Shloka 153
Adhyāya 35 — Bhīmasena’s Counter-Encirclement and the Karṇa Engagement Escalation
प्रबभौ पुरुषव्याप्रो मन्दरस्थ इवांशुमान् | उस श्रेष्ठ रथपर चढ़ा हुआ पुरुषसिंह कर्ण अपनी बाणमयी किरणोंसे युक्त हो मन्दराचलके शिखरपर देदीप्यमान होनेवाले सूर्यके समान प्रकाशित हो रहा था
sañjaya uvāca |
prababhau puruṣavyāghro mandarasthe ivāṃśumān |
प्रबभौ पुरुषव्याघ्रो मन्दरस्थ इवांशुमान् । स श्रेष्ठे रथवर्ये स्थितः कर्णः शरमयैः किरणैरिव युक्तः मन्दराचलशिखरे दीप्तिमान् सूर्य इव प्रकाशते स्म ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward brilliance—strength, fame, and martial radiance—can be awe-inspiring yet morally ambiguous in a dharma-conflicted war; splendor does not by itself certify righteousness.
Sañjaya narrates Karṇa’s appearance on his chariot: he is depicted as dazzling and formidable, likened to the sun blazing on Mount Mandara, with his arrows metaphorically becoming the sun’s rays.