Shloka 90
अध्याय ९ — कर्णस्य प्रहारः, योधयुग्मनियोजनम्, शैनेय-कैकेययोर्युद्धविन्यासः
के कर्ण न जहु: शूरा: के क्षुद्रा: प्राद्रवंस्तत: । कथ॑ं च व: समेतानां हत: कर्णो महारथ:,किन शूरवीरोंने कर्णका साथ नहीं छोड़ा? और कौन-कौन-से नीच सैनिक वहाँसे भाग गये? तुम सब लोग जब एक साथ होकर लड़ रहे थे, तब महारथी कर्ण कैसे मारा गया?
ke karṇa na jahuḥ śūrāḥ ke kṣudrāḥ prādravan tataḥ | kathaṃ ca vaḥ sametānāṃ hataḥ karṇo mahārathaḥ ||
کون کون سے شجاع سورما کرن کو چھوڑ کر نہیں گئے؟ اور کون کون سے حقیر لوگ وہاں سے بھاگ نکلے؟ تم سب ایک ساتھ ہو کر لڑ رہے تھے، پھر بھی مہارتھی کرن کیسے مارا گیا؟
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts steadfast courage with ignoble flight, implying an ethical evaluation of conduct in crisis: true valor is shown by loyalty and perseverance, while cowardice fractures collective strength. It also raises the moral puzzle of how even a ‘mahāratha’ can fall despite allied support, pointing to the limits of mere numbers against destiny, strategy, and dharma.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the war events, asks for a detailed account surrounding Karṇa’s final moments: which warriors remained with him, which soldiers fled, and by what circumstances Karṇa was killed even though his side was fighting in a gathered formation.