Shloka 49
व्यालास्त्रसर्गोत्तमयत्नमन्युभि- हन्तास्मि पार्थ सुसुखी व्रज त्वम् इतना कहकर सूर्यके श्रेष्ठ पुत्र कर्णने युद्धस्थलमें उस नागसे फिर इस प्रकार कहा --'मेरे पास सर्पमुख बाण है। मैं उत्तम यत्न कर रहा हूँ और मेरे मनमें अर्जुनके प्रति पर्याप्त रोष भी है; अतः मैं स्वयं ही पार्थको मार डालूगा। तुम सुखपूर्वक यहाँसे पधारो” ।। इत्येवमुक्तो युधि नागराज: कर्णेन रोषादसहंस्तस्य वाक्यम्
vyālāstrasargottama-yatnam anyubhir hantāsmi pārtha su-sukhī vraja tvam | ity evam ukto yudhi nāgarājaḥ karṇena roṣād asahaṁs tasya vākyam ||
Karna, the foremost son of the Sun, spoke again to the serpent on the battlefield: “I possess a serpent-headed missile. I am exerting the highest effort, and my anger toward Arjuna is fully aroused; therefore I myself will slay Partha. Depart from here in comfort.” Thus addressed in the midst of battle, the king of serpents—stung by Karna’s wrath—could not endure those words.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how intense anger and pride in one’s own prowess can harden resolve but also provoke conflict and ethical strain. Karna insists on personal agency—claiming he alone will kill Arjuna—while dismissing an ally’s contribution, illustrating how ego and wrath can distort judgment even amid heroic ideals.
On the battlefield, Karna addresses the Nāga-king (serpent) connected with a serpent-headed weapon. Karna declares he will personally kill Arjuna with utmost effort and tells the serpent to leave. The Nāga-king, angered by Karna’s harsh, dismissive words, cannot tolerate the statement—setting up further tension around the weapon and its use.