Shloka 6
Adhyāya 5 (Śānti-parva): Nārada’s account of Karṇa—Jarāsandha encounter and the causal grounds of Karṇa’s fall
प्रीत्या ददौ स कर्णाय मालिनीं नगरीमथ । अड्भेषु नरशार्टूल स राजा5डसीत् सपत्नजित्
prītyā dadau sa karṇāya mālinīṃ nagarīm atha | aḍbheṣu naraśārdūla sa rājāsīt sapatnajit ||
Nārada said: Out of affection, he then bestowed upon Karṇa the city named Mālinī. O tiger among men, in that realm he became a king—one who overcame his rivals.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Affectionate patronage and the granting of territory can establish political standing; yet true kingship is marked by the capacity to secure the realm and overcome rival claimants (sapatnajit).
Nārada narrates that a ruler, moved by affection, grants Karṇa the city called Mālinī, after which Karṇa attains the status of a king and is described as one who defeats his rivals.