Shloka 1
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १४१: कर्ण–कृष्णसंवादः, उत्पात-स्वप्न-लक्षणानि
Karna–Krishna Dialogue: Omens and Dream-Signs
ऑपनआक्रात [छ। आर: द्विचत्वारिशर्दाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: भगवान् श्रीकृष्णका कर्णसे पाण्डवपक्षकी निश्चित विजयका प्रतिपादन संजय उवाच कर्णस्य वचन श्रुत्वा केशव: परवीरहा । उवाच प्रहसन् वाक््यं स्मितपूर्वमिदं यथा,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! विपक्षी वीरोंका वध करनेवाले भगवान् केशव कर्णकी उपर्युक्त बात सुनकर ठठाकर हँस पड़े और मुसकराते हुए इस प्रकार बोले
sañjaya uvāca | karṇasya vacanaṃ śrutvā keśavaḥ paravīrahā | uvāca prahasan vākyaṃ smitapūrvam idaṃ yathā ||
Sanjaya said: “O King, after hearing Karna’s words, Keshava—slayer of hostile heroes—burst into laughter, and then, with a smile, spoke the following reply.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral-psychological contrast: confident rhetoric and martial pride are weighed against discerning counsel. Krishna’s smile and laughter signal that mere bravado or self-assurance is not decisive; ethical clarity, strategy, and the deeper order of dharma will govern outcomes.
Sanjaya reports to King Dhritarashtra that Krishna (Keshava), after hearing Karna’s preceding statement, laughs and then begins his response. This verse functions as a transition into Krishna’s reply, highlighting his composed superiority and the impending rebuttal.