Shloka 13
भीष्म-पर्व अध्याय १०० — त्रिगर्त-आक्रमण, भीष्म-केन्द्रित पुनर्संयोजन, तथा शक्त्यस्त्र-विनिमय
न्यस्तशस्त्रे ततो भीष्मे निहतान् पश्य पाण्डवान् | मयैकेन रणे राजन् ससुहृद्गणबान्धवान्,राजन! भीष्मके हथियार डाल देनेपर पाण्डवोंको केवल मेरे द्वारा युद्धमें सुहदों और बान्धवोंसहित मारा गया समझो
nyastaśastre tato bhīṣme nihatān paśya pāṇḍavān | mayaikena raṇe rājan sasuhr̥dgaṇabāndhavān ||
Karna said: “When Bhishma has laid down his weapons, O King, regard the Pandavas as already slain—slain in battle by me alone, together with their circle of friends and kinsmen.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in war: confidence and martial pride can harden into overreach. Karna’s claim—made when Bhishma is disarmed—reveals how personal rivalry and ambition can eclipse sober judgment and dharmic restraint.
Karna addresses King Dhritarashtra, asserting that once Bhishma has set aside his weapons, the Pandavas should be considered as good as dead, because Karna claims he alone will kill them in battle along with their allies and relatives.