Shloka 11
Adhyāya 36: Ghora-yuddha-varṇanam
A Clinical Description of the Intensified Engagement
ततो रथस्थ: परवीरहन्ता भीष्मद्रोणावस्तवीर्यों समीक्ष्य । समुज्ज्वलद््भास्करपावका भो वैकर्तनोडसौ रथकुञ्जरो नूप
tato rathasthaḥ paravīrahantā bhīṣmadroṇāv astavīryau samīkṣya | samujjvalad-bhāskarapāvakābho vaikartano 'sau rathakuñjaro nṛpa naraśreṣṭha tad-anantaraṃ prakāśamānaḥ sūrya-agnike samāna-tejasvī śatruvīra-saṃhāra-samarthaḥ rathopaviṣṭo rathiśreṣṭhaḥ karṇaḥ etad dṛṣṭvā yathā bhīṣma-drona-parākramasya lopo jātaḥ arjunasya alaukika-karma-cintanena abhimāna-darpadagdhaḥ krodhena calann iva dīrgha-dīrghaṃ niśvāsān ākṛṣya śalyam abravīt—
サンジャヤは言った。するとカルナは――戦車の上に立ち、敵の勇士を屠る者、太陽と火のごとく赫々と輝く者――ビーマとドローナの武威が尽きたのを見た。アルジュナの超常の戦功を思い、誇りと驕りに灼かれ、怒りに震えるかのように長く重い息を引きはじめた。そのとき彼はシャリヤに向かって語りかけた。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and wounded ego can inflame anger even in a great warrior. Karṇa’s brilliance is compared to sun and fire, yet his inner state is ‘burnt’ by abhimāna and darpa—suggesting that ethical steadiness and self-mastery are as crucial as martial power.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa on his chariot noticing that Bhīṣma and Droṇa are no longer active (their prowess has ended). Thinking of Arjuna’s exceptional exploits, Karṇa becomes agitated—breathing heavily in anger—and then turns to address his charioteer Śalya.