Shloka 12

कर्ण–कृष्णसंवादः (Karṇa–Kṛṣṇa-saṃvādaḥ) — Karṇa’s Statement on Lineage, Loyalty, and the ‘Śastra-yajña’ Metaphor

Devanagari script

पादौ तव ग्रहीष्यन्ति भ्रातर: पञ्च पाण्डवा: । द्रौपदेयास्तथा पञच सौभद्रश्चापराजित:

Transliteration

pādau tava grahīṣyanti bhrātaraḥ pañca pāṇḍavāḥ | draupadeyās tathā pañca saubhadraś cāparājitaḥ ||

Translation

Vāyu-deva said: “The five Pāṇḍava brothers will clasp your feet in reverence; likewise the five sons of Draupadī, and also the unconquered son of Subhadrā (Abhimanyu).”

Word by Word

• पादौ: two feet
• पादौ: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual

• तव: of you/your
• तव: Sambandha
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: त्वद्
• Form: —, Genitive, Singular

• ग्रहीष्यन्ति: will grasp/take (hold of)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह्
• Form: Simple Future (Luṭ), Third, Plural, Parasmaipada

• भ्रातरः: brothers
• भ्रातरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रातृ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• पञ्च: five
• Type: Numeral
• Root: पञ्च

• पाण्डवाः: the Pandavas
• पाण्डवाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• द्रौपदेयाः: sons of Draupadi
• द्रौपदेयाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रौपदेय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तथा: also/likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• पञ्च: five
• Type: Numeral
• Root: पञ्च

• सौभद्रः: son of Subhadra (Abhimanyu)
• सौभद्रः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौभद्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अपराजितः: unconquered/undefeated
• अपराजितः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपराजित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāyu (Vāyudeva)
• Pāṇḍavas (five brothers)
• Draupadī
• Draupadeyas (five sons of Draupadī)
• Subhadrā
• Abhimanyu

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic conduct expressed through humility and proper honor: even mighty warriors show reverence by clasping the feet of one worthy of respect, affirming moral order and rightful allegiance.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyu-deva foretells or declares that the Pāṇḍavas, Draupadī’s five sons, and Abhimanyu will approach and pay homage by touching/clasping the addressee’s feet—signaling support, respect, and alignment with dharma in the tense lead-up to conflict.