Shloka 38
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
महाराज! सब ओर भागनेवाले योद्धाओंके कारण आपके पुत्रोंकी वह विशाल सेना भयभीत और व्याकुल हो उठी ।।
tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti ca tataḥ sūtaputrasya jalpataḥ |
na avatiṣṭhati sā senā vadhyamānā mahātmabhiḥ ||
Disse Sañjaya: Então, embora Karṇa — o filho do cocheiro — continuasse a clamar: “Parai! Parai!”, aquele exército não se deteve de modo algum, pois estava sendo dizimado pelos Pāṇḍavas de grande alma. Com os guerreiros fugindo por todos os lados, a vasta hoste de teus filhos ficou tomada de medo e perturbação, incapaz de firmar-se em meio ao morticínio.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In war, mere command and reputation cannot replace morale and cohesion: when fear spreads and losses mount, an army collapses despite a leader’s urgent calls. The verse highlights the ethical and psychological reality that adharma-driven or demoralized forces often fail to ‘stand’ when tested.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the Kaurava host is breaking and fleeing. Karna repeatedly urges the troops to hold their ground, but the army cannot stop retreating because the Pandavas—described as ‘great-souled’—are cutting them down.