Shloka 49
Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma
राजेन्द्र! इस प्रकार अभिषेक-कार्य सम्पन्न हो जानेपर शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेवाले राधापुत्र कर्णने स्वर्णमुद्राएँ, गौएँ तथा धन देकर श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणोंसे स्वस्तिवाचन कराया ।। (स व्यरोचत राधेय: सूतमागधवन्दिभि: । स्तूयमानो यथा भानुरुदये ब्रह्मवादिभि: ।। उस समय सूत, मागध और वन्दीजनोंद्वारा की हुई अपनी स्तुति सुनता हुआ राधापुत्र कर्ण वेदवादी ब्राह्मणोंद्वारा अभिमन्त्रित उदयकालीन सूर्यके समान सुशोभित हो रहा था। ततः पुण्याहघोषेण वादित्रनिनदेन च । जयशब्देन शूराणां तुमुल: सर्वतो5भवत् ।। जयेत्यूचुर्न॒पा: सर्वे राधेयं तत्र संगता: ।।) तत्पश्चात् पुण्याहवाचनके शब्दसे, वाद्योंकी गंभीर ध्वनिसे तथा शूरवीरोंके जय- जयकारसे मिली-जुली हुई भयंकर आवाज वहाँ सब ओर गूँज उठी। उस स्थानपर एकत्र हुए सभी राजाओंने 'राधापुत्र कर्णकी जय” के नारे लगाये। जय पार्थान् सगोविन्दान् सानुगांस्तान् महामृधे । इति त॑ वन्दिनः प्राहुर्द्धिजाश्व पुरुषर्षभम्,वन्दीजनों तथा ब्राह्मणोंने उस समय पुरुषशिरोमणि कर्णको आशीर्वाद देते हुए कहा --राधापुत्र! तुम कुन्तीके पुत्रोंकोी, उनके सेवकों तथा श्रीकृष्णके साथ महासमरमें जीत लो और हमारी विजयके लिये कुन्तीकुमारोंको पांचालोंसहित मार डालो। ठीक उसी तरह, जैसे सूर्य अपनी उग्र किरणोंद्वारा सदा उदय होते ही अन्धकारका विनाश कर देता है
sa vyarocata rādheyaḥ sūta-māgadha-vandibhiḥ | stūyamāno yathā bhānur udaye brahmavādibhiḥ || tataḥ puṇyāha-ghoṣeṇa vāditra-ninadena ca | jaya-śabdena śūrāṇāṃ tumulaḥ sarvato 'bhavat || jayet yūcur nṛpāḥ sarve rādheyaṃ tatra saṅgatāḥ || jaya pārthān sa-govindān sānugāṃs tān mahāmṛdhe | iti taṃ vandinaḥ prāhur dvijāś ca puruṣarṣabham ||
Sañjaya said: Then Radheya (Karna) shone forth, praised by bards—sūtas, māgadhas, and vandins—like the sun at dawn, lauded with sacred utterances by Veda-knowing Brahmins. After that, a tumult rose everywhere, woven from the auspicious cries of “puṇyāha,” the deep resonance of musical instruments, and the victory-shouts of warriors. All the kings assembled there proclaimed, “Victory to Radheya!” The panegyrists and the Brahmins then blessed that bull among men, saying: “Conquer the sons of Pṛthā (the Pāṇḍavas) together with Govinda (Kṛṣṇa) and their followers in this great battle.” The scene frames a morally charged irony: ritual sanctification and public acclamation are invoked to empower a campaign whose aim is the destruction of kin, showing how social-religious forms can be harnessed to intensify the momentum of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how ritual auspiciousness and collective praise can legitimize and accelerate violent political aims. It invites ethical reflection on the misuse of sacred speech and social authority: blessings and ‘victory’ cries may sanctify a cause publicly, yet dharma remains morally contested when the goal is the destruction of kin and allies.
After Karna’s consecration/installation, bards and Brahmins praise him; instruments sound and the crowd raises victory cries. The assembled kings acclaim Karna, and the bards and Brahmins pronounce a blessing that he defeat the Pāṇḍavas along with Kṛṣṇa and their followers in the coming great battle.