Shloka 60
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
तमापततन्तं चिच्छेद राधेय: प्रहसन्निव । त्रिभि: शरै: शरं राजन् पाण्डवस्य प्रतापवान्,राजन्! अपने ऊपर आते हुए भीमसेनके उस बाणको प्रतापी राधानन्दन कर्णने तीन बाणोंद्वारा हँसते हुए-से काट डाला
sañjaya uvāca |
tam āpatantaṃ ciccheda rādheyaḥ prahasan iva |
tribhiḥ śaraiḥ śaraṃ rājan pāṇḍavasya pratāpavān ||
Sañjaya dit : Quand cette flèche fondit sur lui, Radheya (Karṇa), comme s’il souriait, la trancha. Ô roi, le puissant Karṇa sectionna le trait du Pāṇḍava avec trois des siens, révélant une maîtrise calme au cœur de la fureur guerrière.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ideal of steadiness and mastery: even when danger rushes in, a trained mind can remain composed. Karna’s ‘as if smiling’ suggests inner control—an ethical dimension of kṣatriya conduct where courage is paired with self-possession rather than panic.
In the thick of battle, an arrow shot by a Pandava warrior (understood here as Bhīma) flies toward Karna. Karna counters instantly, using three arrows to cut down the incoming missile, demonstrating superior archery and confidence.