Shloka 90
निर्भिद्य ते भीमवेगा हापतन् पृथिवीतले । कम्पितात्मा तत: कर्ण: शक्त्या चेष्टामदर्शयत्
nirbhidya te bhīmavegāḥ āpatan pṛthivītale | kampitātmā tataḥ karṇaḥ śaktyā ceṣṭām adarśayat |
Sañjaya said: Pierced through, those arrows—driven with Bhīma’s tremendous force—fell upon the surface of the earth. Karṇa’s heart shook at the sight; yet, even then, he continued to display his effort in battle to the best of his power, refusing to abandon the fight despite fear and injury.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when shaken by fear or injury, a warrior is portrayed as striving to uphold his chosen duty through continued effort; the verse highlights resolve under pressure and the ethical ideal of not abandoning one’s role mid-crisis.
After being pierced, the forceful arrows fall to the ground; Karṇa becomes inwardly shaken, but he still tries to continue fighting with whatever strength remains.