Shloka 18
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
पज्च पाज्चालवीराणां रथान् दश च पञज्च च । साश्वसूतध्वजान् कर्ण: शरैरनिन्ये यमक्षयम्,उसने अपने बाणोंद्वारा पांचाल वीरोंमेंसे पहले पाँच, फिर दस और फिर पाँच रथियोंको घोड़े, सारथि एवं ध्वजोंसहित मारकर यमलोक पहुँचा दिया
pañca pāñcālavīrāṇāṁ rathān daśa ca pañca ca | sāśvasūtadhvajān karṇaḥ śarair aninye yamakṣayam ||
Sañjaya said: Karṇa, with his arrows, sent to Yama’s abode the charioteers of the Pāñcālas—first five, then ten, and then five more—slaying them along with their horses, charioteers, and standards. The verse underscores the relentless, impersonal momentum of war, where prowess is measured in destruction and entire martial retinues are swept away in an instant.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim ethic of battlefield duty: martial excellence can rapidly annihilate not only individuals but entire chariot-units. It invites reflection on how war reduces persons to counts and formations, and how death (Yama’s realm) becomes the common destination regardless of valor.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa shoots down successive groups of Pāñcāla chariot-warriors—five, then ten, then five—killing them along with their horses, charioteers, and banners, thereby sending them to Yama’s abode.