Shloka 126
कर्णस्य सेनापत्याभिषेकः | Karṇa’s Consecration as Commander-in-Chief
दुःशासनेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम् | अस्त्र-विद्याके विशेषज्ञ रणदुर्मद महाथनुर्धर बृहन्तको दुःशासनने बलपूर्वक यमलोक पहुँचाया था
Duḥśāsanena vikramya gamito yamasādanam | astravidyāke viśeṣajña raṇadurmada mahāthanurdhara bṛhantako duḥśāsanana balapūrvaka yamaloka pahuṁcāyā thā |
Sañjaya said: Having overpowered him with force, Duḥśāsana sent him to Yama’s abode. The mighty archer Bṛhantaka—expert in the science of weapons and fiercely intoxicated by battle—was driven by Duḥśāsana to the world of death.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral fragility of mere martial skill: expertise in weapons and battlefield pride do not guarantee righteousness or safety. When power is driven by arrogance and hostility, it tends toward fatal consequences, reminding readers that ethical restraint must govern strength.
Sañjaya reports that Duḥśāsana overpowers a warrior named Bṛhantaka—described as a mighty archer and expert in weapon-lore—and forcibly sends him to Yama’s realm, i.e., kills him in battle.