Shloka 32
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
राज्ञो हि धृतराष्ट्रस्य सर्व कार्य प्रियं मया । तथा दुर्योधनस्थापि स हि राज्ये समाहित:
rājño hi dhṛtarāṣṭrasya sarva kārya priyaṃ mayā | tathā duryodhanasyāpi sa hi rājye samāhitaḥ ||
Karna sagte: „Wahrlich, ich habe jedes Vorhaben König Dhṛtarāṣṭras stets als mir teuer und meiner Unterstützung würdig erachtet; ebenso ist mir Duryodhanas Sache teuer — denn er steht fest gegründet und ist ganz auf das Königtum ausgerichtet.“
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal allegiance and broader righteousness: Karna frames his stance as steadfast loyalty to Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s affairs and to Duryodhana’s claim to rule, emphasizing commitment and political fidelity even when moral scrutiny may arise.
In Udyoga Parva, amid negotiations and preparations leading toward war, Karna speaks to affirm where his support lies: he declares that he favors Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s interests and also stands with Duryodhana, portraying Duryodhana as firmly set on sovereignty and thus the focal point of his allegiance.