Shloka 19
दुःशासनवधः (Duḥśāsana-vadha) — Bhīma’s vow-fulfillment in combat
ततो दश दिश: कर्ण: शलभैरिव यायिभि:
tato daśa diśaḥ karṇaḥ śalabhair iva yāyibhiḥ
Disse Sañjaya: Depois disso, os movimentos de Karṇa espalharam-se pelas dez direções, como enxames de mariposas em voo—irrequietas, velozes e por toda parte ao mesmo tempo—sinal de que o ímpeto da batalha começava a eclipsar toda contenção.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a simile to show how, in war, a powerful warrior’s activity can become all-pervading and uncontrollable—suggesting an ethical warning: when conflict escalates, it spreads rapidly and overwhelms boundaries, making restraint and discernment harder to maintain.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa’s rapid, wide-ranging movement on the battlefield. The comparison to swarming, flying moths conveys speed, multitude-like presence, and the sense that Karṇa’s attacks or maneuvers are appearing in every direction.