Shloka 52
तदस्य हत्वा विरराज कर्णो मुक्त्वा शरान् मेघ इवाम्बुधारा: । समीक्ष्य कर्णेन किरीटिनस्तु तथा55जिमध्ये निहतं तदस्त्रम्
tadasya hatvā virarāja karṇo muktvā śarān megha ivāmbudhārāḥ | samīkṣya karṇena kirīṭinastu tathā yuddhamadhye nihataṃ tad astram ||
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah menumpaskan (serangan/senjata) itu daripadanya, Karṇa tampak bersinar, melepaskan anak panah bagaikan awan yang mencurahkan hujan berderai-derai. Melihat pelurunya sendiri telah dimusnahkan oleh Karṇa di tengah pertempuran, Arjuna yang bermakota pun berhadapan dengan keperkasaan Karṇa. Adegan ini menegaskan bahawa kecemerlangan tempur dan tekad mampu membalikkan muslihat yang paling ampuh, sementara para pahlawan tetap terikat pada dharma dan kewajiban yang mereka pilih di bawah beban moral perang saudara.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a morally fraught war, warriors act within the constraints of their chosen duty (kṣatriya-dharma). The verse highlights steadfast effort and skill: a powerful opponent’s weapon can be neutralized through resolve and mastery, reminding readers that outcomes hinge on both capability and the relentless momentum of action.
Karna destroys a weapon/missile deployed by Arjuna and then unleashes a dense volley of arrows, compared to rain from a cloud. Arjuna, identified as the diademed Kirīṭin, sees his weapon neutralized in the thick of battle, marking a moment of Karna’s ascendancy in the duel.