Shloka 38
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
महाराज! सब ओर भागनेवाले योद्धाओंके कारण आपके पुत्रोंकी वह विशाल सेना भयभीत और व्याकुल हो उठी ।।
tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti ca tataḥ sūtaputrasya jalpataḥ |
na avatiṣṭhati sā senā vadhyamānā mahātmabhiḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。「そのとき、御者の子カルナが『踏みとどまれ、踏みとどまれ！』と叫び続けたが、その軍は少しも止まらなかった。大いなる魂をもつパーンダヴァたちに斬り伏せられていたからである。戦士たちは四方へ逃げ散り、王の御子らの巨大な軍勢は恐怖と動揺に包まれ、殺戮のただ中で陣を立て直すことができなかった。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In war, mere command and reputation cannot replace morale and cohesion: when fear spreads and losses mount, an army collapses despite a leader’s urgent calls. The verse highlights the ethical and psychological reality that adharma-driven or demoralized forces often fail to ‘stand’ when tested.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the Kaurava host is breaking and fleeing. Karna repeatedly urges the troops to hold their ground, but the army cannot stop retreating because the Pandavas—described as ‘great-souled’—are cutting them down.