Shloka 4
ततः कर्णरथं यान्तमरिघ्नं तं धनंजयम् । बाणवर्षैरभिष्नन्त: संशप्तकरथा ययु:,तत्पश्चात् कर्णके रथकी ओर जाते हुए शत्रुसूदन धनंजयको बाणोंकी वर्षासे घायल करते हुए संशप्तक रथियोंने उनपर आक्रमण कर दिया
tataḥ karṇarathaṃ yāntam arighnaṃ taṃ dhanaṃjayam | bāṇavarṣair abhiṣṇantaḥ saṃśaptakarathā yayuḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Then, as that foe-slaying Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) moved toward Karṇa’s chariot, the Saṃśaptaka chariot-warriors advanced against him, striking him with showers of arrows. The scene underscores the relentless pressure of battle: even a righteous champion pursuing a principal adversary must face coordinated assaults from vowed fighters who seek to obstruct his course.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the ethics of epic warfare, steadfast pursuit of a major objective (Arjuna moving toward Karṇa) must be matched with readiness to meet immediate duties and dangers. The verse highlights disciplined endurance under coordinated attack and the reality that dharma in battle includes facing obstacles without abandoning one’s larger responsibility.
As Arjuna drives toward Karṇa’s chariot, the Saṃśaptaka chariot-fighters rush in and assail him with dense volleys of arrows, attempting to check his advance and draw him into a fierce engagement.