Shloka 21
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
द्विषन्मध्यमवस्कन्द्य राधेयो धनुरुत्तमम् विधुन्वान: शितैर्बाणै: शिरांस्युन्मथ्य पातयत्
Sañjaya uvāca: dviṣan-madhyam avaskandya rādhēyo dhanur uttamam vidhunvānaḥ śitair bāṇaiḥ śirāṃsy unmathya pātayat.
Si Rādheya (Karṇa), matapos sumugod sa pinakagitna ng hanay ng kaaway, ay inuga ang kaniyang napakahusay na busog; at sa mga palasong matalim na parang labaha, pinutol niya ang mga ulo ng mga kaaway at pinabagsak ang mga ito.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic’s tension between martial excellence and moral scrutiny: extraordinary skill and fearlessness can drive the battlefield narrative, yet the Mahābhārata continually invites reflection on how violence, even when aligned with kṣatriya duty, carries grave ethical weight and consequences.
Sañjaya describes Karna pushing into the center of the opposing formation, brandishing his bow, and using sharp arrows to sever and fell the heads of enemy warriors—an image of intense, close-quarters dominance in the ‘sankula-yuddha’ (confused, crowded battle).