Shloka 40
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
ततो दुर्योधन: कर्णमब्रवीत् प्रणयादिव । पश्य कर्ण महासेना पज्चालैरदिता भूशम्,उस समय दुर्योधनने कर्णसे प्रेमपूर्वक कहा--“कर्ण! देखो, पांचालोंने मेरी इस विशाल सेनाको अत्यन्त पीड़ित कर दिया है
tato duryodhanaḥ karṇam abravīt praṇayād iva | paśya karṇa mahāsenā pāñcālair arditā bhṛśam ||
Sañjaya sprach: Dann redete Duryodhana zu Karṇa, gleichsam in vertrauter Zuneigung: „Sieh, Karṇa—dieses gewaltige Heer ist von den Pāñcālas schwer bedrängt und gepeinigt worden.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a wartime ethical tension: rulers depend on personal bonds and loyal allies, yet must face the real human cost of conflict. Duryodhana’s affectionate appeal underscores how attachment and reliance shape decisions amid suffering on the battlefield.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana turns to Karṇa and points out that the Pāñcālas are severely pressing and injuring the Kaurava forces, implicitly urging Karṇa’s intervention and leadership in the fight.