Shloka 15
Adhyāya 35 — Bhīmasena’s Counter-Encirclement and the Karṇa Engagement Escalation
आस्थित: स रथश्रेष्ठ कर्ण: शरगभस्तिमान्
āsthitaḥ sa rathaśreṣṭhaḥ karṇaḥ śaragabhastimān
Sañjaya dit : Alors Karṇa, le premier des guerriers de char, se tint ferme—les mains, pour ainsi dire, irradiantes de flèches—prêt au combat. Le vers souligne sa résolution inébranlable et sa prouesse guerrière à l’instant décisif de la guerre.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness and readiness: a warrior’s resolve is shown by taking a firm stance and being fully prepared. Ethically, it points to determination in one’s chosen duty—here, the grim duty of war—while also reminding the reader that prowess and resolve drive the unfolding consequences of karma.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa taking his position on the battlefield. Karṇa is portrayed as the foremost chariot-warrior, with hands bristling or shining with arrows, signaling imminent combat and his active leadership in the Karṇa Parva battle sequence.