Shloka 12
धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation
राधेयस्तु तदा वीरो नासीत् तत्र पराड्मुख: । धृतराष्ट्रके सब पुत्रोंको युद्धसे विमुख हो भागते देखकर भी राधानन्दन वीर कर्णने वहाँ पीठ नहीं दिखायी ।। आपततन्तीं तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य गन्धर्वाणां महाचमूम्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | Rādheyas tu tadā vīro nāsīt tatra parāṅmukhaḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭrake sab putroṅko yuddhase vimukha ho bhāgate dekhakar bhī rādhānandana vīra Karṇane vahāṁ pīṭha nahīṁ dikhāyī || āpatatantīṁ tu samprekṣya gandharvāṇāṁ mahācamūm ||
Vaiśampāyana said: At that time the heroic Rādheya (Karna) did not turn away in retreat. Even on seeing the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra abandon the fight and flee, the valiant son of Rādhā did not show his back there. Then, beholding the great host of Gandharvas rushing upon them, he stood his ground—embodying the warrior’s ethic of steadfastness amid panic and collapse of morale.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness: even when allies lose heart and flee, a warrior committed to honor and duty does not turn away from danger. It frames courage as an ethical stance—holding one’s ground when collective morale collapses.
During the Gandharva confrontation in the Vana Parva, the Kauravas (sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra) are seen retreating from battle. Karna (Rādheya), however, does not flee; he observes the Gandharvas’ great host charging and remains facing the threat.