Shloka 23
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
कर्णचापच्युतान् बाणान् वर्जयंस्तु नरोत्तम: । अपयातस्ततस्तूर्ण शिखण्डी भृशविक्षत:,तब अत्यन्त घायल हुआ नरश्रेष्ठ शिखण्डी कर्णके धनुषसे छूटे हुए बाणोंसे बचनेके लिये तुरंत वहाँसे भाग निकला
karṇacāpacyutān bāṇān varjayaṃstu narottamaḥ | apayātastatastūrṇaṃ śikhaṇḍī bhṛśavikṣataḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Śikhaṇḍin, sang kesatria utama yang terluka parah, segera mundur dari tempat itu sambil berupaya menghindari anak panah yang dilepaskan dari busur Karṇa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic aspect of kṣatriya conduct: courage includes discernment. When gravely wounded and under heavy attack, withdrawal can be a responsible choice to preserve one’s capacity to fulfill duty later, rather than a mere lapse of valor.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍī, badly injured, swiftly moves away from the immediate danger while trying to avoid the arrows shot from Karṇa’s bow, indicating Karṇa’s pressure on the battlefield and Śikhaṇḍī’s forced retreat.