Shloka 19
अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
पृष्ठगोप्ता तु कर्णस्य ज्येष्ठ; ओ महारथ: । वृषसेन: स्वयं कर्ण पृष्ठत: पर्यपालयत्
pṛṣṭhagoptā tu karṇasya jyeṣṭhaḥ, o mahārathaḥ | vṛṣasenaḥ svayaṃ karṇa pṛṣṭhataḥ paryapālayat |
سنجے نے کہا—اے مہارتھیوں میں برتر! کرن کا بڑا بیٹا مہارتھی ورشسین خود کرن کے پیچھے رہ کر پشت سے آنے والے حملوں کو روکتا اور اس کی حفاظت کرتا تھا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya discipline and loyalty: protection of one’s leader and kin is not merely affection but a battlefield duty. Vṛṣasena’s personal rear-guard role embodies steadfast service and responsibility under danger.
Sañjaya describes the battle formation around Karna: his eldest son Vṛṣasena takes position behind him as a dedicated rear-guard, ensuring Karna is not struck from the back while engaged with enemies in front.