Shloka 58
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
शल्य कर्णको हंस और कौएका उपाख्यान सुनाकर अपमानित कर रहे हैं वयं काका: कुतो नाम चराम: काकवाशिका: । हंस प्राणै: प्रपद्ये त्वामुदकान्तं नयस्व माम्
vayaṃ kākāḥ kuto nāma carāmaḥ kākavāśikāḥ | haṃsa prāṇaiḥ prapadye tvām udakāntaṃ nayasva mām ||
قال شاليا: «لسنا إلا غربانًا؛ فكيف لنا أن نتحرك حقًّا (برشاقة أو مهارة)؟ إنما نطلق نعيق الغربان عبثًا. أيتها البجعة، بأنفاس حياتي ألجأ إليك؛ فاهديني إلى حافة الماء.»
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts empty, boastful noise with true ability and discernment: recognizing one’s limits, abandoning vain talk, and seeking competent guidance (taking refuge in the ‘swan’) is presented as the ethical path to safety and dignity.
Śalya, while speaking in the Karṇa Parva, cites a fable-like utterance where a ‘crow’ admits helplessness and appeals to a ‘swan’ to be led to the water’s edge—used rhetorically to shame and instruct by highlighting the gap between pretension and real capacity.