Shloka 18
धनंजय-दुर्योधन-संग्रामः
Arjuna–Duryodhana Engagement and Admonition
प्रतिजग्राह तं॑ कर्ण: प्रीयमाणो महारथ: । महता शरवर्षेण वर्षमाणमिवाम्बुदम्,महारथी कर्णने बड़ी प्रसन्नताके साथ मेघके सदृश बाणोंकी दृष्टि करनेवाले अर्जुनको अपने सायकोंकी भारी बौछार करके रोका
pratijagrāha taṃ karṇaḥ prīyamāṇo mahārathaḥ | mahatā śaravarṣeṇa varṣamāṇam ivāmbudam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Karṇa, pahlawan kereta perang agung, menyambutnya dengan gembira; lalu dengan hujan anak panah yang dahsyat, dia menahan Arjuna yang sedang menghujani panah seperti awan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: a warrior meets an opponent directly and responds proportionately, maintaining courage and skill rather than yielding to fear or confusion.
Karna confronts Arjuna in combat. As Arjuna sends a cloud-like rain of arrows, Karna—pleased and confident—answers with an even heavier barrage, effectively checking Arjuna’s advance.