Shloka 116
Aśvatthāman’s Arrow-Screen and the Confrontation with Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रौणि–युधिष्ठिर-संग्रामः)
उभयं तु समासाद्य को निवर्तितुमर्हति । समस्त वृष्णिवंशी वीरोंकी सम्पत्ति श्रीकृष्णपर ही प्रतिष्ठित है और पाण्डुके सभी पुत्रोंकी विजय अर्जुनपर ही अवलम्बित है; फिर उन दोनोंको एक साथ युद्धमें पाकर कौन वीर पीछे लौट सकता है?
ubhayaṃ tu samāsādya ko nivartitum arhati | samasta-vṛṣṇivaṃśī vīrāṇāṃ sampattiḥ śrīkṛṣṇe pary eva pratiṣṭhitā, pāṇḍoḥ sarveṣāṃ putrāṇāṃ jayo 'rjune pary avalambitaḥ; tataḥ tau ubhau yuddhe yugapat prāpya kaḥ śūraḥ punar nivarteta?
Nang masagupa silang dalawa, sino ang maaaring umurong nang nararapat? Ang buong yaman at kagitingan ng angkan ng Vṛṣṇi ay nakasalig kay Śrī Kṛṣṇa, at ang tagumpay ng lahat ng anak ni Pāṇḍu ay nakasalalay kay Arjuna. Kaya’t kapag nakita ang dalawang iyon na magkatabi sa digmaan, sinong mandirigma ang aatras?
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna frames retreat as dishonorable when confronted by the two decisive pillars of the opposing side—Kṛṣṇa as the support of the Vṛṣṇis and Arjuna as the support of the Pāṇḍavas—thus emphasizing kṣatriya resolve and the recognition of where true strength and success are anchored.
Karna, speaking amid the battle context, reflects on the strategic and symbolic weight of facing Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna together. He argues that meeting both at once is precisely the moment that tests a warrior’s courage, making withdrawal unthinkable for one who claims heroism.