Shloka 64
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
भारत! तत्पश्चात् अमेय आत्मबलसे सम्पन्न सात्यकिने भीमसेनके रथसे उलझे हुए कर्णको पीड़ा देना आरम्भ किया, क्योंकि वे भीमसेनके पृष्ठभागकी रक्षा कर रहे थे ।। अभ्यवर्तत कर्णस्तमर्दितो5पि शरैर्भुशम् । तावन्योन्यं समासाद्य वृषभौ सर्वधन्विनाम्
bhārata! tatpaścāt ameya-ātmabalase sampanna-sātyakine bhīmasenaka-rathase ulajhe hue karṇako pīḍā denā ārambha kiyā, kyoṅki ve bhīmasenake pṛṣṭhabhāgakī rakṣā kara rahe the. || abhyavartata karṇas tam ardito 'pi śarair bhuśam | tāv anyonyaṃ samāsādya vṛṣabhau sarva-dhanvinām ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Bhārata! Setelah itu Sātyaki, yang dianugerahi kekuatan batin tak terukur, mulai menekan dan menyiksa Karṇa yang terjerat pada kereta Bhīmasena, sebab Sātyaki menjaga bagian belakang Bhīma. Walau dihantam banyak anak panah hingga perih, Karṇa tetap maju; dan keduanya, bertemu berhadap-hadapan, berdiri laksana banteng-banteng utama di antara para pemanah, tak sudi mengalah di gelanggang perang.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield dharma as protective responsibility: Sātyaki’s ethical focus is not mere aggression but guarding Bhīma’s vulnerable rear, while Karṇa’s steadfast advance despite heavy wounds exemplifies unwavering resolve. The image of ‘two bulls among archers’ underscores disciplined courage and the moral weight of loyalty in war.
Bhīma and Karṇa are locked in close chariot-combat. Sātyaki, possessing great inner strength, attacks Karṇa to relieve pressure and to protect Bhīma from attacks from behind. Even though Karṇa is badly pierced by arrows, he advances to meet Sātyaki directly, and the two engage as premier champions.