Shloka 11
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
शिखण्डी च ययौ कर्ण धृष्टद्युम्न: सुतं तव । दुःशासनं महाराज महत्या सेनया वृतम्
śikhaṇḍī ca yayau karṇa dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ sutaṃ tava | duḥśāsanaṃ mahārāja mahatyā senayā vṛtam ||
Sañjaya dit : «Ô Karṇa, Śikhaṇḍī s’avança ; et Dhṛṣṭadyumna se porta contre ton fils—Duḥśāsana, ô grand roi—entouré d’une vaste armée.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: individuals act within the duty of battle (kṣatriya-dharma) while pursuing personal aims and rivalries. It reminds the reader that large-scale conflict amplifies consequences—personal hostility becomes collective violence under the banner of duty.
Sañjaya reports battlefield movements: Śikhaṇḍī advances, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna targets Duḥśāsana (described as the king’s son), who is heavily guarded by a large force. The scene sets up a focused engagement amid the broader clash of armies.