Shloka 24
कर्णनिधनश्रवणम् — Hearing of Karṇa’s Fall and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament
अभिमन्योर्व॑ं श्रुत्वा प्रतिज्ञामपि चात्मन: । धनंजयेन विक्रम्प गमितो यमसादनम्
sañjaya uvāca |
abhimanyor vadhaṃ śrutvā pratijñām api cātmanaḥ |
dhanañjayena vikramya gamito yamasādanam ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Nang marinig ang pagpaslang kay Abhimanyu at maalala ang sariling panata, ang mandirigmang iyon—kapantay ni Karṇa sa digmaan, mabilis magpakawala ng sandata, matatag sa lakas at tapang, at maningning sa dakilang ningning—ay nakipagsagupa kay Dhanañjaya (Arjuna). Sa harap mismo ni Karṇa, siya’y nabuwal sa kamay ni Arjuna at ipinadala sa tahanan ni Yama.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of a remembered vow (pratijñā) in a kṣatriya context: grief over a loved one’s death is transformed into disciplined resolve, and duty-bound action is carried through even amid the chaos of battle.
After Abhimanyu is slain, Vṛṣasena (Karṇa’s son), renowned for valor, confronts Arjuna. Arjuna, recalling his vow connected with Abhimanyu’s death, fights him and kills him, sending him to Yama’s abode, and this occurs in Karṇa’s presence.