Shloka 69
तत: शरावापमपास्य सूतजो धनुश्व॒ तच्छक्रशरासनोपमम् । ततो रथस्थ: स मुमोह च स्खलन प्रशीर्णमुष्टि: सुभूशाहत: प्रभो
tataḥ śarāvāpam apāsya sūtajo dhanuś ca tac chakraśarāsanopamam | tato rathasthaḥ sa mumohaca skhalan praśīrṇamuṣṭiḥ subhūśāhataḥ prabho prabho ||
ਫਿਰ ਸੂਤਪੁੱਤਰ ਕਰਨ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਤੂਣੀਰ ਅਤੇ ਇੰਦਰਧਨੁ ਵਰਗਾ ਧਨੁਸ਼ ਛੱਡ ਦਿੱਤਾ। ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਕਠੋਰ ਚੋਟ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਰਥ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੀ ਡੋਲ ਗਿਆ, ਮੋਹਿਤ ਹੋਇਆ; ਉਸ ਦੀ ਮੁੱਠ ਢਿੱਲੀ ਪੈ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਮੂਰਛਿਤ-ਸਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the battlefield truth that strength and pride are fragile under overwhelming force; even a famed hero can lose composure. Ethically, it highlights how war relentlessly tests self-mastery (control of body, mind, and weapon) and exposes human vulnerability amid kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa, after being struck very severely, throws aside his quiver and his Indra-like bow, staggers on his chariot, and briefly faints; his hand loosens and he cannot maintain his grip.