Shloka 2
Karṇa-nidhana-śravaṇa, Kṣaya-Varṇana, and Śeṣa-sainika-nirdeśa
Hearing of Karṇa’s Fall, Accounting of Losses, and Naming of Remaining Warriors
तस्मिन् निपतिते भूमौ विह्नलले राजसत्तमे
tasmin nipatite bhūmau vihvalale rājasattame
तस्मिन् भूमौ निपतिते, राजसत्तम, स विह्वलः संमूढश्च तत्रैव शयितः; यथा रणधर्मस्य गुरुत्वे युद्धकलुषे च क्षणेनैव वीराणां मानो निपतति—तदिदं दृश्यं तस्य द्योतकं बभूव।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of human strength and status in the face of violent conflict: even the mighty can be reduced to helplessness in an instant, inviting reflection on restraint, responsibility, and the ethical gravity of war.
Vaiśampāyana describes a figure who has fallen to the ground and lies there in a stunned, distressed state, while addressing the listener as 'best of kings'—a typical epic narration frame directed to King Janamejaya.