कर्णेन व्यूहविधानम् — Karṇa’s Battle Formation and the Pāṇḍava Counter-Plan
Adhyāya 31
यथा सर्वास्ववस्थासु वार्ष्णेय: पाति पाण्डवम् | तथा भवान् परित्रातुं कर्ण वैकर्तनं रणे
yathā sarvāsv avasthāsu vārṣṇeyaḥ pāti pāṇḍavam | tathā bhavān paritrātuṃ karṇa vaikartanaṃ raṇe ||
三阇耶说道:“正如瓦尔什涅耶(圣克里希那)在一切境遇中护持般度之子(阿周那),同样,愿你在战场上护卫迦尔那——维迦尔多那。”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic importance of steadfast protection in warfare: as Kṛṣṇa’s constant guardianship sustains Arjuna, so a comparable protective commitment is invoked for Karṇa. It implies that success in dharmic conflict depends not only on individual valor but also on loyal support and vigilant safeguarding.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, draws a comparison: Kṛṣṇa continually protects Arjuna, and likewise someone is urged (addressed as ‘bhavān’) to protect Karṇa (Vaikartana) in the battle. The statement frames Karṇa’s peril and the need for reliable support amid the escalating combat.