Shloka 45
Adhyāya 36: Ghora-yuddha-varṇanam
A Clinical Description of the Intensified Engagement
ततः प्रायात् प्रीतिमान् वै रथेन वैयाप्रेण श्वेतयुजाथ कर्ण: । स चालोक्य ध्वजिनीं पाण्डवानां धनंजयं त्वरया पर्यपृच्छत्
tataḥ prāyāt prītimān vai rathena vaiyāpreṇa śvetayujātha karṇaḥ | sa cālokya dhvajinīṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ dhanañjayaṃ tvarayā paryapṛcchat ||
三阇耶说道：随后迦尔纳满怀自信与欢欣，乘着自己的战车出发——车行迅疾，白马牵引。见般度五子的大军阵列立于眼前，他急切询问“财胜者”檀那阇耶（阿周那）在何处。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of meeting one’s principal opponent directly, seeking honor through open confrontation. At the same time, it sits within the Mahābhārata’s ethical tension: personal valor and rivalry unfold inside a devastating civil war, where ‘duty’ and ‘desire for victory’ can blur.
Sañjaya narrates that Karṇa departs joyfully in a swift chariot drawn by white horses. On seeing the Pāṇḍava forces arrayed before him, he urgently asks where Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) is—signaling his intent to engage him in battle.