Shloka 11463
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
कर्णो भीमादपायासीद्ू रथेन महता द्रुतम् भीमसेनने कर्णके धनुषको तो पहलेसे ही तोड़ दिया था। इसीलिये वह धनंजयके बाणोंसे घायल हो भीमसेनको छोड़कर अपने विशाल रथके द्वारा तुरंत ही वहाँसे दूर हट गया
sañjaya uvāca | karṇo bhīmād apāyāsīd rathena mahatā drutam |
Sanjaya said: Karna swiftly withdrew from Bhima, speeding away on his great chariot. Having already had his bow broken by Bhimasena and being wounded by Dhananjaya’s arrows, he chose to disengage rather than persist in a compromised fight—an act reflecting the battlefield ethic of tactical retreat when one’s means of combat are impaired.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic aspect of kshatriya conduct: courage is not mere stubbornness. When one’s weaponry is disabled and one is wounded, withdrawing to preserve life and regroup can be consistent with battlefield dharma, especially when continuing would be futile or strategically harmful.
During the fighting, Bhima has already broken Karna’s bow, and Arjuna’s arrows have wounded him. In that weakened state, Karna leaves Bhima and rapidly drives away in his large chariot.