Shloka 21

Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)

Devanagari script

दुर्योधनं ततो दृष्टवा पाण्डवेन भुशार्दितम्‌ । पराक्रान्तान्‌ पाण्डुसुतान्‌ दृष्टयवा चापि महारथ:

Transliteration

duryodhanaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavena bhṛśārditam | parākrāntān pāṇḍusutān dṛṣṭvā cāpi mahārathaḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: Then, seeing Duryodhana grievously afflicted by the Pāṇḍava, and also beholding the sons of Pāṇḍu displaying their prowess in battle, the great chariot-warrior Karṇa responded to the situation—his next action arising from loyalty to his side amid the pressure of dharma and war.

Word by Word

• दुर्योधनम्: Duryodhana (as object)
• दुर्योधनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्योधन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Active, Non-finite

• पाण्डवेन: by a Pandava
• पाण्डवेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• भृशार्दितम्: severely afflicted/tormented
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भृश-आर्दित
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)

• पराक्रान्तान्: valiant; having displayed prowess
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पराक्रान्त
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural, क्त (past active/participial usage)

• पाण्डुसुतान्: the sons of Pandu (Pandavas)
• पाण्डुसुतान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डु-सुत
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Active, Non-finite

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अपि: also, even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• महारथः: the great chariot-warrior (Karna)
• महारथः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Duryodhana
• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Pāṇḍavas
• Karna

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the moral tension of warfare: when one witnesses suffering on one’s own side and the strength of the opponent, one’s response tests loyalty, courage, and discernment within kṣatriya-dharma. It frames Karna’s impending choice as an ethically charged reaction to visible consequences of conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana is seen as badly hurt by a Pāṇḍava (contextually Yudhiṣṭhira), while the Pāṇḍavas are pressing forward with valor. This observation sets up Karna’s next move in the battle narrative.