Shloka 37

अर्जुनस्य शीघ्रप्रयाणं भीम-शकुनियुद्धं च

Arjuna’s Rapid Advance and the Bhīma–Śakuni Encounter

Devanagari script

कर्णस्तु सात्यकिं जित्वा राजगृद्धी महाबल:

Transliteration

karṇas tu sātyakiṃ jitvā rājagṛddhī mahābalaḥ

Translation

Sañjaya said: Karṇa, of great might and driven by royal ambition, having overcome Sātyaki, pressed on—his victory serving both the immediate demands of battle and his hunger for supremacy.

Word by Word

• कर्णः: Karna
• कर्णः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• सात्यकिम्: Satyaki
• सात्यकिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सात्यकि
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• जित्वा: having conquered/defeated
• Type: Verb
• Root: जि
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• राजगृद्धी: desirous of kingship (royal power)
• राजगृद्धी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजगृद्धी
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महाबलः: mighty/very strong
• महाबलः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Karna
• Satyaki (Yuyudhana)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how martial success can be intertwined with inner motives: Karṇa’s prowess is undeniable, yet it is colored by rāja-gṛddhi—ambition for sovereignty—inviting reflection on how desire for power can shape ethical choices even in the performance of kṣatriya duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Karṇa has overcome Sātyaki in the ongoing battle. The description emphasizes Karṇa’s great strength and his drive for royal ascendancy as he continues his campaign on the battlefield.