Shloka 3
कर्ण-पाण्डव-संमर्दः — Karṇa and Arjuna’s Intensified Engagement
यस्मिन् जयाशा महती पुत्राणां मम संजय । तं॑ भीमाद् विमुखं दृष्टवा कि नु दुर्योधनो<5ब्रवीत्,संजय! जिसपर मेरे पुत्रोंकी विजयकी बड़ी भारी आशा लगी हुई है, उसे भीमसेनसे पराजित होकर युद्धसे विमुख हुआ देख दुर्योधनने क्या कहा?
yasmin jayāśā mahatī putrāṇāṁ mama sañjaya | taṁ bhīmād vimukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā ki nu duryodhano 'bravīt ||
సంజయా! నా కుమారులకు విజయంపై మహత్తర ఆశ ఉన్న వాడిని, భీమునిచేత ఓడిపోయి యుద్ధం నుండి వెనుదిరిగినట్లు చూసి దుర్యోధనుడు ఏమన్నాడు?
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological stakes of war: when a leader’s side depends heavily on a single champion, that dependence becomes a vulnerability. A warrior turning away after defeat signals a collapse of resolve, prompting scrutiny of leadership response and the demands of kshatriya-dharma (steadfastness in battle).
Karna questions Sanjaya about Duryodhana’s reaction after seeing a key fighter—one on whom Karna’s sons relied for victory—defeated by Bhima and withdrawing from the fight. It sets up a report of Duryodhana’s words and the Kaurava camp’s morale and strategy.