Shloka 78
“रणभूमिमें अभिमन्युके सामने खड़े होनेकी शक्ति कर्णमें नहीं रह गयी थी। वह सुभद्राकुमारके बाणोंसे छिन्न-भिन्न हो खूनसे लथपथ एवं अचेत हो गया था ।।
niḥśvasan krodha-saṃdīpto vimukhaḥ sāyakārdītaḥ | apayāna-kṛtotsāho nirāśaś cāpi jīvite ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Humihingal at nag-aalab sa galit, si Karṇa—sugatan at ginugulo ng mga palaso ni Abhimanyu—ay tumalikod sa labanan. Ang kanyang loob ay kumiling na lamang sa pag-urong, at nawala pa ang pag-asa sa sariling buhay. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito na sa digmaan, ang pagmamataas at poot ay maaaring gumuho tungo sa kawalang-pag-asa kapag hinarap ng higit na tapang at walang humpay na husay.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological truth of the battlefield: anger does not guarantee strength. When one’s conduct is driven by wrath and ego rather than steady dharma and discipline, courage can quickly degrade into panic and hopelessness under pressure.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa, struck repeatedly by Abhimanyu’s arrows, is in visible distress—panting, enraged, yet turning away from combat. His resolve shifts toward retreat, and he becomes doubtful even about surviving.