Shloka 18
Rāmopākhyāna—Rāma–Sītā Origins and the Opening of Rāvaṇa’s Genealogy
अथोत्द्ुष्टं महेष्वासैर्धार्तराष्ट्रमहारथै: । प्रतिज्ञाते फाल्गुनस्य वधे कर्णेन संयुगे,कर्णके द्वारा युद्धमें अर्जुनके वधकी प्रतिज्ञा करनेपर महान् धनुर्धर महारथी धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रोंने बड़े जोरसे सिंहनाद किया
athotduṣṭaṃ maheṣvāsair dhārtarāṣṭra-mahārathaiḥ | pratijñāte phālgunasya vadhe karṇena saṃyuge ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Apabila Karṇa, di tengah pertempuran, berikrar untuk membunuh Phālguna (Arjuna), para pemanah perkasa—para maharathi, pahlawan kereta perang agung putera-putera Dhṛtarāṣṭra—menjadi sangat bersemangat lalu mengaumkan raungan singa yang menggelegar.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s vow in battle can intensify group morale and hostility. It implicitly warns that pride and violent exhilaration, though effective for rallying troops, can deepen adharma by turning conflict into celebratory aggression rather than restrained duty.
Karṇa publicly vows, during combat, to kill Arjuna (Phālguna). Hearing this, the Kaurava great warriors—Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s side—respond with a loud lion-roar, expressing fierce approval and confidence.