Shloka 18
कृपकर्णसंवादः
Kṛpa’s Counsel to Karṇa on Deśa-Kāla and Coordinated Strategy
न कुर्या कर्म बीभत्सं युध्यमान: कथंचन । तेन देवमनुष्येषु बीभत्सुरिति विश्रुत:,युद्ध करते समय मैं किसी प्रकार भी बीभत्स (घृणित) कर्म नहीं करता; इसीलिये देवताओं और मनुष्योंमें मेरी 'बीभत्सु” नामसे प्रसिद्धि हुई है
na kuryā karma bībhatsaṃ yudhyamānaḥ kathaṃcana | tena devamanuṣyeṣu bībhatsur iti viśrutaḥ ||
Arjuna sprach: „Selbst im Kampf würde ich unter keinen Umständen eine niederträchtige, schändliche Tat begehen. Wegen dieser Selbstzucht bin ich unter Göttern und Menschen als ‘Bībhatsu’ bekannt—einer, der das Abscheuliche meidet.“
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma requires moral restraint: victory must not be pursued through disgraceful or cruel acts. Arjuna grounds his identity and honor in refusing ‘bībhatsa’ conduct, presenting ethical limits as integral to righteous fighting.
Arjuna speaks about his established reputation in battle. He explains that his epithet ‘Bībhatsu’ comes from his consistent refusal to commit abhorrent deeds even while engaged in combat, emphasizing his adherence to proper warrior conduct.