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Shloka 116

Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)

कर्तव्यं न सम जानाति मोहेन महता55वृत: । समरांगणमें महामना कृपाचार्यके द्वारा आहत होनेपर भी धृष्टद्युम्नको कोई कर्तव्य नहीं सूझता था। वे महान्‌ मोहसे आच्छन्न हो गये

kartavyaṃ na sama jānāti mohena mahatā vṛtaḥ |

Dijo Sañjaya: Abrumado por una gran ilusión, no podía discernir lo que debía hacerse. Aun después de ser herido por Kṛpācārya en el campo de batalla, Dhṛṣṭadyumna no hallaba con claridad su deber; su juicio quedaba velado por la confusión en un instante decisivo de dharma en la guerra.

कर्तव्यम्duty; what ought to be done
कर्तव्यम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकर्तव्य (कृ + तव्यत्)
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
not
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
सम्properly; completely
सम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसम्
जानातिknows; understands
जानाति:
TypeVerb
Rootज्ञा
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
मोहेनby delusion
मोहेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootमोह
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
महताgreat; intense
महता:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootमहत्
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
आवृतःcovered; enveloped
आवृतः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootआवृत (आ + वृ + क्त)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
D
Dhṛṣṭadyumna
K
Kṛpācārya
S
samara-aṅgaṇa (battlefield)

Educational Q&A

When the mind is seized by moha (delusion), even a capable warrior loses discernment of kartavya (duty). The verse highlights how ethical clarity in action depends on inner steadiness; without it, one cannot judge the right course even in urgent circumstances.

Sañjaya reports that Dhṛṣṭadyumna, though on the battlefield and even after being struck by Kṛpācārya, becomes overwhelmed by intense confusion and cannot decide what he should do next.