Shloka 64
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
भारत! तत्पश्चात् अमेय आत्मबलसे सम्पन्न सात्यकिने भीमसेनके रथसे उलझे हुए कर्णको पीड़ा देना आरम्भ किया, क्योंकि वे भीमसेनके पृष्ठभागकी रक्षा कर रहे थे ।।
bhārata! tatpaścāt ameya-ātmabalase sampanna-sātyakine bhīmasenaka-rathase ulajhe hue karṇako pīḍā denā ārambha kiyā, kyoṅki ve bhīmasenake pṛṣṭhabhāgakī rakṣā kara rahe the. || abhyavartata karṇas tam ardito 'pi śarair bhuśam | tāv anyonyaṃ samāsādya vṛṣabhau sarva-dhanvinām ||
Sañjaya disse: “Ó Bhārata! Depois disso, Sātyaki—dotado de incomensurável força de ânimo—começou a apertar e atormentar Karṇa, que se achara enredado com o carro de Bhīmasena, pois Sātyaki guardava a retaguarda de Bhīma. Embora duramente ferido por muitas flechas, Karṇa ainda avançou; e os dois, encontrando-se de frente, mantiveram-se como os touros mais eminentes entre todos os arqueiros—cada qual recusando ceder na feroz contenda de dever e inimizade no campo de batalha.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield dharma as protective responsibility: Sātyaki’s ethical focus is not mere aggression but guarding Bhīma’s vulnerable rear, while Karṇa’s steadfast advance despite heavy wounds exemplifies unwavering resolve. The image of ‘two bulls among archers’ underscores disciplined courage and the moral weight of loyalty in war.
Bhīma and Karṇa are locked in close chariot-combat. Sātyaki, possessing great inner strength, attacks Karṇa to relieve pressure and to protect Bhīma from attacks from behind. Even though Karṇa is badly pierced by arrows, he advances to meet Sātyaki directly, and the two engage as premier champions.