Shloka 453

कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९

Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces

Devanagari script

रिरक्षिषु: सुसंवृत्तो धार्तराष्ट्रो निवर्तते 'जैसे पतंग प्रजजलित आगके मुखमें आ पड़ता है

Transliteration

rirakṣiṣuḥ susaṃvṛtto dhārtarāṣṭro nivartate

Translation

Sañjaya said: “Intent on protecting him and well-guarded, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra turns back (toward Karṇa).” In context, Karṇa advances toward his destined death, and seeing him isolated, Duryodhana—surrounded by chariot-troops—returns to shield him.

Word by Word

• रिरक्षिषुः: wishing to protect
• रिरक्षिषुः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु) → रिरक्षिषु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सुसंवृत्तः: well-prepared / well-equipped
• सुसंवृत्तः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + संवृत्त (प्रातिपदिक; √वृत्/√वृत्त्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• धार्तराष्ट्रः: the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Duryodhana)
• धार्तराष्ट्रः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धार्तराष्ट्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• निवर्तते: returns / turns back
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + √वृत् (धातु)
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Ātmanepada

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Duryodhana
• Karṇa

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how loyalty and protective duty can compel action even when outcomes seem fated; in the ethical landscape of the war, bonds of alliance and kṣatriya responsibility drive leaders to risk themselves for comrades.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, turns back with a well-formed protective escort to safeguard Karṇa, who is moving forward in a situation portrayed as leading toward his death.