Shloka 12
अौर्ध्वदेहिक-श्राद्धे दानयज्ञविस्तारः | Expansion of the Aurdhvadehika Śrāddha and the Donation-Rite
अभिमन्योश्व बालस्य विनाशं रणमूर्थनि । कर्णस्य च महाबाहो संग्रामेष्वपलायिन:
abhimanyor va bālasya vināśaṃ raṇamūrdhani | karṇasya ca mahābāho saṃgrāmeṣv apalāyinaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana dit : « Ô Janamejaya aux bras puissants ! En se remémorant la perte du jeune Abhimanyu, anéanti à l’avant même du combat—dans un acte entaché d’injustice—et la mise à mort de Karṇa, le héros aux bras puissants qui ne tourna jamais le dos à la guerre (frappé alors qu’il était en désavantage et sans être dûment reconnu), ils s’agitaient au-dedans d’eux-mêmes, incapables de repos, tourmentés par le poids moral de ces événements. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how violations of dharma in warfare—especially the killing of a young warrior by unfair means and the slaying of a steadfast fighter in a compromised moment—leave lasting moral anguish. Even after victory, the conscience remains troubled when ethical boundaries are crossed.
Vaiśaṃpāyana recounts that the survivors (in the Ashramavāsika context) repeatedly recall two painful war episodes: Abhimanyu’s destruction at the battle-front and Karṇa’s death despite his reputation for never retreating. These memories make them restless and distressed.