Shloka 43
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
प्रत्यहीयत काकाच्च मुहूर्तमिव मारिष । आर्य! हंसने एक ही मृदुल गतिसे उड़ना आरम्भ किया था; अतः दो घड़ीतक वह कौएसे हारता-सा प्रतीत हुआ || ४२ $ ।। अवमन्य च हंसांस्तानिदं वचनमन्रुवन्
pratyahīyata kākāc ca muhūrtam iva māriṣa | ārya! haṃsenaika eva mṛdula-gatyā uḍḍayanam ārabdhaṃ āsīt; ataḥ dve ghaṭī-tak sa kākāt hārata iva pratīto 'bhavat || avamanya ca haṃsāṃs tān idaṃ vacanam abruvan ||
The swan seemed to fall behind the crow for a short while, O venerable one. “Noble sir, the swan had only just begun to fly with its gentle, measured pace; therefore, for about two ghaṭīs it appeared as though it were losing to the crow.” Then, slighting those swans, he spoke these words.
हंस उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not judge superiority by a brief, initial appearance. A gentle, steady nature may seem slower at first, but true excellence is not measured by momentary advantage; contempt and premature boasting are ethically blameworthy.
A comparison is being made between a crow and a swan in flight: for a short time the swan appears to lag because it begins with a soft, measured pace. On that basis, someone then speaks contemptuously toward the swans, setting up a moral contrast between shallow triumph and genuine worth.