Shloka 45
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णप्रार्थना — कृपकर्णसंवादः
Duryodhana’s Appeal to Karna — The Kripa–Karna Dialogue
हेमपुड्खा: प्रसन्नाग्रा भीमसेनथधनुश्चयुता: । प्राच्छादयंस्ते राधेयं शलभा इव पावकम्,भीमसेनके धनुषसे छूटे हुए चमचमाती हुई धारवाले सुवर्णमय पंखोंसे सुशोभित उन बाणोंने राधानन्दन कर्णको उसी प्रकार ढक दिया, जैसे पतिंगे आगको आच्छादित कर लेते हैं
hemapuḍkhāḥ prasannāgrā bhīmasenadhanuscyutāḥ | prācchādayaṃs te rādheyaṃ śalabhā iva pāvakam ||
Anak-anak panah berbuluh emas, berujung cemerlang, yang dilepaskan dari busur Bhimasena, menutupi Radheya (Karna) dari segala sisi—laksana ngengat berkerumun menyelubungi api yang menyala-nyala.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile to show how concentrated effort in battle can overwhelm even a renowned warrior; ethically, it highlights the testing of steadfastness and disciplined conduct under pressure—key aspects of kshatriya-dharma in the epic’s war setting.
Bhima releases a rapid volley of bright, golden-feathered arrows that envelop Karna (Radheya), compared to moths swarming around a flame, indicating Karna is momentarily obscured and pressed hard by Bhima’s attack.