Shloka 19
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
लाघवाद् व्याकुलीकृत्य कर्ण: प्रहरतां वर: । हतसूतांश्व भूयिष्ठानवजिग्ये नराधिपान्
lāghavād vyākulīkṛtya karṇaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ | hatasūtānśva bhūyiṣṭhān avajigye narādhipān ||
Nārada said: By his swift and agile fighting, Karṇa—the foremost among those who strike—threw the enemy into confusion. Having slain many charioteers and horses, he repeatedly overcame the kings. The verse shows how sheer martial skill can rule a battlefield, and hints that victory often rests on destroying the supporting forces—drivers and steeds—not only on facing rulers directly.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that dominance in conflict can arise from speed, precision, and disruption of an opponent’s support system (charioteers and horses). Ethically, it hints that outcomes in war are shaped as much by tactical destruction of enabling structures as by direct confrontation with leaders.
Nārada describes Karṇa’s performance in battle: through swift attacks he confuses the opposing side, kills many charioteers and horses, and thereby repeatedly defeats numerous kings.