Shloka 15
Adhyāya 35 — Bhīmasena’s Counter-Encirclement and the Karṇa Engagement Escalation
आस्थित: स रथश्रेष्ठ कर्ण: शरगभस्तिमान्
āsthitaḥ sa rathaśreṣṭhaḥ karṇaḥ śaragabhastimān
Dijo Sañjaya: Entonces Karṇa, el más excelso entre los guerreros de carro, se mantuvo firme—con las manos, por así decirlo, radiantes de flechas—listo para la batalla. El verso subraya su resolución inquebrantable y su destreza marcial en un momento decisivo de la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness and readiness: a warrior’s resolve is shown by taking a firm stance and being fully prepared. Ethically, it points to determination in one’s chosen duty—here, the grim duty of war—while also reminding the reader that prowess and resolve drive the unfolding consequences of karma.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa taking his position on the battlefield. Karṇa is portrayed as the foremost chariot-warrior, with hands bristling or shining with arrows, signaling imminent combat and his active leadership in the Karṇa Parva battle sequence.