Shloka 49
यथा सर्वाणि भूतानि मृत्योर्भीतानि मारिष । धर्ममेवोपलीयन्ते कर्मवन्ति हि यानि च,माननीय नरेश! जैसे कर्म करनेवाले सब जीव मृत्युसे डरकर धर्मकी ही शरण लेते हैं, उसी प्रकार आपके पुत्र महामना पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनके भयसे महाधनुर्धर कर्णकी ही ओटमें छिपने लगे थे
sañjaya uvāca |
yathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni mṛtyor bhītāni māriṣa |
dharmam evopalīyante karmavanti hi yāni ca ||
Sañjaya said: “O venerable one, just as all living beings, frightened of Death, take refuge in Dharma—so too did your sons, alarmed by the high-souled Pāṇḍava Arjuna, begin to hide behind Karṇa, the great archer, seeking his protection.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a moral analogy: as beings instinctively seek Dharma when threatened by Death, warriors likewise seek a righteous or powerful refuge when overwhelmed by fear. It highlights how fear drives the search for protection, and frames ‘taking shelter’ as a universal response—ethically pointing to Dharma as the highest refuge.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava forces, intimidated by Arjuna’s prowess, began to cluster behind Karṇa for protection—treating Karṇa as their shield against Arjuna’s onslaught.