Shloka 59
अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
कर्ण: शोकसमाविष्टो महोरग इव श्वसन् । स शैनेयं रणे क्रुद्ध: प्रदहन्निव चक्षुषा
karṇaḥ śokasamāviṣṭo mahoraga iva śvasan | sa śaineyaṃ raṇe kruddhaḥ pradahann iva cakṣuṣā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Dikuasai dukacita, Karṇa bernafas seperti ular besar yang mendesis. Murka di tengah pertempuran, dia memandang Śaineya seolah-olah membakarnya dengan tatapan mata.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how grief can quickly transmute into rage, especially in war, where ethical restraint is fragile. It implicitly warns that inner turmoil (śoka) can drive outward harm, making self-mastery a crucial dimension of dharma even for a warrior.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa on the battlefield: he is grief-stricken and breathing like a great serpent, then turns fiercely upon Śaineya (Sātyaki), glaring as if to burn him—signaling an imminent violent engagement.