Mahabharata — Karna Parva, Shloka 1
धर्मरहस्योपदेशः
Dharma-rahasya Instruction: Vows, Truth, and Non-injury
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्ाभारत कर्णपर्वमें संकुलयुद्धविषयक उनचासवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ ॥/ ४९ ॥ (दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके १९६ “लोक मिलाकर कुल १११ ६ “लोक हैं) ऑपन-- मा बछ। अि<-छऋाज पज्चाशत्तमो<्ध्याय: कर्ण और भीमसेनका युद्ध तथा कर्णका पलायन संजय उवाच तानभिद्रवतो दृष्टवा पाण्डवांस्तावकं बलम् | दुर्योधनो महाराज वारयामास सर्वश:
sañjaya uvāca | tān abhidravato dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavāṁs tāvakaṁ balam | duryodhano mahārāja vārayāmāsa sarvaśaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “O dakilang hari, nang makita niyang sumasalakay ang mga Pāṇḍava sa iyong hukbo, sinikap ni Duryodhana sa lahat ng paraan at mula sa lahat ng panig na pigilan ang mga mandirigmang iyon at patatagin ang sarili niyang mga hanay.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya-world reality that leadership is tested in moments of panic: a commander must try to restrain the enemy’s surge and stabilize his own troops. Ethically, it underscores responsibility for one’s forces—attempting to prevent disorder and protect the army, even amid a failing cause.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas are charging the Kaurava host. Seeing this, Duryodhana attempts by all means to stop the attackers and to keep his own army from collapsing or scattering.