Shloka 14
धरण्यां निहत: शेते तन््ममाचक्ष्व केशव । स हि द्रोणं च भीष्मं च कर्ण च बलिनां वरम्
dharaṇyāṃ nihataḥ śete tan mām ācakṣva keśava | sa hi droṇaṃ ca bhīṣmaṃ ca karṇaṃ ca balināṃ varam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Dia terbaring mati di atas bumi. Ceritakan kepadaku hal itu, wahai Keśava. Kerana dialah yang pernah menjatuhkan Droṇa dan Bhīṣma, dan juga Karṇa—yang terunggul antara para perkasa.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the stark moral weight of war: even the greatest champions—those capable of felling legendary warriors—ultimately lie slain on the earth. It invites reflection on impermanence, the cost of kṣatriya duty, and the ethical gravity of violence despite valor.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that a certain formidable warrior now lies dead on the battlefield and asks Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) to explain the matter. The speaker emphasizes the fallen person’s extraordinary prowess by noting that he was responsible for the downfall of Droṇa, Bhīṣma, and Karṇa.