Shloka 1
Karṇa-vadha-pratyaya: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Verification of Karṇa’s Fall (कर्णवध-प्रत्ययः)
/ (दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके १६ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल १०३ श्लोक हैं) अपन ह< बक। है २ 2 सप्तचत्वारिशो<् ध्याय: कौरवों और पाण्डवोंकी सेनाओंका भयंकर युद्ध तथा अर्जुन और कर्णका पराक्रम धृतराष्ट्र रवाच तथा व्यूढेष्वनीकेषु संसक्तेषु च संजय । संशप्तकान् कथं पार्थो गत: कर्णश्र॒ पाण्डवान्
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
vyūḍheṣv anīkeṣu saṃsakteṣu ca sañjaya |
saṃśaptakān kathaṃ pārtho gataḥ karṇaś ca pāṇḍavān ||
持国王说道：“三阇耶啊，当诸军阵列（vyūha）尽皆布成，两军相接而战之时，帕尔塔（阿周那）是如何向誓死军（Saṃśaptaka）推进的？迦尔那又是如何猛攻般度族诸勇士的？”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the Mahābhārata’s ethical tension in war: once armies are formally arrayed and combat becomes inevitable, leaders and observers still seek clarity about intent, targets, and conduct—implying that even in violence, actions are scrutinized for purpose, strategy, and righteousness.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the opening movements after the armies engage: Arjuna’s assault on the Saṃśaptakas (his sworn challengers) and Karṇa’s offensive against the Pāṇḍava fighters, setting the stage for detailed battle narration.