Shloka 463
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
उपारोहदनादृत्य तस्य वीर्य महात्मन: । सूतपुत्र कर्ण नाना प्रकारके बाणोंद्वारा भीमसेनको आच्छादित करता हुआ उन महामनस्वी वीरके पराक्रमका तिरस्कार करके उनपर चढ़ आया
upārohadanādṛtya tasya vīryaṃ mahātmanaḥ | sūtaputraḥ karṇaḥ nānāprakārakaiḥ bāṇaiḥ bhīmasenaṃ ācchādayan tasya mahāmanasvinaḥ vīrasya parākramam avajñāya tam abhyārohata |
Sañjaya dit : Méprisant la puissance de ce guerrier au grand cœur, Karṇa —le fils du cocher— se rua sur lui. Le couvrant de flèches de toutes sortes, il avança avec dédain pour la prouesse de ce noble héros. La scène montre comment, dans la fureur de la guerre, l’orgueil et la rivalité peuvent se durcir en un mépris délibéré de la valeur de l’adversaire, même lorsque cette valeur est universellement reconnue.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical tension in the Mahābhārata: true valor includes recognizing an opponent’s worth, yet war often amplifies pride and contempt. It invites reflection on how disregard for another’s merit can arise from rivalry and how such attitudes shape conduct in conflict.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa charging at Bhīma. Karṇa overwhelms him with a varied barrage of arrows and advances while dismissing the renowned prowess of the great-hearted warrior he confronts.