Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
अर्जुनं समरे क्रुद्धः प्रेक्षमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः | दैरथं चापि पार्थेन कामयानो महारणे
sañjaya uvāca | arjunaṃ samare kruddhaḥ prekṣamāṇo muhur muhuḥ | dairathaṃ cāpi pārthena kāmayāno mahāraṇe |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Si Karṇa, nagngitngit sa labanan, ay paulit-ulit na tumitingin kay Arjuna. Sa dakilang sagupaan, sa pagnanais na makipagduwelo ng karwahe laban karwahe sa anak ni Pṛthā, pinatunog niya ang kaniyang busog na tila hamon sa tunggalian.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of direct challenge and personal accountability in war: intense emotion (anger) is present, yet it is channeled into a formalized code of combat (dairatha), where honor and resolve are publicly signaled.
Sañjaya describes Karna on the battlefield: he repeatedly fixes his gaze on Arjuna and, desiring a decisive chariot-duel with him, makes his bow resound—an audible declaration of challenge in the midst of the great war.