Shloka 266

कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा

Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying

Devanagari script

आकर्णपूर्णविशिखै: कर्ण विव्याध सप्तभि: । उन भल्लोंसे आहत हो भयंकर पराक्रमी महाबाहु भीमसेनने कर्णको भी कानतक खींचकर छोड़े गये सात बाणोंसे पीट दिया

Transliteration

ākarṇapūrṇaviśikhaiḥ karṇa vivyādha saptabhiḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: Bhīmasena, the mighty-armed warrior of dreadful prowess, struck Karṇa with seven arrows drawn to the ear. Wounded by those sharp shafts, Karṇa was beaten back in the press of battle—an episode that underscores how, in war, even the greatest heroes must endure the immediate fruits of opposing strength and resolve.

Word by Word

• आकर्णपूर्णविशिखैः: with arrows whose points were drawn up to the ear (full-drawn)
• आकर्णपूर्णविशिखैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकर्णपूर्णविशिख
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• कर्णम्: Karna
• कर्णम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• विव्याध: pierced
• विव्याध: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यध्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• सप्तभिः: with seven
• सप्तभिः: Karana
• Type: Numeral
• Root: सप्त
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Bhīmasena (Bhima)
• Karṇa
• arrows (viśikha)
• bow (implied by ākarṇa-drawing)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the battlefield reality that status and reputation do not exempt anyone from consequences; valor must be met with valor, and endurance under attack is part of kṣatriya-dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Bhīma shoots Karṇa with seven fully drawn arrows, wounding him and checking his advance amid the ongoing combat.