Shloka 15
कर्णवधप्रसङ्गः / The Context of Karṇa’s Fall
Krishna’s Dharmic Recollection and the Decisive Astra
न चाप्यभूत् क्लान्तमना: स राजन् यावन्नास्मान् दृष्टवान् सूतपुत्र: । श्र॒त्वा तु त्वां तेन दृष्टे समेत- मश्वत्थाम्ना पूर्वतरं क्षतं च
na cāpy abhūt klāntamanāḥ sa rājan yāvan nāsmān dṛṣṭavān sūtaputraḥ | śrutvā tu tvāṃ tena dṛṣṭe sametaṃ aśvatthāmnā pūrvataraṃ kṣataṃ ca ||
Ó rei, o filho do cocheiro não perdeu o ânimo enquanto ainda não nos tinha visto. Mas quando ouviu que tu o tinhas encontrado—e soube também que Aśvatthāmā fora ferido antes—seu ânimo e sua disposição interior foram despertados em meio às consequências que a guerra desdobrava.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s morale and resolve are shaped by direct confrontation and by news of allies’ harm—showing the ethical weight of reputation, loyalty, and the psychological stakes of dharma-driven warfare.
Arjuna addresses the king, describing Karṇa’s state of mind: Karṇa remained undiscouraged until he faced the opposing side; upon hearing of the encounter and of Aśvatthāmā’s earlier injury, his disposition and determination are portrayed as affected within the ongoing battle context.