Shloka 56
अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
तान् सूतपुत्रो विशिखैर्दशभिर्दशभि: शरै: | रथेनानुचरन् वीर: प्रत्यविध्यदरिंदम:,रथसे विचरनेवाले शत्रुदमन वीर सूतपुत्र कर्णने भी उन सबको दस-दस बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया
tān sūtaputro viśikhair daśabhir daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ | rathenānucaran vīraḥ pratyavidhyad arindamaḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan nito, si Karṇa, ang anak ng tagapagmaneho ng karwahe—ang mandirigmang dumudurog sa kaaway, na mabilis gumagalaw sa kanyang ratha—ay gumanti at tinamaan silang lahat, bawat isa’y tig-sasampung matutulis na palaso. Ipinakikita ng talatang ito ang walang humpay na gantihan sa digmaan: ang galing ay nasusukat sa maingat na pagganti, subalit sumasalamin din ito sa malungkot na agos ng labanan, kung saan ang husay at tungkulin ay umiikot sa siklo ng pananakit at pagganting-sugat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code context of the epic: in battle, response is immediate and proportionate, showcasing discipline and skill. Ethically, it also points to the grim reciprocity of war—valor functions within a cycle that multiplies harm even when each act is ‘duty-bound’.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa, maneuvering his chariot, counterattacks and wounds the opposing warriors, striking each of them with ten arrows.