Shloka 41
Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)
प्राणे शौर्येडथ विज्ञाने विक्रमे चापि भारत । निमित्तज्ञानयोगे च सव्यसाची न मत्सम:
prāṇe śaurye ’tha vijñāne vikrame cāpi bhārata | nimittajñānayoge ca savyasācī na matsamaḥ ||
Karna said: “O Bhārata, in vitality and endurance, in valor, in mastery of weapons and knowledge, and in prowess as well—and even in the disciplined insight by which one discerns the means to overcome an enemy—Savyasācī Arjuna is not my equal.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya ideal of excellence in strength, courage, skill, and strategy, while also illustrating how pride and rivalry can shape ethical judgment in war—Karna asserts superiority rather than reflecting on restraint or dharma.
In the Karṇa Parva, Karna speaks in the context of the Kurukṣetra war, asserting that Arjuna—renowned as Savyasācī—is not equal to him in physical vitality, valor, weapon-skill, prowess, and strategic discernment for defeating enemies.