Shloka 26
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
चराचरैस्त्रिभिलोेंकैियों $जय्यो रथिनां वर: । तं॑ हत्वाद्य महाबाहो विजयस्तव फाल्गुन
carācarais tribhir lokaiḥ ajayyo rathināṃ varaḥ | taṃ hatvādya mahābāho vijayas tava phālguna ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Si Karna, anak ng tagapagpatakbo ng karwahe, ay naririto bilang nag-iisang dakilang mamamana ng hukbong ito—pinakamataas sa mga mandirigmang nakasakay sa karwahe—na kahit ang tatlong daigdig, kasama ang lahat ng nilalang na gumagalaw at di-gumagalaw, ay hindi kayang magapi nang magkakasama. Ngunit, O Phālguna na makapangyarihan ang bisig, sa pagpatay mo kay Karna ngayong araw, iyo ang tagumpay. At ang dalamhating dumidiin sa aking puso sa loob ng labindalawang taon ay maiaangat. Batid ito, O malakas ang bisig, ayusin mo ang vyūha (pormasyon ng labanan) ayon sa nais mo.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mightiest warrior can be portrayed as ‘unconquerable,’ yet the epic frames victory as arising from decisive action aligned with a larger moral and cosmic order. The verse highlights the ethical weight of confronting formidable power and the relief that comes when a long-standing injustice or suffering is finally resolved.
Sañjaya addresses Arjuna (Phālguna), emphasizing Karna’s extraordinary prowess—said to be unbeatable even by the three worlds—yet predicting that Arjuna will defeat and kill him that very day. He urges Arjuna to arrange the battle formation according to his will, underscoring the strategic and climactic nature of the coming encounter.