Shloka 18
अन्धकार-रजःसंमूढे रणाङ्गणे प्रदीपप्रकाशः | Illumination of the Army in Darkness and Dust
त॑ पराड्मुखमालोक्य पदातिं सूतनन्दनम् | कौन्तेयशरसंछन्न॑ राजा दुर्योधनो<ब्रवीत्,सूतपुत्र कर्णको युद्धसे विमुख, पैदल तथा भीमसेनके बाणोंसे आच्छादित देखकर राजा दुर्योधन अपने सैनिकोंसे बोला--
taṁ parāṅmukham ālokya padātiṁ sūtanandanam | kaunteyaśarasaṁchannaṁ rājā duryodhano 'bravīt ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಕೌಂತೇಯನ ಬಾಣಗಳಿಂದ ಆವೃತನಾಗಿ, ಕಾಲಾಳುವಾಗಿ ಯುದ್ಧಮಾಡುತ್ತ ಹಿಂದೆ ತಿರುಗಿದ ಸೂತನಂದನ ಕರ್ಣನನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ರಾಜ ದುರ್ಯೋಧನನು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದನು।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pressure of kṣatriya duty in war: a leader expects steadfastness from a champion, and retreat—especially when wounded and disordered—becomes a moment where honor, responsibility, and resolve are tested.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana sees Karṇa turned away and fighting on foot, covered with Arjuna’s arrows, and then Duryodhana speaks to him—setting up a confrontation or exhortation aimed at restoring Karṇa’s fighting stance and confidence.