Shloka 43
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
“पुरुषोत्तम! वीर! पाण्डवोंद्वारा खदेड़े जानेवाले सहस्रों कौरव-सैनिक समरांगणमें तुम्हें ही पुकार रहे हैं! ।। एतच्छुत्वापि राधेयो दुर्योधनवचो महान् । मद्रराजमिदं वाक्यमब्रवीत् प्रहसन्निव
puruṣottama vīra pāṇḍavaiḥ khāditāḥ sahasraśaḥ kaurava-sainikāḥ samarāṅgaṇe tvām eva pukāranti || etac chrutvāpi rādheyo duryodhana-vaco mahān | madrarājam idaṃ vākyam abravīt prahasann iva ||
Sañjaya sprach: „O Bester der Menschen, o Held! Tausende Kaurava-Krieger, von den Pāṇḍavas zurückgedrängt, rufen auf dem Schlachtfeld allein nach dir!“ Und doch, nachdem er Duryodhanas Worte vernommen hatte, wandte sich der große Rādheya an den König von Madra mit dieser Rede, als lächle er—ein Zeichen unbeugsamer Zuversicht in der Not.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, morale and leadership become decisive: soldiers seek a single champion when overwhelmed. Ethically, it also frames the Mahābhārata’s tension between personal valor and the righteousness of the cause—Karna’s confidence and loyalty operate within a morally compromised alliance.
Sañjaya reports that Kaurava troops, being pushed back by the Pāṇḍavas, are calling for help from the foremost warrior. After hearing Duryodhana’s words, Karṇa (Rādheya) turns to Śalya, the king of Madra, and begins speaking—apparently smiling—setting up their exchange amid the battlefield crisis.