Shloka 163
अक्षताभ्यामरिष्टा भ्यां हत: कर्णो महारथ: । युधिष्ठिर बोले--देवकीनन्दन! तुम्हारा स्वागत हो। धनंजय! तुम्हारा भी स्वागत है। श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन! इस समय तुम दोनोंका दर्शन मुझे अत्यन्त प्रिय लगा है; क्योंकि तुम दोनोंने स्वयं किसी प्रकारकी क्षति न उठाकर सकुशल रहते हुए महारथी कर्णको मार डाला है
akṣatābhyām ariṣṭābhyāṃ hataḥ karṇo mahārathaḥ |
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Kṛṣṇa, son of Devakī—welcome. O Dhanañjaya—welcome to you as well. The sight of you both, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, is exceedingly dear to me at this moment, for without yourselves suffering any harm or misfortune, you have safely brought down Karṇa, that great chariot-warrior.”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya-world ethical emphasis on accomplishing a grave duty (defeating a formidable enemy) while minimizing needless loss. Yudhiṣṭhira’s joy is not mere triumphalism; it is relief that the righteous cause has advanced and that Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna—central supports of the Pāṇḍava dharma—have returned unharmed after facing Karṇa, one of the war’s most dangerous champions.
After Karṇa has been killed in battle, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna with words of welcome. He expresses deep satisfaction at seeing them safe and uninjured, and he acknowledges that they have successfully slain Karṇa, the great mahāratha, without themselves suffering damage.