कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
हत्वा जित्वा च गन्धर्वाश्षित्रसेनमुखान् रणे । कर्ण दुर्योधनं पार्थ: सभार्य सममोक्षयत्
hatvā jitvā ca gandharvān citrasenamukhān raṇe | karṇa duryodhanaṁ pārthaḥ sabhāryaḥ samamokṣayat |
Setelah menewaskan dan memukul mundur para Gandharwa yang dipimpin Citraratha (Citraseṇa) di medan laga, Pārtha (Arjuna) membebaskan Karṇa dan Duryodhana beserta para istri mereka. Peristiwa ini menegaskan dharma seorang ksatria: bahkan di tengah permusuhan, kehormatan dijunjung dengan menyelamatkan dan melepaskan yang rentan, tidak membiarkan dendam pribadi mengalahkan kebenaran.
काक उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma and ethical restraint: even after defeating opponents, a noble warrior acts with honor—rescuing and releasing rivals rather than exploiting their humiliation, placing righteousness above personal animosity.
Arjuna defeats the Gandharvas led by Citraseṇa/Citraratha in battle and then frees Duryodhana and Karna, who are in captivity, releasing them along with their wives.