Shloka 1
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
अफड--रू- द्वादशोड् ध्याय: दोनों सेनाओंका ला और भीमसेनके द्वारा क्षेम वध संजय उवाच ते सेने<न्योन्यमासाद्य प्रह्ृष्टाश्चनरद्धिपे । बृहत्यौ सम्प्रजहाते देवासुरसमप्र भे
sañjaya uvāca | tataḥ karṇo maheṣvāsaḥ pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm | jaghāna samare śūraḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: O hari, pagkaraan nito si Karna—makapangyarihang mamamana at bayani sa digmaan—ay nagsimulang manalakay at magpabagsak sa hukbo ng mga Pāṇḍava sa larangan, pinauulanan ito ng mga palasong may “baluktot na dugtungan” (mga palasong bihasa ang pag-ukit at tiyak ang tama, nakamamatay).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse does not state a moral maxim directly; it highlights how quickly war escalates under a powerful warrior. Ethically, it invites reflection on the tragic cost of kshatriya valor when directed into a kin-war, where skill and duty can become instruments of widespread destruction.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Karna, a formidable archer, begins a fierce assault on the Pandava forces, striking them down with expertly made and effectively aimed arrows.