Shloka 5
भीष्मपातने कर्णविलापः | Karṇa’s Lament upon Seeing Bhīṣma Fallen
नभश्च्युतमिवादित्यं पतितं धरणीतले । शतक्रतुमिवाचिन्त्यं पुरा वृत्रेण निर्जितम्,वे आकाशसे च्युत होकर पृथ्वीपर पड़े हुए सूर्यके समान तथा पूर्वकालमें वृत्रासुरसे पराजित हुए अचिन्त्य देवराज इन्द्रके सदृश प्रतीत होते थे
nabhaś cyutam ivādityaṃ patitaṃ dharaṇītale | śatakratum ivācintyaṃ purā vṛtreṇa nirjitam ||
Sañjaya dit : Il paraissait tel le soleil tombé du ciel sur la terre, et tel Indra—seigneur inconcevable des dieux, celui des cent sacrifices—jadis, aux temps anciens, vaincu par Vṛtra. C’était l’image d’une puissance immense ravalée, suscitant le choc moral de voir la grandeur humiliée au milieu des ruines de la guerre.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical and emotional gravity of war: when a great warrior is brought down, it feels like a cosmic disorder—comparable to the sun falling or Indra being humbled. It highlights impermanence of power and the tragic cost that adharma-driven conflict can impose even upon the eminent.
Sañjaya describes a prominent figure lying fallen on the battlefield, using two grand comparisons: the sun fallen to earth and Indra once defeated by Vṛtra. The intent is to convey the stunned awe and sorrow at the sight of a mighty one struck down.