Shloka 12
अभिमन्योश्व बालस्य विनाशं रणमूर्थनि । कर्णस्य च महाबाहो संग्रामेष्वपलायिन:
abhimanyor va bālasya vināśaṃ raṇamūrdhani | karṇasya ca mahābāho saṃgrāmeṣv apalāyinaḥ ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: “O Janamejaya, ikaw na makapangyarihan ang bisig! Sa pag-alaala nila sa pagkawasak ng batang si Abhimanyu sa pinakaharap ng labanan—isang gawaing may bahid ng kawalang-katarungan—at sa pagpaslang kay Karṇa, ang makapangyarihang bisig na hindi kailanman tumalikod sa digmaan (pinatay nang siya’y nasa dehado at hindi lubos na nakilala), sila’y nababagabag sa kalooban at hindi mapalagay, pinapasan ang bigat na moral ng mga pangyayaring iyon.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how violations of dharma in warfare—especially the killing of a young warrior by unfair means and the slaying of a steadfast fighter in a compromised moment—leave lasting moral anguish. Even after victory, the conscience remains troubled when ethical boundaries are crossed.
Vaiśaṃpāyana recounts that the survivors (in the Ashramavāsika context) repeatedly recall two painful war episodes: Abhimanyu’s destruction at the battle-front and Karṇa’s death despite his reputation for never retreating. These memories make them restless and distressed.