Shloka 23
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
अयं कर्ण: कुत: कर्णस्तिष्ठ कर्ण महारणे
ayaṃ karṇaḥ kutaḥ karṇas tiṣṭha karṇa mahāraṇe
Sañjaya berkata: “Inilah Karṇa—di manakah Karṇa sekarang? Teguhlah berdiri, wahai Karṇa, dalam pertempuran besar ini!” Seruan itu sarat dengan desakan dan tekanan moral: dalam krisis perang, seorang pahlawan dipanggil kepada keteguhan dan pertanggungjawaban, bukan kepada pengelakan, kerana nasib ramai bergantung pada tekadnya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma in a moment of peril: a warrior must stand firm and face consequences with courage. It frames steadfastness as an ethical demand when one’s actions affect the wider field of suffering and justice in war.
Sañjaya reports a charged call directed at Karṇa—pointing him out and challenging his whereabouts or readiness—urging him to hold his ground in the great battle. The repetition of “Karṇa” heightens the immediacy and pressure of the moment.