Shloka 36
कर्ण कर्ण महेष्वास रणेडमितपराक्रम । नान्यस्य शक्तिरेषा ते मोक्तव्या जयतां वर
karṇa karṇa maheṣvāsa raṇe 'damitaparākrama | nānyasya śaktir eṣā te moktavyā jayatāṃ vara ||
Vāyu said: “O Karṇa, O great archer—whose prowess in battle is irresistible—this Śakti of yours is not to be discharged against anyone else. O best among victors, reserve it for the one for whom it is truly meant.”
श्रीवायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, power should be governed by discernment: a decisive weapon is to be used with restraint and purpose, not squandered on lesser targets. The verse frames martial strength as something to be ethically and strategically directed.
Vāyu addresses Karṇa directly, praising his prowess and warning him not to release his special weapon-power (śakti) against anyone else, implying it must be saved for a particular, decisive opponent in the unfolding battle.