Shloka 41
युधिष्ठिरस्य धनंजय-प्रति गर्हा
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Reproach to Dhanaṃjaya
ततः संधाय नवतिं निमेषान्नतपर्वणाम् । बिभेद कवचं राज्ञो रणे कर्ण: शितै: शरै:,तत्पश्चात् पलक मारते-मारते झुकी हुई गाँठवाले नब्बे बाणोंका संधान करके कर्णने उन पैने बाणोंद्वारा रणभूमिमें राजा युधिष्ठिरके कवचको छिलन्न-भिन्न कर डाला
tataḥ sandhāya navatiṁ nimeṣān nataparvaṇām | bibheda kavacaṁ rājño raṇe karṇaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Karṇa, swiftly fitting ninety arrows with bent joints, pierced and tore apart the king’s armor on the battlefield with his razor-sharp shafts. The scene underscores the ruthless efficiency of war: valor and skill are displayed, yet the violence strips away protection and dignity alike, pressing the combatants toward ever graver choices under the pressure of kṣatriya duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, skill and determination can overwhelm even strong defenses; ethically it points to the harsh momentum of kṣatriya duty, where protection and restraint can be rapidly eroded, forcing leaders to confront the consequences of choosing battle.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa strings and releases ninety specially described arrows and, with sharp shafts, rends the king Yudhiṣṭhira’s armor in the midst of battle.