Shloka 496
अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
धनंजयरयथं हित्वा राधेयं प्रत्युदीयतुः । उस समय चक्ररक्षक युधामन्यु और उत्तमौजाने भी धनंजयका रथ छोड़कर कर्णपर ही आक्रमण किया
dhanañjayarathaṃ hitvā rādheyaṃ pratyudīyatū |
Sañjaya said: Leaving Dhanañjaya’s chariot, the two—Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas, appointed as the wheel-guards—turned back and charged straight at Rādheya (Karna). In the press of war, their duty of protection becomes an active moral choice: to risk themselves in order to shield their leader and confront a formidable adversary directly.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in action: loyal guardians do not merely stand by defensively but take decisive, self-risking action to protect their charge. In a righteous framework, courage and responsibility are shown through timely intervention against a dangerous threat.
During the battle, Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas—serving as Arjuna’s chariot and wheel protectors—leave Arjuna’s chariot position and launch an attack on Karna (Rādheya), confronting him directly.