Shloka 52
Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)
ज्या तस्य धनुषो दिव्या तथाक्षय्ये महेषुधी । सारथिस्तस्य गोविन्दो मम तादृड्ध न विद्यते
jyā tasya dhanuṣo divyā tathākṣayye maheṣudhī | sārathis tasya govindo mama tādṛg dha na vidyate ||
The bowstring of his bow is divine; and he has two great quivers whose supply of arrows never runs out. And Govinda himself is his charioteer. Such advantages are not found on my side.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna recognizes that victory is influenced not only by individual heroism but also by supporting conditions—divine resources, reliable supply, and wise guidance. Ethically, it underscores humility and clear-sightedness: acknowledging the role of dharmic alignment and divine support in outcomes.
In the Karna Parva battle context, Karna speaks while assessing the opposing side’s strengths. He points to Arjuna’s superior advantages: a divine bowstring, inexhaustible quivers, and Krishna (Govinda) as charioteer—contrasting them with his own lack of comparable supports.