Shloka 90
अध्याय ९ — कर्णस्य प्रहारः, योधयुग्मनियोजनम्, शैनेय-कैकेययोर्युद्धविन्यासः
के कर्ण न जहु: शूरा: के क्षुद्रा: प्राद्रवंस्तत: । कथ॑ं च व: समेतानां हत: कर्णो महारथ:
ke karṇa na jahuḥ śūrāḥ ke kṣudrāḥ prādravan tataḥ | kathaṃ ca vaḥ sametānāṃ hataḥ karṇo mahārathaḥ ||
के कर्णं न जहुः शूराः के क्षुद्राः प्राद्रवंस्ततः । कथं च वः समेतानां हतः कर्णो महारथः ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts steadfast courage with ignoble flight, implying an ethical evaluation of conduct in crisis: true valor is shown by loyalty and perseverance, while cowardice fractures collective strength. It also raises the moral puzzle of how even a ‘mahāratha’ can fall despite allied support, pointing to the limits of mere numbers against destiny, strategy, and dharma.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the war events, asks for a detailed account surrounding Karṇa’s final moments: which warriors remained with him, which soldiers fled, and by what circumstances Karṇa was killed even though his side was fighting in a gathered formation.