Shloka 17
अन्धकार-रजःसंमूढे रणाङ्गणे प्रदीपप्रकाशः | Illumination of the Army in Darkness and Dust
स च्छाद्यमानो बाणौघैर्भीमसेन धनुश्च्युतैः । पुनरेवाभवत् कर्णो भीमसेनात् पराड्मुख:,भीमसेनके धनुषसे छूटे हुए बाणसमूहोंसे आच्छादित होकर कर्ण पुनः भीमसेनसे विमुख हो गया (उन्हें पीठ दिखाकर भाग चला)
sa cchādyamāno bāṇaughair bhīmasena-dhanuś-cyutaiḥ | punar evābhavat karṇo bhīmasenāt parāṅmukhaḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。ビーマセーナの弓から放たれた矢の雨に圧され、矢束に覆われたカルナは、ふたたびビーマセーナに背を向け、背中をさらして戦場から退いた。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a realistic ethic of warfare: valor is tested not by claims of pride but by endurance under pressure. Even renowned fighters may be compelled to withdraw when faced with overwhelming force, showing how outcomes in battle depend on circumstance, skill, and momentum rather than reputation alone.
Bhīmasena releases dense volleys of arrows that cover Karṇa. Unable to withstand the barrage at that moment, Karṇa turns away from Bhīmasena and retreats, effectively showing his back while withdrawing.