Shloka 9
कर्णस्य मन्त्रः — Duryodhana-प्रति नीति-विचारः
Karna’s Counsel on Strategy toward the Pāṇḍavas
वयं हि क्षत्रिया राजन् पाण्डो: पुत्रा महात्मन: । ज्येष्ठ मां विद्धि कौन्तेयं भीमसेनार्जुनाविमौ,राजन! हमलोग क्षत्रिय ही हैं, महात्मा पाण्डुके पुत्र हैं। मुझे कुन्तीका ज्येष्ठ पुत्र समझिये, ये दोनों भीमसेन और अर्जुन हैं
vayaṁ hi kṣatriyā rājan pāṇḍoḥ putrā mahātmanaḥ | jyeṣṭhaṁ māṁ viddhi kaunteyaṁ bhīmasenārjunāv imau ||
«O König, wir sind wahrlich Kṣatriyas, Söhne des großherzigen Pāṇḍu. Wisse mich als Kuntīs ältesten Sohn; und diese beiden sind Bhīmasena und Arjuna».
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes rightful identity grounded in dharma: one’s social duty (kṣatriya responsibility) and legitimate lineage are not merely personal facts but ethical claims that establish standing, accountability, and proper conduct in royal and political contexts.
Yudhiṣṭhira formally introduces himself and his brothers to a king, stating that they are kṣatriyas and the sons of Pāṇḍu, identifying himself as Kuntī’s eldest and pointing out Bhīmasena and Arjuna as the two accompanying him.