Shloka 39
Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)
तत: श्रेयस्करं यच्च तन्निबोध जनेश्वर । आयुधानां च मे वीर्य दिव्यानामर्जुनस्य च,जनेश्वर! अब जो यहाँ हितकर बात है, उसे सुनिये। मेरे तथा अर्जुनके पास भी दिव्यास्त्रोंका समान बल है
tataḥ śreyaskaraṃ yac ca tan nibodha janeśvara | āyudhānāṃ ca me vīryaṃ divyānām arjunasya ca ||
Then, O lord of men, understand what is truly for the greater good. In the matter of divine weapons, the power at my command and the power at Arjuna’s command are equal.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna frames his counsel in terms of śreyas (the greater good) and asserts parity in divine weapon-power between himself and Arjuna, implying that outcomes depend on judgment, timing, and broader factors beyond mere possession of celestial arms.
Karna addresses a ruler (‘janeśvara’) and urges him to heed what is beneficial; he then states that both he and Arjuna possess divine weapons of equal potency, setting the tone for strategic counsel amid the escalating conflict.