Shloka 17
कर्णपुत्रवधः (The Fall of Vṛṣasena) — Karṇa Parva, Adhyāya 62
क्षीणशस्त्रास्त्रकवच: क्षीणबाणो विबाणधि: । श्रान्तसारथिवाहश्न च्छन्नो<स्त्रैररिभिस्तथा
kṣīṇaśastrāstrakavacaḥ kṣīṇabāṇo vibāṇadhiḥ | śrāntasārathivāhaś ca channo 'strair aribhis tathā ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Siya’y napagkaitan ng mga sandata, mga pana at baluti; naubos ang mga palaso at nawala ang laman ng lalagyan. Pagod na pagod ang kanyang kutsero at mga kabayo, at siya man ay nababalot—napipigilan sa lahat ng panig—ng mga sandata ng kaaway.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under extreme depletion—when weapons, protection, and support fail. In the Mahabharata’s war-ethic, true valor includes endurance and composure amid overwhelming pressure, not merely offensive success.
Sañjaya describes a warrior in dire straits: weapons and armor are lost or spent, arrows are exhausted, the quiver is empty, and even the charioteer and horses are worn out, while enemy missiles continue to rain down, surrounding and covering him.