Shloka 1
अप्-४-कात एकपज्चाशत्तमो< ध्याय: भीमसेनके द्वारा धृतराष्ट्रके छ: पुत्रोंका वध, भीम और कर्णका युद्ध, भीमके द्वारा गजसेना, रथसेना और घुड़सवारोंका संहार तथा उभयपक्षकी सेनाओंका घोर युद्ध धृतराष्ट्र रवाच सुदुष्करमिदं कर्म कृतं भीमेन संजय । येन कर्णो महाबाहू रथोपस्थे निपातितः,धृतराष्ट्र बोले--संजय! भीमसेनने तो यह अत्यन्त दुष्कर कर्म कर डाला कि महाबाहु कर्णको रथकी बैठकमें गिरा दिया
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | suduṣkaram idaṁ karma kṛtaṁ bhīmena sañjaya | yena karṇo mahābāhu rathopasthe nipātitaḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O Sañjaya, Bhīma has accomplished a deed exceedingly hard to achieve—he has struck down the mighty-armed Karṇa, making him fall upon the seat of his chariot.” In the moral atmosphere of the war, the king’s words convey both astonishment and anxious recognition that even the most formidable champions can be humbled when violence escalates beyond restraint.
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the instability of martial power: even renowned heroes can be brought low. Ethically, it hints at the tragic momentum of war—astonishment at prowess is inseparable from dread at the consequences of escalating violence.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sañjaya about a striking battlefield event: Bhīma has managed to fell Karṇa onto the chariot-seat, an achievement portrayed as exceptionally difficult given Karṇa’s reputation and strength.