Shloka 223
Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha
Combat Description and Elephant Duel
घातित: पाण्डवै: शूरै: समरे वीर्यशालिभि: । रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ जिस राधापुत्रने दुर्योधनकी वृद्धिके लिये कंकपत्रयुक्त
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ghātitaḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ śūraiḥ samare vīryaśālibhiḥ | rathīnāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ sa rādheyaḥ (rādhāputraḥ) yaḥ duryodhanasya vṛddhaye kaṅkapatra-yuktaiḥ tīkṣṇa-dhārair painaiḥ bāṇa-saṃghaiḥ samastān śatrūn parājitya tebhyaḥ karaṃ vyāharat | yo divyāstravit, uttamāstra-kuśalaḥ, asmākaṃ senānāṃ rakṣitā ca | sa mahātejasvī dharmātmā vaikartanaḥ karṇaḥ kathaṃ śūravīraiḥ balibhiś ca śatrubhiḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ ghātitaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Napatay sa labanan ng mga Pāṇḍava na matatapang at subok ang lakas—paano nga ba napabagsak si Karṇa, ang maningning at matuwid na Vaikartana, ng gayong magigiting at malalakas na kaaway? Siya ang pinakadakila sa mga mandirigmang nakasakay sa karwahe, ang anak ni Rādhā, na para sa pag-angat at kapakinabangan ni Duryodhana ay nagpasuko sa lahat ng kaaway sa pamamagitan ng mga bugso ng matatalim at matutulis na palaso, at naningil ng tributo sa kanila. Siya’y nakaaalam ng mga banal na sandata, bihasa sa pinakamahuhusay na armas, at tagapagtanggol ng aming mga hukbo. Paano siya napatay ng mga Pāṇḍava?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Karṇa’s fall as a moral and narrative paradox: even a mighty, disciplined, and ‘dharmic’ warrior—skilled in divine weapons and devoted to protecting his side—can be overcome in war. It invites reflection on how loyalty, ambition, and the larger course of dharma and destiny can bring about the downfall of even the most formidable individuals.
Vaiśampāyana describes Karṇa’s stature: foremost among chariot-fighters, a master of divine missiles, and a key defender of the Kaurava forces who had subdued enemies and extracted tribute for Duryodhana’s benefit. Against this backdrop, he raises the question of how such a warrior could be slain by the Pāṇḍavas—setting up the account of the circumstances leading to Karṇa’s death.