Shloka 123
धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation
महता शरवर्षेण राधेय: प्रत्यवारयत् । गन्धर्वोकी उस विशाल सेनाको अपनी ओर आती देख कर्णने भारी बाणवर्षा करके उसे आगे बढ़नेसे रोक दिया
mahātā śaravarṣeṇa rādhēyaḥ pratyavārayat | gandharvokīṃ sa viśālāṃ senām ātmānaṃ prati āgatāṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇo gurubhir bāṇavarṣaiḥ sāgre gamanaṃ nyavārayat |
वैशम्पायन उवाच—महता शरवर्षेण राधेयः प्रत्यवारयत्। गन्धर्वाणां महतीं सेनामात्मानं प्रति अभ्युपयान्तीं दृष्ट्वा कर्णो घोरं शरवर्षं मुमोच, तया च तेषामग्रगमनं न्यवारयत्॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-style resolve: when confronted by an advancing hostile force, one must respond with steadiness and skill, restraining violence through disciplined action rather than panic or retreat.
A large Gandharva host advances; Karna (Rādheya) sees them coming and stops their forward movement by releasing a powerful barrage of arrows.