Shloka 22
Saṃśaptaka-Varūthinī Saṅgrāma — Binding and Counter-Binding (संशप्तक-वरूथिनी-संग्रामः)
एता वाच: सुबहुश: कर्ण उच्चारयन् युधि । दध्मौ सागरसम्भूतं सुस्वरं शड्खमुत्तमम्,इन सब बातोंको बारंबार कहते हुए कर्णने युद्धस्थलमें समुद्रसे उत्पन्न हुए अपने उत्तम शंखको उच्च स्वरसे बजाया
etā vācaḥ subahuśaḥ karṇa uccārayan yudhi | dadhmau sāgarasambhūtaṃ susvaraṃ śaṅkham uttamam ||
Sañjaya dijo: Repitiendo una y otra vez aquellas palabras, Karna, en medio de la batalla, hizo sonar su excelente caracola—nacida del océano—alzando un sonido nítido y poderoso. El gesto señala una determinación renovada y una declaración pública de intención, empleando el lenguaje ritual de la guerra para afirmar a los aliados y desafiar a los adversarios.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how speech and symbolic action function in dharmic warfare: repeated declarations and the sounding of the conch are meant to consolidate one’s own courage, rally followers, and openly announce one’s stance. It underscores the ethical dimension of public accountability in battle—intent is declared, not hidden.
Sanjaya reports that Karna, after repeatedly voicing his statements, blows his ocean-born conch with a strong, clear sound on the battlefield—an audible signal of readiness and challenge as the combat intensifies.