Shloka 3
वज्नेण निहतो वृत्र: संयुगे भूरितेजसा । त्वया तु निहतः कर्णो धनुषा निशितै: शरै:,“वृत्रासुर युद्धमें महातेजस्वी वज्रके द्वारा मारा गया था; परंतु तुमने कर्णको धनुष एवं पैने बाणोंसे ही मार डाला है
vajreṇa nihato vṛtraḥ saṃyuge bhūritejasā | tvayā tu nihataḥ karṇo dhanuṣā niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sanjaya: Sa labanan, si Vṛtra ay napatay sa pamamagitan ng vajra ng lubhang maningning (si Indra). Ngunit ikaw, O Dhanañjaya, ay pumatay kay Karṇa sa pamamagitan ng busog—sa tulong ng matatalim na palaso. Ipinahihiwatig nito ang pambihirang galing sa pakikidigma: ang kaaway na minsang napabagsak lamang ng sandatang makalangit ay inihahambing ngayon sa pagbagsak ni Karṇa sa pamamagitan ng husay ng tao at matatag na pagpupunyagi, na lalo pang nagpapabigat sa pananagutang moral at sa marilag na dalamhati ng digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the magnitude of Karṇa’s fall by comparing it to the mythic slaying of Vṛtra by Indra’s vajra. Ethically, it frames the event as a moment of grave consequence in the war: human agency and skill can achieve what is otherwise attributed to divine weaponry, thereby intensifying responsibility, fame, and the tragic cost of victory.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, contrasting two slayings: Vṛtra was killed in battle by Indra’s thunderbolt, whereas Karṇa has been killed by the addressee (contextually Arjuna) using a bow and sharp arrows. The comparison serves to magnify the deed and the stature of the fallen warrior.