Shloka 18
अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
चक्ररक्षौ तु कर्णस्य पुत्रौ मारिष दुर्जयौ । सुषेण: सत्यसेनश्व त्यक्त्वा प्राणानयुध्यताम्,माननीय नरेश! कर्णके दो दुर्जय पुत्र सुषेण और चित्रसेन उसके पहियोंकी रक्षामें तत्पर हो प्राणोंका मोह छोड़कर युद्ध करते थे
cakrarakṣau tu karṇasya putrau māriṣa durjayau | suṣeṇaḥ satyasenaś ca tyaktvā prāṇān ayudhyatām ||
اے عزیز! کرن کے دو ناقابلِ مغلوب بیٹے—سوشین اور ستیہ سین—اس کے رتھ کے پہیوں کی حفاظت پر مامور تھے؛ وہ جان کی محبت چھوڑ کر لڑ رہے تھے۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: protecting one’s commander and post without clinging to personal survival. Ethically, it portrays loyalty and duty (svadharma) expressed as self-sacrificing service in a righteous role, even amid the tragedy of war.
Sañjaya reports that Karṇa’s two sons, Suṣeṇa and Satyasena, are positioned to defend the vulnerable chariot-wheels—an important tactical point in chariot combat. They fight fiercely, disregarding fear of death, to keep Karṇa’s chariot secure in the ongoing battle.