Shloka 11
ततो भूतान्यन्तरिक्षस्थितानि तौ कर्णपार्थो प्रशशंसुनरिन्द्र । भो: कर्ण साध्वर्जुन साधु चेति वियत्सु वाणी श्रूयते सर्वतो5पि
tato bhūtāny antarīkṣasthitāni tau karṇa-pārtho praśaśaṃsur narendra | bhoḥ karṇa sādhv arjuna sādhu ceti viyatsu vāṇī śrūyate sarvato 'pi, narendra ||
Then the beings stationed in the sky began to praise both Karṇa and Pārtha (Arjuna), O king. From every direction in the heavens a voice was heard: “Bravo, Karṇa!” “Well done, Arjuna!”—as the duel’s intensity drew even celestial witnesses into acclaim.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic ideal of recognizing valor and excellence even in an enemy: both warriors are praised impartially by celestial witnesses, suggesting that true merit in battle (kṣatriya-dharma) can be acknowledged beyond partisan loyalties.
As Karṇa and Arjuna engage in a climactic confrontation, beings in the sky acclaim both of them. Their shouts—“Bravo, Karṇa!” and “Well done, Arjuna!”—are heard throughout the heavens, underscoring the magnitude of the duel.