Shloka 143
धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation
क्षणेन व्यधमत् सर्वा चित्रसेनस्थ वाहिनीम् । गन्धवोके मस्तक काटकर गिराते हुए महारथी कर्णने चित्रसेनकी सारी सेनाको क्षणभरमें छिन्न-भिन्न कर डाला
kṣaṇena vyadhamat sarvāṃ citrasenastha-vāhinīm | gandharvokte mastaka-kāṭakair girāte huye mahārathī karṇena citrasenasya sarvāṃ senāṃ kṣaṇabhareṇa chinna-bhinnaṃ kṛtā ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Num só instante, Karṇa—o grande guerreiro de carro—despedaçou todo o exército postado sob Citraseṇa. Com golpes que faziam rolar cabeças, rompeu-lhes as fileiras de imediato, exibindo o poder rápido e terrível de um combatente cuja proeza pode proteger ou destruir conforme a causa que serve.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary power can overturn events instantly; ethically, it invites reflection on how martial excellence is morally shaped by the purpose and command behind it—strength itself is neutral, but its use bears dharmic consequences.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Karṇa rapidly routs and shatters the entire force associated with Citraseṇa, cutting through their formation in a moment and scattering the army.