Shloka 143
Aśvatthāman’s Arrow-Screen and the Confrontation with Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रौणि–युधिष्ठिर-संग्रामः)
भीरूणां त्रासजननं शल्य हर्षकरं मम । अर्जुनके हाथमें गाण्डीव धनुष और श्रीकृष्णके हाथमें सुदर्शन चक्र है। एक कपिध्वज है तो दूसरा गरुड़ध्वज। शल्य! ये सब वस्तुएँ कायरोंको भय देनेवाली हैं; परंतु मेरा हर्ष बढ़ाती हैं
bhīrūṇāṃ trāsajananaṃ śalya harṣakaraṃ mama | arjunake hastam̐e gāṇḍīva-dhanuṣaṃ śrīkṛṣṇasya hastam̐e sudarśana-cakram | ekaḥ kapidhvajaḥ, dvitīyo garuḍadhvajaḥ | śalya, etāni sarvāṇi vastūni kāyarān bhāyayanti; mama tu harṣaṃ vardhayanti ||
Karna sprach: „O Śalya, was den Zaghaften Schrecken einjagt, erfüllt mich mit Begeisterung. In Arjunas Hand ist der Bogen Gāṇḍīva, und in Śrī Kṛṣṇas Hand der Sudarśana-Diskus. Der eine führt das Banner mit Hanumān, der andere das Banner Garuḍas. Śalya, diese Zeichen erschrecken die Feigen — doch in mir mehren sie nur den Kampfesmut.“
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts cowardice and courage: the same formidable signs that intimidate the fearful can inspire the resolute. It highlights how inner disposition—confidence, pride, and warrior ethos—shapes one’s response to danger.
Karna addresses Shalya (his charioteer) before or during battle, pointing to Arjuna’s and Kṛṣṇa’s renowned weapons and banners. He declares that these celebrated emblems, though terrifying to the timid, only heighten his own excitement and determination to fight.