Shloka 55
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णप्रार्थना — कृपकर्णसंवादः
Duryodhana’s Appeal to Karna — The Kripa–Karna Dialogue
पुनरन्येन बाणेन भीमसेन: प्रतापवान् । चिच्छेद कार्मुकं तूर्ण कर्णस्य प्रहसन्निव,इसके बाद हँसते हुए-से प्रतापी भीमसेनने दूसरा बाण मारकर तुरंत ही कर्णके धनुषको काट दिया
punar anyena bāṇena bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān | ciccheda kārmukaṃ tūrṇaṃ karṇasya prahasann iva ||
पुनरन्येन बाणेन भीमसेनः प्रतापवान् । चिच्छेद कार्मुकं तूर्णं कर्णस्य प्रहसन्निव ॥
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where skill is shown by neutralizing an opponent’s capacity to fight (cutting the bow) and by psychological dominance ("as if laughing"). It underscores how pride, humiliation, and restraint can shape the moral texture of combat even amid violence.
In the midst of the fight, Bhima shoots another arrow and quickly severs Karna’s bow. The phrase "as if laughing" suggests Bhima’s confidence and an intent to unsettle Karna by publicly demonstrating superiority.