Shloka 41
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन प्रेषयामास मृत्यवे । छित्त्वा च कार्मुकं तूर्ण पाण्डवस्याशु पत्रिणा
sārathiṁ cāsya bhallena preṣayāmāsa mṛtyave | chittvā ca kārmukaṁ tūrṇaṁ pāṇḍavasya āśu patriṇā | rājendra |
Wika ni Sañjaya: Sa isang matalim na palasong bhalla, ipinadala niya sa Kamatayan ang kutsero ng mandirigmang iyon. Pagdaka, sa isang palasong may balahibo, mabilis niyang pinutol ang busog ng Pāṇḍava. O Hari, si Karṇa—na wari’y nakangiti, halos walang pagsisikap at sa loob lamang ng isang saglit—ay ginawang walang-karwahe ang kakila-kilabot na makapangyarihang si Bhīmasena.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the ethics of epic warfare, tactical precision can instantly overturn a warrior’s position: by removing the charioteer and cutting the bow, Karṇa neutralizes Bhīma’s capacity to fight effectively. It also points to the ever-present reality of mṛtyu (death) in battle—status and strength are fragile when confronted by skill and circumstance.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa strikes down the opponent’s charioteer with a bhalla-arrow and then quickly cuts the Pāṇḍava’s bow with another arrow, leaving Bhīmasena without a functioning chariot setup—effectively rendering him ‘rathahīna’ (chariotless/disabled in chariot-combat) for the moment.