Shloka 24
Adhyāya 40 (Book 7, Droṇa-parva): Abhimanyu’s Rapid Advance and Battlefield Disruption
प्रतपन्तमिवादित्यं निध्नन्तं शात्रवान् रणे । “कर्ण! देखो, वीर दु:ःशासन सूर्यके समान शत्रु-सैनिकोंको संतप्त करता हुआ युद्धमें उन्हें मार रहा था, इसी अवस्थामें वह अभिमन्युके वशमें पड़ गया है ।। अथ चैते सुसंरब्धा: सिंहा इव बलोत्कटा:
sañjaya uvāca | pratapantam ivādityaṃ nighnantaṃ śātravān raṇe | karṇa! dekho, vīra duḥśāsanaḥ sūrya-samaḥ śatru-sainikān santāpayann yuddhe tān nihanan, evam-avasthāyām sa abhimanyor vaśaṃ gataḥ || atha caite susaṃrabdhāḥ siṃhā iva balotkaṭāḥ |
サञ्जयは言った。「カルナよ、見よ！ 勇士ドゥフシャーサナは、燃え盛る太陽のごとき勢いで敵軍を灼き、戦場の只中で仇を討ち倒していた。だがそのまさにその有様のうちに、彼はアビマンニュの支配に落ちたのだ。」そして、激昂し獅子のごとく剛なる戦士たちは、さらに前へと進み出た。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the instability of battlefield fortune: even a warrior who appears invincible—“sun-like” in power—can be suddenly checked. Ethically, it hints at the Mahābhārata’s recurring warning against overconfidence and the tragic momentum of war, where prowess does not guarantee safety or righteousness.
Sañjaya reports to Karṇa that Duḥśāsana was fiercely attacking and tormenting the enemy ranks, but despite this dominance he has been brought under Abhimanyu’s control (overpowered/subdued). The following fragment indicates other warriors, enraged and lion-like in strength, are about to respond.