Shloka 28
कर्ण–कृष्णसंवादः (Karṇa–Kṛṣṇa-saṃvādaḥ) — Karṇa’s Statement on Lineage, Loyalty, and the ‘Śastra-yajña’ Metaphor
स त्वं परिवृतः पार्थन्नक्षत्रैरिव चन्द्रमा: । प्रशाधि राज्यं कौन्तेय कुन्तीं च प्रतिनन्दय
sa tvaṁ parivṛtaḥ pārthann akṣatrair iva candramāḥ | praśādhi rājyaṁ kaunteya kuntīṁ ca pratinandaya, kuntīkumāra |
Vāyu said: “O Pārtha, like the moon encircled by the stars, you too—surrounded by your brothers—should govern the kingdom well. O son of Kuntī, rule with steadiness and bring joy and reassurance to your mother Kuntī.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Leadership is to be exercised in harmony with one’s kin: rule responsibly with the support of brothers, and uphold filial duty by comforting and honoring one’s mother—ethical governance joined with family care.
Vāyudeva addresses Pārtha/Kaunteya (Arjuna) with an image of the moon among stars, urging him to administer the kingdom while surrounded by his brothers and to bring joy and reassurance to Kuntī.