Shloka 70
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
गतो यथेप्सितं देशं हंसो मन इवाशुग: । उस कौएको उसके स्थानपर रखकर उसे आश्वासन दे मनके समान शीघ्रगामी हंस पुनः अपने अभीष्ट देशको चला गया ।। ६९ $ ।। एवमुच्छिष्टपुष्ट: स काको हंसपराजित:
gato yathepsitaṃ deśaṃ haṃso mana ivāśugaḥ | evaṃ ucchiṣṭa-puṣṭaḥ sa kāko haṃsa-parājitaḥ ||
Schnell wie der Geist setzte der Schwan die Krähe an ihren Platz, sprach ihr Mut zu und zog dann in das Land, das er begehrte. So blieb die Krähe, die nur von Resten genährt war, vom Schwan besiegt—eine ethische Mahnung, dass wahre Vortrefflichkeit nicht aus dem opportunistischen Leben von dem entsteht, was andere übrig lassen, sondern aus eigener Kraft und Zucht.
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts the swan’s innate excellence and swift purposeful movement with the crow’s dependence on leftovers, suggesting that genuine worth comes from one’s own discipline and discernment rather than opportunistic gain.
After placing the crow back in its proper place and reassuring it (as implied by the surrounding narration), the swan departs swiftly to its chosen destination; the crow is described as having been nourished by leftovers and ultimately defeated by the swan.