Shloka 376
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
प्राविशद् धरणीं राजन् वल्मीकमिव पन्नग: । राजन! जैसे साँप बाँबीमें घुस जाता है, उसी प्रकार वह बाण कर्णके कवच और शरीरको छेदकर धरतीमें समा गया
prāviśad dharaṇīṁ rājan valmīkam iva pannagaḥ |
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, anak panah itu, setelah menembus zirah dan tubuh Karṇa, lenyap masuk ke bumi—laksana ular menyusup ke sarangnya.” Kiasan ini menegaskan derasnya arus takdir dalam perang: bahkan pelindung termasyhur seorang kesatria agung pun dapat ditembus ketika gelombang pertempuran berbalik, mengingatkan rapuhnya kuasa jasmani di tengah pembantaian yang digerakkan adharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile to stress impermanence in war: even renowned strength and protection can fail. It points to the larger Mahābhārata ethic that bodily power is fragile, and outcomes in a dharma-crisis are driven by accumulated karma and the moral trajectory of the conflict.
Sañjaya describes an arrow that, after piercing armor and flesh (contextually, Karṇa’s), continues onward and disappears into the ground—like a snake entering an anthill—highlighting the force and finality of the strike amid the Kurukṣetra battle.