Mahabharata 7.167.7 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 167, Shloka 7
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
सहदेवमथायान्तं द्रोणप्रेप्सु महारथम् । कर्णो वैकर्तनो राजन् वारयामास पाण्डवम्,राजन! द्रोणाचार्यको पकड़नेके लिये आते हुए महारथी पाण्डुपुत्र सहदेवको वैकर्तन कर्णने रोका
sahadevam athāyāntaṃ droṇa-prepsu mahāratham | karṇo vaikartano rājan vārayāmāsa pāṇḍavam ||
Sañjaya thưa: “Tâu Đại vương, khi Sahadeva—con của Pāṇḍu, bậc đại xa chiến—tiến lên với ý định bắt lấy Droṇa, thì Karṇa, người được gọi là Vaikartana, đã chặn lại.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: even a legitimate strategic objective (capturing the opposing commander-teacher) meets resistance from those whose duty is loyalty and protection. Dharma here appears as role-based obligation—each warrior acts according to his allegiance and responsibility.
Sahadeva advances with the intention of seizing Droṇa. Karṇa, called Vaikartana, intercepts and restrains Sahadeva, preventing him from reaching Droṇa.
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