Shloka 20
अर्जुनकर्णसंनिपातवर्णनम् / The Convergence of Arjuna and Karṇa
धनंजय! मैं जहाँ-जहाँ भी जाता, कर्णसे भयभीत होनेके कारण सदा उसीको अपने सामने खड़ा देखता था ।।
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: Dhanañjaya! so ’haṁ tenaiva vīreṇa samareṣv apalāyinā, sahayaḥ sarathaḥ Pārtha, jitvā jīvan visarjitaḥ.
ユディシュティラは言った。「おお、ダナンジャヤ（アルジュナ）よ！ 私がどこへ行こうとも、カルナへの恐れのために、いつも彼が目の前に立っているように見えた。まことに、パールタよ、戦場で決して背を向けぬあの勇士カルナこそが、戦車と馬もろとも私を打ち破りながら、なお私の命だけは助けて放ったのだ。」
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ethic of steadfastness (not fleeing) alongside an ethical restraint: even after victory, a fighter may choose to spare an opponent. It also shows how fear and psychological pressure shape a leader’s experience in war.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Arjuna, confessing that Karṇa’s presence haunted him wherever he went. He recalls that Karṇa defeated him in battle—overpowering him with his chariot and horses—yet did not kill him and instead let him go alive.