Shloka 40
अथ त्वरन् कर्णवधाय पार्थोी महेन्द्रवज्ञानलदण्डसंनि भम् । आदत्त चाथाञ्जलिकं निषज्ञात् सहस्ररश्मेरिव रश्मिमुत्तमम्
atha tvaran karṇavadhāya pārtho mahendravajrānaladaṇḍasaṃnibham | ādatta cāthāñjalikaṃ niṣaṅgāt sahasraraśmer iva raśmim uttamam ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan, si Partha (Arjuna), na nagmamadaling tapusin ang buhay ni Karna, ay humugot mula sa kanyang lalagyan ng palaso ng palasong tinatawag na Añjalika—nakapanghihilakbot na gaya ng kulog na sandata ni Indra at gaya ng tungkod ng apoy, at nagniningning na parang dakilang sinag ng Araw na may sanlibong sinag.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights decisive action aligned with one’s role (kṣatriya-dharma): when a grave threat endangers the larger cause, hesitation must yield to resolute, disciplined effort—yet the narrative also invites reflection on the moral weight of lethal duty in war.
Sanjaya describes Arjuna, intent on killing Karna, swiftly drawing the famed arrow Añjalika from his quiver. Its power and brilliance are emphasized through comparisons to Indra’s thunderbolt, a staff of fire, and a radiant ray of the Sun.