Shloka 18

Bhīmasena’s Discourse on Kāla, Resolve, and the Feasibility of Ajñātavāsa (भीमसेनस्य कालोपदेशः)

Devanagari script

अमर्षी नित्यसंरब्धस्तत्र कर्णो महारथ: । सर्वस्त्रिविदनाधृष्यो हाुभेद्यकवचावृत:,उस पक्षमें महारथी कर्ण भी है, जो हमारे प्रति सदा अमर्ष और क्रोधसे भरा रहता है। वह सब अस्त्रोंका ज्ञाता, अजेय तथा अभेद्य कवचसे सुरक्षित है

Transliteration

amarṣī nityasaṃrabdhastatra karṇo mahārathaḥ | sarvāstravidanādhṛṣyo hy abhedyakavacāvṛtaḥ ||

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira sprach: „Auch auf jener Seite steht Karṇa, ein großer Wagenkämpfer — stets voll Groll und immer wieder von Zorn gegen uns entflammt. Er kennt jede Waffe, ist im Kampf unangreifbar und durch einen undurchdringlichen Panzer geschützt.“

Word by Word

अमर्षीresentful, intolerant

नित्य-संरब्धःalways enraged/agitated

तत्रthere, in that side

कर्णःKarna

महा-रथःgreat chariot-warrior

सर्व-अस्त्र-विद्knower of all weapons

अनाधृष्यःunassailable, not to be overpowered

अभेद्य-कवच-आवृतःcovered/protected by impenetrable armor

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

Yudhiṣṭhira

Karṇa

kavaca (armor)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical danger of sustained anger and resentment in conflict, while also stressing the need for clear-eyed assessment of an opponent’s strengths rather than underestimating them.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira is describing the opposing side’s formidable strength by pointing to Karṇa—depicting him as perpetually hostile toward the Pāṇḍavas, highly skilled in weapons, and protected by an impenetrable armor.