Shloka 17
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
विराटनगरे चापि समेता: सर्वकौरवा: । पार्थेन निर्जिता युद्धे त्वं च कर्ण सहानुज:,“कर्ण! विराट नगरमें भी सम्पूर्ण कौरव एकत्र हुए थे; किंतु अर्जुनने अकेले ही वहाँ सबको हरा दिया था। कर्ण! तुम भी अपने भाइयोंके साथ परास्त हुए थे
virāṭanagare cāpi sametāḥ sarvakauravāḥ | pārthena nirjitā yuddhe tvaṃ ca karṇa sahānujāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Even in the city of Virāṭa, all the Kauravas had assembled together; yet in battle Pārtha (Arjuna) defeated them. O Karṇa, you too were overcome there, along with your younger brothers.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical and strategic weight of remembering past outcomes: collective power without right judgment and preparedness can still fail, while proven prowess (here, Arjuna’s) should be acknowledged honestly. It also functions as a moral check on pride—reminding Karṇa that past defeat should temper overconfidence in present war.
Sañjaya recalls an earlier event at Virāṭanagara where the Kauravas had gathered in force, yet Arjuna alone defeated them. He addresses Karṇa directly, reminding him that Karṇa too was defeated there along with his brothers—using the memory to frame the present conflict and its dangers.