Shloka 11
Somadatta’s Kṣātra-Dharma Accusation; Night Combat, Māyā, and the Fall of Ghaṭotkaca
Droṇa-parva, Adhyāya 131
व्याक्षिपन् सुमहच्चापमतिमात्रममर्षण: । कर्ण: सुयुद्धमाकाड्शक्षन् दर्शयिष्यन् बल॑ मृथे
vyākṣipan sumahac cāpam atimātram amarṣaṇaḥ | karṇaḥ suyuddham ākāṅkṣan darśayiṣyan balaṁ mṛdhe ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Karṇa, yang tidak tahan dihina dan menyala dengan tekad yang garang, menghunus serta mengangkat busurnya yang teramat besar. Mendambakan pertarungan senjata yang sejati, dia ingin memperlihatkan kekuatannya di medan perang.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of proving oneself through open combat: the warrior’s urge to demonstrate strength and seek a ‘proper fight’ (suyuddha). At the same time, it shows how wounded pride and intolerance of insult (amarṣaṇa) can intensify violence, reminding readers that martial honor can be driven by both duty and personal passion.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa in the midst of battle: he forcefully brandishes his massive bow, eager for a decisive engagement, and prepares to display his power against his opponents on the field.