Shloka 38
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
महाराज! सब ओर भागनेवाले योद्धाओंके कारण आपके पुत्रोंकी वह विशाल सेना भयभीत और व्याकुल हो उठी ।।
tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti ca tataḥ sūtaputrasya jalpataḥ |
na avatiṣṭhati sā senā vadhyamānā mahātmabhiḥ ||
Sanjaya berkata: Saat itu, meski Karna—putra sais kereta—terus berseru, “Berdirilah! Berdirilah!”, pasukan itu sama sekali tidak berhenti, karena sedang ditebas oleh para Pandawa yang berhatiwa besar. Ketika para kesatria lari ke segala arah, bala tentara besar milik putra-putramu pun diliputi takut dan guncang, tak mampu menegakkan barisan di tengah pembantaian.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In war, mere command and reputation cannot replace morale and cohesion: when fear spreads and losses mount, an army collapses despite a leader’s urgent calls. The verse highlights the ethical and psychological reality that adharma-driven or demoralized forces often fail to ‘stand’ when tested.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the Kaurava host is breaking and fleeing. Karna repeatedly urges the troops to hold their ground, but the army cannot stop retreating because the Pandavas—described as ‘great-souled’—are cutting them down.