Shloka 69
तत: शरावापमपास्य सूतजो धनुश्व॒ तच्छक्रशरासनोपमम् । ततो रथस्थ: स मुमोह च स्खलन प्रशीर्णमुष्टि: सुभूशाहत: प्रभो,प्रभो! अत्यन्त आहत हो जानेके कारण सूतपुत्र कर्ण तरकस और इन्द्रधनुषके समान अपना धनुष छोड़कर रथपर ही लड़खड़ाता हुआ मूर्च्छिंत हो गया। उस समय उसकी मुट्ठी ढीली हो गयी थी
tataḥ śarāvāpam apāsya sūtajo dhanuś ca tac chakraśarāsanopamam | tato rathasthaḥ sa mumohaca skhalan praśīrṇamuṣṭiḥ subhūśāhataḥ prabho prabho ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors Karṇa, le fils du cocher, rejeta son carquois et son arc semblable à l’arc-en-ciel d’Indra. Frappé avec une violence extrême, il fut saisi de trouble et chancela sur son char ; sa prise se relâcha, et il tomba en syncope.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the battlefield truth that strength and pride are fragile under overwhelming force; even a famed hero can lose composure. Ethically, it highlights how war relentlessly tests self-mastery (control of body, mind, and weapon) and exposes human vulnerability amid kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa, after being struck very severely, throws aside his quiver and his Indra-like bow, staggers on his chariot, and briefly faints; his hand loosens and he cannot maintain his grip.