Shloka 286
Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha
Combat Description and Elephant Duel
शोकार्णवे निमग्नो5डहमप्लव: सागरे यथा । रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ उस धर्मात्मा कर्णको द्वैरथयुद्धमें मारा गया सुनकर मैं समुद्रमें नौकारहित पुरुषकी भाँति शोक-सागरमें निमग्न हो गया हूँ
śokārṇave nimagno ’ham aplavaḥ sāgare yathā | rathīnāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ taṃ dharmātmānaṃ karṇaṃ dvairathayuddhe māritaṃ śrutvā samudre naukārahita iva śoka-sāgare nimagno ’smi |
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Mendengar bahwa Karṇa—berhati dharma dan yang terunggul di antara para pejuang kereta—telah gugur dalam duel dua kereta, aku tenggelam ke samudra duka, laksana seorang di lautan tanpa perahu.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the death of a great warrior—especially one described as dharmātmā—creates profound moral and emotional shock. It underscores the ethical tragedy of war: even when victory is achieved, the loss of noble figures can feel like drowning in grief, reminding the listener that dharma and human cost remain central to the epic’s reflection on conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes his reaction upon hearing that Karṇa, foremost among chariot-fighters, has been slain in a chariot duel. He uses a simile: like a boatless man sinking in the sea, he feels submerged in an ocean of sorrow.