Shloka 19
Draupadī’s Identification of the Pāṇḍavas and the Onset of the Chariot Engagement (द्रौपदी-पाण्डव-परिचयः)
पाण्डवानां यशो राजंस्तव निनन््दां च भारत । अनुजानीहि मां राजन् सभृत्यबलवाहनम्
pāṇḍavānāṃ yaśo rājan tava nindāṃ ca bhārata | anujānīhi māṃ rājan sabhṛtyabalavāhanam ||
Karna sprach: „O König, o Bhārata, ich kann weder den Ruhm der Pāṇḍavas noch den Tadel ertragen, der auf dich fällt. Darum, o König, gewähre mir die Erlaubnis aufzubrechen — mit meinen Dienern, meinen Streitkräften und meinen Wagen.“
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya concern for honor and reputation: a warrior-leader seeks permission to act so that a rival’s fame does not eclipse his side and so that his king is not subjected to public blame.
Karna addresses the king (called ‘Bhārata’), stating that he cannot tolerate the Pāṇḍavas’ rising renown and the consequent reproach to the king; he asks for leave to depart with his full retinue and military resources, implying readiness for decisive action.