Shloka 353
अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
अत: कर्ण: प्रयात्वत्र सात्वतस्य यथातथा । शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेवाले अर्जुन! तुम्हारे लिये कर्ण उसकी प्रतिदिन पूजा करते हुए उसे सदा सुरक्षित रखता है; अतः कर्ण सात्यकिके पास जैसे-तैसे जाय और युद्ध करे
ataḥ karṇaḥ prayātv atra sātvatasya yathā-tathā | śatruvīrāṇāṃ saṃhāra-karaṇe 'rjuna! tubhyaṃ karṇaḥ tasya pratidinaṃ pūjāṃ kurvan taṃ sadā surakṣitaṃ rakṣati; ataḥ karṇaḥ sātyaki-pāśaṃ yathā-kathaṃcit yāyāt yuddhaṃ ca kuryāt ||
Sañjaya said: Therefore let Karṇa set out here against the Sātvata (Sātyaki) in whatever way he can. O Arjuna, destroyer of enemy heroes—Karṇa keeps that (protective power/boon) always secure for him, worshipping it day after day. Hence Karṇa should somehow reach Sātyaki and engage him in battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, the passage highlights two intertwined kṣatriya values: resolute action (doing what must be done in war) and disciplined reverence (pūjā) toward what one considers a source of strength or protection. It frames martial duty as requiring both strategic decisiveness and sustained self-discipline.
Sañjaya reports a tactical direction: Karṇa should somehow reach Sātyaki and fight him. The line also notes that Karṇa maintains a certain protective advantage by daily worship and careful safeguarding, implying preparedness and deliberate cultivation of power before engaging a formidable opponent.