Shloka 15
अध्याय ४ — भीष्मेन कर्णोत्साहनम्
Bhīṣma’s Encouragement of Karṇa
निशम्य वचन॑ तस्य चरणावभिवाद्य च । ययौ वैकर्तन: कर्ण: समीपं सर्वधन्विनाम्,भीष्मजीका यह वचन सुनकर विकर्तनपुत्र कर्णने उनके चरणोंमें प्रणाम किया और वह फिर सम्पूर्ण धनुर्धर सैनिकोंके समीप चला गया
niśamya vacanaṁ tasya caraṇāv abhivādya ca | yayau vaikartanaḥ karṇaḥ samīpaṁ sarva-dhanvinām ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing his words, Karṇa—the son of Vaikartana—bowed in reverence at his feet, and then went back to the vicinity of all the bowmen. The moment underscores the warrior-code of disciplined obedience and respect for senior authority even amid the pressures of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a violent and competitive setting like the battlefield, the epic highlights restraint and propriety: a warrior is expected to honor hierarchy and instruction, showing reverence to seniors/commanders before returning to duty.
Sañjaya narrates that Karṇa listens to the addressed instruction/speech, offers a respectful salutation at the speaker’s feet, and then moves back to join the assembled archers—signaling readiness to act within the command structure.