Shloka 42
धर्मरहस्योपदेशः
Dharma-rahasya Instruction: Vows, Truth, and Non-injury
तं॑ कर्ण: पञ्चविंशत्या नाराचेन समार्पयत् | मदोत्कटं वने दृप्तमुल्काभिरिव कुज्जरम्,कर्णने भीमसेनको पचीस नाराच मारे, मानो किसी शिकारीने वनमें दर्पयुक्त मदोन्मत्त गजराजपर उल्काओंद्वारा प्रहार किया हो
taṁ karṇaḥ pañcaviṁśatyā nārācena samārpayat | madotkaṭaṁ vane dṛptam ulkābhir iva kuñjaram ||
Sañjaya berkata: Karṇa menghentamnya dengan dua puluh lima anak panah nārāca, seolah-olah seekor gajah raja di rimba—angkuh dan mabuk berahi—sedang diserang dengan kayu api yang menyala-nyala.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethic: unwavering exertion and precision in combat, conveyed through a vivid simile. It also cautions that pride and uncontrolled force (symbolized by the rut-maddened elephant) invite intense counter-force.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa delivering a concentrated volley—twenty-five nārāca arrows—against his opponent, likening the assault to hurling firebrands at a proud, musth elephant in the forest.