Shloka 21
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
कर्णो हि समरे शक्तो जेतुं देवान् सवासवान्
karṇo hi samare śakto jetuṃ devān savāsavān
सञ्जय उवाच—कर्णो हि समरे शक्तो जेतुं देवान् सवासवान्; तस्य पराक्रमः स्वर्गीयमपि क्रमं स्पर्धयितुमिवाभात्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary human prowess can seem to challenge even divine forces, prompting reflection on the ethical tension in war: strength and skill do not automatically confer righteousness, yet they heavily influence outcomes and decisions.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, emphasizes Karṇa’s battlefield capability—so great that he could defeat even the gods, including Indra—thereby stressing Karṇa’s importance as a decisive warrior in the unfolding conflict.