Shloka 4
धृतराष्ट्र–संजय संवादः: कर्ण–घटोत्कचयोर्निशायुद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Description of the Night Engagement of Karṇa and Ghaṭotkaca
इति मामब्रवीत् कर्ण: पश्यतस्ते धनंजय । एवं वक्ता च मे वध्यस्तेन चोक्तो5स्मि भारत,“धनंजय! कर्णने तुम्हारे सामने ही मुझसे बारंबार कहा है कि “अरे! तू निमूछिया, मूर्ख, पेटू, अस्त्रविद्याको न जाननेवाला, बालक और संग्रामभीरु है; अतः युद्ध न कर।” भारत! जो ऐसा कह दे, वह मेरा वध्य होता है। उसने मुझे ऐसा कह दिया
iti mām abravīt karṇaḥ paśyatas te dhanaṃjaya | evaṃ vaktā ca me vadhyas tena cokto 'smi bhārata ||
Sañjaya said: “Thus did Karṇa speak to me, O Dhanañjaya, while you looked on. And, O Bhārata, whoever addresses me in such a manner becomes one who deserves to be slain by me; he has spoken so to me.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya ethical stance: public contempt and deliberate provocation are treated as a serious breach of honor, making the offender ‘vadhya’ (liable to be slain) within the norms of wartime conduct. It reflects how speech itself can be construed as an aggressive act in a martial context.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa addressed him in Arjuna’s presence. Sañjaya emphasizes that such insulting speech makes the speaker his legitimate target, and he notes that Karṇa has indeed spoken to him in that manner.