Shloka 40
द्रोणपुत्रस्याग्नेयास्त्रप्रयोगः — अर्जुनस्य ब्राह्मास्त्रप्रतिघातः — व्यासोपदेशः
Aśvatthāmā’s Agneyāstra, Arjuna’s Brāhmāstra Counter, and Vyāsa’s Instruction
ततः कर्णो हतं मत्वा वृषसेनं महारथम् । पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्त: सात्यकिं प्रत्यपीडयत्,तब महारथी वृषसेनको मारा गया मानकर कर्ण पुत्रशोकसे संतप्त हो सात्यकिको पीड़ा देने लगा
tataḥ karṇo hataṃ matvā vṛṣasenaṃ mahāratham | putraśokābhisaṃtaptaḥ sātyakiṃ pratyapīḍayat ||
ततः कर्णो हतं मत्वा वृषसेनं महारथम् । पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्तः सात्यकिं प्रत्यपीडयत् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense personal attachment and bereavement can overwhelm discernment and propel one toward harsher action. In the ethical landscape of the Mahābhārata, it illustrates the tension between kṣatriya duty (fighting on) and the destabilizing force of grief, which can convert sorrow into aggression.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa, thinking his son Vṛṣasena has been killed, becomes consumed by grief and immediately intensifies his assault on Sātyaki, attempting to overpower and injure him in the ongoing battle.