Shloka 7
कर्णस्य सेनापत्याभिषेकः | Karṇa’s Consecration as Commander-in-Chief
यो बाल एव समरे सम्मित: सव्यसाचिना । केशवेन च दुर्धर्षो बलदेवेन वा विभो
yo bāla eva samare sammitaẖ savyasācinā | keśavena ca durdharṣo baladevena vā vibho ||
Sañjaya said: “He who, while still a mere boy, was already matched in battle by Savyasācin (Arjuna)—and who is hard to withstand even for Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) or for mighty Baladeva—O lord.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the Mahābhārata’s ethic of recognizing true martial excellence: a warrior’s stature is shown by being able to stand against the very best (Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa, Baladeva). It highlights how reputation in dharma-yuddha is built through proven encounters, not mere claims.
Sañjaya is describing a formidable warrior whose prowess was evident even in youth—someone who could be ‘matched’ by Arjuna and is difficult to overcome even for Kṛṣṇa or Baladeva—thereby emphasizing the extraordinary danger and strength present on the battlefield in the Karṇa Parva context.