Shloka 30
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
प्रायच्छत्तुरगान् यच्च फाल्गुनं चाप्ययोधयत् | यदस्य समरे राजन् सर्वे योधा अपूजयन्
prāyacchatturagān yac ca phālgunaṃ cāpy ayodhayat | yad asya samare rājan sarve yodhā apūjayan
Sañjaya said: He bestowed horses, and he also engaged Phālguna (Arjuna) in battle. And, O King, in that encounter all the warriors honored him—acknowledging his prowess and the martial code that esteems valor even in an enemy.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid hostility, the kṣatriya ethic upholds respect for demonstrated excellence: valor and rightful conduct in battle can earn honor from all sides, showing that recognition of merit is not confined to one’s own camp.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the described hero both distributed horses (a sign of patronage and martial readiness) and then confronted Phālguna (Arjuna) in combat; in that battle, all the warriors paid him honor, acknowledging his prowess.