Shloka 23
कर्णनिधनश्रवणम् — Hearing of Karṇa’s Fall and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament
सम: कर्णस्य समरे य: स कर्णस्य पश्यत: । वृषसेनो महातेजा: शीघ्रास्त्रो दृढविक्रम:
samaḥ karṇasya samare yaḥ sa karṇasya paśyataḥ | vṛṣaseno mahātejāḥ śīghrāstro dṛḍhavikramaḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。「ヴリシャセーナ—カルナの子—は戦場においてカルナに等しい武勇を備え、赫々たる光を放ち、武器の扱いは迅速で、勇気は揺るがなかった。だがカルナの見守る前で、アビマンニュ殺害の後に立てた誓いを忘れぬアルジュナに挑み、アルジュナは彼をヤマの国へ送った。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the binding force of a warrior’s vow (pratijñā) and how dharma-shaped resolve can lead to uncompromising action in war, even against a formidable opponent, despite the sorrow and ethical tension surrounding vengeance.
Sañjaya describes Vṛṣasena, Karna’s powerful son, as Karna’s equal in battle. Vṛṣasena engages Arjuna, but Arjuna—remembering his vow made in response to Abhimanyu’s killing—slays him in Karna’s very presence, sending him to Yama’s realm.