Shloka 14
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
कर्णेन च कृतो राजा विमुख: शत्रुतापन: । बलवॉल्लघुहस्तश्व कृती युद्धविशारद:
karṇena ca kṛto rājā vimukhaḥ śatrutāpanaḥ | balavāllaghuhastaśva kṛtī yuddhaviśāradaḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Por la proeza de Karṇa, el rey—Yudhiṣṭhira, abrasador de enemigos—fue apartado de la batalla. Aunque fuerte, veloz en la acción, capaz y diestro en la guerra, fue obligado a retroceder, mostrando que incluso un soberano justo puede vacilar cuando se enfrenta a una fuerza marcial abrumadora.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a dharmic and capable leader can momentarily falter when confronted by extraordinary force; the episode highlights the tension between inner resolve (dharma) and the psychological shock of battlefield realities.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa’s attack and battlefield dominance caused King Yudhiṣṭhira to turn away from the fight—effectively being driven back—despite Yudhiṣṭhira’s own strength and warriorly qualifications.