Shloka 13
कर्णस्य सेनापत्याभिषेकः | Karṇa’s Consecration as Commander-in-Chief
मणिमान् दण्डधारश्न राजानौ युद्धदुर्मदौ
maṇimān daṇḍadhāraśna rājānau yuddhadurmadau
Sañjaya sprach: „Zwei Könige—stolz und berauscht vom Zorn der Schlacht—rückten vor: der eine mit Juwelen geschmückt, der andere mit einer stabähnlichen Waffe; die Gewalt des Krieges schärfte ihren Hochmut.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war inflames pride (durmada), suggesting an ethical warning: martial power and royal status can become morally dangerous when driven by arrogance rather than dharma and restraint.
Sañjaya describes the appearance and temperament of two kings on the battlefield—one gem-adorned and another characterized as a staff-bearer—both portrayed as battle-intoxicated, setting the tone for imminent combat.