Shloka 46
कर्णनिधनश्रवणम् — Hearing of Karṇa’s Fall and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament
राधेय: सूतपुत्रश्न भ्रातरश्न महारथा: । केकया: सर्वशश्चापि निहता: सव्यसाचिना,सूतपुत्र राधानन्दन कर्ण, उसके महारथी भाई तथा समस्त केकय भी सव्यसाची अर्जुनके हाथसे मारे गये
Rādheyaḥ sūtaputraś ca bhrātaraś ca mahārathāḥ | Kekayāḥ sarvaśaś cāpi nihatāḥ Savyasācinā ||
Sañjaya said: Rādheya (Karna), the charioteer’s son, along with his brothers—mighty warriors—and indeed all the Kekayas as well, were slain by Savyasācin (Arjuna). The verse underscores the grim moral weight of war: even renowned heroes and entire allied contingents fall when dharma has already been ruptured and the conflict has become inexorable.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of righteous war: once adharma-driven conflict escalates, even celebrated heroes and whole allied groups are destroyed. It implicitly warns that social labels (like 'sūtaputra') and martial glory do not shield anyone from the consequences of war and prior moral collapse.
Sañjaya reports battlefield outcomes: Arjuna (Savyasācin) has slain Karna (Rādheya), Karna’s warrior brothers, and the Kekaya forces. It is a concise tally of major casualties attributed to Arjuna.