Shloka 483
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
आरुरोह रथं तूर्णमुलूकस्य महात्मन: । तत्पश्चात् उन्होंने शीघ्रतापूर्वक बाण मारकर शकुनिके घोड़ोंको यमलोक पहुँचा दिया। भरतश्रेष्ठ] तब शकुनि भी सहसा अपने रथसे कूदकर महामनस्वी उलूकके रथपर तुरंत जा चढ़ा
āruroha rathaṃ tūṛṇam ulūkasya mahātmanaḥ | tatpaścāt śīghratāpūrvakaṃ bāṇān prahṛtya śakuneḥ aśvān yamalokaṃ prāpayām āsa | tataḥ śakuniḥ sahasā svārathāt plutyā mahāmanasvina ulūkasya ratham āruroha ||
Sañjaya dijo: Shakuni montó con presteza el carro del noble Ulūka. Luego, con flechas disparadas con rapidez, los caballos de Shakuni fueron enviados al reino de Yama—muertos en medio del combate. Entonces Shakuni, urgido por la necesidad, saltó de su propio carro y al instante subió al carro del magnánimo Ulūka.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh ethical atmosphere of war: life can turn on a moment, and even eminent figures must adapt instantly. It implicitly contrasts ideals of honor with the battlefield reality where tactical necessity and survival often dominate.
In the midst of combat, Shakuni quickly mounts Ulūka’s chariot. After arrows are shot that kill Shakuni’s horses (sending them to 'Yamaloka'), Shakuni abruptly abandons his own chariot and climbs onto Ulūka’s chariot to continue moving and fighting.