Shloka 19
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 54 — Missile-Exchange and Tactical Redirection
Arjuna, Aśvatthāman, Karṇa
तस्मिन् हते भ्रातरि सूतपुत्रो वैकर्तनो वीर्यमथाददान: । प्रगृह् दन्ताविव नागराजो महर्षभं व्यात्र इवा भ्यधावत्
tasmin hate bhrātari sūtaputro vaikartano vīryam athādadānaḥ | pragṛhya dantāv iva nāgarājo maharṣabhaṃ vyāghra ivābhyadhāvat ||
Ketika saudaranya terbunuh, Karṇa—putra sais kereta, Vaikartana—menyala oleh amarah dan ingin menampakkan keperkasaannya, menerjang Arjuna dan Uttara tanpa gentar; laksana raja gajah mengangkat gading hendak menghantam puncak gunung, atau laksana harimau menerkam banteng perkasa.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how grief for a fallen kinsman can quickly transform into wrath and a thirst to prove oneself. Ethically, it illustrates a recurring Mahābhārata tension: personal loyalty and martial pride can intensify violence, even when dharma calls for restraint and discernment.
After Karṇa’s brother is killed, Karṇa becomes enraged and, seeking to demonstrate his valor, rushes to attack Arjuna and Uttara. The poet underscores the ferocity of his charge through vivid similes—an elephant with raised tusks and a tiger leaping on a powerful bull.