Shloka 8
कर्णपुत्रवधः (The Fall of Vṛṣasena) — Karṇa Parva, Adhyāya 62
चक्ररक्षौ तु पार्थस्य माद्रीपुत्रौ परंतपौ । तावप्यधावतां कर्ण राजानं मा वधीरिति,शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले माद्रीकुमार नकुल और सहदेव राजा युधिष्छिरके चक्ररक्षक थे। वे दोनों भी यह सोचकर कर्णकी ओर दौड़े कि यह राजा युधिष्ठिरका वध न कर डाले
cakrarakṣau tu pārthasya mādrīputrau paraṁtapau | tāv apy adhāvatāṁ karṇa rājānaṁ mā vadhīr iti ||
Sanjaya said: The two sons of Madri—Nakula and Sahadeva, fierce tormentors of foes—were stationed as the wheel-guards of King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Pṛthā. Seeing Karṇa press forward, they too rushed toward him, intent on preventing him from slaying the king—protecting their sovereign and upholding their duty amid the chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as protective loyalty: attendants and brothers must shield the king in crisis. Ethical emphasis falls on duty-bound defense—placing the safety of the rightful leader above personal risk in the turmoil of battle.
Nakula and Sahadeva are positioned as Yudhiṣṭhira’s chariot wheel-guards. When Karṇa advances with lethal intent, they rush to confront him, determined to prevent Yudhiṣṭhira’s death.