Shloka 16
Karṇa-vadha-pratyaya: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Verification of Karṇa’s Fall (कर्णवध-प्रत्ययः)
कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च शकुनिश्चापि सौबल:
sañjaya uvāca | kṛpaś ca kṛtavarmā ca śakuniś cāpi saubalaḥ, śūrasenaiḥ śūravaraiḥ yuyudhur yuddha-durmadāḥ |
三阇耶说道：克利波、克里达跋摩，以及苏婆罗之子沙昆尼——这些沉醉于战斗狂热的勇士——与首屈一指的书罗娑那诸雄并肩，展开惨烈厮杀。此句揭示：老练的统帅在愤怒与武勇的亢奋驱使下仍不断投入战阵，使战争的毁灭更为加剧；这正是《摩诃婆罗多》反复呈现的伦理张力——武艺与忠诚也可能被怒火与野心所役使。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how martial skill and leadership, when fueled by anger and the intoxication of combat (yuddha-durmada), can accelerate violence. It reflects the epic’s ethical concern that valor without restraint and discernment (viveka) becomes a force of ruin, even when performed under the banner of duty.
Sañjaya reports that Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, and Śakuni (son of Subala) are actively engaging in battle, fighting together with prominent Śūrasena heroes. It situates these Kaurava-aligned commanders in the thick of the fighting as the war intensifies.