Shloka 336
Chapter 136: Pandava Counter-Encirclement and the Vāyavya-Astra Disruption
प्राद्रवज्जवनैरश्वे रणं हित्वा महाभयात् । महाराज! भीमके बाणोंसे आहत होकर कर्ण विह्नल हो उठा और महान् भयके कारण युद्ध छोड़कर शीघ्रगामी घोड़ोंकी सहायतासे भाग निकला
prādravat javanaiḥ aśvaiḥ raṇaṁ hitvā mahābhayāt | mahārāja! bhīmaka-bāṇair āhataḥ karṇaḥ vihvalaḥ samabhavat, mahābhayāt yuddhaṁ parityajya śīghragāmibhir aśvaiḥ apākrāmat ||
サञ्जयは言った。「大王よ、ビーマの矢に打たれたカルナは動揺し、甚だしい恐怖に囚われて戦を捨てた。俊足の馬に頼り、彼は戦場から逃れ去った。」これは、名高い勇気でさえ、決意が貫かれ心が戦の暴虐の中で定まらぬとき、揺らぎうることを示す。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of human composure in war: physical injury and psychological shock can overpower even celebrated warriors. Ethically, it underscores that valor is not merely reputation but sustained steadiness under duress, and that fear can drive actions contrary to a warrior’s expected resolve.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa, wounded by Bhīma’s arrows, becomes disoriented and, overwhelmed by fear, abandons the fight and flees using his swift horses.