Shloka 7
अध्याय ४ — भीष्मेन कर्णोत्साहनम्
Bhīṣma’s Encouragement of Karṇa
हिमवद्दुर्गनिलया: किराता रणकर्कशा: । दुर्योधनस्य वशगास्त्वया कर्ण पुरा कृता:,“कर्ण! पूर्वकालमें तुमने हिमालयके दुर्गमें निवास करनेवाले रणकर्कश किरातोंको भी जीतकर दुर्योधनके अधीन कर दिया था
himavad-durga-nilayāḥ kirātā raṇa-karkaśāḥ | duryodhanasya vaśagās tvayā karṇa purā kṛtāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O Karṇa, in former times you subdued even the Kirātas—hard and fierce in battle—who dwelt in the mountain-forts of the Himālaya, and you brought them under Duryodhana’s control.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how personal valor and military prowess can be directed toward enlarging another’s political power. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether strength is being used in service of dharma (rightful order) or merely for domination and factional ambition.
Sañjaya reminds Karṇa of his earlier campaigns: he defeated the fierce Kirātas living in Himalayan strongholds and made them subject to Duryodhana. This functions as praise and as a recollection of Karṇa’s role in building Duryodhana’s coalition and influence.