Shloka 78
“रणभूमिमें अभिमन्युके सामने खड़े होनेकी शक्ति कर्णमें नहीं रह गयी थी। वह सुभद्राकुमारके बाणोंसे छिन्न-भिन्न हो खूनसे लथपथ एवं अचेत हो गया था ।।
niḥśvasan krodha-saṃdīpto vimukhaḥ sāyakārdītaḥ | apayāna-kṛtotsāho nirāśaś cāpi jīvite ||
Disse Sañjaya: Ofegante e inflamado de ira, Karṇa—ferido e acossado pelas flechas de Abhimanyu—voltou-se para longe da luta. Seu ânimo agora pendia apenas para a retirada, e ele até perdera a esperança na própria vida. A cena mostra como, na guerra, o orgulho e a cólera podem desabar em desespero quando confrontados por valor superior e habilidade implacável.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological truth of the battlefield: anger does not guarantee strength. When one’s conduct is driven by wrath and ego rather than steady dharma and discipline, courage can quickly degrade into panic and hopelessness under pressure.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa, struck repeatedly by Abhimanyu’s arrows, is in visible distress—panting, enraged, yet turning away from combat. His resolve shifts toward retreat, and he becomes doubtful even about surviving.