Shloka 18
धृतराष्ट्रस्य मूर्च्छा स्त्रीणां च आर्तनादः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Collapse and the Lament of the Palace Women
सैनापत्यमथावाप्य कर्णो राजन् महारथ: । सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चै: प्रायुध्यत रणोत्कट:
senāpatyam athāvāpya karṇo rājan mahārathaḥ | siṃhanādaṃ vinadyoccaiḥ prāyudhyata raṇotkaṭaḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: «Oh rey, al obtener el mando del ejército, Karṇa—el gran guerrero de carro—rugió en voz alta como un león y, fiero en el ardor de la batalla, se dispuso a combatir.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of publicly assuming responsibility (senāpatya) and meeting conflict with steadfast courage. Ethically, it underscores how leadership in war is expressed through resolve and the willingness to bear the consequences of command.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa has obtained the post of commander of the Kaurava forces. Karṇa then gives a lion-like roar and immediately engages in fierce fighting, signaling a decisive escalation in the battle’s intensity.