Shloka 1
अपना छा अर पञठ्चमो< ध्याय: कर्णका दुर्योधनके समक्ष सेनापति-पदके लिये द्रोणाचार्यका नाम प्रस्तावित करना संजय उवाच रथस्थं पुरुषव्याप्रं दृष्टवा कर्णमवस्थितम् | हृष्टो दुर्योधनो राजन्निदं वचनमब्रवीत्,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! पुरुषसिंह कर्णको रथपर बैठा देख दुर्योधनने प्रसन्न होकर इस प्रकार कहा--
sañjaya uvāca | rathasthaṃ puruṣavyāghraṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇam avasthitam | hṛṣṭo duryodhano rājan idaṃ vacanam abravīt ||
Sañjaya said: O King, seeing Karna—lion among men—seated upon his chariot and standing ready, Duryodhana was filled with delight and spoke these words.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leaders in crisis often anchor decisions in perceived strength and loyalty. Ethically, it foreshadows the tension between strategic expediency and dharmic discernment—delight in power can precede choices with grave moral consequences.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Duryodhana, seeing Karna ready on his chariot, becomes pleased and begins speaking—setting up the ensuing discussion about command and battlefield leadership in the Drona Parva.