Shloka 74
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
यत्र व्यस्ता: समस्ताश्ष निर्जिता: स्थ किरीटिना । शृगाला इव सिंहेन क्व ते वीर्यम भूत् तदा,वहाँ तो किरीटधारी अर्जुनने अलग-अलग और सब लोगोंसे एक साथ लड़कर भी तुमलोगोंको उसी प्रकार परास्त कर दिया था, जैसे एक ही सिंहने बहुत-से सियारोंको मार भगाया हो। कर्ण! उस समय तुम्हारा पराक्रम कहाँ था?
yatra vyastāḥ samastāś ca nirjitāḥ sma kirīṭinā | śṛgālā iva siṁhena kva te vīryam abhūt tadā ||
There, when you were scattered and yet also gathered together, you were nonetheless defeated by the diadem-wearing Arjuna—just as many jackals are routed by a single lion. Karṇa, where was your valor then?
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse challenges empty claims of heroism: true vīrya is proven by conduct and outcomes, not by later boasting. It uses a sharp simile to expose the gap between self-image and demonstrated capability.
Kāka addresses Karṇa, recalling an earlier encounter where Arjuna (Kirīṭin) defeated them even when they were both dispersed and assembled. Kāka taunts Karṇa by asking where his prowess was at that moment.