Shloka 11
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
कर्ण उवाच शूरो5यं समरश्लाघी दुर्मतिश्न द्विजाधम: । आसादयतु मद्दीर्य मुज्चेमं कुरुसत्तम,कर्ण बोला--कुरुश्रेष्ठ! यह दुर्बुद्धि एवं नीच ब्राह्मण बड़ा शूरवीर बनता है और युद्धकी श्लाघा रखता है। तुम इसे छोड़ दो। आज यह मेरे पराक्रमका सामना करे
Karṇa uvāca: śūro ’yaṃ samarāślāghī durmatiś ca dvijādhamaḥ | āsādayatu madvīryaṃ muñcemaṃ kurusattama ||
Karna sprach: „O Bester der Kurus! Dieser Mann ist ein Kriegsaufschneider, ein verblendeter Wicht, der Niedrigste unter den Brahmanen. Lasst ihn frei. Heute soll er meiner Tapferkeit entgegentreten!“
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code emphasis on direct confrontation and personal valor, while also exposing how pride and contemptuous speech can distort dharma in wartime—Karna frames the encounter as a test of prowess, but does so through harsh social insult.
Karna addresses a leading Kuru ally as “best of the Kurus” and urges him to release the targeted opponent, declaring that the opponent should come face Karna’s own strength; Karna simultaneously belittles the opponent as a boastful and base Brahmin.