Shloka 156
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
विकटश्न समश्नोभौ देवपुत्रोपमौ नृप । नरेश्वर! वे दोनों थे विकट (विकटानन) और सम। देवपुत्रोंके समान सुशोभित होनेवाले वे दोनों वीर आँधीके उखाड़े हुए दो वृक्षोंके समान पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़े
sañjaya uvāca |
vikaṭaś ca samaś ca ubhau devaputropamau nṛpa |
nareśvara! tau dvau vīrau āndhyāyāḥ ukhāḍitau dvau vṛkṣāv iva pṛthivyāṃ nipetatuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, those two heroes—Vikaṭa and Sama—radiant like sons of the gods, fell upon the earth like two trees torn up by a violent storm. The image underscores the war’s stark impartiality: even the mighty, however splendid, are brought down when the force of battle and fate converges.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights impermanence and the leveling power of war: even warriors who appear godlike in splendor can be felled suddenly, like uprooted trees. It invites reflection on the limits of strength and the inevitability of death amid kṣatriya conflict.
Sañjaya reports to the king that two warriors named Vikaṭa and Sama have been struck down in battle. Their fall is compared to two trees ripped from the ground by a fierce storm, emphasizing the violence and finality of the moment.