Shloka 7
सहदेवमथायान्तं द्रोणप्रेप्सु महारथम् । कर्णो वैकर्तनो राजन् वारयामास पाण्डवम्,राजन! द्रोणाचार्यको पकड़नेके लिये आते हुए महारथी पाण्डुपुत्र सहदेवको वैकर्तन कर्णने रोका
sahadevam athāyāntaṃ droṇa-prepsu mahāratham | karṇo vaikartano rājan vārayāmāsa pāṇḍavam ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, as the great chariot-warrior Sahadeva, the son of Pāṇḍu, advanced with the aim of seizing Droṇa, Karṇa—known as Vaikartana—checked him.” The moment underscores how, in the press of war, personal valor and strategic duty collide: the attempt to capture a revered teacher becomes a contested act, resisted by those bound to protect their commander and uphold their side’s cause.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: even a legitimate strategic objective (capturing the opposing commander-teacher) meets resistance from those whose duty is loyalty and protection. Dharma here appears as role-based obligation—each warrior acts according to his allegiance and responsibility.
Sahadeva advances with the intention of seizing Droṇa. Karṇa, called Vaikartana, intercepts and restrains Sahadeva, preventing him from reaching Droṇa.