Shloka 41
द्रोणपुत्रस्याग्नेयास्त्रप्रयोगः — अर्जुनस्य ब्राह्मास्त्रप्रतिघातः — व्यासोपदेशः
Aśvatthāmā’s Agneyāstra, Arjuna’s Brāhmāstra Counter, and Vyāsa’s Instruction
पीड्यमानस्तु कर्णेन युयुधानो महारथ: । विव्याध बहुभि: कर्ण त्वरमाण: पुन: पुन:,कर्णसे पीड़ित होते हुए महारथी युयुधान बड़ी उतावलीके साथ कर्णको अपने बहुसंख्यक बाणोंद्वारा बारंबार बींधने लगे
pīḍyamānastu karṇena yuyudhāno mahārathaḥ | vivyādha bahubhiḥ karṇaṃ tvaramāṇaḥ punaḥ punaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Though being hard-pressed by Karṇa, the great chariot-warrior Yuyudhāna, in swift urgency, repeatedly pierced Karṇa with a multitude of arrows. The verse highlights the relentless momentum of battle: even under severe pressure, a warrior’s resolve and duty to his side drive him to answer force with force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores steadfastness under adversity: even when overwhelmed, a warrior committed to his duty (kṣatriya-dharma) responds with determined effort. Ethically, it reflects the battlefield ideal of resilience and unwavering allegiance amid escalating violence.
Sañjaya narrates that Karṇa is pressuring Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki), yet Yuyudhāna, acting quickly, counters by repeatedly striking Karṇa with many arrows, intensifying their duel.