Shloka 18
सैनापत्यमथावाप्य कर्णो राजन् महारथ: । सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चै: प्रायुध्यत रणोत्कट:
senāpatyam athāvāpya karṇo rājan mahārathaḥ | siṃhanādaṃ vinadyoccaiḥ prāyudhyata raṇotkaṭaḥ ||
ഹേ രാജാവേ! സേനാപത്യം ലഭിച്ച മഹാരഥനായ കര്ണന് ഉച്ചത്തില് സിംഹനാദം മുഴക്കി, യുദ്ധത്തിന്റെ ഉഗ്രതയില് പോരാട്ടത്തിന് ഒരുങ്ങി മുന്നേറി.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of publicly assuming responsibility (senāpatya) and meeting conflict with steadfast courage. Ethically, it underscores how leadership in war is expressed through resolve and the willingness to bear the consequences of command.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa has obtained the post of commander of the Kaurava forces. Karṇa then gives a lion-like roar and immediately engages in fierce fighting, signaling a decisive escalation in the battle’s intensity.