Shloka 120
कर्णेन युधिष्ठिरानीकविदारणम् / Karṇa’s Breach of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Battle-Line
यथैव भगवान् ब्रह्मा लोकधाता पितामह: । सारथ्यमकरोत्तत्र रुद्रस्य परमो5व्यय:
yathaiva bhagavān brahmā lokadhātā pitāmahaḥ | sārathyam akarot tatra rudrasya paramo 'vyayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Sebagaimana Brahmā yang diberkati—pencipta segala alam, Sang Datuk Agung yang dihormati, tertinggi dan tidak binasa—pernah menjalankan tugas sebagai sais kereta bagi Rudra, demikian juga engkau hendaklah segera menguasai dengan teguh kuda-kuda milik Karṇa, putera Rādhā, yang berhati besar itu.”
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, excellence depends on disciplined performance of one’s assigned role. By invoking Brahmā’s exemplary act of serving as Rudra’s charioteer, the verse elevates charioteering from a mere technical task to a dharmic duty requiring steadiness, control, and prompt action.
Bhīṣma addresses the charioteer, urging him to quickly and firmly manage Karṇa’s horses. He supports the instruction with a mythic precedent: Brahmā once acted as Rudra’s charioteer, so the listener should likewise take up the reins for Karṇa without hesitation.