Shloka 24
कर्णस्य सेनापत्याभिषेकः | Karṇa’s Consecration as Commander-in-Chief
अमितौजा युधामन्युरुत्तमौजाश्न वीर्यवान्,निहत्य शतश: शूरानस्मदीयैर्निपातिता: । अमितौजा, युधामन्यु तथा पराक्रमी उत्तमौजा ये सैकड़ों शूरवीरोंका संहार करके हमारे सैनिकोंद्वारा मारे गये
amitaujā yudhāmanyur uttamaujāś ca vīryavān | nihatya śataśaḥ śūrān asmadīyair nipātitāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The mighty Amitaujā, Yudhāmanyu, and the valiant Uttamaujā—after slaying hundreds of warriors—were themselves struck down by our troops. Thus even great prowess on the battlefield meets its limit amid the relentless reciprocity of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical gravity and tragic reciprocity of war: even exceptionally brave warriors who achieve great slaughter are themselves vulnerable to being slain. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring reminder that martial glory is transient and that violence inevitably returns upon its agents.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍava-side fighters Amitaujā, Yudhāmanyu, and Uttamaujā, after killing hundreds of warriors, were ultimately killed by the Kaurava forces.