Shloka 5
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
निवत्तैश्न पुनः पार्थर्भग्नं शत्रुबलं महत् । अश्वत्थाम्नश्न॒ सड़्कल्पाद्धता: कर्णेन सृज्जया:
nivṛttaiś ca punaḥ pārtha bhagnaṃ śatrubalaṃ mahat | aśvatthāmnaś ca saṅkalpād dhatāḥ karṇena sṛñjayāḥ ||
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ പാർഥാ! അവർ വീണ്ടും പിന്മാറിയപ്പോൾ ശത്രുസേനയുടെ മഹാബലം തകർന്നു. അശ്വത്ഥാമാവിന്റെ സങ്കൽപ്പപ്രകാരം കർണ്ണൻ സൃഞ്ജയരെ വധിച്ചു.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how determination (saṅkalpa) and tactical movement (withdrawal/return) can decisively alter outcomes in war. Ethically, it points to the heavy consequences of fixed intent when it is directed toward destruction—resolve becomes not merely personal will but a force that shapes collective fate.
Sañjaya reports that after a renewed withdrawal/turning back, the enemy host is routed. He further states that, aligned with Aśvatthāman’s intention, Karṇa kills the Sṛñjaya warriors—indicating a coordinated or purpose-driven assault within the larger Kurukṣetra battle.