Shloka 28
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १४० (कृष्णेन कर्णं प्रति पाण्डवबल-वैशिष्ट्यप्रदर्शनम्) / Udyoga Parva, Chapter 140
Krishna’s appraisal of Pandava advantage and war portents
महानयं कृष्ण कृत: क्षत्रस्य समुदानय: । राज्यं प्राप्तमिदं दीप्तं प्रथितं सर्वराजसु,श्रीकृष्ण! दुर्योधनने यह क्षत्रियोंका बहुत बड़ा समुदाय एकत्र कर लिया है तथा समस्त राजाओंमें विख्यात एवं उज्ज्वल यह कुरुदेशका राज्य भी उसे प्राप्त हो गया है
mahān ayaṁ kṛṣṇa kṛtaḥ kṣatrasya samudānayaḥ | rājyaṁ prāptam idaṁ dīptaṁ prathitaṁ sarvarājasu ||
Karna said: “O Kṛṣṇa, this is a great mustering of the warrior order that has been brought about. And this radiant kingdom—renowned among all kings—has come into Duryodhana’s possession. By your policy and the course of events, the Kuru sovereignty has become both illustrious and widely acknowledged, and the Kṣatriya hosts now stand gathered around it.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political legitimacy and military strength arise from the consolidation of Kṣatriya support and the possession of a renowned kingdom. It implicitly critiques the ethics of power: fame and ‘radiance’ of sovereignty can be products of strategic action and collective alignment, not necessarily of righteousness.
Karna addresses Kṛṣṇa, pointing out that a vast Kṣatriya host has been assembled and that the celebrated, splendid kingdom has come under Duryodhana’s control. The statement frames the impending conflict as backed by broad royal recognition and concentrated martial power.