रेण भारत । प्रियमाणेन समरे श्रीमच्छतशलाकिना

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca |

pūrṇacandranikāśena mūrdhni cchatreṇa bhārata |

priyamāṇena samare śrīmacchataśalākinā ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “O Bhārata, in the midst of battle Karṇa is marked by a white royal parasol spread above his head—radiant like the full moon and splendid with a hundred shining ribs. Casting a sidelong, intent glance toward you, he is clearly preparing to surge forward with excellent speed and confront you on the field.”

Word by Word

• पूर्णचन्द्रनिकाशेन: by/with (something) resembling the full moon
• पूर्णचन्द्रनिकाशेन: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्णचन्द्र-निकाश
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• मूर्ध्नि: on the head
• मूर्ध्नि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन्
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• छत्रेण: with an umbrella/parasol
• छत्रेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• भारत: O Bharata
• भारत: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• प्रियमाणेन: being pleased/delighting (in)
• प्रियमाणेन: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्री (धातु) → प्रियमाण (वर्तमान-कर्तरि/कर्मणि कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• समरे: in battle
• समरे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: समर
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• श्रीमच्छतशलाकिना: with a splendid (umbrella) having a hundred ribs/spokes
• श्रीमच्छतशलाकिना: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत्-शत-शलाकिन्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhārata (Dhṛtarāṣṭra)
• Karṇa
• royal parasol (cchatra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how royal insignia and outward splendor (the full-moon-like parasol) signal authority and confidence in war, while also reminding the listener that such marks do not guarantee righteousness or victory—only the unfolding of fate and conduct (dharma) will decide outcomes.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa is conspicuous on the battlefield under a radiant white parasol with many ribs, and that Karṇa is looking toward the opposing side with intent, about to advance swiftly to engage.