कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
हत्वा जित्वा च गन्धर्वाश्षित्रसेनमुखान् रणे । कर्ण दुर्योधनं पार्थ: सभार्य सममोक्षयत्
hatvā jitvā ca gandharvān citrasenamukhān raṇe | karṇa duryodhanaṁ pārthaḥ sabhāryaḥ samamokṣayat |
Setelah membunuh dan memukul mundur para Gandharva—yang dipimpin oleh Citraratha (Citraseṇa)—di medan perang, Pārtha (Arjuna) membebaskan Karṇa dan Duryodhana, beserta isteri-isteri mereka. Peristiwa ini menegaskan dharma seorang pahlawan: walau dalam permusuhan, kehormatan tetap dijunjung dengan menyelamatkan dan melepaskan yang terancam, tidak membiarkan perseteruan peribadi mengatasi kebenaran.
काक उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma and ethical restraint: even after defeating opponents, a noble warrior acts with honor—rescuing and releasing rivals rather than exploiting their humiliation, placing righteousness above personal animosity.
Arjuna defeats the Gandharvas led by Citraseṇa/Citraratha in battle and then frees Duryodhana and Karna, who are in captivity, releasing them along with their wives.