Shloka 1
Ritual Acclamation at Hastināpura and Karṇa’s Vow Concerning Arjuna (राजकीय स्तुति-प्रसङ्गः कर्णप्रतिज्ञा च)
हि मय ० () है 7 - लोहेकी चद्दर या सीकड़ोंका बना हुआ आवरण वरूथ कहलाता है। पहले यह शत्रुके आघातसे रथको रक्षित रखनेके लिये उसके ऊपर डाला जाता था। द्विचत्वारिशर्दाधिकद्विशततमो< ध्याय: गन्धर्वोद्वारा दुर्योधन आदिकी पराजय और उनका अपहरण वैशम्पायन उवाच गन्धर्वैस्तु महाराज भग्ने कर्णे महारथे । सम्प्राद्रवच्चमू: सर्वा धार्तराष्ट्रस्य पश्यत:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--महाराज! गन्धर्वोने जब महारथी कर्णको भगा दिया, तब दुर्योधनके देखते-देखते उसकी सारी सेना भी भाग चली
vaiśampāyana uvāca | gandharvaistu mahārāja bhagne karṇe mahārathe | samprādravac camūḥ sarvā dhārtarāṣṭrasya paśyataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O great king, when the Gandharvas routed Karṇa, that mighty chariot-warrior, the entire army of Dhṛtarāṣṭra—before Duryodhana’s very eyes—broke into flight. The scene underscores how pride and aggression, when unsupported by righteousness and clear judgment, can collapse suddenly into panic and disgrace.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of power rooted in arrogance: when a celebrated warrior is suddenly defeated, collective morale collapses. Ethically, it points to how adharma-driven ventures invite disgrace and fear rather than steadfast courage.
In the Gandharva encounter, Karṇa is routed. As Duryodhana watches, the Kaurava forces lose heart and flee, setting the stage for Duryodhana’s further humiliation and the ensuing events of the Gandharva episode.