Shloka 18
अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
चक्ररक्षौ तु कर्णस्य पुत्रौ मारिष दुर्जयौ । सुषेण: सत्यसेनश्व त्यक्त्वा प्राणानयुध्यताम्
cakrarakṣau tu karṇasya putrau māriṣa durjayau | suṣeṇaḥ satyasenaś ca tyaktvā prāṇān ayudhyatām ||
ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਿਯ! ਕਰਨ ਦੇ ਦੁर्जੈ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਸੁਸ਼ੇਣ ਅਤੇ ਸਤ੍ਯਸੇਨ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਰਥ ਦੇ ਪਹੀਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਲਈ ਤਾਇਨਾਤ ਸਨ; ਪ੍ਰਾਣਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਮਤਾ ਤਿਆਗ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਯੁੱਧ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਸਨ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: protecting one’s commander and post without clinging to personal survival. Ethically, it portrays loyalty and duty (svadharma) expressed as self-sacrificing service in a righteous role, even amid the tragedy of war.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa’s two sons, Suṣeṇa and Satyasena, are positioned to defend the vulnerable chariot-wheels—an important tactical point in chariot combat. They fight fiercely, disregarding fear of death, to keep Karṇa’s chariot secure in the ongoing battle.