Shloka 13
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
शोभनं शोभनं कर्ण सनाथ: कुरुपुड्गभव: । त्वया नाथेन राधेय वचसा यदि सिध्यति,“कर्ण! बहुत अच्छा, बहुत अच्छा! राधापुत्र! यदि बात बनानेसे ही कार्य सिद्ध हो जाय, तब तो तुम-जैसे सहायकको पाकर कुरुराज दुर्योधन सनाथ हो गये
śobhanaṃ śobhanaṃ karṇa sanāthaḥ kurupuṅgavaḥ | tvayā nāthena rāḍheya vacasā yadi sidhyati ||
Sañjaya sprach: „Vortrefflich—vortrefflich, o Karṇa! Da du sein Beschützer bist, steht der Stier unter den Kurus (Duryodhana) wahrlich fest gestützt. Wenn sich ein Werk allein durch Worte und gewandte Rede vollbringen ließe, dann würde ihn ein Helfer wie du wahrhaft sicher machen.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts mere eloquence with effective action: if success came only from words, then Karṇa’s support would be enough to secure Duryodhana. Implicitly, it questions overconfidence in rhetoric and highlights the ethical demand for deeds aligned with dharma rather than boastful assurances.
Sañjaya comments on Karṇa’s role as Duryodhana’s chief supporter during the war. His praise (“excellent, excellent”) carries a pointed edge: he suggests that if outcomes depended only on persuasive speech, Duryodhana would be safe with Karṇa—implying that the grim realities of battle and fate cannot be solved by talk alone.