Shloka 66
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाड्ि: सूतपुत्र: प्रतापवान्,प्रतापी सूतपुत्र कर्णके सारे अंग खूनसे लथपथ हो गये, तथापि उस वीरने पचास बाणोंसे अर्जुनको भी घायल कर दिया। रणक्षेत्रमें उसकी यह फुर्ती देखकर अर्जुन सहन न कर सके
rudhirokṣita-sarvāṅgaḥ sūtaputraḥ pratāpavān | pratāpī sūtaputraḥ karṇaḥ śarair arjunaṃ pañcāśadbhir apīḍayat | raṇakṣetre tasya etāṃ phurtim dṛṣṭvā arjunaḥ soḍhuṃ na śaśāka |
Sañjaya said: Though the valiant Karṇa, the son of a charioteer, had all his limbs drenched in blood, that fierce warrior still wounded Arjuna with fifty arrows. Seeing such swift prowess on the battlefield, Arjuna could not endure it—an image of how, in war, resolve and pride contend even as bodies fail, and how the ethic of kṣatriya combat drives both heroes to answer injury with unwavering counterstroke.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of steadfastness in battle: even when grievously wounded, a warrior is expected to maintain composure and skill. It also shows how martial pride and duty compel immediate response, making endurance and self-mastery central virtues amid violence.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa, blood-soaked yet undiminished, striking Arjuna with fifty arrows. Arjuna, seeing Karṇa’s speed and prowess on the battlefield, finds it hard to tolerate—setting up a heightened exchange between the two rival archers.