Shloka 36
Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)
बहुत्वान्मम कार्याणां तथा पार्थस्य भारत । नाभूत् समागमो राजन् मम चैवार्जुनस्य च,भरतवंशी नरेश! मेरे तथा अर्जुनके सामने बहुत-से कार्य आते गये; इसीलिये अबतक मेरा और उनका द्वैरथ युद्ध न हो सका
bahutvān mama kāryāṇāṃ tathā pārthasya bhārata | nābhūt samāgamo rājan mama caivārjunasya ca ||
O Bhārata, because many pressing duties kept arising for me, and likewise for Pārtha, there has not yet been an occasion, O King, for Arjuna and me to come face to face in a direct chariot-duel.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how even in a climactic rivalry, outcomes are shaped by competing obligations and circumstances. It suggests that in war and governance, personal aims are often subordinated to immediate duties, and decisive encounters depend on opportunity as much as intent.
Karna explains to the king (addressed as Bhārata) why he has not yet fought Arjuna in a direct chariot-to-chariot duel: both warriors have repeatedly been occupied by many urgent tasks on the battlefield, preventing a head-on meeting.