Shloka 53
तान् प्रद्रुतान् कुरून् दृष्टवा कर्ण: शस्त्रभृतां वर: । संचिन्तयित्वा पार्थस्य वधे दश्ने मन:श्वसन्,शस्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ कर्णने कौरव-सैनिकोंको भागते देख खूब सोच-विचारकर लंबी साँस लेते हुए मन-ही-मन अर्जुनके वधका निश्चय किया
tān pradrutān kurūn dṛṣṭvā karṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ | saṃcintayitvā pārthasya vadhe dadhne manaḥ śvasan ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the Kuru warriors fleeing in disorder, Karṇa—foremost among those who bear weapons—reflected deeply. Drawing a long breath, he inwardly fixed his resolve upon the slaying of Pārtha (Arjuna), seeking to restore the Kaurava cause through a decisive act amid the moral and strategic collapse of the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how battlefield collapse tests leadership: Karṇa responds to the Kuru panic by concentrating on a single decisive objective—Arjuna’s death. Ethically, it shows the tension between kṣatriya valor and the narrowing of moral vision when victory is pursued through personal rivalry and desperate strategy.
Sañjaya reports that the Kuru troops are fleeing. Seeing this, Karṇa—renowned among warriors—thinks intensely and, with a long breath indicating strain and determination, resolves inwardly to kill Arjuna (Pārtha) to turn the battle in the Kauravas’ favor.