Shloka 31
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
“कुन्तीकुमार! रणभूमिमें शत्रुसूदन कर्णके द्वारा खदेड़ा हुआ यह रथियोंका समूह सब ओर पलायन कर रहा है ।।
sañjaya uvāca | kuntīkumāra! raṇabhūmau śatrusūdana karṇena khāditaḥ (khādita iva) ayaṃ rathināṃ samūhaḥ sarvataḥ palāyate || hastikakṣyāṃ raṇe paśya carantīṃ tatra tatra ha | rathasthaṃ sūtaputrasya ketuṃ ketumatāṃ vara ||
Sañjaya dit : «Ô fils de Kuntī ! Sur le champ de bataille, cette troupe de guerriers en chars, refoulée par Karṇa—tueur d’ennemis—s’enfuit de toutes parts. Regarde, dans la mêlée : l’étendard marqué de l’emblème de la corde ceignant le ventre de l’éléphant va et vient çà et là. Ô le meilleur des porte-étendards, contemple la haute bannière sur le char du fils du sūta (Karṇa).»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible symbols of prowess—like a warrior’s banner—affect morale and perception in war. Ethically, it underscores the kṣatriya world where reputation, signs, and demonstrated strength can turn the tide, causing fear or confidence across armies.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa has driven a group of chariot-fighters into flight. He draws attention to Karṇa’s chariot-standard, marked with an elephant-girth-rope emblem, seen moving across the battlefield as Karṇa advances.