स निवृत्तस्तत: कर्ण: संघट्टधित इवोरग: । भीममावारयामास विकिरन् निशितान् शरान्,तदनन्तर पैरोंसे कुचले गये सर्पके समान कुपित हो कर्ण लौट पड़ा और तीखे बाणोंकी वर्षा करके भीमको रोकने लगा
sa nivṛttas tataḥ karṇaḥ saṅghaṭṭadhita ivoragaḥ | bhīmam āvārayāmāsa vikirann niśitān śarān ||
Sanjaya berkata: “Kemudian Karna berbalik—bagaikan ular yang murka setelah terinjak—dan menahan laju Bhima dengan menebarkan hujan anak panah yang tajam.”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how wounded pride and pain can inflame anger, leading to immediate retaliation; it also reflects the kṣatriya battlefield code where an opponent is checked through decisive action rather than withdrawal.
Karna turns back in fury—compared to a trampled serpent—and blocks Bhima by raining sharp arrows, preventing Bhima’s forward movement in the ongoing battle.