Shloka 653
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
जीवितार्थमभिप्रेप्सु: कृपस्य रथमारुहत् । अर्जुनके बाणसमूहोंसे पीड़ित और व्याप्त होकर वह काँटोंसे भरे हुए साहीके समान जान पड़ता था। अपने प्राण बचानेके लिये कर्ण कृपाचार्यके रथपर जा बैठा था
sañjaya uvāca | jīvitārtham abhiprepsuḥ kṛpasya ratham āruhat |
सञ्जय उवाच—जीवितार्थमभिप्रेप्सुः कर्णः कृपस्य रथमारुरोह। अर्जुनस्य शरवृष्ट्या पीडितो व्याप्तश्च स शल्यकण्टकितः शशक इव साहीव च बभूव; प्राणरक्षणाय कृपाचार्यरथं समाश्रितवान्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even renowned warriors can be reduced to seeking mere survival when overwhelmed; the passage highlights the fragility of pride in war and the ethical tension between kṣatriya ideals of steadfastness and the human impulse to preserve life.
Under intense attack from Arjuna’s arrows, Karṇa becomes badly pierced and covered with shafts; to save himself he leaves his own position and climbs onto Kṛpa’s chariot, appearing like a porcupine bristling with spikes.