Shloka 36
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णप्रार्थना — कृपकर्णसंवादः
Duryodhana’s Appeal to Karna — The Kripa–Karna Dialogue
सरथ: सध्वजस्तत्र समूत: पाण्डवस्तदा । प्राच्छाद्यत महाराज कर्णचापच्युतै: शरै:,महाराज! वहाँ कर्णके धनुषसे छूटे हुए बाणोंद्वारा उस समय रथ, ध्वज और सारथिसहित पाण्डुनन्दन भीमसेन आच्छादित हो गये
sarathaḥ sadhvajas tatra samūtaḥ pāṇḍavas tadā | prācchādyata mahārāja karṇacāpacyutaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
O King, at that moment the Pandava—Bhimasena—together with his charioteer and banner, was completely covered over by the arrows released from Karna’s bow. The scene underscores the relentless intensity of the battle, where martial prowess and resolve momentarily eclipse all else, and a warrior’s skill can overwhelm even a foremost hero on the field.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield reality that skill, focus, and relentless effort can momentarily dominate even great opponents; ethically, it reflects the Kshatriya arena where duty and prowess are tested under extreme pressure, without implying moral victory by force alone.
Karna unleashes a dense volley of arrows such that the Pandava warrior (Bhima), along with his chariot, banner, and charioteer, becomes obscured—signaling Karna’s tactical upper hand in that instant of the duel.