Shloka 21
अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
चेदिकेकयपाञ्चाला यमौ मत्स्याश्न दंशिता: । समभ्यधावन् राधेयं जिघांसन्त: प्रहारिणम्
sañjaya uvāca |
cedikekayapāñcālā yamau matsyāś ca daṃśitāḥ |
samabhyadhāvan rādhēyaṃ jighāṃsantaḥ prahāriṇam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Orang Cedi, Kekaya dan Pāñcāla, bersama-sama dengan pasangan kembar putera Mādrī serta para pahlawan Matsya—semuanya bersenjata dan tersusun rapi—menerjang terus ke arah Rādheya (Karṇa), berniat membunuh penyerang yang menggerunkan itu.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic often seen in the Mahābhārata: when a single warrior becomes a decisive threat, opposing forces may unite to restrain or eliminate him. It raises the tension between ideal single-combat norms and pragmatic duty to protect one’s side.
Sañjaya reports that multiple allied contingents—Cedi, Kekaya, Pāñcāla, the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and Matsya troops—charge together at Karna, determined to kill him, recognizing him as a major offensive force in the battle.