Shloka 49
यथा सर्वाणि भूतानि मृत्योर्भीतानि मारिष । धर्ममेवोपलीयन्ते कर्मवन्ति हि यानि च,माननीय नरेश! जैसे कर्म करनेवाले सब जीव मृत्युसे डरकर धर्मकी ही शरण लेते हैं, उसी प्रकार आपके पुत्र महामना पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनके भयसे महाधनुर्धर कर्णकी ही ओटमें छिपने लगे थे
sañjaya uvāca |
yathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni mṛtyor bhītāni māriṣa |
dharmam evopalīyante karmavanti hi yāni ca ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai yang mulia, sebagaimana segala makhluk yang terikat oleh karma, kerana takut akan Maut, berlindung pada Dharma—demikian juga putera-puteramu, gentar akan Arjuna putera Pāṇḍu yang berhati luhur, bersembunyi di bawah naungan Karṇa, pemanah agung, demi perlindungan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a moral analogy: as beings instinctively seek Dharma when threatened by Death, warriors likewise seek a righteous or powerful refuge when overwhelmed by fear. It highlights how fear drives the search for protection, and frames ‘taking shelter’ as a universal response—ethically pointing to Dharma as the highest refuge.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava forces, intimidated by Arjuna’s prowess, began to cluster behind Karṇa for protection—treating Karṇa as their shield against Arjuna’s onslaught.