Shloka 273
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
शरवर्षेण महता छादयामास पाण्डवम् । महाराज! तब विषधर सर्पके समान फुफकारते हुए कर्णने बाणोंकी भारी वर्षा करके पाण्डुपुत्र भीमसेनको आच्छादित कर दिया
śaravarṣeṇa mahatā chādayāmāsa pāṇḍavam | mahārāja! tad viṣadhara-sarpa-samānaṃ phūphkārateva karṇo bāṇānāṃ bhārīṃ varṣāṃ kṛtvā pāṇḍuputraṃ bhīmasenaṃ samantāc chādayāmāsa |
Sañjaya said: O King, with a mighty shower of arrows Karṇa covered the Pāṇḍava. Hissing like a venomous serpent, he poured down a heavy rain of shafts and completely enveloped Bhīmasena, the son of Pāṇḍu—an image of relentless martial fury in the midst of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya arena where resolve, skill, and controlled ferocity are tested. Ethically, it underscores how war magnifies inner states—wrath and determination can become overwhelming forces—yet they remain bound to the warrior code of direct confrontation rather than deceit.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa intensifying the fight by unleashing a massive, continuous volley of arrows that ‘covers’ Bhīma from all sides. The comparison to a hissing venomous serpent conveys Karṇa’s fierce, dangerous momentum in that exchange.