Shloka 29
Chapter 137: Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) Slays Somadatta; Yudhiṣṭhira Redirected from Droṇa
दृष्टवा कर्ण तु पुत्रास्ते भीमसेनपराजितम् । नामृष्यन्त महेष्वासा: सोदर्या: पजडच भारत,भरतनन्दन! कर्णको भीमसेनसे पराजित हुआ देख आपके पाँच महाधनुर्थर पुत्र जो परस्पर सगे भाई थे, सह न सके
dṛṣṭvā karṇaṃ tu putrās te bhīmasena-parājitam | nāmṛṣyanta maheṣvāsāḥ sodaryāḥ pañca bhārata ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Karṇa defeated by Bhīmasena, your five sons—great archers and full brothers—could not endure it. Their inability to tolerate that humiliation became the immediate spur for renewed aggression in the battle, showing how wounded pride and loyalty to one’s own can override restraint and deepen the cycle of violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment to honor and clan-pride can overpower patience and discernment. Even mighty warriors, when driven by wounded prestige and fraternal solidarity, may abandon restraint—an ethical warning about anger as a catalyst that prolongs suffering in war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa has been defeated by Bhīma. On witnessing this, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s five sons—full brothers and renowned archers—cannot bear the sight, implying they are provoked to respond forcefully on the battlefield.