Shloka 1
रात्रौ युद्धप्रवृत्तिः — Night Battle Begins; Duryodhana’s Protective Orders for Droṇa
Droṇa-parva 139
अपन क्रात बछ। अर: 2 सप्तत्रिशर्दाधिकशततमोब< ध्याय: भीमसेन और कर्णका युद्ध तथा दुर्योधनके सात भाइयोंका वध संजय उवाच भीमसेनस्य राधेय: श्रुत्वा ज्यातलनि:स्वनम् | नामृष्यत यथा मत्तो गज: प्रतिगजस्वनम्,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! भीमसेनके धनुषकी टंकार सुनकर राधानन्दन कर्ण उसे सहन न कर सका। जैसे मतवाला हाथी अपने प्रतिपक्षी गजराजकी गर्जनाको नहीं सहन कर पाता
sañjaya uvāca | bhīmasenasya rādheyaḥ śrutvā jyātalanisvanam | nāmṛṣyata yathā matto gajaḥ pratigajasvanam ||
Sañjaya said: O King, hearing the resounding twang of Bhīmasena’s bowstring, Rādheya (Karna) could not endure it—just as an intoxicated elephant cannot bear the trumpet-call of a rival elephant. The verse frames the clash as a contest of pride and martial will, where sound itself becomes a challenge that provokes retaliation in the ethics of battlefield honor.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the warrior code, signs of strength (even a bow’s twang) function as direct challenges. It also cautions that unchecked pride and agitation can drive one into reactive conflict, like a rut-maddened elephant provoked by a rival’s call.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa hears Bhīma’s powerful bowstring-twang and becomes unable to tolerate it, implying Karṇa is provoked and ready to answer the challenge—setting the tone for their impending combat.