कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
एष कर्णो रणे पार्थ पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् | शरैरविध्वंसयति वै नलिनीमिव कुड्जर:,“कुन्तीनन्दन! जैसे हाथी कमलोंसे भरी हुई पुष्करिणीको मथ डालता है, उसी प्रकार यह कर्ण रणभूमिमें अपने बाणोंद्वारा पाण्डव-सेनाका विध्वंस कर रहा है
sañjaya uvāca |
eṣa karṇo raṇe pārtha pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm |
śarair avidhvaṃsayati vai nalinīm iva kuñjaraḥ ||
โอ้ กุนตีนন্দนะ! ในสนามรบนี้ กรรณะกำลังทำลายกองทัพปาณฑพด้วยศรของตน—ดุจช้างกวนทำลายสระที่เต็มไปด้วยดอกบัว
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the overwhelming force of a warrior in war and the fragility of large formations before concentrated skill. Ethically, it underscores the tragic reality of battle: prowess can bring massive destruction, and victory often comes through the ruin of many.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Karna is presently devastating the Pandava forces with volleys of arrows. He uses a vivid simile: Karna’s assault is like an elephant trampling and churning a lotus-filled pond, scattering and destroying what was once ordered and beautiful.