Shloka 34
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णप्रार्थना — कृपकर्णसंवादः
Duryodhana’s Appeal to Karna — The Kripa–Karna Dialogue
कर्णो जाम्बूनदैर्जालै: संछन्नान् वातरंहस: । हयान् विव्याध भीमस्य पञ्चभि: पठ्चभि: शरै:,उधर कर्णने भीमसेनके सोनेकी जालियोंसे आच्छादित हुए वायुके समान वेगशाली घोड़ोंको पाँच-पाँच बाणोंसे वेध दिया
karṇo jāmbūnadair jālaiḥ saṃchannān vātaraṃhasaḥ | hayān vivyādha bhīmasya pañcabhiḥ pañcabhiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Karna pierced Bhima’s horses—swift as the wind and covered with nets of Jāmbūnada gold—striking each with five arrows. In the fierce ethics of battlefield duty, the act is a calculated disabling of the opponent’s mobility and momentum rather than a direct blow at the warrior, displaying Karna’s tactical focus and relentless martial resolve.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Within the framework of kṣatriya-dharma, the verse highlights strategic restraint and battlefield intelligence: disabling an enemy’s means of movement (horses) can be a decisive, duty-bound tactic, reflecting disciplined martial skill rather than mere rage.
Karna attacks Bhima’s chariot team. The horses, described as wind-fast and adorned/covered with golden netting, are each struck with five arrows, aiming to slow or stop Bhima’s advance and gain advantage in the ongoing combat.