Shloka 3
यस्मिन् जयाशा महती पुत्राणां मम संजय । तं॑ भीमाद् विमुखं दृष्टवा कि नु दुर्योधनो<5ब्रवीत्,संजय! जिसपर मेरे पुत्रोंकी विजयकी बड़ी भारी आशा लगी हुई है, उसे भीमसेनसे पराजित होकर युद्धसे विमुख हुआ देख दुर्योधनने क्या कहा?
yasmin jayāśā mahatī putrāṇāṁ mama sañjaya | taṁ bhīmād vimukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā ki nu duryodhano 'bravīt ||
Karna said: “Sanjaya, the man in whom my sons had placed great hope of victory—seeing him turned away from the battle after being routed by Bhima, what indeed did Duryodhana say?”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological stakes of war: when a leader’s side depends heavily on a single champion, that dependence becomes a vulnerability. A warrior turning away after defeat signals a collapse of resolve, prompting scrutiny of leadership response and the demands of kshatriya-dharma (steadfastness in battle).
Karna questions Sanjaya about Duryodhana’s reaction after seeing a key fighter—one on whom Karna’s sons relied for victory—defeated by Bhima and withdrawing from the fight. It sets up a report of Duryodhana’s words and the Kaurava camp’s morale and strategy.