Shloka 60
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
ततः स प्रद्रुतं संख्ये रथं दृष्टवा महारथः । अन्वधावत् किरन् बाणै: कड्कपत्रैरजिद्वागैः
tataḥ sa pradrutaṃ saṅkhye rathaṃ dṛṣṭvā mahārathaḥ | anvadhāvat kiran bāṇaiḥ kaṅkapatrair ajidvagaiḥ ||
संजय बोले—तब महारथी कर्ण ने रणभूमि में सारथिरहित रथ को इधर-उधर दौड़ता देख, कंकपत्रयुक्त, सीधे जाने वाले तीखे बाणों की वर्षा करता हुआ उसका पीछा किया।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a hard truth of dharma in war: on the battlefield, alertness and decisive action dominate; when an opponent becomes exposed (a chariot rushing about without proper control), a powerful warrior immediately presses the advantage. It reflects the uncompromising nature of kṣatriya conduct in active combat rather than ideals of gentleness.
Sañjaya describes a great warrior noticing a chariot rushing about in the fight and chasing it, all the while raining down straight-flying, sharp arrows feathered with heron-plumes. In the surrounding Karṇa-parvan context, this is understood as Karṇa pursuing Yudhiṣṭhira’s chariot when it is in a vulnerable state.