Shloka 19
पृष्ठगोप्ता तु कर्णस्य ज्येष्ठ; ओ महारथ: । वृषसेन: स्वयं कर्ण पृष्ठत: पर्यपालयत्
pṛṣṭhagoptā tu karṇasya jyeṣṭhaḥ, o mahārathaḥ | vṛṣasenaḥ svayaṃ karṇa pṛṣṭhataḥ paryapālayat |
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai yang terunggul antara para maharathi, Vṛṣasena—putera sulung Karṇa—berperanan sebagai pengawal belakang Karṇa, melindunginya sendiri daripada serangan yang datang dari arah belakang.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya discipline and loyalty: protection of one’s leader and kin is not merely affection but a battlefield duty. Vṛṣasena’s personal rear-guard role embodies steadfast service and responsibility under danger.
Sañjaya describes the battle formation around Karna: his eldest son Vṛṣasena takes position behind him as a dedicated rear-guard, ensuring Karna is not struck from the back while engaged with enemies in front.