Shloka 20
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
कर्णोडपि रथियनां श्रेष्ठ श्नापमुद्यम्य वीर्यवान् । कौरवाग्रयै: परिवृत: शक्रो देवगणैरिव
karṇo 'pi rathināṁ śreṣṭhaḥ śnāpam udyamya vīryavān | kauravāgryaiḥ parivṛtaḥ śakro devagaṇair iva ||
サञ्जयは言った。カルナもまた—車戦の勇士の中で最もすぐれ、剛勇なる者—武器を掲げた。彼は主だったカウラヴァに囲まれ、あたかも神々の群れに取り巻かれたインドラのようであった。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how martial power is amplified by collective support—leaders appear ‘Indra-like’ when backed by their host—yet it also invites reflection on the ethical ambiguity of glory gained through factional warfare.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa taking up his weapon and standing prominently in battle, surrounded by the chief Kaurava warriors, compared to Indra surrounded by the gods—signaling readiness for a major clash.