Shloka 12
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
न भीष्मव्यसनं केचिन्नापि द्रोणस्य मारिष | नान्येषां पुरुषव्याप्र मेनिरे तत्र कौरवा:,पुरुषसिंह! माननीय नरेश! रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ महाधनुर्धर दुर्जय वीर कर्ण रथपर बैठकर उदयकालीन सूर्यके समान तम (दुःख या अन्धकार)-का निवारण कर रहा था। उसे देखकर कोई भी कौरव भीष्म, द्रोण तथा दूसरे महारथियोंके मारे जानेके दुःखको कुछ नहीं समझते थे
na bhīṣmavyasanaṁ kecin nāpi droṇasya māriṣa | nānyeṣāṁ puruṣavyāprā menire tatra kauravāḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: “Ó venerável, houve entre os Kauravas alguns que já não sentiam a calamidade que se abatera sobre Bhīṣma, nem a de Droṇa, nem mesmo a dos demais heróis. Naquele momento, seu luto e desalento foram como eclipsados—pois Karṇa, o primeiro entre os combatentes de carro, tomara seu lugar no carro como o sol nascente, dissipando as trevas do desespero.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective emotion in war can shift rapidly: the presence of a powerful leader can suppress grief and restore confidence, showing the ethical tension between personal sorrow and the duty-driven momentum of battle.
After the fall of major commanders like Bhīṣma and Droṇa, the Kauravas’ sorrow is momentarily set aside; Sañjaya notes that their attention and hope turn to Karṇa’s command, which dispels their despair like sunrise dispels darkness.